STAG2 mutations regulate 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme

Inactivating mutations of genes encoding the cohesin complex are common in a wide range of human cancers. STAG2 is the most commonly mutated subunit. Here we report the impact of stable correction of endogenous, naturally occurring STAG2 mutations on gene expression, 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In two GBM cell lines, correction of their STAG2 mutations significantly altered the expression of ∼10% of all expressed genes. Virtually all the most highly regulated genes were negatively regulated by STAG2 (i.e., expressed higher in STAG2-mutant cells), and one of them - HEPH - was regulated by STAG2 in uncultured GBM tumors as well. While STAG2 correction had little effect on large scale features of 3D genome organization (A/B compartments, TADs), STAG2 correction did alter thousands of individual chromatin loops, some of which controlled the expression of adjacent genes. Loops specific to STAG2-mutant cells, which were regulated by STAG1-containing cohesin complexes, were very large, supporting prior findings that STAG1-containing cohesin complexes have greater loop extrusion processivity than STAG2-containing cohesin complexes and suggesting that long loops may be a general feature of STAG2-mutant cancers. Finally, STAG2 mutation activated Polycomb activity leading to increased H3K27me3 marks, identifying Polycomb signaling a potential target for therapeutic intervention in STAG2-mutant GBM tumors. Together, these findings illuminate the landscape of STAG2-regulated genes, A/B compartments, chromatin loops, and pathways in GBM, providing important clues into the largely still unknown mechanism of STAG2 tumor suppression.

CBAP regulates the function of Akt-associated TSC protein complexes to modulate mTORC1 signaling

The Akt-Rheb-mTORC1 pathway plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth, but the mechanisms underlying the activation of Rheb-mTORC1 by Akt remain unclear. In our previous study, we found that CBAP was highly expressed in human T-ALL cells and primary tumors, and its deficiency led to reduced phosphorylation of TSC2/S6K1 signaling proteins as well as impaired cell proliferation and leukemogenicity. We also demonstrated that CBAP was required for Akt-mediated TSC2 phosphorylation in vitro. In response to insulin, CBAP was also necessary for the phosphorylation of TSC2/S6K1 and the dissociation of TSC2 from the lysosomal membrane. Here we report that CBAP interacts with AKT and TSC2, and knockout of CBAP or serum starvation leads to an increase in TSC1 in the Akt/TSC2 immunoprecipitation complexes. Lysosomal-anchored CBAP was found to override serum starvation and promote S6K1 and 4EBP1 phosphorylation and c-Myc expression in a TSC2-dependent manner. Additionally, recombinant CBAP inhibited the GAP activity of TSC2 complexes in vitro, leading to increased Rheb-GTP loading, likely due to the competition between TSC1 and CBAP for binding to the HBD domain of TSC2. Overexpression of the N26 region of CBAP, which is crucial for binding to TSC2, resulted in a decrease in mTORC1 signaling and an increase in TSC1 association with the TSC2/AKT complex, ultimately leading to increased GAP activity toward Rheb and impaired cell proliferation. Thus, we propose that CBAP can modulate the stability of TSC1-TSC2 as well as promote the translocation of TSC1/TSC2 complexes away from lysosomes to regulate Rheb-mTORC1 signaling.

c-Src-mediated phosphorylation and activation of kinesin KIF1C promotes elongation of invadopodia in cancer cells

Invadopodia on cancer cells play crucial roles in tumor invasion and metastasis by degrading and remodeling the surrounding extracellular matrices (ECM) and driving cell migration in complex three-dimensional environments. Previous studies have indicated that microtubules (MTs) play a crucial role in elongation of invadopodia, but not their formation, probably by regulating delivery of membrane and secretory proteins within invadopodia. However, the identity of the responsible MT-based molecular motors and their regulation has been elusive. Here, we show that KIF1C, a member of kinesin-3 family, is localized to the tips of invadopodia and is required for their elongation and the invasion of cancer cells. We also found that c-Src phosphorylates tyrosine residues within the stalk domain of KIF1C, thereby enhancing its association with tyrosine phosphatase PTPD1, that in turn activates MT-binding ability of KIF1C, probably by relieving the autoinhibitory interaction between its motor and stalk domains. These findings shed new insights into how c-Src signaling is coupled to the MT-dependent dynamic nature of invadopodia, and also advance our understanding of the mechanism of KIF1C activation through release of its autoinhibition.

Interaction of DBC1 with polyoma small T antigen promotes its degradation and negatively regulates tumorigenesis

Deleted in Breast Cancer 1 (DBC1) is an important metabolic sensor. Previous studies have implicated DBC1 in various cellular functions, notably cell proliferation, apoptosis, histone modification, and adipogenesis. However, current reports about the role of DBC1 in tumorigenesis are controversial and designate DBC1 alternatively as a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter. In the present study, we report that polyoma small T antigen (PyST) associates with DBC1 in mammalian cells, and this interaction leads to the posttranslational downregulation of DBC1 protein levels. When coexpressed, DBC1 overcomes PyST-induced mitotic arrest and promotes the exit of cells from mitosis. Using both transient and stable modes of PyST expression, we also show that cellular DBC1 is subjected to degradation by LKB1, a tumor suppressor and cellular energy sensor kinase, in an AMP kinase-independent manner. Moreover, LKB1 negatively regulates the phosphorylation as well as activity of the prosurvival kinase AKT1 through DBC1 and its downstream pseudokinase substrate, Tribbles 3 (TRB3). Using both transient transfection and stable cell line approaches as well as soft agar assay, we demonstrate that DBC1 has oncogenic potential. In conclusion, our study provides insight into a novel signaling axis that connects LKB1, DBC1, TRB3, and AKT1. We propose that the LKB1–DBC1–AKT1 signaling paradigm may have an important role in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis and consequently tumorigenesis.

BAP1 and YY1 regulate expression of death receptors in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive, and incurable cancer arising from the mesothelial lining of the pleura, with few available treatment options. We recently reported that loss of function of the nuclear deubiquitinase BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1), a frequent event in MPM, is associated with sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)–mediated apoptosis. As a potential underlying mechanism, here we report that BAP1 negatively regulates the expression of TRAIL receptors: death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5). Using tissue microarrays of tumor samples from MPM patients, we found a strong inverse correlation between BAP1 and TRAIL receptor expression. BAP1 knockdown increased DR4 and DR5 expression, whereas overexpression of BAP1 had the opposite effect. Reporter assays confirmed wt-BAP1, but not catalytically inactive BAP1 mutant, reduced promoter activities of DR4 and DR5, suggesting deubiquitinase activity is required for the regulation of gene expression. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated direct binding of BAP1 to the transcription factor Ying Yang 1 (YY1), and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed BAP1 and YY1 to be enriched in the promoter regions of DR4 and DR5. Knockdown of YY1 also increased DR4 and DR5 expression and sensitivity to TRAIL. These results suggest that BAP1 and YY1 cooperatively repress transcription of TRAIL receptors. Our finding that BAP1 directly regulates the extrinsic apoptotic pathway will provide new insights into the role of BAP1 in the development of MPM and other cancers with frequent BAP1 mutations.

PIM-induced phosphorylation of Notch3 promotes breast cancer tumorigenicity in a CSL-independent fashion

Dysregulation of the developmentally important Notch signaling pathway is implicated in several types of cancer, including breast cancer. However, the specific roles and regulation of the four different Notch receptors have remained elusive. We have previously reported that the oncogenic PIM kinases phosphorylate Notch1 and Notch3. Phosphorylation of Notch1 within the second nuclear localization sequence of its intracellular domain (ICD) enhances its transcriptional activity and tumorigenicity. In this study, we analyzed Notch3 phosphorylation and its functional impact. Unexpectedly, we observed that the PIM target sites are not conserved between Notch1 and Notch3. Notch3 ICD (N3ICD) is phosphorylated within a domain, which is essential for formation of a transcriptionally active complex with the DNA-binding protein CSL. Through molecular modeling, X-ray crystallography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of N3ICD sterically hinders its interaction with CSL and thereby inhibits its CSL-dependent transcriptional activity. Surprisingly however, phosphorylated N3ICD still maintains tumorigenic potential in breast cancer cells under estrogenic conditions, which support PIM expression. Taken together, our data indicate that PIM kinases modulate the signaling output of different Notch paralogs by targeting distinct protein domains and thereby promote breast cancer tumorigenesis via both CSL-dependent and CSL-independent mechanisms.

Exploitation of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and p53 activation as therapeutic targets: A case study in polypharmacology

The tenovins are a frequently studied class of compounds capable of inhibiting sirtuin activity, which is thought to result in increased acetylation and protection of the tumor suppressor p53 from degradation. However, as we and other laboratories have shown previously, certain tenovins are also capable of inhibiting autophagic flux, demonstrating the ability of these compounds to engage with more than one target. In this study, we present two additional mechanisms by which tenovins are able to activate p53 and kill tumor cells in culture. These mechanisms are the inhibition of a key enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), and the blockage of uridine transport into cells. These findings hold a 3-fold significance: first, we demonstrate that tenovins, and perhaps other compounds that activate p53, may activate p53 by more than one mechanism; second, that work previously conducted with certain tenovins as SirT1 inhibitors should additionally be viewed through the lens of DHODH inhibition as this is a major contributor to the mechanism of action of the most widely used tenovins; and finally, that small changes in the structure of a small molecule can lead to a dramatic change in the target profile of the molecule even when the phenotypic readout remains static.

Genetic disruption of the small GTPase RAC1 prevents plexiform neurofibroma formation in mice with neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. NF1 encodes neurofibromin, a GTPase-activating protein for RAS proto-oncogene GTPase (RAS). Plexiform neurofibromas are a hallmark of NF1 and result from loss of heterozygosity of NF1 in Schwann cells, leading to constitutively activated p21RAS. Given the inability to target p21RAS directly, here we performed an shRNA library screen of all human kinases and Rho-GTPases in a patient-derived NF1-/- Schwann cell line to identify novel therapeutic targets to disrupt PN formation and progression. Rho family members, including Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1), were identified as candidates. Corroborating these findings, we observed that shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAC1 reduces cell proliferation and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in NF1-/- Schwann cells. Genetically engineered Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre+ mice, which develop multiple PNs, also exhibited increased RAC1-GTP and phospho-ERK levels compared with Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre- littermates. Notably, mice in which both Nf1 and Rac1 loci were disrupted (Nf1flox/floxRac1flox/flox;PostnCre+) were completely free of tumors and had normal phospho-ERK activity compared with Nf1flox/flox ;PostnCre+ mice. We conclude that the RAC1-GTPase is a key downstream node of RAS and that genetic disruption of the Rac1 allele completely prevents PN tumor formation in vivo in mice.

Protein kinase Cι promotes UBF1-ECT2 binding on ribosomal DNA to drive rRNA synthesis and transformed growth of non-small-cell lung cancer cells

Epithelial cell-transforming sequence 2 (ECT2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases that is overexpressed in many cancers and involved in signal transduction pathways that promote cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. Recently, we demonstrated that a significant pool of ECT2 localizes to the nucleolus of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, where it binds the transcription factor upstream binding factor 1 (UBF1) on the promoter regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and activates rDNA transcription, transformed cell growth, and tumor formation. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which ECT2 engages UBF1 on rDNA promoters. Results from ECT2 mutagenesis indicated that the tandem BRCT domain of ECT2 mediates binding to UBF1. Biochemical and MS-based analyses revealed that protein kinase Cι (PKCι) directly phosphorylates UBF1 at Ser-412, thereby generating a phosphopeptide-binding epitope that binds the ECT2 BRCT domain. Lentiviral shRNA knockdown and reconstitution experiments revealed that both a functional ECT2 BRCT domain and the UBF1 Ser-412 phosphorylation site are required for UBF1-mediated ECT2 recruitment to rDNA, elevated rRNA synthesis, and transformed growth. Our findings provide critical molecular insight into ECT2-mediated regulation of rDNA transcription in cancer cells and offer a rationale for therapeutic targeting of UBF1- and ECT2-stimulated rDNA transcription for the management of NSCLC.

Systematic analysis of the human tumor cell binding to human vs. murine E- and P-selectin under static vs. dynamic conditions

Endothelial E- and P-selectins promote metastasis formation by interacting with sialyl-Lewis X and A (sLeX/sLeA) on circulating tumor cells. This interaction precedes extravasation and can take place under dynamic and static conditions. Metastasis formation is often studied in xenograft models. However, it is unclear whether species differences exist in the ligand specificity of human (h) vs. murine (m) selectins and whether different ligands are functional under dynamic vs. static conditions. We systematically compared the h vs. m E- and P-selectin (ESel/PSel) binding of a range of human tumor cells under dynamic vs. static conditions. The tumor cells were categorized by their sLeA/X status (sLeA+/sLeX+, sLeA−/sLeX+ and sLeA−/sLeX−). The general biological nature of the tumor–selectin interaction was analyzed by applying several tumor cell treatments (anti-sLeA/X blockade, neuraminidase, pronase and inhibition of O/N-glycosylation). We observed remarkable differences in the static vs. dynamic interaction of tumor cells with h vs. m ESel/PSel depending on their sLeA/X status. The tumor cell treatments mostly affected either static or dynamic as well as either h- or m-selectin interaction. mESel showed a higher diversity of potential ligands than hESel. Inhibition of O-GalNAc-glycosylation also affected glycosphingolipid synthesis. Summarized, different ligands on human tumor cells are functional under static vs. dynamic conditions and for the interaction with human vs. murine ESel/PSel. Non-canonical selectin ligands lacking the sLeA/X glycan epitopes exist on human tumor cells. These findings have important implications for the current development of glycomimetic, antimetastatic drugs and encourage the development of immunodeficient mice with humanized selectins.

PIK3CA Cooperates with KRAS to Promote MYC Activity and Tumorigenesis via the Bromodomain Protein BRD9

Tumor formation is generally linked to the acquisition of two or more driver genes that cause normal cells to progress from proliferation to abnormal expansion and malignancy. In order to understand genetic alterations involved in this process, we compared the transcriptomes of an isogenic set of breast epithelial cell lines that are non-transformed or contain a single or double knock-in (DKI) of PIK3CA (H1047R) or KRAS (G12V). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that DKI cells were enriched over single mutant cells for genes that characterize a MYC target gene signature. This gene signature was mediated in part by the bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9) that was found in the SWI-SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, bound to the MYC super-enhancer locus. Small molecule inhibition of BRD9 reduced MYC transcript levels. Critically, only DKI cells had the capacity for anchorage-independent growth in semi-solid medium, and CRISPR-Cas9 manipulations showed that PIK3CA and BRD9 expression were essential for this phenotype. In contrast, KRAS was necessary for DKI cell migration, and BRD9 overexpression induced the growth of KRAS single mutant cells in semi-solid medium. These results provide new insight into the earliest transforming events driven by oncoprotein cooperation and suggest BRD9 is an important mediator of mutant PIK3CA/KRAS-driven oncogenic transformation.

The cancer-associated, gain-of-function TP53 variant P152Lp53 activates multiple signaling pathways implicated in tumorigenesis

TP53 is the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene in many cancers, yet biochemical characterization of several of its reported mutations with probable biological significance have not been accomplished enough. Specifically, missense mutations in TP53 can contribute to tumorigenesis through gain-of-function of biochemical and biological properties that stimulate tumor growth. Here, we identified a relatively rare mutation leading to a proline to leucine substitution (P152L) in TP53 at the very end of its DNA-binding domain (DBD) in a sample from an Indian oral cancer patient. Although the P152Lp53 DBD alone bound to DNA, the full-length protein completely lacked binding ability at its cognate DNA motifs. Interestingly, P152Lp53 could efficiently tetramerize, and the mutation had only a limited impact on the structure and stability of full-length p53. Significantly, when we expressed this variant in a TP53-null cell line, it induced cell motility, proliferation, and invasion compared with a vector-only control. Also, enhanced tumorigenic potential was observed when P152Lp53-expressing cells were xenografted into nude mice. Investigating the effects of P152Lp53 expression on cellular pathways, we found that it is associated with up-regulation of several pathways, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix signaling, epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, and Rho-GTPase signaling, commonly active in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Taken together, our findings provide a detailed account of the biochemical and cellular alterations associated with the cancer-associated P152Lp53 variant and establish it as a gain-of-function TP53 variant.

Targeting cell surface GRP78 enhances pancreatic cancer radiosensitivity through YAP/TAZ protein signaling

Ionizing radiation (IR) can promote migration and invasion of cancer cells, but the basis for this phenomenon has not been fully elucidated. IR increases expression of glucose-regulated protein 78kDa (GRP78) on the surface of cancer cells (CS-GRP78), and this up-regulation is associated with more aggressive behavior, radioresistance, and recurrence of cancer. Here, using various biochemical and immunological methods, including flow cytometry, cell proliferation and migration assays, Rho activation and quantitative RT-PCR assays, we investigated the mechanism by which CS-GRP78 contributes to radioresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. We found that activated α₂-Macroglobulin (α₂M*) a ligand of the CS-GRP78 receptor, induces formation of the AKT kinase (AKT)/DLC1 Rho-GTPase-activating protein (DLC1) complex and thereby increases Rho activation. Further, CS-GRP78 activated the transcriptional coactivators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and tafazzin (TAZ) in a Rho-dependent manner, promoting motility and invasiveness of PDAC cells. We observed that radiation-induced CS-GRP78 stimulates the nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ and increases YAP/TAZ target gene expressions. Remarkably, targeting CS-GRP78 with C38 monoclonal antibody (Mab) enhanced radiosensitivity and increased the efficacy of radiation therapy by curtailing PDAC cell motility and invasion. These findings reveal that CS-GRP78 acts upstream of YAP/TAZ signaling and promote migration and radiation-resistance in PDAC cells. We therefore conclude that, C38 Mab is a promising candidate for use in combination with radiation therapy to manage PDAC.

A novel thyroid hormone receptor isoform, TRβ2-46, promotes SKP2 expression and retinoblastoma cell proliferation

Retinoblastoma is a childhood retinal tumor that develops from cone photoreceptor precursors in response to inactivating RB1 mutations and loss of functional RB protein. The cone precursor's response to RB loss involves cell type-specific signaling circuitry that helps to drive tumorigenesis. One component of the cone precursor circuitry, the thyroid hormone receptor β2 (TRβ2), enables the aberrant proliferation of diverse RB-deficient cells in part by opposing the down-regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) by the more widely expressed and tumor-suppressive TRβ1. However, it is unclear how TRβ2 opposes TRβ1 to enable SKP2 expression and cell proliferation. Here, we show that in human retinoblastoma cells TRβ2 mRNA encodes two TRβ2 protein isoforms: a predominantly cytoplasmic 54-kDa protein (TRβ2-54) corresponding to the well-characterized full-length murine Trβ2 and an N-terminally truncated and exclusively cytoplasmic 46-kDa protein (TRβ2-46) that starts at Met-79. Whereas TRβ2 knockdown decreased SKP2 expression and impaired retinoblastoma cell cycle progression, re-expression of TRβ2-46 but not TRβ2-54 stabilized SKP2 and restored proliferation to an extent similar to that of ectopic SKP2 restoration. We conclude that TRβ2-46 is an oncogenic thyroid hormone receptor isoform that promotes SKP2 expression and SKP2-dependent retinoblastoma cell proliferation.

New links between lipid accumulation and cancer progression

Individuals with elevated lipid levels are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein transcription factors (SREBPs) are inducers of lipid synthesis. Elevated SREBPs levels are linked to cell proliferation and metastasis. Using biochemical and mouse models of cancer, Zhao et al. have discovered that nuclear SREBP-1a-dependent transcription is activated by pyruvate kinase M2 in cancer cells, which promotes tumor growth. Targeting the lipogenesis pathway may therefore be a promising avenue for cancer treatment.

Activation of hepatocyte growth factor/MET signaling initiates oncogenic transformation and enhances tumor aggressiveness in the murine prostate

Emerging evidence has shown that the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), promote cell proliferation, motility, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis. Whereas up-regulation of MET expression has been observed in aggressive and metastatic prostate cancer, a clear understanding of MET function in prostate tumorigenesis remains elusive. Here, we developed a conditional Met transgenic mouse strain, H11 ^Met/+ :PB-Cre4, to mimic human prostate cancer cells with increased MET expression in the prostatic luminal epithelium. We found that these mice develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia after HGF administration. To further assess the biological role of MET in prostate cancer progression, we bred H11 ^Met/+ /Pten^LoxP/LoxP:PBCre4 compound mice, in which transgenic Met expression and deletion of the tumor suppressor gene Pten occurred simultaneously only in prostatic epithelial cells. These compound mice exhibited accelerated prostate tumor formation and invasion as well as increased metastasis compared with Pten^LoxP/LoxP:PB-Cre4 mice. Moreover, prostatic sarcomatoid carcinomas and lesions resembling the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition developed in tumor lesions of the compound mice. RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed a robust enrichment of known tumor progression and metastasis-promoting genes in samples isolated from H11 ^Met/+ /Pten^LoxP/LoxP:PB-Cre4 compound mice compared with those from Pten^LoxP/LoxP:PB-Cre4 littermate controls. HGF-induced cell proliferation and migration also increased in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from animals with both Met transgene expression and Pten deletion compared with Pten-null MEFs. The results from these newly developed mouse models indicate a role for MET in hastening tumorigenesis and metastasis when combined with the loss of tumor suppressors.

The non-enzymatic RAS effector RASSF7 inhibits oncogenic c-Myc function

c-Myc is a proto-oncogene controlling expression of multiple genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. Although the functional role of c-Myc as a transcriptional regulator has been intensively studied, targeting this protein in cancer remains a challenge. Here, we report a trimodal regulation of c-Myc function by the Ras effector, Ras-association domain family member 7 (RASSF7), a nonenzymatic protein modulating protein-protein interactions to regulate cell proliferation. Using HEK293T and HeLa cell lines, we provide evidence that RASSF7 destabilizes the c-Myc protein by promoting Cullin4B-mediated polyubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, RASSF7 competed with MYC-associated factor X (MAX) in the formation of a heterodimeric complex with c-Myc and attenuated its occupancy on target gene promoters to regulate transcription. Consequently, RASSF7 inhibited c-Myc-mediated oncogenic transformation, and an inverse correlation between the expression levels of the RASSF7 and c-Myc genes was evident in human cancers. Furthermore, we found that RASSF7 interacts with c-Myc via its RA and leucine zipper (LZ) domains and LZ domain peptide is sufficient to inhibit c-Myc function, suggesting that this peptide might be used to target oncogenic c-Myc. These results unveil that RASSF7 and c-Myc are functionally linked in the control of tumorigenesis and open up potential therapeutic avenues for targeting the "undruggable" c-Myc protein in a subset of human cancers.

Ectopic fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 promotes inflammation by promoting nuclear factor-κB signaling in prostate cancer cells

Initiation of expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) concurrent with loss of FGFR2 expression is a well-documented event in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Although it is known that some FGFR isoforms confer advantages in cell proliferation and survival, the mechanism by which the subversion of different FGFR isoforms contributes to PCa progression is incompletely understood. Here, we report that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) promotes NF-κB signaling in PCa cells and that this increase is associated with FGFR1 expression. Disruption of FGFR1 kinase activity abrogated both FGF activity and NF-κB signaling in PCa cells. Of note, the three common signaling pathways downstream of FGFR1 kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT), and phosphoinositide phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), were not required for FGF-mediated NF-κB signaling. Instead, transforming growth factor β-activating kinase 1 (TAK1), a central regulator of the NF-κB pathway, was required for FGFR1 to stimulate NF-κB signaling. Moreover, we found that FGFR1 promotes NF-κB signaling in PCa cells by reducing TAK1 degradation and thereby supporting sustained NF-κB activation. Consistently, Fgfr1 ablation in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model reduced inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, activation of the FGFR1 kinase in the juxtaposition of chemical-induced dimerization (CID) and kinase 1 (JOCK1) mouse model increased inflammation. As inflammation plays an important role in PCa initiation and progression, these findings suggest that ectopically expressed FGFR1 promotes PCa progression, at least in part, by increasing inflammation in the tumor microenvironment.

Tumor-associated intronic editing of HNRPLL generates a novel splicing variant linked to cell proliferation

Processing of the eukaryotic transcriptome is a dynamic regulatory mechanism that confers genetic diversity, and splicing and adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing are well-characterized examples of such processing. Growing evidence reveals the cross-talk between the splicing and RNA editing, but there is a paucity of substantial evidence for its mechanistic details and contribution in a physiological context. Here, our findings demonstrate that tumor-associated differential RNA editing, in conjunction with splicing machinery, regulates the expression of variants of HNRPLL, a gene encoding splicing factor. We discovered an HNRPLL transcript variant containing an additional exon 12A (E12A), which is a substrate of ADAR1 and ADAR2. Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) direct deaminase-dependent expression of the E12A transcript, and ADAR-mediated regulation of E12A is largely splicing-based, and does not affect the stability or nucleocytoplasmic distribution of the transcript. Furthermore, ADAR-mediated modification of exon 12A generates an enhancer for the oncogenic splicing factor SRSF1 and consequently promotes the frequency of alternative splicing. Gene expression profiling by RNA-seq revealed that E12A acts distinctly from HNRPLL and regulates a set of growth-related genes, such as cyclin CCND1 and growth factor receptor TGFBR1 Accordingly, silencing E12A expression leads to impaired clonogenic ability and enhanced sensitivity to doxorubicin, thus highlighting the significance of this alternative isoform in tumor cell survival. In summary, we present the interplay of RNA editing and splicing as a regulatory mechanism of gene expression and also its physiological relevance. These findings extend our understanding of transcriptional dynamics and provide a mechanistic explanation to the link of RNA editors to tumorigenesis.

E4BP4/NFIL3 modulates the epigenetically repressed RAS effector RASSF8 function through histone methyltransferases

RAS proteins are major human oncogenes, and most of the studies are focused on enzymatic RAS effectors. Recently, nonenzymatic RAS effectors (RASSF, RAS association domain family) have garnered special attention because of their tumor-suppressive properties in contrast to the oncogenic potential of the classical enzymatic RAS effectors. Whereas most members of RASSF family are deregulated by promoter hypermethylation, RASSF8 promoter remains unmethylated in many cancers but the mechanism(s) of its down-regulation remains unknown. Here, we unveil E4BP4 as a critical transcriptional modulator repressing RASSF8 expression through histone methyltransferases, G9a and SUV39H1. In line with these observations, we noticed a negative correlation of RASSF8 and E4BP4 expression in primary breast tumor samples. In addition, our data provide evidence that E4BP4 attenuates RASSF8-mediated anti-proliferation and apoptosis, shedding mechanistic insights into RASSF8 down-regulation in breast cancers. Collectively, our study provides a better understanding on the epigenetic regulation of RASSF8 function and implicates the development of better treatment strategies.

OTUB1 protein suppresses mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity by deubiquitinating the mTORC1 inhibitor DEPTOR

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates various environmental signals to regulate cell growth and metabolism. DEPTOR, also termed DEPDC6, is an endogenous inhibitor of mTORC1 and mTORC2 activities. The abundance of DEPTOR centrally orchestrates the mTOR signaling network. However, the mechanisms by which DEPTOR stability is regulated are still elusive. Here, we report that OTU domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde-binding protein 1 (OTUB1) specifically deubiquitinates DEPTOR in a deubiquitination assay. We found that OTUB1 directly interacted with DEPTOR via its N-terminal domain, deubiquitinated DEPTOR, and thereby stabilized DEPTOR in a Cys-91-independent but Asp-88-dependent manner, suggesting that OTUB1 targets DEPTOR for deubiquitination via a deubiquitinase activity-independent non-canonical mechanism. The interaction between OTUB1 and DEPTOR was enhanced when the cells were treated with amino acids. Moreover, OTUB1 suppressed amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1 in a DEPTOR-dependent manner and thereby ultimately controlled cellular autophagy, cell proliferation, and size. Our findings reveal a mechanism that stabilizes the mTORC1 inhibitor DEPTOR via OTUB1's deubiquitinase activity. Our insights may inform research into various mTOR activity-related diseases, such as cancer, and may contribute to the identification of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for cancer treatments.

Aberrantly high expression of the CUB and zona pellucida-like domain-containing protein 1 (CUZD1) in mammary epithelium leads to breast tumorigenesis

The peptide hormone prolactin (PRL) and certain members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family play central roles in mammary gland development and physiology, and their dysregulation has been implicated in mammary tumorigenesis. Our recent studies have revealed that the CUB and zona pellucida-like domain-containing protein 1 (CUZD1) is a critical factor for PRL-mediated activation of the transcription factor STAT5 in mouse mammary epithelium. Of note, CUZD1 controls production of a specific subset of the EGF family growth factors and consequent activation of their receptors. Here, we found that consistent with this finding, CUZD1 overexpression in non-transformed mammary epithelial HC11 cells increases their proliferation and induces tumorigenic characteristics in these cells. When introduced orthotopically in mouse mammary glands, these cells formed adenocarcinomas, exhibiting elevated levels of STAT5 phosphorylation and activation of the EGF signaling pathway. Selective blockade of STAT5 phosphorylation by pimozide, a small-molecule inhibitor, markedly reduced the production of the EGF family growth factors and inhibited PRL-induced tumor cell proliferation in vitro Pimozide administration to mice also suppressed CUZD1-driven mammary tumorigenesis in vivo Analysis of human MCF7 breast cancer cells indicated that CUZD1 controls the production of the same subset of EGF family members in these cells as in the mouse. Moreover, pimozide treatment reduced the proliferation of these cancer cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that overexpression of CUZD1, a regulator of growth factor pathways controlled by PRL and STAT5, promotes mammary tumorigenesis. Blockade of the STAT5 signaling pathway downstream of CUZD1 may offer a therapeutic strategy for managing these breast tumors.

Tumor-extrinsic discoidin domain receptor 1 promotes mammary tumor growth by regulating adipose stromal interleukin 6 production in mice

Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is a collagen receptor that mediates cell communication with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Aberrant expression and activity of DDR1 in tumor cells are known to promote tumor growth. Although elevated DDR1 levels in the stroma of breast tumors are associated with poor patient outcome, a causal role for tumor-extrinsic DDR1 in cancer promotion remains unclear. Here we report that murine mammary tumor cells transplanted to syngeneic recipient mice in which Ddr1 has been knocked out (KO) grow less robustly than in WT mice. We also found that the tumor-associated stroma in Ddr1-KO mice exhibits reduced collagen deposition compared with the WT controls, supporting a role for stromal DDR1 in ECM remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) of Ddr1 knockout adipose tissue, which contains committed adipose stem/progenitor cells and preadipocytes, was impaired in its ability to stimulate tumor cell migration and invasion. Cytokine array-based screening identified interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a cytokine secreted by the SVF in a DDR1-dependent manner. SVF-produced IL-6 is important for SVF-stimulated tumor cell invasion in vitro, and, using antibody-based neutralization, we show that tumor promotion by IL-6 in vivo requires DDR1. In conclusion, our work demonstrates a previously unrecognized function of DDR1 in promoting tumor growth.

Autoantibodies against the cell surface-associated chaperone GRP78 stimulate tumor growth via tissue factor

Tumor cells display on their surface several molecular chaperones that normally reside in the endoplasmic reticulum. Because this display is unique to cancer cells, these chaperones are attractive targets for drug development. Previous epitope-mapping of autoantibodies (AutoAbs) from prostate cancer patients identified the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) as one such target. Although we previously showed that anti-GRP78 AutoAbs increase tissue factor (TF) procoagulant activity on the surface of tumor cells, the direct effect of TF activation on tumor growth was not examined. In this study, we explore the interplay between the AutoAbs against cell surface-associated GRP78, TF expression/activity, and prostate cancer progression. First, we show that tumor GRP78 expression correlates with disease stage and that anti-GRP78 AutoAb levels parallel prostate-specific antigen concentrations in patient-derived serum samples. Second, we demonstrate that these anti-GRP78 AutoAbs target cell-surface GRP78, activating the unfolded protein response and inducing tumor cell proliferation through a TF-dependent mechanism, a specific effect reversed by neutralization or immunodepletion of the AutoAb pool. Finally, these AutoAbs enhance tumor growth in mice bearing human prostate cancer xenografts, and heparin derivatives specifically abrogate this effect by blocking AutoAb binding to cell-surface GRP78 and decreasing TF expression/activity. Together, these results establish a molecular mechanism in which AutoAbs against cell-surface GRP78 drive TF-mediated tumor progression in an experimental model of prostate cancer. Heparin derivatives counteract this mechanism and, as such, represent potentially appealing compounds to be evaluated in well-designed translational clinical trials.

ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase promotes tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated cancer cell survival via sialylation of the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) death receptor

Activation of the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) death receptor by TNF induces either cell survival or cell death. However, the mechanisms mediating these distinct outcomes remain poorly understood. In this study, we report that the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase, an enzyme up-regulated in numerous cancers, sialylates TNFR1 and thereby protects tumor cells from TNF-induced apoptosis. Using pancreatic and ovarian cancer cells with ST6Gal-I knockdown or overexpression, we determined that α2-6 sialylation of TNFR1 had no effect on early TNF-induced signaling events, including the rapid activation of NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and Akt (occurring within 15 min). However, upon extended TNF treatment (6-24 h), cells with high ST6Gal-I levels exhibited resistance to TNF-induced apoptosis, as indicated by morphological evidence of cell death and decreased activation of caspases 8 and 3. Correspondingly, at these later time points, high ST6Gal-I expressers displayed sustained activation of the survival molecules Akt and NF-κB. Additionally, extended TNF treatment resulted in the selective enrichment of clonal variants with high ST6Gal-I expression, further substantiating a role for ST6Gal-I in cell survival. Given that TNFR1 internalization is known to be essential for apoptosis induction, whereas survival signaling is initiated by TNFR1 at the plasma membrane, we examined TNFR1 localization. The α2-6 sialylation of TNFR1 was found to inhibit TNF-induced TNFR1 internalization. Thus, by restraining TNFR1 at the cell surface via sialylation, ST6Gal-I acts as a functional switch to divert signaling toward survival. These collective findings point to a novel glycosylation-dependent mechanism that regulates the cellular response to TNF and may promote cancer cell survival within TNF-rich tumor microenvironments.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is critical for progression of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2)-deficient tumors

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a fatal lung disease associated with germline or somatic inactivating mutations in tuberous sclerosis complex genes (TSC1 or TSC2). LAM is characterized by neoplastic growth of smooth muscle-α-actin-positive cells that destroy lung parenchyma and by the formation of benign renal neoplasms called angiolipomas. The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor rapamycin slows progression of these diseases but is not curative and associated with notable toxicity at clinically effective doses, highlighting the need for better understanding LAM's molecular etiology. We report here that LAM lesions and angiomyolipomas overexpress urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Tsc1^-/- and Tsc2^-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressed higher uPA levels than their WT counterparts, resulting from the TSC inactivation. Inhibition of uPA expression in Tsc2-null cells reduced the growth and invasiveness and increased susceptibility to apoptosis. However, rapamycin further increased uPA expression in TSC2-null tumor cells and immortalized TSC2-null angiomyolipoma cells, but not in cells with intact TSC. Induction of glucocorticoid receptor signaling or forkhead box (FOXO) 1/3 inhibition abolished the rapamycin-induced uPA expression in TSC-compromised cells. Moreover, rapamycin-enhanced migration of TSC2-null cells was inhibited by the uPA inhibitor UK122, dexamethasone, and a FOXO inhibitor. uPA-knock-out mice developed fewer and smaller TSC2-null lung tumors, and introduction of uPA shRNA in tumor cells or amiloride-induced uPA inhibition reduced tumorigenesis in vivo These findings suggest that interference with the uPA-dependent pathway, when used along with rapamycin, might attenuate LAM progression and potentially other TSC-related disorders.

The K-Ras effector p38γ MAPK confers intrinsic resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors by stimulating EGFR transcription and EGFR dephosphorylation

Mutations in K-Ras and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are mutually exclusive, but it is not known how K-Ras activation inactivates EGFR, leading to resistance of cancer cells to anti-EGFR therapy. Here, we report that the K-Ras effector p38γ MAPK confers intrinsic resistance to small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) by concurrently stimulating EGFR gene transcription and protein dephosphorylation. We found that p38γ increases EGFR transcription by c-Jun-mediated promoter binding and stimulates EGFR dephosphorylation via activation of protein-tyrosine phosphatase H1 (PTPH1). Silencing the p38γ/c-Jun/PTPH1 signaling network increased sensitivities to TKIs in K-Ras mutant cells in which EGFR knockdown inhibited growth. Similar results were obtained with the p38γ-specific pharmacological inhibitor pirfenidone. These results indicate that in K-Ras mutant cancers, EGFR activity is regulated by the p38γ/c-Jun/PTPH1 signaling network, whose disruption may be a novel strategy to restore the sensitivity to TKIs.

Post-transcriptional regulation of ERBB2 by miR26a/b and HuR confers resistance to tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells

Tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR) estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is characterized by elevated Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) expression. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the increased ERBB2 expression in the TAMR cells remain poorly understood. Herein, we reported that the ERBB2 expression is regulated at the post-transcriptional level by miR26a/b and the RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR), both of which associate with the 3'-UTR of the ERBB2 transcripts. We demonstrated that miR26a/b inhibits the translation of ERBB2 mRNA, whereas HuR enhances the stability of the ERBB2 mRNA. In TAMR ER+ breast cancer cells with elevated ERBB2 expression, we observed a decrease in the level of miR26a/b and an increase in the level of HuR. The forced expression of miR26a/b or the depletion of HuR decreased ERBB2 expression in the TAMR cells, resulting in the reversal of tamoxifen resistance. In contrast, the inactivation of miR26a/b or forced expression of HuR decreased tamoxifen responsiveness of the parental ER+ breast cancer cells. We further showed that the increase in HuR expression in the TAMR ER+ breast cancer cells is attributable to an increase in the HuR mRNA isoform with shortened 3'-UTR, which exhibits increased translational activity. This shortening of the HuR mRNA 3'-UTR via alternative polyadenylation (APA) was observed to be dependent on cleavage stimulation factor subunit 2 (CSTF2/CstF-64), which is up-regulated in the TAMR breast cancer cells. Taken together, we have characterized a model in which the interplay between miR26a/b and HuR post-transcriptionally up-regulates ERBB2 expression in TAMR ER+ breast cancer cells.

NF-κB Signaling Activation Induced by Chloroquine Requires Autophagosome, p62 Protein, and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) Signaling and Promotes Tumor Cell Resistance

Macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy) is a catabolic cellular self-eating process by which unwanted organelles or proteins are delivered to lysosomes for degradation through autophagosomes. Although the role of autophagy in cancer has been shown to be context-dependent, the role of autophagy in tumor cell survival has attracted great interest in targeting autophagy for cancer therapy. One family of potential autophagy blockers is the quinoline-derived antimalarial family, including chloroquine (CQ). However, the molecular basis for tumor cell response to CQ remains poorly understood. We show here that in both squamous cell carcinoma cells and melanoma tumor cells, CQ induced NF-κB activation and the expression of its target genes HIF-1α, IL-8, BCL-2, and BCL-XL through the accumulation of autophagosomes, p62, and JNK signaling. The activation of NF-κB further increased p62 gene expression. Either genetic knockdown of p62 or inhibition of NF-κB sensitized tumor cells to CQ, resulting in increased apoptotic cell death following treatment. Our findings provide new molecular insights into the CQ response in tumor cells and CQ resistance in cancer therapy. These findings may facilitate development of improved therapeutic strategies by targeting the p62/NF-κB pathway.

Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) Mediates Metastatic Dormancy of Prostate Cancer in Bone

Prostate cancer is known to frequently recur in bone; however, how dormant cells switch its phenotype leading to recurrent tumor remains poorly understood. We have isolated two syngeneic cell lines (indolent and aggressive) through in vivo selection by implanting PC3mm stem-like cells into tibial bones. We found that indolent cells retained the dormant phenotype, whereas aggressive cells grew rapidly in bone in vivo, and the growth rates of both cells in culture were similar, suggesting a role of the tumor microenvironment in the regulation of dormancy and recurrence. Indolent cells were found to secrete a high level of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), which significantly stimulated the expression of BMP7 in bone marrow stromal cells. The secreted BMP7 then kept cancer cells in a dormant state by inducing senescence, reducing "stemness," and activating dormancy-associated p38 MAPK signaling and p21 expression in cancer cells. Importantly, we found that SPARC was epigenetically silenced in aggressive cells by promoter methylation, but 5-azacytidine treatment reactivated the expression. Furthermore, high SPARC promoter methylation negatively correlated with disease-free survival of prostate cancer patients. We also found that the COX2 inhibitor NS398 down-regulated DNMTs and increased expression of SPARC, which led to tumor growth suppression in bone in vivo These findings suggest that SPARC plays a key role in maintaining the dormancy of prostate cancer cells in the bone microenvironment.

Site-specific Disruption of the Oct4/Sox2 Protein Interaction Reveals Coordinated Mesendodermal Differentiation and the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Although the Oct4/Sox2 complex is crucial for maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells, the molecular basis underlying its regulation during lineage-specific differentiation remains unknown. Here, we revealed that the highly conserved Oct4/Lys-156 is important for maintaining the stability of the Oct4 protein and the intermolecular salt bridge between Oct4/Lys-151 and Sox2/Asp-107 that contributes to the Oct4/Sox2 interaction. Post-translational modifications at Lys-156 and K156N, a somatic mutation detected in bladder cancer patients, both impaired the Lys-151-Asp-107 salt bridge and the Oct4/Sox2 interaction. When produced as a recombinant protein or overexpressed in pluripotent stem cells, Oct4/K156N, with reduced binding to Sox2, significantly down-regulated the stemness genes that are cooperatively controlled by the Oct4/Sox2 complex and specifically up-regulated the mesendodermal genes and the SNAIL family genes that promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, we conclude that Oct4/Lys-156-modulated Oct4/Sox2 interaction coordinately controls the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mesendoderm specification induced by specific differentiation signals.

Different Roles of Negative and Positive Components of the Circadian Clock in Oncogene-induced Neoplastic Transformation

In mammals, circadian rhythms in physiological function are generated by a molecular oscillator driven by transcriptional-translational feedback loop consisting of negative and positive regulators. Disruption of this circadian clock machinery is thought to increase the risk of cancer development, but the potential contributions of each component of circadian clock to oncogenesis have been little explored. Here we reported that negative and positive transcriptional regulators of circadian feedback loop had different roles in oncogene-induced neoplastic transformation. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts prepared from animals deficient in negative circadian clock regulators, Period2 (Per2) or Cryptochrome1/2 (Cry1/2), were prone to transformation induced by co-expression of H-ras(V12) and SV40 large T antigen (SV40LT). In contrast, mouse embryonic fibroblasts prepared from mice deficient in positive circadian clock regulators, Bmal1 or Clock, showed resistance to oncogene-induced transformation. In Per2 mutant and Cry1/2-null cells, the introduction of oncogenes induced expression of ATF4, a potent repressor of cell senescence-associated proteins p16INK4a and p19ARF. Elevated levels of ATF4 were sufficient to suppress expression of these proteins and drive oncogenic transformation. Conversely, in Bmal1-null and Clock mutant cells, the expression of ATF4 was not induced by oncogene introduction, which allowed constitutive expression of p16INK4a and p19ARF triggering cellular senescence. Although genetic ablation of either negative or positive transcriptional regulators of the circadian clock leads to disrupted rhythms in physiological functions, our findings define their different contributions to neoplastic cellular transformation.

The Ring Finger Protein RNF6 Induces Leukemia Cell Proliferation as a Direct Target of Pre-B-cell Leukemia Homeobox 1

RNF6 is a little-studied ring finger protein. In the present study, we found that RNF6 was overexpressed in various leukemia cells and that it accelerated leukemia cell proliferation, whereas knockdown of RNF6 delayed tumor growth in xenografts. To find out the mechanism of RNF6 overexpression in leukemia, we designed a series of truncated constructs of RNF6 regulatory regions in the luciferase reporter system. The results revealed that the region between -144 and -99 upstream of the RNF6 transcription start site was critical and that this region contained a PBX1 recognition element (PRE). PBX1 modulated RNF6 expression by binding to the specific PRE. When PRE was mutated, RNF6 transcription was completely abolished. Further studies showed that PBX1 collaborated with PREP1 but not MEIS1 to modulate RNF6 expression. Moreover, RNF6 expression could be suppressed by doxorubicin, a major anti-leukemia agent, via down-regulating PBX1. This study thus suggests that RNF6 overexpression in leukemia is under the direction of PBX1 and that the PBX1/RNF6 axis can be developed as a novel therapeutic target of leukemia.

Activated α2-Macroglobulin Regulates Transcriptional Activation of c-MYC Target Genes through Cell Surface GRP78 Protein

Activated α2-macroglobulin (α2M*) signals predominantly through cell surface GRP78 (CS-GRP78) to promote proliferation and survival of cancer cells; however, the molecular mechanism remains obscure. c-MYC is an essential transcriptional regulator that controls cell proliferation. We hypothesize that α2M*/CS-GRP78-evoked key signaling events are required for transcriptional activation of c-MYC target genes. Activation of CS-GRP78 by α2M* requires ligation of the GRP78 primary amino acid sequence (Leu(98)-Leu(115)). After stimulation with α2M*, CS-GRP78 signaling activates 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) to induce phosphorylation of PLK1, which in turn induces c-MYC transcription. We demonstrate that PLK1 binds directly to c-MYC and promotes its transcriptional activity by phosphorylating Ser(62) Moreover, activated c-MYC is recruited to the E-boxes of target genes FOSL1 and ID2 by phosphorylating histone H3 at Ser(10) In addition, targeting the carboxyl-terminal domain of CS-GRP78 with a mAb suppresses transcriptional activation of c-MYC target genes and impairs cell proliferation. This work demonstrates that α2M*/CS-GRP78 acts as an upstream regulator of the PDK1/PLK1 signaling axis to modulate c-MYC transcription and its target genes, suggesting a therapeutic strategy for targeting c-MYC-associated malignant progression.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A (EIF5A) Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis by Modulating RhoA and Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) Protein Expression Levels

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers with an overall survival rate of less than 5%. The poor patient outcome in PDAC is largely due to the high prevalence of systemic metastasis at the time of diagnosis and lack of effective therapeutics that target disseminated cells. The fact that the underlying mechanisms driving PDAC cell migration and dissemination are poorly understood have hindered drug development and compounded the lack of clinical success in this disease. Recent evidence indicates that mutational activation of K-Ras up-regulates eIF5A, a component of the cellular translational machinery that is critical for PDAC progression. However, the role of eIF5A in PDAC cell migration and metastasis has not been investigated. We report here that pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockdown of eIF5A reduces PDAC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Proteomic profiling and bioinformatic analyses revealed that eIF5A controls an integrated network of cytoskeleton-regulatory proteins involved in cell migration. Functional interrogation of this network uncovered a critical RhoA/ROCK signaling node that operates downstream of eIF5A in invasive PDAC cells. Importantly, eIF5A mediates PDAC cell migration and invasion by modulating RhoA/ROCK protein expression levels. Together our findings implicate eIF5A as a cytoskeletal rheostat controlling RhoA/ROCK protein expression during PDAC cell migration and metastasis. Our findings also implicate the eIF5A/RhoA/ROCK module as a potential new therapeutic target to treat metastatic PDAC cells.

The Metastasis Suppressor, N-MYC Downstream-regulated Gene-1 (NDRG1), Down-regulates the ErbB Family of Receptors to Inhibit Downstream Oncogenic Signaling Pathways

N-MYC downstream-regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) is a potent growth and metastasis suppressor that acts through its inhibitory effects on a wide variety of cellular signaling pathways, including the TGF-β pathway, protein kinase B (AKT)/PI3K pathway, RAS, etc. To investigate the hypothesis that its multiple effects could be regulated by a common upstream effector, the role of NDRG1 on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other members of the ErbB family, namely human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), was examined. We demonstrate that NDRG1 markedly decreased the expression and activation of EGFR, HER2, and HER3 in response to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligand, while also inhibiting formation of the EGFR/HER2 and HER2/HER3 heterodimers. In addition, NDRG1 also decreased activation of the downstream MAPKK in response to EGF. Moreover, novel anti-tumor agents of the di-2-pyridylketone class of thiosemicarbazones, namely di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone and di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone, which markedly up-regulate NDRG1, were found to inhibit EGFR, HER2, and HER3 expression and phosphorylation in cancer cells. However, the mechanism involved appeared dependent on NDRG1 for di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone, but was independent of this metastasis suppressor for di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone. This observation demonstrates that small structural changes in thiosemicarbazones result in marked alterations in molecular targeting. Collectively, these results reveal a mechanism for the extensive downstream effects on cellular signaling attributed to NDRG1. Furthermore, this study identifies a novel approach for the treatment of tumors resistant to traditional EGFR inhibitors.

The Startling Properties of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2: How to Exit Mammalian Cells without a Signal Peptide at Hand

For a long time, protein transport into the extracellular space was believed to strictly depend on signal peptide-mediated translocation into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. More recently, this view has been challenged, and the molecular mechanisms of unconventional secretory processes are beginning to emerge. Here, we focus on unconventional secretion of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), a secretory mechanism that is based upon direct protein translocation across plasma membranes. Through a combination of genome-wide RNAi screening approaches and biochemical reconstitution experiments, the basic machinery of FGF2 secretion was identified and validated. This includes the integral membrane protein ATP1A1, the phosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), and Tec kinase, as well as membrane-proximal heparan sulfate proteoglycans on cell surfaces. Hallmarks of unconventional secretion of FGF2 are: (i) sequential molecular interactions with the inner leaflet along with Tec kinase-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of FGF2, (ii) PI(4,5)P2-dependent oligomerization and membrane pore formation, and (iii) extracellular trapping of FGF2 mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans on cell surfaces. Here, we discuss new developments regarding this process including the mechanism of FGF2 oligomerization during membrane pore formation, the functional role of ATP1A1 in FGF2 secretion, and the possibility that other proteins secreted by unconventional means make use of a similar mechanism to reach the extracellular space. Furthermore, given the prominent role of extracellular FGF2 in tumor-induced angiogenesis, we will discuss possibilities to develop highly specific inhibitors of FGF2 secretion, a novel approach that may yield lead compounds with a high potential to develop into anti-cancer drugs.

Nucleolar GTP-binding Protein-1 (NGP-1) Promotes G1 to S Phase Transition by Activating Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 Cip1/Waf1

Nucleolar GTP-binding protein (NGP-1) is overexpressed in various cancers and proliferating cells, but the functional significance remains unknown. In this study, we show that NGP-1 promotes G1 to S phase transition of cells by enhancing CDK inhibitor p21(Cip-1/Waf1) expression through p53. In addition, our results suggest that activation of the cyclin D1-CDK4 complex by NGP-1 via maintaining the stoichiometry between cyclin D1-CDK4 complex and p21 resulted in hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein at serine 780 (p-RB(Ser-780)) followed by the up-regulation of E2F1 target genes required to promote G1 to S phase transition. Furthermore, our data suggest that ribosomal protein RPL23A interacts with NGP-1 and abolishes NGP-1-induced p53 activity by enhancing Mdm2-mediated p53 polyubiquitination. Finally, reduction of p-RB(Ser-780) levels and E2F1 target gene expression upon ectopic expression of RPL23a resulted in arrest at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Collectively, this investigation provides evidence that NGP-1 promotes cell cycle progression through the activation of the p53/p21(Cip-1/Waf1) pathway.

Endothelial cell tumor growth is Ape/ref-1 dependent

Tumor-forming endothelial cells have highly elevated levels of Nox-4 that release H2O2 into the nucleus, which is generally not compatible with cell survival. We sought to identify compensatory mechanisms that enable tumor-forming endothelial cells to survive and proliferate under these conditions. Ape-1/ref-1 (Apex-1) is a multifunctional protein that promotes DNA binding of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as AP-1, and repairs oxidative DNA damage. A validated mouse endothelial cell (EOMA) tumor model was used to demonstrate that Nox-4-derived H2O2 causes DNA oxidation that induces Apex-1 expression. Apex-1 functions as a chaperone to keep transcription factors in a reduced state. In EOMA cells Apex-1 enables AP-1 binding to the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (mcp-1) promoter and expression of that protein is required for endothelial cell tumor formation. Intraperitoneal injection of the small molecule inhibitor E3330, which specifically targets Apex-1 redox-sensitive functions, resulted in a 50% decrease in tumor volume compared with mice injected with vehicle control (n = 6 per group), indicating that endothelial cell tumor proliferation is dependent on Apex-1 expression. These are the first reported results to establish Nox-4 induction of Apex-1 as a mechanism promoting endothelial cell tumor formation.

Transcriptional Repressor DAXX Promotes Prostate Cancer Tumorigenicity via Suppression of Autophagy

The DAXX transcriptional repressor was originally associated with apoptotic cell death. However, recent evidence that DAXX represses several tumor suppressor genes, including the DAPK1 and DAPK3 protein kinases, and is up-regulated in many cancers argues that a pro-survival role may predominate in a cancer context. Here, we report that DAXX has potent growth-enhancing effects on primary prostatic malignancy through inhibition of autophagy. Through stable gene knockdown and mouse subcutaneous xenograft studies, we demonstrate that DAXX promotes tumorigenicity of human ALVA-31 and PC3 prostate cancer (PCa) cells in vivo. Importantly, DAXX represses expression of essential autophagy modulators DAPK3 and ULK1 in vivo, revealing autophagy suppression as a mechanism through which DAXX promotes PCa tumorigenicity. Furthermore, DAXX knockdown increases autophagic flux in cultured PCa cells. Finally, interrogation of the Oncomine(TM) database suggests that DAXX overexpression is associated with malignant transformation in several human cancers, including prostate and pancreatic cancers. Thus, DAXX may represent a new cancer biomarker for the detection of aggressive disease, whose tissue-specific down-regulation can serve as an improved therapeutic modality. Our results establish DAXX as a pro-survival protein in PCa and reveal that, in the early stages of tumorigenesis, autophagy suppresses prostate tumor formation.

ADP-ribosylation factor-like 4C (ARL4C), a novel ovarian cancer metastasis suppressor, identified by integrated genomics

Understanding the molecular mechanisms involving the initiation, progression, and metastasis of ovarian cancer is important for the prevention, detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer. In this study, two ovarian cancer cell lines, HO-8910 and its derivative HO-8910PM with highly metastatic potential, were applied to comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis. We found 14 chromosome fragments with different copy numbers between the two cell lines, one (2q36.1-37.3) of which was confirmed to be one-copy loss in HO-8910PM by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Using the microarray data on gene expression profiles from these cell lines, 6 significantly expression-decreased genes located on 2q36.1-37.3 in HO-8910PM were identified. Of the 6 genes, ARL4C was identified as a novel ovarian cancer-related gene using integrated molecular and genomic analyses. ARL4C mRNA expression was validated by quantitative PCR to be markedly decreased in HO-8910PM cells, compared to that in HO-8910. Both overexpression and knockdown of ARL4C demonstrated that low ARL4C expression promotes the migration but not influences proliferation capability of ovarian cancer cells in vitro, indicating its specific role in ovarian cancer progression. Furthermore, ovarian cancer patients with medium and high expression of ARL4C mRNA had a favorable prognosis compared to those with low expression, suggesting the ARL4C could be a potential predictor for ovarian cancer prognosis.

Gram negative bacteria increase non-small cell lung cancer metastasis via Toll-like receptor 4 activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation

Surgery is required for the curative treatment of lung cancer but is associated with high rates of postoperative pneumonias predominantly caused by gram negative bacteria. Recent evidence suggests that these severe infectious complications may decrease long term survival after hospital discharge via cancer recurrence, but the mechanism is unclear. Lung cancer cells have recently been demonstrated to express Toll-like receptors (TLR) that mediate pathogen recognition. We hypothesized that incubation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli can augment cancer cell adhesion, migration and metastasis via TLR4 signaling. Incubation of murine and human NSCLC cells with E. coli increased in vitro cell adhesion to collagen I, collagen IV and fibronectin, and enhanced in vitro migration. Using hepatic intravital microscopy, we demonstrated that NSCLC cells have increased in vivo adhesion to hepatic sinusoids after coincubation with gram negative bacteria. These enhanced cell adhesion and migration phenotypes following incubation with E. coli were attenuated at three levels: inhibition of TLR4 (Eritoran), p38 MAPK (BIRB0796) and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (PD184352). Incubation of murine NSCLC cells in vitro with E. coli prior to intrasplenic injection significantly augmented formation of in vivo hepatic metastases 2 weeks later. This increase was abrogated by NSCLC TLR4 blockade using Eritoran. TLR4 represents a potential therapeutic target to help prevent severe postoperative infection driven cancer metastasis.

Assessing the radiation response of lung cancer with different gene mutations using genetically engineered mice

Purpose: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are a heterogeneous group of carcinomas harboring a variety of different gene mutations. We have utilized two distinct genetically engineered mouse models of human NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) to investigate how genetic factors within tumor parenchymal cells influence the in vivo tumor growth delay after one or two fractions of radiation therapy (RT).

Materials and Methods: Primary lung adenocarcinomas were generated in vivo in mice by intranasal delivery of an adenovirus expressing Cre-recombinase. Lung cancers expressed oncogenic Kras^G12D and were also deficient in one of two tumor suppressor genes: p53 or Ink4a/ARF. Mice received no radiation treatment or whole lung irradiation in a single fraction (11.6 Gy) or in two 7.3 Gy fractions (14.6 Gy total) separated by 24 h. In each case, the biologically effective dose (BED) equaled 25 Gy₁₀. Response to RT was assessed by micro-CT 2 weeks after treatment. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining were performed to assess the integrity of the p53 pathway, the G1 cell-cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis.

Results: Tumor growth rates prior to RT were similar for the two genetic variants of lung adenocarcinoma. Lung cancers with wild-type (WT) p53 (LSL-Kras; Ink4a/ARF^FL/FL mice) responded better to two daily fractions of 7.3 Gy compared to a single fraction of 11.6 Gy (P = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in the response of lung cancers deficient in p53 (LSL-Kras; p53^FL/FL mice) to a single fraction (11.6 Gy) compared to 7.3 Gy × 2 (P = 0.23). Expression of the p53 target genes p21 and PUMA were higher and bromodeoxyuridine uptake was lower after RT in tumors with WT p53.

Conclusion: Using an in vivo model of malignant lung cancer in mice, we demonstrate that the response of primary lung cancers to one or two fractions of RT can be influenced by specific gene mutations.

Cathepsin H mediates the processing of talin and regulates migration of prostate cancer cells

The cytoskeletal protein talin, an actin- and β-integrin tail-binding protein, plays an important role in cell migration by promoting integrin activation and focal adhesion formation. Here, we show that talin is a substrate for cathepsin H (CtsH), a lysosomal cysteine protease with a strong aminopeptidase activity. Purified active CtsH sequentially cleaved a synthetic peptide representing the N terminus of the talin F0 head domain. The processing of talin by CtsH was determined also in the metastatic PC-3 prostate cancer cell line, which exhibits increased expression of CtsH. The attenuation of CtsH aminopeptidase activity by a specific inhibitor or siRNA-mediated silencing significantly reduced the migration of PC-3 cells on fibronectin and invasion through Matrigel. We found that in migrating PC-3 cells, CtsH was co-localized with talin in the focal adhesions. Furthermore, specific inhibition of CtsH increased the activation of α(v)β(3)-integrin on PC-3 cells. We propose that CtsH-mediated processing of talin might promote cancer cell progression by affecting integrin activation and adhesion strength.

Metastasis-associated protein 1 drives tumor cell migration and invasion through transcriptional repression of RING finger protein 144A

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), a component of the nucleosome-remodeling and histone deacetylase complex, is widely up-regulated in human cancers and significantly correlated with tumor invasion and metastasis, but the mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. Here, we report that MTA1 transcriptionally represses the expression of RING finger protein 144A (RNF144A), an uncharacterized gene whose protein product possesses potential E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, by recruiting the histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (c/EBPα) co-repressor complex onto human RNF144A promoter. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between the expression levels of MTA1 and RNF144A was demonstrated in publicly available breast cancer microarray datasets and the MCF10 breast cancer progression model system. To address functional aspects of MTA1 regulation of RNF144A, we demonstrate that RNF144A is a novel suppressor of cancer migration and invasion, two requisite steps of metastasis in vivo, and knockdown of endogenous RNF144A by small interfering RNAs accelerates the migration and invasion of MTA1-overexpressing cells. These results suggest that RNF144A is partially responsible for MTA1-mediated migration and invasion and that MTA1 overexpression in highly metastatic cancer cells drives cell migration and invasion by, at least in part, interfering with the suppressive function of RNF144A through transcriptional repression of RNF144A expression. Together, these findings provide novel mechanistic insights into regulation of tumor progression and metastasis by MTA1 and highlight a previously unrecognized role of RNF144A in MTA1-driven cancer cell migration and invasion.