scholarly journals Colorectal cancer promoter methylation alteration affects the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 4 alternative isoforms potentially relevant in colon tissue

Human Cell ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Florencia Vega-Benedetti ◽  
Eleonora Loi ◽  
Loredana Moi ◽  
Angelo Restivo ◽  
Francesco Cabras ◽  
...  

AbstractDNA methylation alterations are early events during tumourigenesis, affecting genes involved in the crosstalk between cells and surroundings in colorectal cancer (CRC). Among these genes, GRIA4, Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor AMPA Type Subunit 4, displays hypermethylation in the promoter region, and is an early diagnostic biomarker. It is well known that methylation can also affect alternative transcription. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression, at transcript and protein level, of GRIA4 main isoforms (the canonical one and a short variant) in 23 CRC and matched normal samples, of which we previously verified the methylation status. We further predicted miRNA/transcript target interactions as a possible post-transcriptional regulation using bioinformatics tools. As expected, downregulation of both variants has been observed in tumours. Interestingly, in contrast to what observed at transcriptional level, the GluR4 protein short isoform displayed higher expression than the canonical one either in normal or tumoural tissues. This may be explained by miRNA specifically targeting the canonical isoform. Our study is the first one that shows the expression of both isoforms in colon tissues. To note, the evident expression of the short isoform suggests a functional role in intestinal cell biology.

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo Predes ◽  
Luiz F. S. Oliveira ◽  
Laís S. S. Ferreira ◽  
Lorena A. Maia ◽  
João M. A. Delou ◽  
...  

The deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a central event in colorectal cancer progression, thus a promising target for drug development. Many natural compounds, such as flavonoids, have been described as Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors and consequently modulate important biological processes like inflammation, redox balance, cancer promotion and progress, as well as cancer cell death. In this context, we identified the chalcone lonchocarpin isolated from Lonchocarpus sericeus as a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo. Lonchocarpin impairs β-catenin nuclear localization and also inhibits the constitutively active form of TCF4, dnTCF4-VP16. Xenopus laevis embryology assays suggest that lonchocarpin acts at the transcriptional level. Additionally, we described lonchocarpin inhibitory effects on cell migration and cell proliferation on HCT116, SW480, and DLD-1 colorectal cancer cell lines, without any detectable effects on the non-tumoral intestinal cell line IEC-6. Moreover, lonchocarpin reduces tumor proliferation on the colorectal cancer AOM/DSS mice model. Taken together, our results support lonchocarpin as a novel Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor compound that impairs colorectal cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2657
Author(s):  
Antonio Barbáchano ◽  
Asunción Fernández-Barral ◽  
Pilar Bustamante-Madrid ◽  
Isabel Prieto ◽  
Nuria Rodríguez-Salas ◽  
...  

Organoids were first established as a three-dimensional cell culture system from mouse small intestine. Subsequent development has made organoids a key system to study many human physiological and pathological processes that affect a variety of tissues and organs. In particular, organoids are becoming very useful tools to dissect colorectal cancer (CRC) by allowing the circumvention of classical problems and limitations, such as the impossibility of long-term culture of normal intestinal epithelial cells and the lack of good animal models for CRC. In this review, we describe the features and current knowledge of intestinal organoids and how they are largely contributing to our better understanding of intestinal cell biology and CRC genetics. Moreover, recent data show that organoids are appropriate systems for antitumoral drug testing and for the personalized treatment of CRC patients.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 680
Author(s):  
Rujuan Dai ◽  
Zhuang Wang ◽  
S. Ansar Ahmed

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that afflicts multiple organs, especially kidneys and joints. In addition to genetic predisposition, it is now evident that DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs), the two major epigenetic modifications, are critically involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. DNA methylation regulates promoter accessibility and gene expression at the transcriptional level by adding a methyl group to 5′ cytosine within a CpG dinucleotide. Extensive evidence now supports the importance of DNA hypomethylation in SLE etiology. miRNAs are small, non-protein coding RNAs that play a critical role in the regulation of genome expression. Various studies have identified the signature lupus-related miRNAs and their functional contribution to lupus incidence and progression. In this review, the mutual interaction between DNA methylation and miRNAs regulation in SLE is discussed. Some lupus-associated miRNAs regulate DNA methylation status by targeting the DNA methylation enzymes or methylation pathway-related proteins. On the other hand, DNA hyper- and hypo-methylation are linked with dysregulated miRNAs expression in lupus. Further, we specifically discuss the genetic imprinting Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs that are subjected to DNA methylation regulation and are dysregulated in several autoimmune diseases, including SLE.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4906
Author(s):  
Iván Benito ◽  
Ignacio J. Encío ◽  
Fermín I. Milagro ◽  
María Alfaro ◽  
Ana Martínez-Peñuela ◽  
...  

Recent studies have suggested that flavonoids such as quercetin and probiotics such as Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bf) and Lactobacillus gasseri (Lg) could play a relevant role in inhibiting colon cancer cell growth. Our study investigated the role of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics (Bf and Lg) along with quercetin in the development of mouse colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Adenomatous polyposis coli/multiple intestinal neoplasia (ApcMin/+) mice were fed a standard diet or the same diet supplemented with microencapsulated probiotics (Bf and Lg strains, 107 CFU/100 g food) or both probiotics strains plus microencapsulated quercetin (15 mg/100 g food) for 73 days. Changes in body and organ weights, energy metabolism, intestinal microbiota, and colon tissue were determined. The expression of genes related to the Wnt pathway was also analyzed in colon samples. Results: Dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics or microencapsulated probiotics plus quercetin reduced body weight loss and intestinal bleeding in ApcMin/+ mice. An improvement in energy expenditure was observed after 8 weeks but not after 10 weeks of treatment. A supplemented diet with microencapsulated Bf and Lg reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and adenomas by 45% and 60%, respectively, whereas the supplementation with Bf, Lg and quercetin decreased the number of ACF and adenomas by 57% and 80%, respectively. Microencapsulated Bf and Lg in combination with quercetin could exert inhibition of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the colon of ApcMin/+ mice Conclusions: The administration of microencapsulated Bf and Lg, individually or in combination with quercetin, inhibits the CRC development in ApcMin/+ mice.


Author(s):  
Majid Ghasemian ◽  
Masoumeh Rajabibazl ◽  
Reza Mirfakhraie ◽  
Amirnader Emami Razavi ◽  
Hossein Sadeghi

Biomarkers ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Chunyang Dai ◽  
Xiaolei Zhang ◽  
Yanling Ma ◽  
Zhaowu Chen ◽  
Shaohua Chen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Ternet ◽  
Christina Kiel

AbstractThe intestinal epithelium acts as a physical barrier that separates the intestinal microbiota from the host and is critical for preserving intestinal homeostasis. The barrier is formed by tightly linked intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) (i.e. enterocytes, goblet cells, neuroendocrine cells, tuft cells, Paneth cells, and M cells), which constantly self-renew and shed. IECs also communicate with microbiota, coordinate innate and adaptive effector cell functions. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways contributing to intestinal cell fates and homeostasis functions. We focus especially on intestinal stem cell proliferation, cell junction formation, remodelling, hypoxia, the impact of intestinal microbiota, the immune system, inflammation, and metabolism. Recognizing the critical role of KRAS mutants in colorectal cancer, we highlight the connections of KRAS signaling pathways in coordinating these functions. Furthermore, we review the impact of KRAS colorectal cancer mutants on pathway rewiring associated with disruption and dysfunction of the normal intestinal homeostasis. Given that KRAS is still considered undruggable and the development of treatments that directly target KRAS are unlikely, we discuss the suitability of targeting pathways downstream of KRAS as well as alterations of cell extrinsic/microenvironmental factors as possible targets for modulating signaling pathways in colorectal cancer.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ben Kang ◽  
Hyun Seok Lee ◽  
Seong Woo Jeon ◽  
Soo Yeun Park ◽  
Gyu Seog Choi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. It is characterized by different pathways of carcinogenesis and is a heterogeneous disease with diverse molecular landscapes that reflect histopathological and clinical information. Changes in the DNA methylation status of colon epithelial cells have been identified as critical components in CRC development and appear to be emerging biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis of CRC. OBJECTIVE: To explore the underlying disease mechanisms and identify more effective biomarkers of CRC. METHODS: We compared the levels and frequencies of DNA methylation in 11 genes (Alu, APC, DAPK, MGMT, MLH1, MINT1, MINT2, MINT3, p16, RGS6, and TFPI2) in colorectal cancer and its precursor adenomatous polyp with normal tissue of healthy subjects using pyrosequencing and then evaluated the clinical value of these genes. RESULTS: Aberrant methylation of Alu, MGMT, MINT2, and TFPI2 genes was progressively accumulated during the normal-adenoma-carcinoma progression. Additionally, CGI methylation occurred either as an adenoma-associated event for APC, MLH1, MINT1, MINT31, p16, and RGS6 or a tumor-associated event for DAPK. Moreover, relatively high levels and frequencies of DAPK, MGMT, and TFPI2 methylation were detected in the peritumoral nonmalignant mucosa of cancer patients in a field-cancerization manner, as compared to normal mucosa from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: This study identified several biomarkers associated with the initiation and progression of CRC. As novel findings, they may have important clinical implications for CRC diagnostic and prognostic applications. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zijian Chen ◽  
Zenghong Huang ◽  
Yanxin Luo ◽  
Qi Zou ◽  
Liangliang Bai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinases (NTRKs) are a gene family function as oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in distinct cancers. We aimed to investigate the methylation and expression profiles and prognostic value of NTRKs gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods An analysis of DNA methylation and expression profiles in CRC patients was performed to explore the critical methylations within NTRKs genes. The methylation marker was validated in a retrospectively collected cohort of 229 CRC patients and tested in other tumor types from TCGA. DNA methylation status was determined by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMSP). Results The profiles in six CRC cohorts showed that NTRKs gene promoter was more frequently methylated in CRC compared to normal mucosa, which was associated with suppressed gene expression. We identified a specific methylated region within NTRK3 promoter targeted by cg27034819 and cg11525479 that best predicted survival outcome in CRC. NTRK3 promoter methylation showed independently predictive value for survival outcome in the validation cohort (P = 0.004, HR 2.688, 95% CI [1.355, 5.333]). Based on this, a nomogram predicting survival outcome was developed with a C-index of 0.705. Furthermore, the addition of NTRK3 promoter methylation improved the performance of currently-used prognostic model (AIC: 516.49 vs 513.91; LR: 39.06 vs 43.64, P = 0.032). Finally, NTRK3 promoter methylation also predicted survival in other tumors, including pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma and stomach adenocarcinoma. Conclusions This study highlights the essential value of NTRK3 methylation in prognostic evaluation and the potential to improve current prognostic models in CRC and other tumors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuexiu Zhang ◽  
Jianning Yao ◽  
Haoling Shi ◽  
Bing Gao ◽  
Haining Zhou ◽  
...  

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to play crucial roles in the progression of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). SP1 (Sp1 transcription factor) is a well-recognized oncogene in CRC and is deemed to trigger the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The present study was designed to investigate the role of circRNAs which shared the same pre-mRNA with SP1 in CRC cells. We identified that hsa_circ_0026628 (circ_0026628), a circular RNA that originated from SP1 pre-mRNA, was upregulated in CRC cells. Sanger sequencing and agarose gel electrophoresis verified the circular characteristic of circ_0026628. Functional assays including CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, immunofluorescence staining, and sphere formation assay revealed the function of circ_0026628. RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry disclosed the proteins interacting with circ_0026628. Mechanistic assays including RIP, RNA pull-down, CoIP, ChIP, and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated the interplays between molecules. The results depicted that circ_0026628 functioned as a contributor to CRC cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and stemness. Mechanistically, circ_0026628 served as the endogenous sponge of miR-346 and FUS to elevate SP1 expression at the post-transcriptional level, thus strengthening the interaction between SP1 and β-catenin to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In turn, the downstream gene of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, SOX2 (SRY-box transcription factor 2), transcriptionally activated SP1 and therefore boosted circ_0026628 level. On the whole, SOX2-induced circ_0026628 sponged miR-346 and recruited FUS protein to augment SP1, triggering the downstream Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate CRC progression.


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