Cortical Tension Initiates the Positive Feedback Loop between Cadherin and F-actin

Author(s):  
Qilin Yu ◽  
William R. Holmes ◽  
Jean P. Thiery ◽  
Rodney B. Luwor ◽  
Vijay Rajagopal
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qilin Yu ◽  
William R. Holmes ◽  
Jean P. Thiery ◽  
Rodney B. Luwor ◽  
Vijay Rajagopal

AbstractAdherens junctions (AJs) physically link two cells at their contact interface via extracellular homophilic interactions between cadherin molecules and intracellular connections between cadherins and the actomyosin cortex. Both cadherin and actomyosin cytoskeletal dynamics are reciprocally regulated by mechanical and chemical signals, which subsequently determine the strength of cell-cell adhesions and the emergent organization and stiffness of the tissues they form. However, an understanding of the integrated system is lacking. We present a new mechanistic computational model of intercellular junction maturation in a cell doublet to investigate the mechano-chemical crosstalk that regulates AJ formation and homeostasis. The model couples a 2D lattice-based model of cadherin dynamics with a continuum, reaction-diffusion model of the reorganizing actomyosin network through its regulation by Rho signaling at the intercellular junction. We demonstrate that local immobilization of cadherin induces cluster formation in a cis less dependent manner. We further investigate how cadherin and actin regulate and cooperate. By considering the force balance during AJ maturation and the force-sensitive property of the cadherin/F-actin linking molecules, we show that cortical tension applied on the contact rim can explain the ring distribution of cadherin and F-actin on the cell-cell contact of the cell-doublet. Meanwhile, the positive feedback loop between cadherin and F-actin is necessary for maintenance of the ring. Different patterns of cadherin distribution can be observed as an emergent property of disturbances of this feedback loop. We discuss these findings in light of available experimental observations on underlying mechanisms related to cadherin/F-actin binding and the mechanical environment.Significance StatementThe formation, maintenance and disassembly of adherens junctions (AJs) is fundamental to organ development, tissue integrity as well as tissue function. E-cadherins and F-actin are two major players of the adherens junctions (AJs). Although it is well known that cadherins and F-actin affect each other, how these two players work together to maintain the intercellular contact is unclear. Using a novel mechano-chemical model of E-cadherin and F-actin remodeling, we demonstrate that a positive feedback loop between cadherins and F-actin allows them to stabilize each other locally. Mechanical and chemical stimuli applied to the cell adhesion change E-cadherin and F-actin distribution by consolidating or interrupting the feedback loop locally. Our study mechanistically links mechanical force to E-cadherin patterning at cell-cell junctions.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siming Qu ◽  
Li Jin ◽  
Hanfei Huang ◽  
Jie Lin ◽  
Weiwu Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) contributes to liver carcinogenesis via various epigenetic mechanisms. The newly defined epigenetics, epitranscriptomics regulation, has been reported to involve in multiple cancers including Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Our previous study found that HBx, HBV encodes X protein, mediated H3K4me3 modification in WDR5-dependent manner to involve in HBV infection and contribute to oncogene expression. AlkB Homolog 5 (ALKBH5), one of epitranscriptomics enzymes, has been identified to be associated with various cancers. However, whether and how ALKBH5 is dysregulated in HBV-related HCC remains unclear yet. This study aims to investigate ALKBH5 function, clinical significance and mechanism in HBV related HCC (HBV-HCC) patients derived from Chinese people. Methods The expression pattern of ALKBH5 was evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blot, data mining and immunohistochemistry in total of 373 HBV-HCC tissues and four HCC cell lines. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay, Transwell and nude mouse model were performed to assess ALKBH5 function by both small interference RNAs and lentiviral particles. The regulation mechanism of ALKBH5 was determined in HBx and WDR5 knockdown cells by CHIP-qPCR. The role of ALKBH5 in HBx mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification was further evaluated by MeRIP-qPCR and Actinomycin D inhibitor experiment in HBV-driven cells and HBx overexpression cells. Result ALKBH5 increased in tumor tissues and predicts a poor prognosis of HBV-HCC. Mechanically, the highly expressed ALKBH5 is induced by HBx-mediated H3K4me3 modification of ALKBH5 gene promoter in a WDR5-dependent manner after HBV infection. The increased ALKBH5 protein catalyzes the m6A demethylation of HBx mRNA, thus stabilizing and favoring a higher HBx expression level. Furthermore, there are positive correlations between HBx and ALKBH5 in HBV-HCC tissues, and depletion of ALKBH5 significantly inhibits HBV-driven tumor cells’ growth and migration in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions HBx-ALKBH5 may form a positive-feedback loop to involve in the HBV-induced liver carcinogenesis, and targeting the loop at ALKBH5 may provide a potential way for HBV-HCC treatment.


Author(s):  
Jin-Chun Qi ◽  
Zhan Yang ◽  
Tao Lin ◽  
Long Ma ◽  
Ya-Xuan Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Both E2F transcription factor and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which increase or decrease E2F activity by phosphorylating E2F or its partner, are involved in the control of cell proliferation, and some circRNAs and miRNAs regulate the expression of E2F and CDKs. However, little is known about whether dysregulation among E2Fs, CDKs, circRNAs and miRNAs occurs in human PCa. Methods The expression levels of CDK13 in PCa tissues and different cell lines were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. In vitro and in vivo assays were preformed to explore the biological effects of CDK13 in PCa cells. Co-immunoprecipitation anlysis coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify E2F5 interaction with CDK13. A CRISPR-Cas9 complex was used to activate endogenous CDK13 and circCDK13 expression. Furthermore, the mechanism of circCDK13 was investigated by using loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays in vitro and in vivo. Results Here we show that CDK13 is significantly upregulated in human PCa tissues. CDK13 depletion and overexpression in PCa cells decrease and increase, respectively, cell proliferation, and the pro-proliferation effect of CDK13 is strengthened by its interaction with E2F5. Mechanistically, transcriptional activation of endogenous CDK13, but not the forced expression of CDK13 by its expression vector, remarkably promotes E2F5 protein expression by facilitating circCDK13 formation. Further, the upregulation of E2F5 enhances CDK13 transcription and promotes circCDK13 biogenesis, which in turn sponges miR-212-5p/449a and thus relieves their repression of the E2F5 expression, subsequently leading to the upregulation of E2F5 expression and PCa cell proliferation. Conclusions These findings suggest that CDK13 upregulation-induced formation of the positive feedback loop among circCDK13, miR-212-5p/miR-449a and E2F5 is responsible for PCa development. Targeting this newly identified regulatory axis may provide therapeutic benefit against PCa progression and drug resistance.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document