EH1.2 Radiation responses of 2D and 3D glioblastoma cells: a novel, 3D-specific radioprotective role of VEGF/Akt signaling through functional activation of NHEJ

Purpose Glioblastoma cells create glutamate-rich tumor microenvironment, which initiates activation of ion channels and modulates downstream intracellular signaling. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs; a type of glutamate receptors) have a high affinity for glutamate. The role of NMDAR activation on invasion of glioblastoma cells and the crosstalk with α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) is yet to be explored. Main methods LN18, U251MG, and patient-derived glioblastoma cells were stimulated with NMDA to activate NMDAR glutamate receptors. The role of NMDAR activation on invasion and migration and its crosstalk with AMPAR were evaluated. Invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells were investigated by in vitro trans-well Matrigel invasion and trans-well migration assays, respectively. Expression of NMDARs and AMPARs at transcript level was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results We determined that NMDA stimulation leads to enhanced invasion in LN18, U251MG, and patient-derived glioblastoma cells, whereas inhibition of NMDAR using MK-801, a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDAR, significantly decreased the invasive capacity. Concordant with these findings, migration was significantly augmented by NMDAR in both cell lines. Furthermore, NMDA stimulation upregulated the expression of GluN2 and GluA1 subunits at the transcript level. Conclusions This study demonstrated the previously unexplored role of NMDAR in invasion of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, the expression of the GluN2 subunit of NMDAR and the differential overexpression of the GluA1 subunit of AMPAR in both cell lines provide a plausible rationale of crosstalk between these calcium-permeable subunits in the glutamate-rich microenvironment of glioblastoma.

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Role of Regulatory Oncogenic or Tumor Suppressor miRNAs of PI3K/AKT Signaling Axis in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666190110151957 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (39) ◽

pp. 4605-4610 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Atena Soleimani ◽

Farzad Rahmani ◽

Gordon A. Ferns ◽

Mikhail Ryzhikov ◽

Amir Avan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Tumor Suppressor ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Tumor Tissues ◽

Radio Therapy ◽

Signaling Axis ◽

Cancer Tumor ◽

Novel Biomarkers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its incidence is increasing. In most patients with CRC, the PI3K/AKT signaling axis is over-activated. Regulatory oncogenic or tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs) for PI3K/AKT signaling regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, as well as resistance to chemo-/radio-therapy in colorectal cancer tumor tissues. Thus, regulatory miRNAs of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling represent novel biomarkers for new patient diagnosis and obtaining clinically invaluable information from post-treatment CRC patients for improving therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the current knowledge of miRNAs’ regulatory roles of PI3K/AKT signaling in CRC pathogenesis.

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Biological role of AKT, and regulation of AKT signaling pathway by thymoquinone: perspectives in cancer therapeutics

Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1389557520666201005143818 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Junaid ◽

Yeasmin Akter ◽

Syeda Samira Afrose ◽

Mousumi Tania ◽

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Review Article ◽

Therapeutic Drug ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Anti Cancer

Background: AKT/PKB is an important enzyme with numerous biological functions, and its overexpression is related to the carcinogenesis. AKT stimulates different signaling pathways that are downstream of activated tyrosine kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, hence functions as an important target for anti-cancer drugs. Objective: In this review article, we have interpreted the role of AKT signaling pathways in cancer and natural inhibitory effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) in AKT and its possible mechanism. Method: We have collected the updated information and data on AKT, their role in cancer and inhibitory effect of TQ in AKT signaling pathway from google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Scopus and many more. Results: There are many drugs already developed, which can target AKT, but very few among them have passed clinical trials. TQ is a natural compound, mainly found in black cumin, which has been found to have potential anti-cancer activities. TQ targets numerous signaling pathways, including AKT, in different cancers. In fact, many studies revealed that AKT is one of the major targets of TQ. The preclinical success of TQ suggests its clinical studies on cancer. Conclusion: This review article summarizes the role of AKT in carcinogenesis, its potent inhibitors in clinical trials, and how TQ acts as an inhibitor of AKT and TQ’s future as a cancer therapeutic drug.

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Global phosphoproteomics reveals DYRK1A regulates CDK1 activity in glioblastoma cells

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00456-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ariadna Recasens ◽

Sean J. Humphrey ◽

Michael Ellis ◽

Monira Hoque ◽

Ramzi H. Abbassi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ubiquitin Ligase ◽

Cyclin B ◽

Anaphase Promoting Complex ◽

Mechanistic Studies ◽

Glioblastoma Cells ◽

Cycle Arrest ◽

Dual Specificity ◽

Rb Pathway ◽

High Doses

AbstractBoth tumour suppressive and oncogenic functions have been reported for dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). Herein, we performed a detailed investigation to delineate the role of DYRK1A in glioblastoma. Our phosphoproteomic and mechanistic studies show that DYRK1A induces degradation of cyclin B by phosphorylating CDC23, which is necessary for the function of the anaphase-promoting complex, a ubiquitin ligase that degrades mitotic proteins. DYRK1A inhibition leads to the accumulation of cyclin B and activation of CDK1. Importantly, we established that the phenotypic response of glioblastoma cells to DYRK1A inhibition depends on both retinoblastoma (RB) expression and the degree of residual DYRK1A activity. Moderate DYRK1A inhibition leads to moderate cyclin B accumulation, CDK1 activation and increased proliferation in RB-deficient cells. In RB-proficient cells, cyclin B/CDK1 activation in response to DYRK1A inhibition is neutralized by the RB pathway, resulting in an unchanged proliferation rate. In contrast, complete DYRK1A inhibition with high doses of inhibitors results in massive cyclin B accumulation, saturation of CDK1 activity and cell cycle arrest, regardless of RB status. These findings provide new insights into the complexity of context-dependent DYRK1A signalling in cancer cells.

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Neutrophil Elastase Deficiency Ameliorates Myocardial Injury Post Myocardial Infarction in Mice

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22020722 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 722

Author(s):

Yukino Ogura ◽

Kazuko Tajiri ◽

Nobuyuki Murakoshi ◽

DongZhu Xu ◽

Saori Yonebayashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Cardiac Function ◽

Neutrophil Elastase ◽

Myocardial Injury ◽

Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Border Zone ◽

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽

Deficient Mice

Neutrophils are recruited into the heart at an early stage following a myocardial infarction (MI). These secrete several proteases, one of them being neutrophil elastase (NE), which promotes inflammatory responses in several disease models. It has been shown that there is an increase in NE activity in patients with MI; however, the role of NE in MI remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of NE in the pathogenesis of MI in mice. NE expression peaked on day 1 in the infarcted hearts. In addition, NE deficiency improved survival and cardiac function post-MI, limiting fibrosis in the noninfarcted myocardium. Sivelestat, an NE inhibitor, also improved survival and cardiac function post-MI. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the numbers of heart-infiltrating neutrophils and inflammatory macrophages (CD11b+F4/80+CD206low cells) were significantly lower in NE-deficient mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. At the border zone between intact and necrotic areas, the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic cells was lower in NE-deficient mice than in WT mice. Western blot analyses revealed that the expression levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 and phosphorylation of Akt were significantly upregulated in NE-knockout mouse hearts, indicating that NE deficiency might improve cardiac survival by upregulating insulin/Akt signaling post-MI. Thus, NE may enhance myocardial injury by inducing an excessive inflammatory response and suppressing Akt signaling in cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of NE might serve as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of MI.

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Role of ferritinophagy in cystine deprivation-induced cell death in glioblastoma cells

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications ◽

10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 539 ◽

pp. 56-63

Author(s):

Kazuki Hayashima ◽

Ikuo Kimura ◽

Hironori Katoh

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Glioblastoma Cells

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Akt signaling is activated by TGFβ2 and impacts tenogenic induction of mesenchymal stem cells

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-021-02167-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sophia K. Theodossiou ◽

Jett B. Murray ◽

LeeAnn A. Hold ◽

Jeff M. Courtright ◽

Anne M. Carper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Cell Alignment ◽

Limited Information ◽

Akt Inhibitor ◽

Tenogenic Differentiation

Abstract Background Tissue engineered and regenerative approaches for treating tendon injuries are challenged by the limited information on the cellular signaling pathways driving tenogenic differentiation of stem cells. Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) β family, particularly TGFβ2, play a role in tenogenesis, which may proceed via Smad-mediated signaling. However, recent evidence suggests some aspects of tenogenesis may be independent of Smad signaling, and other pathways potentially involved in tenogenesis are understudied. Here, we examined the role of Akt/mTORC1/P70S6K signaling in early TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and evaluated TGFβ2-induced tenogenic differentiation when Smad3 is inhibited. Methods Mouse MSCs were treated with TGFβ2 to induce tenogenesis, and Akt or Smad3 signaling was chemically inhibited using the Akt inhibitor, MK-2206, or the Smad3 inhibitor, SIS3. Effects of TGFβ2 alone and in combination with these inhibitors on the activation of Akt signaling and its downstream targets mTOR and P70S6K were quantified using western blot analysis, and cell morphology was assessed using confocal microscopy. Levels of the tendon marker protein, tenomodulin, were also assessed. Results TGFβ2 alone activated Akt signaling during early tenogenic induction. Chemically inhibiting Akt prevented increases in tenomodulin and attenuated tenogenic morphology of the MSCs in response to TGFβ2. Chemically inhibiting Smad3 did not prevent tenogenesis, but appeared to accelerate it. MSCs treated with both TGFβ2 and SIS3 produced significantly higher levels of tenomodulin at 7 days and morphology appeared tenogenic, with localized cell alignment and elongation. Finally, inhibiting Smad3 did not appear to impact Akt signaling, suggesting that Akt may allow TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis to proceed during disruption of Smad3 signaling. Conclusions These findings show that Akt signaling plays a role in TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis and that tenogenesis of MSCs can be initiated by TGFβ2 during disruption of Smad3 signaling. These findings provide new insights into the signaling pathways that regulate tenogenic induction in stem cells.

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