scholarly journals EMT changes actin cortex rheology in a cell-cycle dependent manner

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamran Hosseini ◽  
Annika Frenzel ◽  
Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cellular Transformation ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Cellular Migration ◽  
Characteristic Time Scale ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Actin Cortex

The actin cortex is a key structure for cellular mechanics and cellular migration. Accordingly, cancer cells were shown to change their mechanical properties based on different degrees of malignancy and metastatic potential. Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular transformation associated with cancer progression and malignancy. To date, a detailed study of the effects of EMT on the frequency-dependent viscoelastic mechanics of the actin cortex is still lacking. In this work, we have used an established AFM-based method of cell confinement to quantify the rheology of the actin cortex of human breast, lung and prostate epithelial cells before and after EMT in a frequency range of 0.02 − 2 Hz. Interestingly, we find for all cell lines opposite EMT-induced changes in interphase and mitosis; while the actin cortex softens upon EMT in interphase, it stiffens in mitosis. Our rheological data can be accounted for by a rheological model with a characteristic time scale of slowest relaxation. In conclusion, our study discloses a consistent rheological trend induced by EMT in human cells of diverse tissue origin reflecting major structural changes of the actin cytoskeleton upon EMT.

scholarly journals The Cuban Propolis Component Nemorosone Inhibits Proliferation and Metastatic Properties of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahima Frión-Herrera ◽  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Michela Scaffidi ◽  
Letizia Zagni ◽  
Osmany Cuesta-Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vimentin Expression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Cells ◽  
Folk Remedies ◽  
Main Component

The majority of deaths related to colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with the metastatic process. Alternative therapeutic strategies, such as traditional folk remedies, deserve attention for their potential ability to attenuate the invasiveness of CRC cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological activity of brown Cuban propolis (CP) and its main component nemorosone (NEM) and to describe the molecular mechanism(s) by which they inhibit proliferation and metastatic potential of 2 CRC cell lines, i.e., HT-29 and LoVo. Our results show that CP and NEM significantly decreased cell viability and inhibited clonogenic capacity of CRC cells in a dose and time-dependent manner, by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, CP and NEM downregulated BCL2 gene expression and upregulated the expression of the proapoptotic genes TP53 and BAX, with a consequent activation of caspase 3/7. They also attenuated cell migration and invasion by inhibiting MMP9 activity, increasing E-cadherin and decreasing β-catenin and vimentin expression, proteins involved in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In conclusion NEM, besides displaying antiproliferative activity on CRC cells, is able to decrease their metastatic potential by modulating EMT-related molecules. These finding provide new insight about the mechanism(s) of the antitumoral properties of CP, due to NEM content.

scholarly journals Curcumin Affects HSP60 Folding Activity and Levels in Neuroblastoma Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celeste Caruso Bavisotto ◽  
Antonella Marino Gammazza ◽  
Filippa Lo Cascio ◽  
Emanuele Mocciaro ◽  
Alessandra Maria Vitale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Protein Homeostasis ◽  
Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

The fundamental challenge in fighting cancer is the development of protective agents able to interfere with the classical pathways of malignant transformation, such as extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and, alteration of protein homeostasis. In the tumors of the brain, proteotoxic stress represents one of the main triggering agents for cell transformation. Curcumin is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties with promising potential for the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Among the mediators of cancer development, HSP60 is a key factor for the maintenance of protein homeostasis and cell survival. High HSP60 levels were correlated, in particular, with cancer development and progression, and for this reason, we investigated the ability of curcumin to affect HSP60 expression, localization, and post-translational modifications using a neuroblastoma cell line. We have also looked at the ability of curcumin to interfere with the HSP60/HSP10 folding machinery. The cells were treated with 6, 12.5, and 25 µM of curcumin for 24 h, and the flow cytometry analysis showed that the compound induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner with a higher percentage of apoptotic cells at 25 µM. This dose of curcumin-induced a decrease in HSP60 protein levels and an upregulation of HSP60 mRNA expression. Moreover, 25 µM of curcumin reduced HSP60 ubiquitination and nitration, and the chaperonin levels were higher in the culture media compared with the untreated cells. Furthermore, curcumin at the same dose was able to favor HSP60 folding activity. The reduction of HSP60 levels, together with the increase in its folding activity and the secretion in the media led to the supposition that curcumin might interfere with cancer progression with a protective mechanism involving the chaperonin.

scholarly journals RNF20 Is Critical for Snail-Mediated E-Cadherin Repression in Human Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danping Wang ◽  
Yifan Wang ◽  
Xuebiao Wu ◽  
Xiangxing Kong ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Human Breast Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
E Cadherin

BackgroundE-cadherin, a hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is often repressed due to Snail-mediated epigenetic modification; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. There is an urgent need to understand the determinants of tumor aggressiveness and identify potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer.Experimental designWe studied the association of RNF20 with Snail and G9a by co-immunoprecipitation. We employed quantitative real-time PCR, ChIP, transwell assay, colony formation assay, and mammosphere assay to dissect the molecular events associated with the repression of E-cadherin in human breast cancer. We used a proteogenomic dataset that contains 105 breast tumor samples to determine the clinical relevance of RNF20 by Kaplan-Meier analyses.ResultsIn this study, we identified that Snail interacted with RNF20, an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase responsible for monoubiquitination of H2BK120, and G9a, a methyltransferase for H3K9me2. RNF20 expression led to the inhibition of E-cadherin expression in the human breast cancer cells. Mechanically, we showed that RNF20 and H3K9m2 were enriched on the promoter of E-cadherin and knockdown of Snail reduced the enrichment of RNF20, showing a Snail-dependent manner. RNF20 expression enhanced breast cancer cell migration, invasion, tumorsphere and colony formation. Clinically, patients with high RNF20 expression had shorter overall survival.ConclusionRNF20 expression contributes to EMT induction and breast cancer progression through Snail-mediated epigenetic suppression of E-cadherin expression, suggesting the importance of RNF20 in breast cancer.

scholarly journals Emerging Autophagy Functions Shape the Tumor Microenvironment and Play a Role in Cancer Progression - Implications for Cancer Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvina Odete Bustos ◽  
Fernanda Antunes ◽  
Maria Cristina Rangel ◽  
Roger Chammas
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Independent Functions

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex environment where cancer cells reside and interact with different types of cells, secreted factors, and the extracellular matrix. Additionally, TME is shaped by several processes, such as autophagy. Autophagy has emerged as a conserved intracellular degradation pathway for clearance of damaged organelles or aberrant proteins. With its central role, autophagy maintains the cellular homeostasis and orchestrates stress responses, playing opposite roles in tumorigenesis. During tumor development, autophagy also mediates autophagy-independent functions associated with several hallmarks of cancer, and therefore exerting several effects on tumor suppression and/or tumor promotion mechanisms. Beyond the concept of degradation, new different forms of autophagy have been described as modulators of cancer progression, such as secretory autophagy enabling intercellular communication in the TME by cargo release. In this context, the synthesis of senescence-associated secretory proteins by autophagy lead to a senescent phenotype. Besides disturbing tumor treatment responses, autophagy also participates in innate and adaptive immune signaling. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated intricate crosstalk between autophagy and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), by which cancer cells obtain an invasive phenotype and metastatic potential. Thus, autophagy in the cancer context is far broader and complex than just a cell energy sensing mechanism. In this scenario, we will discuss the key roles of autophagy in the TME and surrounding cells, contributing to cancer development and progression/EMT. Finally, the potential intervention in autophagy processes as a strategy for cancer therapy will be addressed.

scholarly journals Natural podophyllotoxin analog 4DPG attenuates EMT and colorectal cancer progression via activation of checkpoint kinase 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Katoch ◽  
Debasis Nayak ◽  
Mir Mohd. Faheem ◽  
Aviral Kumar ◽  
Promod Kumar Sahu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Checkpoint Kinase ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Checkpoint Kinase 2 ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Progression

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for the metastatic dissemination of cancer cells and contributes to drug resistance. In this study, we observed that epithelial colorectal cancer (CRC) cells transiently exposed to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (a chemotherapeutic drug for CRC) as well as 5-FU-resistant cells (5-FU-R) develop EMT characters as evidenced by activation of Vimentin and augmented invasive properties. On the other hand, 4DPG (4′-demethyl-deoxypodophyllotoxin glucoside), a natural podophyllotoxin analog attenuates EMT and invadopodia formation abilities of HCT-116/5-FU-R and SW-620/5-FU-R cells. Treatment with 4DPG restrains Vimentin phosphorylation (Ser38) in 5-FU-R cells, along with downregulation of mesenchymal markers Twist1 and MMP-2 while augmenting the expression of epithelial markers E-cadherin and TIMP-1. Moreover, 4DPG boosts the tumor-suppressor protein, checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) via phosphorylation at Thr68 in a dose-dependent manner in 5-FU-R cells. Mechanistically, SiRNA-mediated silencing of Chk2, as well as treatment with Chk2-specific small-molecule inhibitor (PV1019), divulges that 4DPG represses Vimentin activation in a Chk2-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation analysis unveiled that 4DPG prevents complex formation between Vimentin and p53 resulting in the rescue of p53 and its nuclear localization in aggressive 5-FU-R cells. In addition, 4DPG confers suitable pharmacokinetic properties and strongly abrogates tumor growth, polyps formation, and lung metastasis in an orthotopic rat colorectal carcinoma model. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate 4DPG as a targeted antitumor/anti-metastatic pharmacological lead compound to circumvent EMT-associated drug resistance and suggest its clinical benefits for the treatment of aggressive cancers.

scholarly journals PGK1 is a Potential Survival Biomarker and Invasion Promoter by Regulating the HIF-1α–Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process in Breast Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2434-2444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deyuan Fu ◽  
Chunlan He ◽  
Jinli Wei ◽  
Zhengquan Zhang ◽  
Yulin Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Target Therapy ◽  
Enzymatic Reaction ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Poor Overall Survival ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: Glycolysis, a multi-step enzymatic reaction, is considered to be the root of cancer development and progression. The aim of this study is to figure out which glycolysis enzyme participates in the progression of breast cancer and its possible mechanisms. Materials: We firstly screened out PGK1 by performing an RT-PCR array of glycolysis-related genes in three paired breast cancer samples, and further investigated PGK1 using TCGA and our own database. The effect and mechanism of PGK1 on cell invasion was further explored both in vitro and using patient samples. Results: PGK1 was most upregulated in T3N0 with distant metastases compared to those with no metastases. In the TCGA database, high PGK1 expression predicted poor overall survival (OS) in breast cancer and some other cancers (P< 0.001). In the validation cohort, high PGK1 expression was significantly correlated with larger tumor size (P=0.011) and advanced TNM stage (P=0.033), and PGK1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS and disease free survival (DFS) in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P< 0.05). Functional studies indicated that knockdown of PGK1 expression significantly inhibited invasion and reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in breast cancer cells (P< 0.05). Mechanistically, PGK1 increased HRE luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner, while silencing PGK1 expression decreased HRE activity. Conclusion: High PGK1 expression was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, because PGK1 and HIF-1α formed a positive feed-forward loop and thus stimulated breast cancer progression and metastases. Based on these results, PGK1 may serve as a promising biomarker and target therapy for breast cancer.

scholarly journals Transglutaminase 2: The Maestro of the Oncogenic Mediators in Renal Cell Carcinoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayca Ece Nezir ◽  
Burge Ulukan ◽  
Dilek Telci
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Transglutaminase 2 ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Von Hippel Lindau

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional crosslinking enzyme that displays transamidation, protein disulfide isomerase, protein kinase, as well as GTPase and ATPase activities. TG2 can also act as an adhesion molecule involved in the syndecan and integrin receptor signaling. In recent years, TG2 was implicated in cancer progression, survival, invasion, migration, and stemness of many cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Von Hippel-Lindau mutations leading to the subsequent activation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-1-mediated signaling pathways, survival signaling via the PI3K/Akt pathway resulting in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) metastasis and angiogenesis are the main factors in RCC progression. A number of studies have shown that TG2 was important in HIF-1- and PI3K-mediated signaling, VHL and p53 stabilization, glycolytic metabolism and migratory phenotype in RCC. This review focuses on the role of TG2 in the regulation of molecular pathways nurturing not only the development and propagation of RCC, but also drug-resistance and metastatic potential.

scholarly journals Extracellular Interactions between Fibulins and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β in Physiological and Pathological Conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Tsuda
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Elastic Fibers ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pathological Conditions

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional peptide growth factor that has a vital role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, and repair in a variety of tissues, and its dysregulation mediates a number of pathological conditions including fibrotic disorders, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer progression. Regulation of TGF-β signaling is multifold, but one critical site of regulation is via interaction with certain extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironments, as TGF-β is primarily secreted as a biologically inactive form sequestrated into ECM. Several ECM proteins are known to modulate TGF-β signaling via cell–matrix interactions, including thrombospondins, SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cystein), tenascins, osteopontin, periostin, and fibulins. Fibulin family members consist of eight ECM glycoproteins characterized by a tandem array of calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like modules and a common C-terminal domain. Fibulins not only participate in structural integrity of basement membrane and elastic fibers, but also serve as mediators for cellular processes and tissue remodeling as they are highly upregulated during embryonic development and certain disease processes, especially at the sites of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Emerging studies have indicated a close relationship between fibulins and TGF-β signaling, but each fibulin plays a different role in a context-dependent manner. In this review, regulatory interactions between fibulins and TGF-β signaling are discussed. Understanding biological roles of fibulins in TGF-β regulation may introduce new insights into the pathogenesis of some human diseases.

scholarly journals Metastasis: A Bane of Breast Cancer Therapy

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumour Size ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

The underlying mechanisms of metastasis in patients with breast cancer is still poorly understood. Approximately 6% of patients with breast cancer present with metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic breast cancer is difficult to treat and patients with breast cancer with distant metastasis have a significantly lower 5-year survival rate compared to patients with localised breast cancer (27% and 99%, respectively). During breast cancer progression, tumour cells first metastasise to nearby draining lymph nodes and then to distant organs, primarily bone, lungs, liver, and brain. In this brief review, the authors discuss breast cancer metastasis, the role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the contributions of the immune system to the metastatic process. The authors also briefly discuss whether there is any relationship between tumour size and metastatic potential, and recent advances in treatment for metastatic breast cancer. The studies highlighted suggest that immunotherapy may play a more significant role in future patient care for metastatic breast cancer.

scholarly journals USP29 enhances chemotherapy-induced stemness in non-small cell lung cancer via stabilizing Snail1 in response to oxidative stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueguang Wu ◽  
Yingqiu Zhang ◽  
Duchuang Wang ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Jinrui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell ◽  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Tumor Dissemination

Abstract Chemotherapy remains an essential part of diverse treatment regimens against human malignancies. However, recent progressions have revealed a paradoxical role of chemotherapies to induce the cancer stem cell-like features that facilitate chemoresistance and tumor dissemination, with the underlying mechanisms underinvestigated. The zinc-finger transcription factor Snail1 is a central regulator during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and is closely implicated in cancer progression. Snail1 expression is strictly regulated at multiple layers, with its stability governed by post-translational ubiquitylation that is counterbalanced by the activities of diverse E3 ligases and deubiquitylases. Here we identify the deubiquitylase USP29 as a novel stabilizer of Snail1, which potently restricts its ubiquitylation in a catalytic activity-dependent manner. Bioinformatic analysis reveals a reverse correlation between USP29 expression and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients. USP29 is unique among Snail1 deubiquitylases through exhibiting chemotherapy-induced upregulation. Mechanistically, oxidative stresses incurred by chemotherapy stimulate transcriptional activation of USP29. USP29 upregulation enhances the cancer stem cell-like characteristics in lung adenocarcinoma cells to promote tumorigenesis in athymic nude mice. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism by which chemotherapy induces cancer stemness and suggest USP29 as a potential therapeutic target to impede the development of chemoresistance and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma.

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