scholarly journals EIF4EBP1 is transcriptionally upregulated by MYCN and associates with poor prognosis in neuroblastoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Voeltzke ◽  
Katerina Scharov ◽  
Cornelius Funk ◽  
Alisa Kahler ◽  
Daniel Picard ◽  
...  

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) accounts for 15% of cancer-related deaths in childhood despite considerable therapeutic improvements. While several risk factors, including MYCN amplification and alterations in RAS and p53 pathway genes, have been defined in NB, the clinical outcome is very variable and difficult to predict. Since genes of the mTOR pathway are up-regulated in MYCN-amplified NB, we aimed to define the predictive value of the mTOR substrate-encoding gene eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) expression in NB patients. Methods: Several independent NB patient cohorts with corresponding mRNA expression data were analyzed for EIF4EBP1 expression. An institutional NB cohort consisting of 69 prospectively collected tumors was employed to immunohistochemically analyze expression of EIF4EBP1-encoded protein (4EBP1). In addition, we performed an in vitro luciferase reporter gene assay with an episomal EIF4EBP1 promoter and genetically modulated MYCN expression in NB cells. Findings: EIF4EBP1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with MYCN expression and elevated in stage 4 and high-risk NB patients. High EIF4EBP1 mRNA expression was associated with reduced overall and event-free survival in the entire group of NB patients in three cohorts, as well as in stage 4 and high-risk patients. High levels of 4EBP1 were significantly associated with prognostically unfavorable NB histology. Functional analyses in vitro revealed that EIF4EBP1 expression is transcriptionally controlled by MYCN binding to the EIF4EBP1 promoter. Interpretation: High EIF4EBP1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in NB patients and may serve to stratify patients with high-risk NB.

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (33) ◽  
pp. 11693-11706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon A. Haizel ◽  
Usha Bhardwaj ◽  
Ruben L. Gonzalez ◽  
Somdeb Mitra ◽  
Dixie J. Goss

During unfavorable conditions (e.g. tumor hypoxia or viral infection), canonical, cap-dependent mRNA translation is suppressed in human cells. Nonetheless, a subset of physiologically important mRNAs (e.g. hypoxia-inducible factor 1α [HIF-1α], fibroblast growth factor 9 [FGF-9], and p53) is still translated by an unknown, cap-independent mechanism. Additionally, expression levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4GI (eIF4GI) and of its homolog, death-associated protein 5 (DAP5), are elevated. By examining the 5′ UTRs of HIF-1α, FGF-9, and p53 mRNAs and using fluorescence anisotropy binding studies, luciferase reporter-based in vitro translation assays, and mutational analyses, we demonstrate here that eIF4GI and DAP5 specifically bind to the 5′ UTRs of these cap-independently translated mRNAs. Surprisingly, we found that the eIF4E-binding domain of eIF4GI increases not only the binding affinity but also the selectivity among these mRNAs. We further demonstrate that the affinities of eIF4GI and DAP5 binding to these 5′ UTRs correlate with the efficiency with which these factors drive cap-independent translation of these mRNAs. Integrating the results of our binding and translation assays, we conclude that eIF4GI or DAP5 is critical for recruitment of a specific subset of mRNAs to the ribosome, providing mechanistic insight into their cap-independent translation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minhua Hu ◽  
Jincheng Yang

Abstract Background We aimed to explore the role of long noncoding RNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (lncRNA UCA1) and its underlying mechanism in the radioresistance of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods QRT-PCR was conducted to measure the expression of UCA1, microRNA-331-3p (miR-331-3p) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 1 (EIF4G1) in PCa tissues and cells. The relative protein level was determined by western blot assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The target interaction between miR-331-3p and UCA1 or EIF4G1 was predicted through bioinformatics analysis, and verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay system. Results The high levels of UCA1 and EIF4G1 as well as the low level of miR-331-3p were observed in PCa tissues and cell lines. UCA1 and EIF4G1 expression were significantly upregulated by Gy radiation treatement. UCA1 or EIF4G1 knockdown repressed cell growth and enhanced cell apoptosis in 22RV1 and DU145 cells under radiation. Moreover, overexpression of EIF4G1 abolished UCA1 knockdown-induced effect on 6 Gy irradiated PCa cells. UCA1 sponged miR-331-3p to regulate EIF4G1 expression. Conclusions LncRNA UCA1 deletion suppressed the radioresistance to PCa by suppressing EIF4G1 expression via miR-331-3p. UCA1 acted as a potential regulator of radioresistance of PCa, providing a promising therapeutic target for PCa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang-Yan Chen ◽  
Lian Wang ◽  
Yue-Xiang Ren ◽  
Zheng Pang ◽  
Yao Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Circular RNA (circRNAs) and hypoxia have been found to play the key roles in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the expressions and functions of the specific circRNAs in regulating hypoxia-involved CRC metastasis, and the circRNAs that are relevant to regulate HIF-1α levels in CRC remain elusive. Methods qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circRNAs and mRNA in CRC cells and tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the location of circ-ERBIN. Function-based experiments were performed using circ-ERBIN overexpression and knockdown cell lines in vitro and in vivo, including CCK8, colony formation, EdU assay, transwell, tumor growth and metastasis models. Mechanistically, luciferase reporter assay, western blots and immunohistochemical stainings were performed. Results Circ-Erbin was highly expressed in the CRC cells and Circ-Erbin overexpression facilitated the proliferation, migration and metastasis of CRC in vitro and in vivo. Notably, circ-Erbin overexpression significantly promoted angiogenesis by increasing the expression of hypoxia induced factor (HIF-1α) in CRC. Mechanistically, circ-Erbin accelerated a cap-independent protein translation of HIF-1α in CRC cells as the sponges of miR-125a-5p and miR-138-5p, which synergistically targeted eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1(4EBP-1). Conclusions Our findings uncover a key mechanism for circ-Erbin mediated HIF-1α activation by miR-125a-5p-5p/miR-138-5p/4EBP-1 axis and circ-ERBIN is a potential target for CRC treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 602-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Abdelaziz ◽  
Sarah Diab ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Sunita K.C. Basnet ◽  
Benjamin Noll ◽  
...  

Background:Aberrant expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is common in many types of cancer including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Phosphorylation of eIF4E by MAPK-interacting kinases (Mnks) is essential for the eIF4E-mediated oncogenic activity. As such, the pharmacological inhibition of Mnks can be an effective strategy for the treatment of cancer.Methods:A series of N-phenyl-4-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine derivatives was designed and synthesised. The Mnk inhibitory activity of these derivatives as well as their anti-proliferative activity against MV4-11 AML cells was determined.Results:These compounds were identified as potent Mnk2 inhibitors. Most of them demonstrated potent anti-proliferative activity against MV4-11 AML cells. The cellular mechanistic studies of the representative inhibitors revealed that they reduced the level of phosphorylated eIF4E and induced apoptosis by down-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein myeloid cell leukaemia 1 (Mcl-1) and by cleaving poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP). The lead compound 7k possessed desirable pharmacokinetic properties and oral bioavailability.Conclusion:This work proposes that exploration of the structural diversity in the context of Nphenyl- 4-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine would offer potent and selective Mnk inhibitors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-723
Author(s):  
Natarajan Nandakumar ◽  
Pushparathinam Gopinath ◽  
Jacob Gopas ◽  
Kannoth M. Muraleedharan

Background: The authors investigated the NF-κB inhibitory role of three Benzisothiazolone (BIT) derivatives (1, 2 and 3) in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cells (L428) which constitutively express activated NF-κB. All three compounds showed dose-dependent NF-κB inhibition (78.3, 70.7 and 34.6%) in the luciferase reporter gene assay and were found cytotoxic at IC50 values of 3.3μg/ml, 4.35μg/ml and 13.8μg/ml, respectively by the XTT assay. BIT 1and BIT 2 (but not BIT 3) suppressed both NF-κB subunits p50 and p65 in cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, BIT 1 showed a moderate synergistic effect with the standard chemotherapy drugs etoposide and doxorubicin, whereas BIT 2 and 3 showed a moderate additive effect to antagonistic effect. Cisplatin exhibited an antagonist effect on all the compounds tested under various concentrations, except in the case of 1.56μg/ml of BIT 3 with 0.156μg/ml of cisplatin. The compounds also inhibited the migration of adherent human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) in vitro. We conclude that especially BIT 1 and BIT 2 have in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, which can be further investigated for future potential therapeutic use. Methods: Inspired by the electrophilic sulfur in Nuphar alkaloids, monomeric and dimeric benzisothiazolones were synthesized from dithiodibenzoic acid and their NF-κB inhibitory role was explored. NF-κB inhibition and cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives were studied using luciferase reporter gene assay and XTTassay. Immunocytochemistry studies were performed using L428 cells. Cell migration assay was conducted using the A549 cell line. L428 cells were used to conduct combination studies and the results were plotted using CompuSyn software. Results: Benzisothiazolone derivatives exhibited cytotoxicity in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cells through NF-κB inhibition. Potent compounds showed suppression of both NF-κB subunits p50 and p65 in a concentrationdependent manner, both in cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts. Combination studies suggest that benzisothiazolone derivatives possess a synergistic effect with etoposide and doxorubicin. Furthermore, the compounds also inhibited the migration of A549 cells. Conclusion: Benzisothiazolones bearing one or two electrophilic sulfur atoms as part of the heterocyclic framework exhibited cytotoxicity in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cells through NF-κB inhibition. In addition, these derivatives also exhibited a synergistic effect with etoposide and doxorubicin along with the ability to inhibit the migration of A549 cells. Our study suggests that BIT-based new chemical entities could lead to potential anticancer agents.


Tumor Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
Maike Busch ◽  
Natalia Miroschnikov ◽  
Jaroslaw Thomas Dankert ◽  
Marc Wiesehöfer ◽  
Klaus Metz ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood eye cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as etoposide used in RB treatment often cause massive side effects and acquired drug resistances. Dysregulated genes and miRNAs have a large impact on cancer progression and development of chemotherapy resistances. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the involvement of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) in RB progression and chemoresistance as well as the impact of miR-138, a potential RARα regulating miRNA. METHODS: RARα and miR-138 expression in etoposide resistant RB cell lines and chemotherapy treated patient tumors compared to non-treated tumors was revealed by Real-Time PCR. Overexpression approaches were performed to analyze the effects of RARα on RB cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation and tumorigenesis. Besides, we addressed the effect of miR-138 overexpression on RB cell chemotherapy resistance. RESULTS: A binding between miR-138 and RARα was shown by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The study presented revealed that RARα is downregulated in etoposide resistant RB cells, while miR-138 is endogenously upregulated. Opposing RARα and miR-138 expression levels were detectable in chemotherapy pre-treated compared to non-treated RB tumor specimen. Overexpression of RARα increases apoptosis levels and reduces tumor cell growth of aggressive etoposide resistant RB cells in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of miR-138 in chemo-sensitive RB cell lines partly enhances cell viability after etoposide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that RARα acts as a tumor suppressor in retinoblastoma and is downregulated upon etoposide resistance in RB cells. Thus, RARα may contribute to the development and progression of RB chemo-resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyuan Lu ◽  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Xuming Wang ◽  
Jilong Zou ◽  
Jiabing Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background More and more studies have confirmed that miRNAs play an important role in maintaining bone remodeling and bone metabolism. This study investigated the expression level of miR-206 in the serum of osteoporosis (OP) patients and explored the effect and mechanism of miR-206 on the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Methods 120 postmenopausal women were recruited, including 63 cases with OP and 57 women without OP. The levels of miR-206 were determined by qRT-PCR technology. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation of miR-206 with bone mineral density (BMD). An ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-206 in osteoporosis. The effects of miR-206 on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of hFOBs were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to confirm the interaction of miR-206 and the 3′UTR of HDAC4. Results Serum miR-206 had low expression level in osteoporosis patient group compared with control group. The expression level of serum miR-206 had diagnostic value for osteoporosis, and the serum miR-206 levels were positively correlated with BMD. The down-regulated miR-206 could inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis. Luciferase analysis indicated that HDAC4 was the target gene of miR-206. Conclusions MiR-206 could be used as a new potential diagnostic biomarker for osteoporosis, and in in vitro cell experiments, miR-206 may regulate osteoblast cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting HDAC4.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382098011
Author(s):  
Junjun Shu ◽  
Ling Xiao ◽  
Sanhua Yan ◽  
Boqun Fan ◽  
Xia Zou ◽  
...  

Objective: Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks one of the most prevalent fatal tumors of female genital organs. Aberrant promoter methylation triggers changes of microRNA (miR)-375 in OC. Our study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of methylated miR-375 promoter region in OC cell malignancy and to seek the possible treatment for OC. Methods: miR-375 promoter methylation level in OC tissues and cells was detected. miR-375 expression in OC tissues and cell lines was compared with that in demethylated cells. Role of miR-375 in OC progression was measured. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized to verify the targeting relationship between miR-375 and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). Then, Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related protein expression was tested. Moreover, xenograft transplantation was applied to confirm the in vitro experiments. Results: Highly methylated miR-375 was seen in OC tissues and cell lines, while its expression was decreased as the promoter methylation increased. Demethylation in OC cells brought miR-375 back to normal level, with obviously declined cell invasion, migration and viability and improved apoptosis. Additionally, miR-375 targeted YAP1 to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway protein expression. Overexpressed YAP1 reversed the protein expression, promoted cell invasion, migration and viability while reduced cell apoptosis. Overexpressed miR-375 in vivo inhibited OC progression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that demethylated miR-375 inhibited OC growth by targeting YAP1 and downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This investigation may offer novel insight for OC treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (20) ◽  
pp. 10935-10945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanta Karki ◽  
Kathrina Castillo ◽  
Zhaolan Ding ◽  
Olivia Kerr ◽  
Teresa M. Lamb ◽  
...  

The circadian clock in eukaryotes controls transcriptional and posttranscriptional events, including regulation of the levels and phosphorylation state of translation factors. However, the mechanisms underlying clock control of translation initiation, and the impact of this potential regulation on rhythmic protein synthesis, were not known. We show that inhibitory phosphorylation of eIF2α (P-eIF2α), a conserved translation initiation factor, is clock controlled in Neurospora crassa, peaking during the subjective day. Cycling P-eIF2α levels required rhythmic activation of the eIF2α kinase CPC-3 (the homolog of yeast and mammalian GCN2), and rhythmic activation of CPC-3 was abolished under conditions in which the levels of charged tRNAs were altered. Clock-controlled accumulation of P-eIF2α led to reduced translation during the day in vitro and was necessary for the rhythmic synthesis of select proteins in vivo. Finally, loss of rhythmic P-eIF2α levels led to reduced linear growth rates, supporting the idea that partitioning translation to specific times of day provides a growth advantage to the organism. Together, these results reveal a fundamental mechanism by which the clock regulates rhythmic protein production, and provide key insights into how rhythmic translation, cellular energy, stress, and nutrient metabolism are linked through the levels of charged versus uncharged tRNAs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document