scholarly journals ERK3 is transcriptionally upregulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eid S. Alshammari ◽  
Amjad A. Aljagthmi ◽  
Andrew J. Stacy ◽  
Mike Bottomley ◽  
H. Nicholas Shamma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is an important regulator for epithelial tissue growth and development. ∆Np63α is the main isoform of p63 and highly expressed in Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) whose biochemical features and cellular regulation are distinct from those of conventional MAPKs such as ERK1/2. While ERK3 has been shown to be upregulated in lung cancers and head and neck cancers, in which it promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, little is known about the implication of ERK3 in NMSCs. Methods: Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression levels of DNp63a and ERK3 in normal and NMSC specimens. Dunnett’s test was performed to compare mean fluorescence intensity (MFI, indicator of expression levels) of p63 or ERK3 between normal cutaneous samples and NMSC samples. A mixed effects (ANOVA) test was used to determine the correlation between DNp63a and ERK3 expression levels (MFI). The regulation of ERK3 by DNp63a was studied by qRT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. The effect of ERK3 regulation by DNp63a on cell migration was measured by performing trans-well migration assay. Results: The expression level of ∆Np63α is upregulated in NMSCs compared to normal tissue. ERK3 level is significantly upregulated in AK and SCC in comparison to normal tissue and there is a strong positive correlation between ∆Np63α and ERK3 expression in normal skin and skin specimens of patients with AK, SCC or BCC. Further, we found that ∆Np63α positively regulates ERK3 transcript and protein levels in A431 and HaCaT skin cells, underlying the upregulation of ERK3 expression and its positive correlation with ∆Np63α in NMSCs. Moreover, similar to the effect of ∆Np63α depletion, silencing ERK3 greatly enhanced A431 cell migration. Restoration of ERK3 expression under the condition of silencing ∆Np63α counteracted the increase in cell migration induced by the depletion of ∆Np63α. Mechanistically, ERK3 inhibits the phosphorylation of Rac1 G-protein and the formation of filopodia of A431 skin SCC cells.Conclusions: ERK3 is positively regulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in NMSC.

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eid S. Alshammari ◽  
Amjad A. Aljagthmi ◽  
Andrew J. Stacy ◽  
Mike Bottomley ◽  
H. Nicholas Shamma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is an important regulator for epithelial tissue growth and development. ∆Np63α is the main isoform of p63 and highly expressed in Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) whose biochemical features and cellular regulation are distinct from those of conventional MAPKs such as ERK1/2. While ERK3 has been shown to be upregulated in lung cancers and head and neck cancers, in which it promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, little is known about the implication of ERK3 in NMSCs. Methods Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression levels of ΔNp63α and ERK3 in normal and NMSC specimens. Dunnett’s test was performed to compare mean fluorescence intensity (MFI, indicator of expression levels) of p63 or ERK3 between normal cutaneous samples and NMSC samples. A mixed effects (ANOVA) test was used to determine the correlation between ΔNp63α and ERK3 expression levels (MFI). The regulation of ERK3 by ΔNp63α was studied by qRT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. The effect of ERK3 regulation by ΔNp63α on cell migration was measured by performing trans-well migration assay. Results The expression level of ∆Np63α is upregulated in NMSCs compared to normal tissue. ERK3 level is significantly upregulated in AK and SCC in comparison to normal tissue and there is a strong positive correlation between ∆Np63α and ERK3 expression in normal skin and skin specimens of patients with AK, SCC or BCC. Further, we found that ∆Np63α positively regulates ERK3 transcript and protein levels in A431 and HaCaT skin cells, underlying the upregulation of ERK3 expression and its positive correlation with ∆Np63α in NMSCs. Moreover, similar to the effect of ∆Np63α depletion, silencing ERK3 greatly enhanced A431 cell migration. Restoration of ERK3 expression under the condition of silencing ∆Np63α counteracted the increase in cell migration induced by the depletion of ∆Np63α. Mechanistically, ERK3 inhibits the phosphorylation of Rac1 G-protein and the formation of filopodia of A431 skin SCC cells. Conclusions ERK3 is positively regulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in NMSC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eid S. Alshammari ◽  
Amjad A. Aljagthmi ◽  
Andrew J. Stacy ◽  
Mike Bottomley ◽  
H. Nicholas Shamma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is an important regulator for epithelial tissue growth and development. ∆Np63α is the main isoform of p63 and highly expressed in Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) whose biochemical features and cellular regulation are distinct from those of conventional MAPKs such as ERK1/2. While ERK3 has been shown to be upregulated in lung cancers and head and neck cancers, in which it promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, little is known about the implication of ERK3 in NMSCs. Methods: Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression levels of DNp63a and ERK3 in normal and NMSC specimens. Dunnett’s test was performed to compare mean fluorescence intensity (MFI, indicator of expression levels) of p63 or ERK3 between normal cutaneous samples and NMSC samples (i.e., Actinic Keratosis (AK), a precursor to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC)). A mixed effects (ANOVA) test was used to determine the correlation between DNp63a and ERK3 expression levels (MFI). The regulation of ERK3 by DNp63a was studied by qRT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. The effect of ERK3 regulation by DNp63a on cell migration was measured by performing trans-well migration assay. Results: The expression levels of both ∆Np63α and ERK3 proteins are upregulated in NMSCs compared to normal tissues. There is a strong positive correlation between ∆Np63α and ERK3 expression in normal skin and patients with AK, SCC and BCC. Further, we found that ∆Np63α positively regulates ERK3 transcript and protein levels in A431 and HaCaT skin cells, underlying the upregulation of ERK3 expression and its positive correlation with ∆Np63α in NMSCs. Moreover, similar to the effect of ∆Np63α depletion, silencing ERK3 greatly enhanced A431 cell migration. Restoration of ERK3 expression under the condition of silencing ∆Np63α counteracted the increase in cell migration induced by the depletion of ∆Np63α. Conclusions: ERK3 is positively regulated by ∆Np63α and mediates the role of ∆Np63α in suppressing cell migration in NMSC.


Author(s):  
Alison J. Link ◽  
D J Williams

This study examined the statistical relationship between offender rehabilitation and leisure functioning of Oregon prisoners ( N = 281) soon to reenter society. The strong positive correlation between leisure functioning and rehabilitation is an important finding of the study. Perception of freedom and intrinsic motivation in leisure, as independent variables, were significantly related to rehabilitation even when controlling for the influence of demographic and important forensic variables. This study provides initial empirical evidence for the importance of leisure in offender rehabilitation and successful offender reentry. The role of leisure education programming as a supportive offender rehabilitation strategy is also discussed.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2878-2878
Author(s):  
Grazyna Stasiak ◽  
Malgorzata Zajac ◽  
Joanna Zaleska ◽  
Michal Kielbus ◽  
Jakub Czapinski ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) represents a heterogeneous group of myeloid malignancies harboring different chromosomal abnormalities, gene mutations, and epigenetic modifications. Recent clinical and biological studies indicate that myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and AML could be considered as part of the same continuous disease spectrum rather than as distinct disorders. NPM1 is a multifunctional protein involved in both biological and pathological processes controlling development, cell proliferation, ribosome biogenesis, transformation and genomic stability. It interacts with many cellular proteins, including ARF and the tumor suppressor p53. Recently, we found that high expression of the NPM1 splice variant R2, which encodes a truncated form of NPM1, may provide prognostic value for CN-AML patients. Aims Therefore, our aim was evaluation of NPM1 R2 splice variant significance for MDS and sAML cases, as well as assignment if different expression levels of R2 might have influence on the expression pattern of each of the components of the ARF-MDM2-p53-p21 signaling pathway and additional downstream molecules (miR-34a, miR-34b and miR-34c). In order to determine the impact of NPM1 R2 on NPM1 localization and to compare it with the NPM1mut effect, transfection analyses and IHC stainings were performed. Methods NPM1 R2, CDKN2A (encoding ARF), MDM2, TP53 and CDKN1A(encoding p21) genes expression levels were assessed for 128 samples (58 AML, 62 MDS and 8 sAML) using qRT-PCR. Additionally, expression level of miR-34a (n=29), miR-34b (n=20) and miR-34c (n=20) was measured in CD33+ cells derived from AML patient samples. WI-38 fibroblasts and HEK-293 cells were transfected with constructs containing eGFP-tagged NPM1-R2, NPM1-mut and NPM1-wt under a cytomegalovirus promoter, stained and visualized with confocal microscope. Immunochemistry analysis was performed for NPM1 in 23 AML bone marrow smears. Results NPM1 R2 expression levels differed between AML, sAML, MDS and healthy volunteers (HV) groups and were significantly higher in AML, sAML and MDS groups compared to HVs (median 0.023 vs 0.005, p<0.001, 0.025 vs 0.005, p<0.001 and 0.017 vs 0.005, p<0.001, respectively). CDKN2A, MDM2, TP53 and CDKN1A expression analysis in these sample groups showed also significant differences. Expression of TP53 was elevated in groups with high R2 expression in comparison to groups with low R2 expression in AML and MDS patients (median 0.01 vs 0.005, p<0.001 and 0.007 vs 0.004, p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, we found strong positive correlation of R2 expression with TP53 expression in AML (r=0.77, p<0.001) and MDS (r=0.68, p<0.001). We observed elevated expression of miR-34c in HVs group compared to AML (0.11 vs 0.07, p<0,001) and trend to decreased expression of miR-34a in AML in comparison with HVs. No differences were found in miR-34a, miR-34b and miR-34c expression between groups with high or low R2 expression. Transfection analyses showed various localization of each eGFP-tagged NPM1 forms. NPM1-wt localized mainly in nucleoli, NPM1-R2 was detected in the nucleoplasm and nucleoli, whereas eGFP-NPM1-mut displayed cytoplasmic localization. However, the IHC stainings for AML samples revealed that in cases with high R2 expression we were able to determine a cytoplasmic localization of NPM1 even in the absence of its concomitant mutation. Conclusions The elevated level of NPM1 R2 splice variant in AML, sAML and MDS groups versus HVs suggests that R2 might play some role in neoplasia process also in early stages of this hematological malignancy. Transfection analyses established that NPM1 R2 mostly localizes in the nucleoplasm, where it might interact with other proteins e.g. ARF and p53. Nucleolar localization of this NPM1 form might be determined both by lack of nucleolar localization signal present in the wt form of NPM1 and nuclear export signal occurring in mutated NPM1. Moreover, strong positive correlation between R2 and TP53 expression was found in AML and MDS groups suggesting biological link between these transcripts. In summary, the expression of NPM1 R2 might be of biological importance for AML as well as for transformation of MDS into sAML. This work was supported by National Centre for Science Grant HARMONIA (UMO-2013/10/M/NZ5/00313). Disclosures Grzasko: Celgene: Honoraria; Munipharma: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1299-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ma ◽  
Ling-Ling Li

The purpose of our study was to investigate the underlying mechanism and functional role of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in cervical cancer. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-145 and FSCN1 expression levels in tissues and HeLa cells. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein level of FSCN1. The luciferase assay was used to verify the direct target of miR-145. The CCK-8 assay and 2D colony formation assays were performed to determine the effects of miR-145 mimics or FSCN1 silencing on cell proliferation. miR-145 expression levels were significantly down-regulated, while FSCN1 expression levels were significantly up-regulated in the cervical carcinoma tissues compared with their matched non-cancerous tissues. In addition, FSCN1 expression levels were negatively correlated to miR-145 in tissues. Next, FSCN1 was verified as the direct target of miR-145 in HeLa cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-145 dramatically inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells. The silencing of FSCN1 exhibited the similar patterns on cell proliferation as miR-145 overexpression. The miR-145/ FSCN1 axis contributes to the progression of cervical cancer by inhibition of cervical cancer cell proliferation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta M. Manzat Saplacan ◽  
Loredana Balacescu ◽  
Claudia Gherman ◽  
Romeo I. Chira ◽  
Anca Craiu ◽  
...  

Introduction.Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Angiogenesis was reported as one important mechanism activated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Tumor microenvironment associated angiogenesis involves a large spectrum of signaling molecules and deciphering their role in colorectal carcinogenesis still represents a major challenge. The aim of our study is to point out the diagnosis and prediction role of PDGF family and their receptors in colorectal carcinogenesis.Material and Methods.A systematic search in Medline and PubMed for studies reporting the role of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) in tumor biology related to CRC was made.Results.PDGFs are important growth factors for normal tissue growth and division, with an important role in blood vessel formation. PDGFs/PDGFRs signaling pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in angiogenesis mainly by targeting pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. High levels of PDGF-BB were reported in CRC patients compared to those with adenomas, while elevated levels of PDGFRα/βin the stroma of CRC patients were correlated with invasion and metastasis. Moreover, PDGF-AB and PDGF-C were correlated with early diagnosis, cancer grading, and metastatic disease.Conclusions.Both PDGFs and PDGFRs families play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis and could be considered to be investigated as useful biomarkers both for diagnosis and treatment of CRC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1130-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaojie Ding ◽  
Qin Yu ◽  
Jianzhang Wang ◽  
Libo Zhu ◽  
Tiantian Li ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does P2X ligand-gated ion channel 3 (P2X3) play a role in endometriosis pain? SUMMARY ANSWER Upregulation of P2X3 in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) tissues via the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)/activator protein (AP)-1 pathway contributed to endometriosis-associated hyperalgesia, which could be attenuated by the chitosan oligosaccharide stearic acid (CSOSA)/liposomes (LPs)/SP600125 delivery system. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Infiltrating nerve fibers and elevated nociceptors in endometriotic lesions are associated with endometriosis pain. P2X3 has been demonstrated to play an important role in neuropathic pain. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A rat model of endometriosis was used to investigate the signaling pathways involved in P2X3-induced pain. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Degrees of hyperalgesia, endogenous adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) contents and P2X3 expression levels in endometriotic lesions and DRG tissues were detected in a rat model of endometriosis. The expression levels of ATF3 and P2X3 were measured using qRT-PCR, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence analysis after adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) exposure in DRG cells. Plasmids encoding ATF3 and its siRNA were used to investigate the role of ATF3 on ADP-induced P2X3 upregulation. The activity of ATF binding to the P2X3 promoter was evaluated by using chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) and luciferase assays. SP600125, an inhibitor of c-JUN N-terminal kinase, was wrapped in CSOSA/LPs delivery system and its inhibitory effects on ADP-induced upregulation of P2X3 in DRG cells and endometriosis-induced hyperalgesia in rats were tested. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The concentrations of endogenous ATP and expression levels of P2X3 were significantly increased in both endometriotic lesions and DRG tissues in endometriosis rat models and were found to be positively correlated with the severity of hyperalgesia. In DRG cells, P2X3 expression levels were elevated by ADP stimulation, but dramatically inhibited by blocking ATF3 with its siRNA and SP600125. CHIP and luciferase assay showed that ADP increased the binding of ATF3 to the P2X3 promoter, resulting in an increase in P2X3 expression levels. In the CSOSA/LPs/SP600125 delivery system, the drug could be effectively concentrated in endometriotic lesions, and it could alleviate endometriosis-induced hyperalgesia, reduce the size of endometriotic lesions and attenuate upregulated P2X3 expression levels in endometriosis rat models. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Changes in the sensitivity and function of P2X3 caused by endometriosis need to be further investigated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study indicates that ATP and the P2X3 receptor are involved in endometriosis pain, thus providing a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of endometriosis pain by targeting the P2X3 receptor. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFC1001202) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 81974225, 81671429 and 81471433). There are no competing interests.


2010 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 1096-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Baguet ◽  
Jan Bourgois ◽  
Lander Vanhee ◽  
Eric Achten ◽  
Wim Derave

The role of the presence of carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) in millimolar concentrations in human skeletal muscle is poorly understood. Chronic oral β-alanine supplementation is shown to elevate muscle carnosine content and improve anaerobic exercise performance during some laboratory tests, mainly in the untrained. It remains to be determined whether carnosine loading can improve single competition-like events in elite athletes. The aims of the present study were to investigate if performance is related to the muscle carnosine content and if β-alanine supplementation improves performance in highly trained rowers. Eighteen Belgian elite rowers were supplemented for 7 wk with either placebo or β-alanine (5 g/day). Before and following supplementation, muscle carnosine content in soleus and gastrocnemius medialis was measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and the performance was evaluated in a 2,000-m ergometer test. At baseline, there was a strong positive correlation between 100-, 500-, 2,000-, and 6,000-m speed and muscle carnosine content. After β-alanine supplementation, the carnosine content increased by 45.3% in soleus and 28.2% in gastrocnemius. Following supplementation, the β-alanine group was 4.3 s faster than the placebo group, whereas before supplementation they were 0.3 s slower ( P = 0.07). Muscle carnosine elevation was positively correlated to 2,000-m performance enhancement ( P = 0.042 and r = 0.498). It can be concluded that the positive correlation between baseline muscle carnosine levels and rowing performance and the positive correlation between changes in muscle carnosine and performance improvement suggest that muscle carnosine is a new determinant of rowing performance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangzhen Ma ◽  
Jirong Chen ◽  
Tiantian Wei ◽  
Jia Wang ◽  
Wenshan Chen

Abstract Background Forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) is a transcriptional activator for liver-specific genes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent fetal malignancy across the globe. This work focused on the role of FOXA2 in HCC cell migration and invasion and the involving molecules. Methods FOXA2 expression in HCC tissues and cells was determined using RT-qPCR. Altered expression of FOXA2 was introduced to identify its role in HCC cell migration and invasion using Transwell assays. The potential target microRNA (miRNA) of FOXA2 was predicted via online prediction and validated through a ChIP assay, and the mRNA target of miRNA-103a-3p was predicted and confirmed through a luciferase assay. The roles of miR-103a-3p and GREM2 in HCC cell invasion and migration were determined, and the downstream molecules mediated by GREM2 were analyzed. Results FOXA2 and GREM2 were poorly expressed while miR-103a-3p was abundant in HCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of FOXA2 or GREM2 suppressed migration and invasion of HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells, while up-regulation of miR-103a-3p led to reverse trends. FOXA2 transcriptionally suppressed miR-103a-3p to increase GREM2 expression, and silencing of GREM2 partially blocked the inhibitory effects of FOXA2 on cell migration and invasion. GREM2 increased LATS2 activity and YAP phosphorylation and degradation. Conclusion This study evidenced that FOXA2 inhibits migration and invasion potentials of HCC cell lines through suppressing miR-103a-3p transcription. The following upregulation of GREM2 plays key roles in migration inhibition by promoting LATS2 activity and YAP phosphorylation. This study may offer new insights into HCC treatment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 385-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba W. Z. Khella ◽  
Marize Bakhet ◽  
Ghassan Allo ◽  
Michael A. S. Jewett ◽  
Andrew Girgis ◽  
...  

385 Background: miRNAs play a crucial rule in tumor progression and metastasis. We previously identified miR-192, miR-194 and miR-215 to be down-regulated in metastatic compared to primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In this work, we examine the role of miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215 in RCC progression and aggressiveness. Methods: We examined the role of these three miRNAs on tumor cell migration and invasion abilities using RCC cell line models. We performed target prediction analysis and experimentally validated the targets using independent approaches. In addition, we examined the clinical utility of miR-215 as a potential prognostic marker in RCC by measuring miR-215 expression using qRT-PCR in 61 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from primary ccRCC and correlated the expression levels with clinical outcome. Results: Restoration of miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215 expression decreased cell migration and invasion in RCC cell lines. Target prediction analysis identified three potential targets of these miRNAs; MDM2, TYMS, and SIP1/ZEB2. We validated the miRNA-target interaction experimentally using three approaches. First by measuring the effect of miRNA overexpression on mRNA and protein levels of the predicted target, then by measuring the effect of miRNA overexpression on a luciferase signal of a vector containing the 3’UTR of the predicted target, and finally, by validating these interactions in vivoby examining the presence of an inverse correlation between miRNA changes and the expression levels of their targets on clinical specimens. In 61 patients with resected ccRCC tumors, we found that low miR-215 expression in the primary was associated with a significantly reduced recurrence-free survival. (26.4 vs. 49.2 months, respectively, p = 0.0320). Conclusions: Our analysis showed that miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215 are involved in RCC metastasis and that miR-215 predicts for recurrence in patients with resected RCC. Our findings pave the way to the clinical use of miRNAs as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets.


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