scholarly journals ZNF224 is a Mediator of TGF-β Pro-oncogenic Function in Melanoma

Author(s):  
Elena Cesaro ◽  
Arianna Pastore ◽  
Alessia Polverino ◽  
Lorenzo Manna ◽  
Giuseppina Divisato ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a dual role in human cancers, operating as both tumour suppressor and oncogenic factor depending on the cellular context and molecular partners. In this research, we investigated the role played by ZNF224 in the TGF-β signalling in malignant melanoma. Methods: Real-time qPCR, western blot, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to examine the molecular mechanisms of ZNF224 in TGF-β signalling in melanoma. ZNF224-induced cell anchorage, independent growth, migration, and invasion were assessed by the colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays.Results: Our findings showed that ZNF224, whose expression increased in melanoma cell lines after TGF-b stimulation, potentiated the activation induced by TGF-β on its target genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Accordingly, overexpression of ZNF224 improved the tumourigenic properties of melanoma cells, promoting cell proliferation and invasiveness, while ZNF224 knockdown had the opposite effect. Moreover, ZNF224 promoted the transcriptional activation of TGF-β itself and its type 1 and 2 receptors (TβR1 and TβR2), thus highlighting a possible mechanism by which ZNF224 could enhance the endogenous TGFβ/Smad signalling. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in TGF-β signalling as a mediator of TGF-β pro-oncogenic function and unveil a positive regulatory loop between TGF-β and ZNF224 to promote EMT, consequently increasing the tumour metastatic potential.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Seba ◽  
Gabriel Silva ◽  
Mariana Santos ◽  
Seung Baek ◽  
Suzelei França ◽  
...  

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. The inhibition of metastasis is a main strategy of OS therapy since the development of metastatic disease due to drug resistance remains the most important cause of death from this cancer. Considering the severe side effects of current OS chemotherapy, the identification of anti-metastatic drugs with reduced toxicity is of great interest. Chalcones are polyphenols with a basic structure consisting of an α-, β-unsaturated carbonyl system linking two aryl rings. These compounds exhibit anticancer activity against a variety of tumor cell lines through multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of the tumor-suppressor protein p53 and its target genes. An important process regulated by p53 is epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which facilitates tumor metastasis by conferring migratory and invasive properties to cancer cells. The activation of p53 can revert EMT and reduce migration and invasion. This study aimed to examine the inhibitory effects of two 4′-aminochalcones on the migration/invasion of the U2OS (p53+/+) and SAOS-2 (p53−/−) OS cell lines as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay. Transwell assays were used to evaluate the migratory and invasive ability of the cells. The two 4′-aminochalcones showed low capacity to inhibit the viability of OS cells independent of p53 status, but preferentially suppressed the migration of U2OS cells and of a SAOS-2 cell line expressing p53. Invasion was strongly inhibited by both chalcones independent of p53 status. RT-PCR, zymography, and Western blot were used to study the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and EMT markers after treatment with the chalcones. The results indicated that the 4′-aminochalcone-induced antimigratory and anti-invasive effects are potentially associated with the inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymatic degradation in OS cells and with the modulation of EMT genes. These effects probably result from the induced increase of p53 protein expression by the two chalcones. In conclusion, chalcones D14 and D15 have potential anti-metastatic activity mediated by p53 that can be exploited for OS treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Na Gao ◽  
Man Hao ◽  
Xiao-Hui Liu ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yan Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is an urgent need to identify potential targets in anticancer therapy to improve the survival and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer (OC). Herein, we investigated the functional significance of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) in OC cell growth and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods qRT PCR and western blotting was used to detect CXCL14 mRNA level and protein expression, respectively. The functional mechanism of CXCL14 in OC was investigated by CCK-8, colony formation and transwell assays. The migration ability of OC cell was determined using wound healing. The protein expressions of CXCL14 and β-catenin in OC tissues were determined by immumohistochemical staining. Results We demonstrated that high levels of CXCL14 were associated with a worse prognosis in patients with OC. CXCL14 knockdown considerably restrained the growth, migration and invasion of OC cell in vitro. In contrast, ectopic CXCL14 overexpression yielded the opposite results. Investigations to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in CXCL14-facilitated OC cell invasiveness. Conclusion These data collectively demonstrate that CXCL14 contributes to OC cell growth and metastatic potential by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Xie ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Ailan Cheng ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Pin Huang ◽  
...  

Background: Alterations in microRNAs (miRNAs) are related to the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and play an important role in the molecular mechanism of NPC. Our previous studies show low expression of 14-3-3σ (SFN) is related to the metastasis and differentiation of NPC, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Through bioinformatics analysis, we find miR-597 is the preferred target miRNA of 14-3-3σ. The expression level of 14-3-3σ in NPC cell lines was detected by Western blotting. The expression of miR-597 in NPC cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. We transfected miR-597 mimic, miR-597 inhibitor and 14-3-3σ siRNA into 6-10B cells and then verified the expression of 14-3-3σ and EMT related proteins, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin by western blotting. The changes of migration and invasion ability of NPC cell lines before and after transfected were determined by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Results: miR-597 expression was upregulated in NPC cell lines and repaired in related NPC cell lines, which exhibit a potent tumor-forming effect. After inhibiting the miR-597 expression, its effect on NPC cell line was obviously decreased. Moreover, 14-3-3σ acts as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression in NPC cell lines is negatively correlated with miR-597. Here 14-3-3σ was identified as a downstream target gene of miR-597, and its downregulation by miR-597 drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes the migration and invasion of NPC. Conclusion: Based on these findings, our study will provide theoretical and experimental evidences for molecular targeted therapy of NPC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li Zhou ◽  
Zhengyang Wu ◽  
Wenguang Zhang ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Jianzhuang Ren ◽  
...  

AbstractGrowing evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a pivotal role as functional RNAs in diverse cancers. However, most circRNAs involved in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain undefined, and the underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by circRNAs are largely unclear. Here, we screened human circRNA expression profiles in ESCC tissues and found significantly increased expression of hsa_circ_0000277 (termed circPDE3B) in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared to the normal controls. Moreover, higher circPDE3B expression in patients with ESCC was correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and dismal prognosis. Functional experiments demonstrated that circPDE3B promoted the tumorigenesis and metastasis of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and anti-AGO2 RNA immunoprecipitation showed that circPDE3B could act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by harboring miR-4766-5p to eliminate the inhibitory effect on the target gene laminin α1 (LAMA1). In addition, LAMA1 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and was positively associated with the aggressive oncogenic phenotype. More importantly, rescue experiments revealed that the oncogenic role of circPDE3B in ESCC is partly dependent on the miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis combined with validation experiments showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation was involved in the oncogenic functions of the circPDE3B–miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis in ESCC. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that the circPDE3B/miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis functions as an oncogenic factor in promoting ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by inducing EMT, implying its potential prognostic and therapeutic significance in ESCC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lv ◽  
Qiyi Yi ◽  
Ying Yan ◽  
Fengmei Chao ◽  
Ming Li

Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2), a transporter of S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), has been reported to mediate immune response, vascular development, and pathologic processes of diseases such as cancer via S1P signaling pathways. However, its biological functions and expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) is elusive. In this study, we disclosed that SPNS2 expression, which was regulated by copy number variation and DNA methylation of its promoter, was dramatically upregulated in colon adenoma and CRC compared to normal tissues. However, its expression was lower in CRC than in colon adenoma, and low expression of SPN2 correlated with advanced T/M/N stage and poor prognosis in CRC. Ectopic expression of SPNS2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in CRC cell lines, while silencing SPNS2 had the opposite effects. Meanwhile, measuring the intracellular and extracellular level of S1P after overexpression of SPNS2 pinpointed a S1P-independent model of SPNS2. Mechanically, SPNS2 led to PTEN upregulation and inactivation of Akt. Moreover, AKT inhibitor (MK2206) abrogated SPNS2 knockdown-induced promoting effects on the migration and invasion, while AKT activator (SC79) reversed the repression of migration and invasion by SPNS2 overexpression in CRC cells, confirming the pivotal role of AKT for SPNS2’s function. Collectively, our study demonstrated the suppressor role of SPNS2 during CRC metastasis, providing new insights into the pathology and molecular mechanisms of CRC progression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Wang ◽  
Lingxia Liu

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer (OC), a kind of gynecological cancer, is characterized by high mortality rate, with microRNAs (miRNAs) playing essential roles in it. However, the clinical significance of miRNAs and their molecular mechanisms in OC are mostly unknown. Methods miR-149-3p expression was predicted through Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data in OC and confirmed by q-PCR in various OC cells and tissues from patients with different clinical characteristics. Moreover, its roles in terms of proliferation, migration and invasion were measured by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays in OC cells including cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive cells. And its effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition was also assessed through detecting related protein expression. Additionally, its potential targets were verified by dual luciferase assay and Ago-RIP assay. Finally, its oncogenic functions were explored in vivo. Results In data from GSE79943, GSE131790, and TCGA, miR-149-3p was found to be highly expressed in OC tissues and associated with poor survival. In metastasis and chemoresistant tissues and cisplatin-resistant OC cells, its high expression was confirmed. In terms of tumorigenic effects, miR-149-3p knockdown in cisplatin-resistant OC cells inhibited its cisplatin resistance and other malignant phenotypes, while miR-149-3p overexpression in cisplatin-resistant OC cells led to contrary results. Mechanistically, miR-149-3p targeted 3’UTR of CDKN1A and TIMP2 to function as an oncogenic miRNA. Conclusion In brief, miR-149-3p promoted cisplatin resistance and EMT in OC by downregulating CDKN1A and TIMP2, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for OC treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 241-241
Author(s):  
Jugang Wu ◽  
Jiwei Yu ◽  
Yan Gu

241 Background: Aberrant epigenetic modification induces oncogenes expression and promotes cancer development. The histone lysine methyltransferase SETD1A, which specifically methylates H3K4, is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, and its ectopic expression has been detected in aggressive malignancies. Our previous study had reported that SETD1A promoted gastric cancer (GC) proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, the function and molecular mechanisms of SETD1A in GC metastasis remain to be elucidated. Methods: Transwell migration and invasion assay were performed to determine GC cell migration and invasion. Lung metastasis assay was used to detect GC cell metastasis. Western Blot and Real-time qPCR were performed to measure the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. ChIP assay was performed to investigate the methylation of H3K4. The correlation between SETD1A and EMT associated key genes in GC were performed by bioinformatic analysis. Results: In this study, we found that overexpression of SETD1A promotes GC migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of SETD1A suppressed GC migration, invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, knockdown of SETD1A suppressed GC epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin, and decreasing the expression of mesenchymal markers, including N-cadherin, Fibronectin and Vimentin. Mechanistically, knockdown of SETD1A reduced the EMT key transcriptional factors snail. SETD1A was recruited to the promoter of snail, where SETD1A could methylate H3K4. However, knockdown of SETD1A decreased the methylation of H3K4 on snail promoter. Rescue of snail restored SETD1A knockdown-induced GC migration and invasion inhibition. In addition, linear correlation between SETD1A and several key EMT genes, including E-cadherin, Fibronectin and snail, in GC specimens obtained from TCGA dataset. Conclusions: In summary, our data reveals that SETD1A mediated EMT process and induced metastasis through epigenetic reprogramming of snail.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahima Frión-Herrera ◽  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Michela Scaffidi ◽  
Letizia Zagni ◽  
Osmany Cuesta-Rubio ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. jcs.255349
Author(s):  
Xia Meng ◽  
Yurui Xu ◽  
Xinghai Ning

The tendency of metastasis in hepatocarcinoma results in a high rate of mortality, making it a hot research topic in cancer studies. Although tumor acidic microenvironment has been proved to promote cancer metastasis, its underlying regulatory mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we found that acidic conditions significantly enhanced cell migration and invasion ability in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the expression of receptor tyrosine kinases-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) was distinctly upregulated in acid-treated cells. In addition, siRNA knockdown of ROR1 could effectively inhibit acid-induced cell migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Importantly, neutralization of acidic environment with NaHCO3 could downregulate acid-stimulated ROR1 expression, thereby retarding cell metastatic potential. Especially, the formation of metastatic nodules was significantly increased after intrapulmonary injection of acid stimulated cancer cells, which were inhibited by pretreating with NaHCO3. In summary, we reveal that tumor acidic microenvironment modulates ROR1 expression to promote tumor metastasis, which provides not only a better understanding of molecular mechanism related to metastasis, but a promising target for tumor management.


2013 ◽  
Vol 210 (7) ◽  
pp. 1331-1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Jackstadt ◽  
Simone Röh ◽  
Jens Neumann ◽  
Peter Jung ◽  
Reinhard Hoffmann ◽  
...  

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor AP4/TFAP4/AP-4 is encoded by a c-MYC target gene and displays up-regulation concomitantly with c-MYC in colorectal cancer (CRC) and numerous other tumor types. Here a genome-wide characterization of AP4 DNA binding and mRNA expression was performed using a combination of microarray, genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses. Thereby, hundreds of induced and repressed AP4 target genes were identified. Besides many genes involved in the control of proliferation, the AP4 target genes included markers of stemness (LGR5 and CD44) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) such as SNAIL, E-cadherin/CDH1, OCLN, VIM, FN1, and the Claudins 1, 4, and 7. Accordingly, activation of AP4 induced EMT and enhanced migration and invasion of CRC cells. Conversely, down-regulation of AP4 resulted in mesenchymal–epithelial transition and inhibited migration and invasion. In addition, AP4 induction was required for EMT, migration, and invasion caused by ectopic expression of c-MYC. Inhibition of AP4 in CRC cells resulted in decreased lung metastasis in mice. Elevated AP4 expression in primary CRC significantly correlated with liver metastasis and poor patient survival. These findings imply AP4 as a new regulator of EMT that contributes to metastatic processes in CRC and presumably other carcinomas.


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