CDK1/FBXW7 Facilitates Degradation and Ubiquitination of MLST8 to Inhibit Progression of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Background: Recent studies have reported that MLST8 is upregulated in many malignant tumors. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms is still unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate how MLST8 contribute to the development and progression of renal cancer (ccRCC).Methods: To identify molecular mediators of the oncogenic tumor function of MLST8, we analyzed a quantitative mass spectrometry by a previous study and checked the amino acid sequence in MLST8. Immunoprecipitation and Western Blotting were used to analyze the interaction between FBXW7 and MLST8. Transwell assays determined cell migration and invasion. In vivo experiments were performed to verify tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze protein levels in patients’ tumor samples. Results: MLST8 is an oncogenic protein in TCGA database and ccRCC clinical specimens. We also ascertain that MLST8 interacts with FBXW7, which was universally regarded as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. MLST8 can be degraded and ubiquitinated by tumor suppressor FBXW7. FBXW7 recognizes a consensus motif (T/S) PXX (S/T/D/E) of MLST8 and triggers MLST8 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Strikingly, the activated CDK1 kinase engages in the MLST8 phosphorylation required for FBXW7-mediated degradation. In vitro and vivo assay, we further prove that MLST8 is an essential mediator of FBXW7 inactivation-induced tumor growth, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, MLST8 and FBXW7 protein are negatively correlated in human renal cancer specimens. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MLST8 is a putative oncogene that functions via interaction with FBXW7, and inhibition MLST8 can be a potential future target in ccRCC treatment.

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UBAC2 promotes bladder cancer proliferation through BCRC-3/miRNA-182-5p/p27 axis

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-020-02935-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Chaohui Gu ◽

Keyuan Zhao ◽

Naichun Zhou ◽

Feng Liu ◽

Fei Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Circular Rna ◽

Cancer Proliferation ◽

Lower Survival Rate ◽

Protein Levels

Abstract Emerging evidences have demonstrated that ubiquitin-associated domain-containing protein 2 (UBAC2) is closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. However, the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of UBAC2 in bladder cancer (BC) development have not been defined. In this study, we found that both UBAC2 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of UBAC2 inhibited BC cells proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, Kaplan–Meier survival plots of 406 BC cases from TCGA database showed that higher expression of UBAC2 in BC patients was associated with lower survival rate. Mechanistic studies revealed that knockdown of UBAC2 increased the expression of p27 by posttranscriptional regulation. Our previous study indicated that circular RNA BCRC-3 (BCRC-3) promoted the expression of p27 through interacting with miR-182-5p, and reversed miR-182-5p-induced inhibition of p27 3′UTR activity. In the present study, we found that UBAC2 could bind to BCRC-3, and subsequently affected the interaction of BCRC-3 with miR-182-5p to inhibit the expression of p27. Furthermore, knockdown of BCRC-3 partly reversed the upregulation of p27 expression induced by knockdown of UBAC2. Our findings highlight a novel mechanism of UBAC2 in regulating p27 through affecting the function of BCRC-3, and provide a research basis for the diagnostic and therapeutic application of BC.

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HDAC4 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression and serves as a therapeutic target

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03417-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Chun Cheng ◽

Jun Yang ◽

Si-Wei Li ◽

Guofu Huang ◽

Chenxi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Therapeutic Target ◽

Histone Deacetylases ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Poor Overall Survival ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

E Cadherin

AbstractHistone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in tumor progression, and some have been successfully targeted for cancer therapy. The expression of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), a class IIa HDAC, was upregulated in our previous microarray screen. However, the role of HDAC4 dysregulation and mechanisms underlying tumor growth and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain elusive. Here, we first confirmed that the HDAC4 levels in primary and metastatic NPC tissues were significantly increased compared with those in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues and found that high HDAC4 expression predicted a poor overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Functionally, HDAC4 accelerated cell cycle G1/S transition and induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition to promote NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Intriguingly, knockdown of N-CoR abolished the effects of HDAC4 on the invasion and migration abilities of NPC cells. Mechanistically, HDAC3/4 binds to the E-cadherin promoter to repress E-cadherin transcription. We also showed that the HDAC4 inhibitor tasquinimod suppresses tumor growth in NPC. Thus, HDAC4 may be a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in patients with NPC.

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Resveratrol Enhances Inhibition Effects of Cisplatin on Cell Migration and Invasion and Tumor Growth in Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cell Models In Vivo and In Vitro

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26082204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 2204

Author(s):

Meng-Die Yang ◽

Yang Sun ◽

Wen-Jun Zhou ◽

Xiao-Zheng Xie ◽

Qian-Mei Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Cell Migration And Invasion ◽

Tgf Β1

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a refractory type of breast cancer that does not yet have clinically effective drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects and mechanisms of resveratrol combined with cisplatin on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 (MDA231) cell viability, migration, and invasion in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, MTS assays showed that resveratrol combined with cisplatin inhibits cell viability as a concentration-dependent manner, and produced synergistic effects (CI < 1). Transwell assay showed that the combined treatment inhibits TGF-β1-induced cell migration and invasion. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed that resveratrol upregulated E-cadherin expression and downregulated vimentin expression. Western blot assay demonstrated that resveratrol combined with cisplatin significantly reduced the expression of fibronectin, vimentin, P-AKT, P-PI3K, P-JNK, P-ERK, Sma2, and Smad3 induced by TGF-β1 (p < 0.05), and increased the expression of E-cadherin (p < 0.05), respectively. In vivo, resveratrol enhanced tumor growth inhibition and reduced body weight loss and kidney function impairment by cisplatin in MDA231 xenografts, and significantly reduced the expressions of P-AKT, P-PI3K, Smad2, Smad3, P-JNK, P-ERK, and NF-κB in tumor tissues (p < 0.05). These results indicated that resveratrol combined with cisplatin inhibits the viability of breast cancer MDA231 cells synergistically, and inhibits MDA231 cells invasion and migration through Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) approach, and resveratrol enhanced anti-tumor effect and reduced side of cisplatin in MDA231 xenografts. The mechanism may be involved in the regulations of PI3K/AKT, JNK, ERK and NF-κB expressions.

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Potential Role of microRNA-183 as a Tumor Suppressor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000495825 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 2065-2072 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wei Bian ◽

Hongfei Zhang ◽

Miao Tang ◽

Shaojun Zhang ◽

Lichao Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Metastatic Progression ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Reporter Assays

Background/Aims: Disseminated tumors, known as metastases, are responsible for ninety-percent of mortality due to cancer. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a phenomenon required for morphological conversion of non-motile discoid shaped epithelial cells to highly motile spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells, is thought to be a pre-requisite for metastatic progression. Metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1) protein is a prime inducer of EMT and metastatic progression in all solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression and function of MTA1 in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods: In silico prediction algorithms were used to find microRNAs (miRNAs) that may target MTA1. We examined the relationship between the expression of MTA1 and miR-183 using quantitative real time PCR. We also determined the levels of the MTA1 protein using immunohistochemistry. Reporter assays, in the presence and absence of the miR-183 mimic, were used to confirm MTA1 as a bona fide target of miR183. The effect of miR-183 on HCC pathogenesis was determined using a combination of in vitro migration and invasion assay, together with in vivo xenograft experiments. The correlation between miR-183 and MTA1 expression was also studied in samples from HCC patients, and in The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Results: Analysis of the sequence database revealed that MTA1 is a putative target of miR-183. MTA1 protein and RNA expression showed opposite trends to miR-183 expression in breast, renal, prostate, and testicular tissue samples from cancer patients, and in the metastatic HCC cell line HepG2. An inverse correlation was also observed between MTA1 (high) and miR-183 (low) expression within samples from HHC patients and in the TCGA dataset. Reporter assays in HepG2 cells showed that miR-183 could inhibit translation of a reporter harboring the wild-type, but not the mutant miR-183 3’-untranslated region (UTR). In addition, miR-183 significantly inhibited in vitro migration and invasion in HepG2 cells, and in vivo hepatic metastasis. Conclusion: Our results reveal a novel post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism for MTA1 expression via miR-183, which is suppressed during HCC pathogenesis.

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BAG3 contributes to HGF-mediated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the Egr1 pathway in gastric cancer

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/0300891618811274 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 105 (1) ◽

pp. 63-75

Author(s):

Jae Chang Lee ◽

Sung Ae Koh ◽

Kyung Hee Lee ◽

Jae-Ryong Kim

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Invasion ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Human Gastric Cancer ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Dependent Pathway

Introduction: Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is elevated in several types of cancers. However, the role of BAG3 in progression of gastric cancer is unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to find out the role of BAG3 in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)–mediated tumor progression and the molecular mechanisms by which HGF regulates BAG3 expression. Methods: BAG3 mRNA and protein were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in the 2 human gastric cancer cell lines, NUGC3 and MKN28, treated with or without HGF. The effects of BAG3 knockdown on cell proliferation, cell invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the in vitro 2-chamber invasion assay, and flow cytometry in BAG3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)–transfected cells and control cells. The signaling pathways involved in BAG3 that are regulated by HGF were analyzed. The chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to determine binding of Egr1 to the BAG3 promoter. Results: BAG3 mRNA and protein levels were increased following treatment with HGF. HGF-mediated BAG3 upregulation increased cell proliferation and cell invasion; however, it decreased apoptosis. HGF-mediated BAG3 upregulation is regulated by an ERK and Egr1-dependent pathway. BAG3 may have an important role in HGF-mediated cell proliferation and metastasis in gastric cancer through an ERK and Egr1-dependent pathway. Conclusion: This pathway may provide novel therapeutic targets and provide information for further identification of other targets of therapeutic significance in gastric cancer.

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PLAU1 Facilitated Proliferation, Invasion, and Metastasis via Interaction With MMP1 in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.574260 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Kun Wu ◽

Yuan-Yuan Mao ◽

Nan-Nan Han ◽

Hanjiang Wu ◽

Sheng Zhang

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Malignant Neoplasm ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Invasion And Metastasis ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase 1

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignant neoplasm; it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying its initiation and progression is critical for establishing the most appropriate treatment strategies. We found that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU1) was upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in HNSCC. Silencing of PLAU1 inhibited the proliferation, colony-formation, migration, and invasion abilities of HNSCC cells in vitro and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), whereas PLAU1 overexpression significantly enhanced the growth, the colony-formation, migration, and invasion abilities, and the xenograft tumor growth of HNSCC cells in vivo and increased the expression of MMP1. The Co-IP assay verified that PLAU1 interacted with MMP1. A positive correlation between PLAU1 and MMP1 expression was observed in HNSCC samples. si-RNAs against MMP1 reversed the aggressive effects of PLAU1 overexpression in HNSCC. Taken together, our data revealed that PLAU1 facilitated HNSCC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis via interaction with MMP1.

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LY2157299 Monohydrate, a TGF-βR1 Inhibitor, Suppresses Tumor Growth and Ascites Development in Ovarian Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers10080260 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 260 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Qing Zhang ◽

Xiaonan Hou ◽

Bradley Evans ◽

Jamison VanBlaricom ◽

Saravut Weroha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Ascites Formation ◽

Tgf Β1

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling has pleiotropic functions regulating cancer initiation, development, and metastasis, and also plays important roles in the interaction between stromal and cancer cells, making the pathway a potential therapeutic target. LY2157299 monohydrate (LY), an inhibitor of TGF-β receptor I (TGFBRI), was examined for its ability to inhibit ovarian cancer (OC) growth both in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cell lines and xenograft models. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to study the effect of LY treatment on expression of cancer- and fibroblast-derived genes. Results showed that exposure to TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in all tested OC cell lines, but this induction was suppressed by pretreatment with LY. LY alone inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HGSOC cells in vitro. TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation was blocked by LY. LY also delayed tumor growth and suppressed ascites formation in vivo. In addition, independent of tumor inhibition, LY reduces ascites formation in vivo. Using OVCAR8 xenograft specimens we confirmed the inhibitory effect of LY on TGF-β signaling and tumor stromal expression of collagen type XI chain 1 (COL11A1) and versican (VCAN). These observations suggest a role for anti-TGF-β signaling-directed therapy in ovarian cancer.

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Tumor quiescence: elevating SOX2 in diverse tumor cell types downregulates a broad spectrum of the cell cycle machinery and inhibits tumor growth

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-020-07370-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ethan P. Metz ◽

Erin L. Wuebben ◽

Phillip J. Wilder ◽

Jesse L. Cox ◽

Kaustubh Datta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Tumor Cell ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cell Types ◽

Cell Cycle Machinery

Abstract Background Quiescent tumor cells pose a major clinical challenge due to their ability to resist conventional chemotherapies and to drive tumor recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that promote quiescence of tumor cells could help identify therapies to eliminate these cells. Significantly, recent studies have determined that the function of SOX2 in cancer cells is highly dose dependent. Specifically, SOX2 levels in tumor cells are optimized to promote tumor growth: knocking down or elevating SOX2 inhibits proliferation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that quiescent tumor cells express higher levels of SOX2 compared to adjacent proliferating cells. Currently, the mechanisms through which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict tumor cell proliferation have not been characterized. Methods To understand how elevated levels of SOX2 restrict the proliferation of tumor cells, we engineered diverse types of tumor cells for inducible overexpression of SOX2. Using these cells, we examined the effects of elevating SOX2 on their proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we examined how elevating SOX2 influences their expression of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and p27Kip1. Results Elevating SOX2 in diverse tumor cell types led to growth inhibition in vitro. Significantly, elevating SOX2 in vivo in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, medulloblastoma, and prostate cancer cells induced a reversible state of tumor growth arrest. In all three tumor types, elevation of SOX2 in vivo quickly halted tumor growth. Remarkably, tumor growth resumed rapidly when SOX2 returned to endogenous levels. We also determined that elevation of SOX2 in six tumor cell lines decreased the levels of cyclins and CDKs that control each phase of the cell cycle, while upregulating p27Kip1. Conclusions Our findings indicate that elevating SOX2 above endogenous levels in a diverse set of tumor cell types leads to growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our findings indicate that SOX2 can function as a master regulator by controlling the expression of a broad spectrum of cell cycle machinery. Importantly, our SOX2-inducible tumor studies provide a novel model system for investigating the molecular mechanisms by which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict cell proliferation and tumor growth.

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The polypeptide GALNT6 Displays Redundant Functions upon Suppression of its Closest Homolog GALNT3 in Mediating Aberrant O-Glycosylation, Associated with Ovarian Cancer Progression

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20092264 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 2264 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Razan Sheta ◽

Magdalena Bachvarova ◽

Elizabeth Macdonald ◽

Stephane Gobeil ◽

Barbara Vanderhyden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Functional Redundancy ◽

Tumor Formation ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Gene Ablation

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy; a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with EOC etiology could substantially improve EOC management. Aberrant O-glycosylation in cancer is attributed to alteration of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts). Reports suggest a genetic and functional redundancy between GalNAc-Ts, and our previous data are indicative of an induction of GALNT6 expression upon GALNT3 suppression in EOC cells. We performed single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 suppression in EOC cells, using a combination of the CRISPR-Cas9 system and shRNA-mediated gene silencing. The effect of single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 inhibition was monitored both in vitro (on EOC cells roliferation, migration, and invasion) and in vivo (on tumor formation and survival of experimental animals). We confirmed that GALNT3 gene ablation leads to strong and rather compensatory GALNT6 upregulation in EOC cells. Moreover, double GALNT3/T6 suppression was significantly associated with stronger inhibitory effects on EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accordingly displayed a significant increase in animal survival rates compared with GALNT3-ablated and control (Ctrl) EOC cells. Our data suggest a possible functional redundancy of GalNAc-Ts (GALNT3 and T6) in EOC, with the perspective of using both these enzymes as novel EOC biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

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Kinesin Family Member 18A (KIF18A) Contributes to the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2019/6383685 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fu-Tao Chen ◽

Fu-Kuan Zhong

Keyword(s):

Tumor Growth ◽

Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽

Clinical Stage ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Adenocarcinoma Cells ◽

Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells ◽

Tumor Growth And Metastasis

Objective. To determine the expression levels of KIF18A in lung adenocarcinoma and its relationship with the clinicopathologic features of patients undergoing radical colectomy and explore the potential role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. Methods. Immunohistochemical assays were performed to explore the expression levels of KIF18A in 82 samples of lung adenocarcinoma and corresponding normal tissues. According to the levels of KIF18A expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples, patients were classified into the KIF18A high expression group and low expression group. Clinical data related to the perioperative clinical features (age, gender, smoking, tumor size, differentiation, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis), the potential correlation between KIF18A expression levels, and clinical features were analyzed, and the effects of KIF18A on lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured by colony formation assay, MTT assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assays. The possible effects of KIF18A on tumor growth and metastasis were measured in mice through tumor growth and tumor metastasis assays in vivo. Results. KIF18A in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Further, KIF18A was significantly associated to clinical characteristic features including the tumor size (P=0.033) and clinical stage (P=0.041) of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Our data also investigated that KIF18A depletion dramatically impairs the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in mice. Conclusions. Our study reveals the involvement of KIF18A in the progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and provides a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

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