scholarly journals Suppression of Cell Tumorigenicity by Non-neural Pro-differentiation Factors via Inhibition of Neural Property in Tumorigenic Cells

Author(s):  
Xiaoli Yang ◽  
Ning Cao ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
...  

Our studies have demonstrated that cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential stem from neural stemness or a neural ground state, which is defined by a regulatory network of higher levels of machineries for basic cell physiological functions, including cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, spliceosome, epigenetic modification factors, reprogramming factors, etc., in addition to the neural stemness specific factors. These machineries and neural stemness factors mostly play cancer-promoting roles. It can be deduced that differentiation requires the repression of neural ground state and causes the reduction or loss of neural ground state and thus tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. Formerly, we showed that neuronal differentiation led to reduced tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. In the present study, we show that non-neural pro-differentiation factors, such as GATA3, HNF4A, HHEX, and FOXA3 that specify mesodermal or/and endodermal tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis, suppress tumorigenicity via repression of neural stemness and promotion of non-neural property in tumorigenic cells. Mechanistically, these transcription factors repress the transcription of neural enriched genes and meanwhile activate genes that specify non-neural properties via direct binding to the promoters of these genes. We also show that combined expression of HHEX and FOXA3 suppresses tumorigenesis effectively in the AOM/DSS model of colitis-associated cancer. We suggest that targeting the property of neural stemness could be an effective strategy for cancer therapy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (32) ◽  
pp. 4745-4757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Pesapane ◽  
Pia Ragno ◽  
Carmine Selleri ◽  
Nunzia Montuori

The 67 kDa high affinity laminin receptor (67LR) is a non-integrin cell surface receptor for laminin, the major component of basement membranes. Interactions between 67LR and laminin play a major role in mediating cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival. 67LR derives from homo- or hetero-dimerization of a 37 kDa cytosolic precursor (37LRP), most probably by fatty acid acylation. Interestingly, 37LRP, also called p40 or OFA/iLR (oncofetal antigen/immature laminin receptor), is a multifunctional protein with a dual activity in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, 37LRP it is associated with the 40S subunit of ribosome, playing a critical role in protein translation and ribosome biogenesis while in the nucleus it is tightly associated with nuclear structures, and bound to components of the cytoskeleton, such as tubulin and actin. 67LR is mainly localized in the cell membrane, concentrated in lipid rafts. Acting as a receptor for laminin is not the only function of 67LR; indeed, it also acts as a receptor for viruses, bacteria and prions. 67LR expression is increased in neoplastic cells and correlates with an enhanced invasive and metastatic potential. The primary function of 67LR in cancer is to promote tumor cell adhesion to basement membranes, the first step in the invasion-metastasis cascade. Thus, 67LR is overexpressed in neoplastic cells as compared to their normal counterparts and its overexpression is considered a molecular marker of metastatic aggressiveness in cancer of many tissues, including breast, lung, ovary, prostate, stomach, thyroid and also in leukemia and lymphoma. Thus, inhibiting 67LR binding to laminin could be a feasible approach to block cancer progression. Here, we review the current understanding of the structure and function of this molecule, highlighting its role in cancer invasion and metastasis and reviewing the various therapeutic options targeting this receptor that could have a promising future application.


Author(s):  
Ying Cao

Tumorigenesis is a complex biological phenomenon that includes extensive genetic and phenotypic heterogeneities and complicated regulatory mechanisms. In the recent few years, our studies demonstrate that tumor-initiating cells are similar to neural stem/progenitor cells in regulatory networks, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. In the review, I will make further discussion on these observations and propose a rule of cell biology by integrating these findings with evidence from developmental biology, tumor biology and evolution, which suggests that neural stemness underlies two coupled cell properties, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. Tumorigenicity and phenotypic heterogeneity in tumor is a result of acquirement of neural stemness in cells. The neural stemness property of tumor-initiating cells can hopefully integrate different concepts/hypotheses underlying tumorigenesis. Neural stem cells/neural progenitors and tumor-initiating cells share regulatory networks; both exhibit neural stemness, tumorigenicity and differentiation potential; both are dependent on expression or activation of ancestral genes (the atavistic effect); both rely primarily on aerobic glycolytic metabolism; both can differentiate into various cells or tissues that are derived from three germ layers, resembling severely disorganized or more severely degenerated process of embryonic development; both are enriched in long genes with more splice variants that provide more plastic scaffolds for cell differentiation, etc. The property of neural stemness might be a key point to understand tumorigenesis and pluripotent differentiation potential, and possibly explain certain pathological observations in tumors that have been inexplicable. Therefore, behind the complexity of tumorigenesis might be a general rule of cell biology, i.e., neural stemness represents the ground state of cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liyang Xu ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Lihua Shi ◽  
Xiaoli Yang ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown. Results We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells. Conclusions We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liyang Xu ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Lihua Shi ◽  
Xiaoli Yang ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown.Results: We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells.Conclusions: We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.


Oncogenesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Zhen Chen ◽  
Litong Nie ◽  
Mengfan Tang ◽  
Xu Feng ◽  
...  

Abstract The ERK1/2 pathway is one of the most commonly dysregulated pathways in human cancers and controls many vital cellular processes. Although many ERK1/2 kinase substrates have been identified, the diversity of ERK1/2 mediated processes suggests the existence of additional targets. Here, we identified Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS), an essential hypusination enzyme regulating protein translation, as a major and direct-binding protein of ERK1/2. Further experiments showed that ERK1/2 phosphorylate DHPS at Ser-233 site. The Ser-233 phosphorylation of DHPS by ERK1/2 is important for its function in cell proliferation. Moreover, we found that higher DHPS expression correlated with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma and increased resistance to inhibitors of the ERK1/2 pathway. In summary, our results suggest that ERK1/2-mediated DHPS phosphorylation is an important mechanism that underlies protein translation and that DHPS expression is a potent biomarker of response to therapies targeting ERK1/2-pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 685-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Nyhus ◽  
Maria Pihl ◽  
Poul Hyttel ◽  
Vanessa Jane Hall

Abstract The nucleolus is a dynamically changing organelle that is central to a number of important cellular functions. Not only is it important for ribosome biogenesis, but it also reacts to stress by instigating a nucleolar stress response and is further involved in regulating the cell cycle. Several studies report nucleolar dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies have reported a decrease in both total nucleolar volume and transcriptional activity of the nucleolar organizing regions. Ribosomes appear to be targeted by oxidation and reduced protein translation has been reported. In addition, several nucleolar proteins are dysregulated and some of these appear to be implicated in classical AD pathology. Some studies also suggest that the nucleolar stress response may be activated in AD, albeit this latter research is rather limited and requires further investigation. The purpose of this review is to draw the connections of all these studies together and signify that there are clear changes in the nucleolus and the ribosomes in AD. The nucleolus is therefore an organelle that requires more attention than previously given in relation to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Sano ◽  
S Ishigami ◽  
S Bandaru ◽  
T Ito ◽  
S Sano

Abstract Background Existing therapies against myocardial infarction (MI) involve disease management by preventing additional damage to the heart muscle. However, new treatment strategies are in greater demand, which deems to focus on restoring cardiac function by replacing the damaged cells after MI, rather than merely manage the disease. Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have emerged as a potential source of cardiac regenerative therapy. In spite of being a promising option, the poor differentiation potential of CDCs to develop into a functional population of cardiomyocytes has always been a significant setback. Purpose The purpose of the present study centers to overcome the aforementioned setback by enhancing the efficiency of rat CDCs to develop into a large population of cardiomyocytes by intrinsic activation of cardio-specific differentiation factors (TNNT2, GATA4, Mef2c) by Crispr/dcas9 assisted transcriptional enhancement system. Methods In the foremost step, an exhaustive screening was performed to identify the specific sequences in endogenous regulatory regions (enhancers and promoters) responsible for transcriptional activation of the TNNT2 gene. Once, potential regulatory regions at proximal and distal end of TNNT2 were identified, crRNAs were designed complementing these regions for recruiting Crispr/dcas9 system fused with transcriptional activator like VP64 (CRISPR-dCas9-VP64). Two distinct plasmids were constructed with crRNA (RFP fused) inserts and CRISPR-dCas9-VP64 (GFP fused) followed by transfection in CDCs those isolated from the heart of a neonatal rat. Post transfection, CDCs were then analyzed for the quantitative expression of cardiomyocyte differentiation factors as well as for fibroblast differentiation factors in comparison with un-transfected CDCs. Results We identified a panel of specific crRNA targeting the enhancers and promoters which demonstrated significantly higher expression of differentiation factors like troponin, GATA4, and Mef2c. Further, the fluorescent visualization with GFP and RFP was prominent in the CDCs confirming that these panel of crRNA enhanced the expression of differentiation factors compared to the un-transfected counterparts. Interestingly, the same panel crRNA, in contrast, demonstrated diminished expression of fibroblast differentiation factors like Col1A1, clearly emphasizing that the CRISPR dCas9 system recruitment at regulatory regions forms an efficient molecular targeting system for enhancing the differentiation potential of CDCs into cardiomyocytes. Conclusion We have identified endogenous regulatory regions responsible for an intrinsic activation of cardio-specific differentiation factors assisted by Crispr/dcas9 gene transcriptional system. We anticipate the method developed herein can enhance and cardiomyogenic efficiency of CDCs to differentiate into a large population of cardiomyocytes to treat Ischemic heart diseases.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 185-185
Author(s):  
Karthik A. Ganapathi ◽  
Karyn M. Austin ◽  
Maggie Malsch ◽  
Akiko Shimamura

Abstract Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow failure, and leukemia predisposition. The majority of patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome harbor mutations in the SBDS gene. SBDS is a novel gene of unknown function and is highly conserved throughout evolution. Studies of the yeast orthologue, YLR022c/SDO1, suggest that SBDS may play a role in ribosome biogenesis. In support of this hypothesis, we have found that the SBDS protein shuttles in and out of the nucleolus. Previously we have shown that SBDS nucleolar localization is regulated in a cell cycle-dependant manner. We now find that SBDS nucleolar localization is also lost following exposure to actinomycin D, suggesting that SBDS nucleolar localization is dependent on active ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription. In cell survival assays, SBDS−/− patient-derived cells are sensitive to actinomycin D treatment relative to normal control cells. Introduction of the wild-type SBDS cDNA into SBDS−/− cells corrects their actinomycin D sensitivity, confirming that the observed sensitivity is SBDS-dependent. In contrast, SBDS−/− cells do not exhibit increased sensitivity to cyclohexamide, a protein translation inhibitor. Consistent with this result, SBDS protein co-localizes with ribosomal precursor subunits but not with mature polysomes upon sucrose gradient sedimentation. No differences in polysome profiles are observed between SBDS−/− cells and wild type control cells. Gel filtration studies suggest that SBDS associates into a complex with other proteins. SBDS co-immunoprecipitates with other nucleolar proteins involved in rRNA biogenesis. RNA immunoprecipitation studies reveal that SBDS also associates with the 28S rRNA but not the 18S rRNA. These findings support the hypothesis that SBDS plays a role in ribosome biogenesis


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (30) ◽  
pp. E6117-E6126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. J. Tan ◽  
John Knight ◽  
Thomas Sbarrato ◽  
Kate Dudek ◽  
Anne E. Willis ◽  
...  

Global transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of T cells have been rich sources of unbiased data for understanding T-cell activation. Lack of full concordance of these datasets has illustrated that important facets of T-cell activation are controlled at the level of translation. We undertook translatome analysis of CD8 T-cell activation, combining polysome profiling and microarray analysis. We revealed that altering T-cell receptor stimulation influenced recruitment of mRNAs to heavy polysomes and translation of subsets of genes. A major pathway that was compromised, when TCR signaling was suboptimal, was linked to ribosome biogenesis, a rate-limiting factor in both cell growth and proliferation. Defective TCR signaling affected transcription and processing of ribosomal RNA precursors, as well as the translation of specific ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Mechanistically, IL-2 production was compromised in weakly stimulated T cells, affecting the abundance of Myc protein, a known regulator of ribosome biogenesis. Consequently, weakly activated T cells showed impaired production of ribosomes and a failure to maintain proliferative capacity after stimulation. We demonstrate that primary T cells respond to various environmental cues by regulating ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation at multiple levels to sustain proliferation and differentiation.


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