scholarly journals Regulation of Hedgehog Signaling by miRNAs and Nanoformulations: A Possible Therapeutic Solution for Colorectal Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeeshan Javed ◽  
Muhammad Javed Iqbal ◽  
Amna Rasheed ◽  
Haleema Sadia ◽  
Shahid Raza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Alternative Drug ◽  
Delivery Platform ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling aberrations trigger differentiation and proliferation in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the current approaches which inhibit this vital cellular pathway provoke some side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to look for new therapeutic options. MicroRNAs are small molecules that modulate expression of the target genes and can be utilized as a potential therapeutic option for CRC. On the other hand, nanoformulations have been implemented in the treatment of plethora of diseases. Owing to their excessive bioavailability, limited cytotoxicity and high specificity, nanoparticles may be considered as an alternative drug delivery platform for the Hh signaling mediated CRC. This article reviews the Hh signaling and its involvement in CRC with focus on miRNAs, nanoformulations as potential diagnostic/prognostic and therapeutics for CRC.

scholarly journals Gene-teratogen interactions influence the penetrance of birth defects by altering Hedgehog signaling strength

Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H. Kong ◽  
Cullen B. Young ◽  
Ganesh V. Pusapati ◽  
F. Hernán Espinoza ◽  
Chandni B. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Birth Defect ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
In Utero Exposure ◽  
Membrane Protein Complex ◽  
Protein Target ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Birth defects result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. We find that mutations and teratogens interact in predictable ways to cause birth defects by changing target cell sensitivity to Hedgehog (Hh) ligands. These interactions converge on a membrane protein complex, the MMM complex, that promotes degradation of the Hh transducer Smoothened (SMO). Deficiency of the MMM component MOSMO results in elevated SMO and increased Hh signaling, causing multiple birth defects. In utero exposure to a teratogen that directly inhibits SMO reduces the penetrance and expressivity of birth defects in Mosmo−/− embryos. Additionally, tissues that develop normally in Mosmo−/− embryos are refractory to the teratogen. Thus, changes in the abundance of the protein target of a teratogen can change birth defect outcomes by quantitative shifts in Hh signaling. Consequently, small molecules that re-calibrate signaling strength could be harnessed to rescue structural birth defects.

scholarly journals The role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in cancer: A comprehensive review

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Marija Skoda ◽  
Dora Simovic ◽  
Valentina Karin ◽  
Vedran Kardum ◽  
Semir Vranic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Evolutionary Pathway ◽  
Gli Transcription Factors ◽  
Hh Signaling

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway was first identified in the common fruit fly. It is a highly conserved evolutionary pathway of signal transmission from the cell membrane to the nucleus. The Hh signaling pathway plays an important role in the embryonic development. It exerts its biological effects through a signaling cascade that culminates in a change of balance between activator and repressor forms of glioma-associated oncogene (Gli) transcription factors. The components of the Hh signaling pathway involved in the signaling transfer to the Gli transcription factors include Hedgehog ligands (Sonic Hh [SHh], Indian Hh [IHh], and Desert Hh [DHh]), Patched receptor (Ptch1, Ptch2), Smoothened receptor (Smo), Suppressor of fused homolog (Sufu), kinesin protein Kif7, protein kinase A (PKA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The activator form of Gli travels to the nucleus and stimulates the transcription of the target genes by binding to their promoters. The main target genes of the Hh signaling pathway are PTCH1, PTCH2, and GLI1. Deregulation of the Hh signaling pathway is associated with developmental anomalies and cancer, including Gorlin syndrome, and sporadic cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, pancreatic, breast, colon, ovarian, and small-cell lung carcinomas. The aberrant activation of the Hh signaling pathway is caused by mutations in the related genes (ligand-independent signaling) or by the excessive expression of the Hh signaling molecules (ligand-dependent signaling – autocrine or paracrine). Several Hh signaling pathway inhibitors, such as vismodegib and sonidegib, have been developed for cancer treatment. These drugs are regarded as promising cancer therapies, especially for patients with refractory/advanced cancers.

scholarly journals Hedgehog Signaling in Colorectal Cancer: All in the Stroma?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1025
Author(s):  
Natalie Geyer ◽  
Marco Gerling
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Tumor Suppressors ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Intestinal Development ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Gli Transcription Factors ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Potential Impact

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling regulates intestinal development and homeostasis. The role of Hh signaling in cancer has been studied for many years; however, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. It has become increasingly clear that the “canonical” Hh pathway, in which ligand binding to the receptor PTCH1 initiates a signaling cascade that culminates in the activation of the GLI transcription factors, is mainly organized in a paracrine manner, both in the healthy colon and in CRC. Such canonical Hh signals largely act as tumor suppressors. In addition, stromal Hh signaling has complex immunomodulatory effects in the intestine with a potential impact on carcinogenesis. In contrast, non-canonical Hh activation may have tumor-promoting roles in a subset of CRC tumor cells. In this review, we attempt to summarize the current knowledge of the Hh pathway in CRC, with a focus on the tumor-suppressive role of canonical Hh signaling in the stroma. Despite discouraging results from clinical trials using Hh inhibitors in CRC and other solid cancers, we argue that a more granular understanding of Hh signaling might allow the exploitation of this key morphogenic pathway for cancer therapy in the future.

scholarly journals Hedgehog Signaling and Truncated GLI1 in Cancer

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Doheny ◽  
Sara G. Manore ◽  
Grace L. Wong ◽  
Hui-Wen Lo
Keyword(s):  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Gain Of Function ◽  
Human Cancers ◽  
Cell Growth And Differentiation ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Patched 1 ◽  
Truncated Variants

The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway regulates normal cell growth and differentiation. As a consequence of improper control, aberrant HH signaling results in tumorigenesis and supports aggressive phenotypes of human cancers, such as neoplastic transformation, tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Canonical activation of HH signaling occurs through binding of HH ligands to the transmembrane receptor Patched 1 (PTCH1), which derepresses the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (SMO). Consequently, the glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) zinc-finger transcription factors, the terminal effectors of the HH pathway, are released from suppressor of fused (SUFU)-mediated cytoplasmic sequestration, permitting nuclear translocation and activation of target genes. Aberrant activation of this pathway has been implicated in several cancer types, including medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, and cancers of lung, colon, stomach, pancreas, ovarian, and breast. Therefore, several components of the HH pathway are under investigation for targeted cancer therapy, particularly GLI1 and SMO. GLI1 transcripts are reported to undergo alternative splicing to produce truncated variants: loss-of-function GLI1ΔN and gain-of-function truncated GLI1 (tGLI1). This review covers the biochemical steps necessary for propagation of the HH activating signal and the involvement of aberrant HH signaling in human cancers, with a highlight on the tumor-specific gain-of-function tGLI1 isoform.

scholarly journals An absolute requirement for Cubitus interruptus in Hedgehog signaling

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Methot ◽  
K. Basler
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Transduction Pathway ◽  
Cubitus Interruptus ◽  
Target Gene Expression ◽  
Hh Signaling

Hedgehog (Hh) proteins play diverse organizing roles in animal development by regulating gene expression in responding cells. Several components of the Hh signal transduction pathway have been identified, yet their precise role in mediating the various outputs of the pathway is still poorly understood. The Gli homolog Cubitus interruptus (Ci) is involved in controlling the transcription of Drosophila Hh target genes and thus represents the most downstream component known in this pathway. We address the question of whether the Hh pathway is distally branched or, in other words, whether the regulation of Ci activity is the sole output of Hh signaling. Putative Ci-independent branches of Hh signaling are explored by analyzing the behavior of cells that lack Ci but have undergone maximal activation of the Hh transduction pathway due to the removal of Patched (Ptc). The analysis of target gene expression and morphogenetic read-outs of Hh in embryonic, larval and adult stages indicates that Ci is absolutely required for all examined aspects of Hh outputs. We interpret this as evidence against the existence of Ci-independent branches in the Hh signal transduction pathway and propose that most cases of apparent Ci/Gli-independent Hh output can be attributed to the derepression of target gene expression in the absence of Ci/Gli repressor function.

scholarly journals Hedgehog Signaling, a Critical Pathway Governing the Development and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Jia Ding ◽  
Hui-Yan Li ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yuan Zhou ◽  
Jian Wu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Hepatoma Cells ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Critical Pathway ◽  
Hh Signaling

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a classic morphogen in controlling embryonic development and tissue repairing. Aberrant activation of Hh signaling has been well documented in liver cancer, including hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma. The present review aims to update the current understanding on how abnormal Hh signaling molecules modulate initiation, progression, drug resistance and metastasis of HCC. The latest relevant literature was reviewed with our recent findings to provide an overview regarding the molecular interplay and clinical relevance of the Hh signaling in HCC management. Hh signaling molecules are involved in the transformation of pre-carcinogenic lesions to malignant features in chronic liver injury, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Activation of GLI target genes, such as ABCC1 and TAP1, is responsible for drug resistance in hepatoma cells, with a CD133−/EpCAM− surface molecular profile, and GLI1 and truncated GLI1 account for the metastatic feature of the hepatoma cells, with upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases. A novel bioassay for the Sonic Hh ligand in tissue specimens may assist HCC diagnosis with negative α-fetoprotein and predict early microvascular invasion. In-depth exploration of the Hh signaling deepens our understanding of its molecular modulation in HCC initiation, drug sensitivity and metastasis, and guides precise management of HCC on an individual basis.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Smoothened Regulation in Hedgehog Signaling

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2138
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Zulong Liu ◽  
Jianhang Jia
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Intracellular Trafficking ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Developmental Defects ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Late Stages ◽  
Signaling Activity

The seven-transmembrane protein, Smoothened (SMO), has shown to be critical for the hedgehog (HH) signal transduction on the cell membrane (and the cilium in vertebrates). SMO is subjected to multiple types of post-translational regulations, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation, which alter SMO intracellular trafficking and cell surface accumulation. Recently, SMO is also shown to be regulated by small molecules, such as oxysterol, cholesterol, and phospholipid. The activity of SMO must be very well balanced by these different mechanisms in vivo because the malfunction of SMO will not only cause developmental defects in early stages, but also induce cancers in late stages. Here, we discuss the activation and inactivation of SMO by different mechanisms to better understand how SMO is regulated by the graded HH signaling activity that eventually governs distinct development outcomes.

scholarly journals Gene-teratogen interactions influence the penetrance of birth defects by altering Hedgehog signaling strength

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kong ◽  
Cullen B Young ◽  
Ganesh Pusapati ◽  
F Hernan Espinoza ◽  
Chandni Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Birth Defect ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
In Utero Exposure ◽  
Membrane Protein Complex ◽  
Protein Target ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Birth defects result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. We find that mutations and teratogens interact in predictable ways to cause birth defects by changing target cell sensitivity to Hedgehog (Hh) ligands. These interactions converge on a membrane protein complex, the MMM complex, that promotes degradation of the Hh transducer Smoothened (SMO). Deficiency of the MMM component MOSMO results in elevated SMO and increased Hh signaling, causing multiple birth defects. In utero exposure to a teratogen that directly inhibits SMO reduces the penetrance and expressivity of birth defects in Mosmo-/- embryos. Additionally, tissues that develop normally in Mosmo-/- embryos are refractory to the teratogen. Thus, changes in the abundance of the protein target of a teratogen can change birth defect outcomes by quantitative shifts in Hh signaling. Consequently, small molecules that re-calibrate signaling strength could be harnessed to rescue structural birth defects.

scholarly journals Regulation of Hedgehog signaling Offers A Novel Perspective for Bone Homeostasis Disorder Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Ting Lv ◽  
Dong-Hua Du ◽  
Rui-Juan Gao ◽  
Chun-Wei Yu ◽  
Yan Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Bone Development ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Bone Homeostasis ◽  
Rankl Expression ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone Related Protein ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
Pthrp Expression ◽  
Hh Signaling

The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is central to the regulation of bone development and homeostasis. HH signaling is not only involved in osteoblast differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), but also acts upstream within osteoblasts via the OPG/RANK/RANKL axis to control the expression of RANKL. HH signaling has been found to up-regulate parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) expression in osteoblasts, which in turn activates its downstream targets nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and as a result CREB and NFAT cooperatively increase RANKL expression and osteoclastogenesis. Osteoblasts must remain in balance with osteoclasts in order to avoid excessive bone formation or resorption, thereby maintaining bone homeostasis. This review systemically summarizes the mechanisms whereby HH signaling induces osteoblast development and controls RANKL expression through PTHrP in osteoblasts. Proper targeting of HH signaling may offer a therapeutic option for treating bone homeostasis disorders.

scholarly journals Evaluation of AXIN1 and AXIN2 as targets of tankyrase inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhui Wang ◽  
Pengyu Liu ◽  
Marla Lavrijsen ◽  
Shan Li ◽  
Ruyi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Carcinoma Cell Lines ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinomas ◽  
Enhanced Expression ◽  
Mutant Lines ◽  
Substantial Interest ◽  
Support Tumor Growth ◽  
Made In

AbstractAXIN1 mutations are observed in 8–10% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and originally were considered to support tumor growth by aberrantly enhancing β-catenin signaling. This view has however been challenged by reports showing neither a clear nuclear β-catenin accumulation nor clearly enhanced expression of β-catenin target genes. Here, using nine HCC lines, we show that AXIN1 mutation or siRNA mediated knockdown contributes to enhanced β-catenin signaling in all AXIN1-mutant and non-mutant lines, also confirmed by reduced signaling in AXIN1-repaired SNU449 cells. Both AXIN1 and AXIN2 work synergistically to control β-catenin signaling. While in the AXIN1-mutant lines, AXIN2 is solely responsible for keeping signaling in check, in the non-mutant lines both AXIN proteins contribute to β-catenin regulation to varying levels. The AXIN proteins have gained substantial interest in cancer research for a second reason. Their activity in the β-catenin destruction complex can be increased by tankyrase inhibitors, which thus may serve as a therapeutic option to reduce the growth of β-catenin-dependent cancers. At concentrations that inhibit tankyrase activity, some lines (e.g. HepG2, SNU398) were clearly affected in colony formation, but in most cases apparently independent from effects on β-catenin signaling. Overall, our analyses show that AXIN1 inactivation leads to enhanced β-catenin signaling in HCC cell lines, questioning the strong statements that have been made in this regard. Enhancing AXIN activity by tankyrase monotherapy provides however no effective treatment to affect their growth exclusively through reducing β-catenin signaling.

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