Abnormal Expression of Centromere Protein U Is Associated with Hepatocellular Cancer Progression

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies globally, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. Abnormal expression of centromere protein U (CENPU) is closely related to diverse human cancers. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the function and potential mechanisms of CENPU in HCC development. Methods. We performed bioinformatics analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases to investigate the clinical significance and prognostic value of CENPU in HCC. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to measure protein expression, while reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine mRNA expression. Cell Counting Kit8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were conducted to examine cell proliferation. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the potential signaling pathways of CENPU involved in HCC. Results. High expression of CENPU in HCC was predicted by public database analysis and indicated a poor prognosis. CENPU expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues and cells than in normal tissues and cell. In vitro, CENPU promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. GSEA results indicated that CENPU was linked to the Notch signaling pathway, and our research supported this prediction. Conclusion. CENPU promotes the malignant biological process of HCC and may be a promising target for HCC treatment.

Differential expression of centromere protein U in triple negative breast cancer.

Women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer can benefit neither from endocrine therapy nor from HER2-targeted therapies (1). We mined published microarray datasets (2, 3) to determine in an unbiased fashion and at the systems level genes most differentially expressed in the primary tumors of patients with breast cancer. We report here significant differential expression of the gene encoding centromere protein U, CENPU, when comparing the tumor cells of patients with triple negative breast cancer to normal mammary ductal cells (2). CENPU was also differentially expressed in bulk tumor in human breast cancer (3). CENPU mRNA was present at significantly increased quantities in TNBC tumor cells relative to normal mammary ductal cells. Analysis of human survival data revealed that expression of CENPU in primary tumors of the breast was correlated with recurrence-free survival in patients with luminal A type cancer, while within triple negative breast cancer, primary tumor expression of CENPU was correlated with overall survival in patients with immunomodulatory and luminal androgen receptor subtype disease. CENPU may be of relevance to initiation, maintenance or progression of triple negative breast cancers.

Differential expression of centromere protein K in triple negative breast cancer.

Women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer can benefit neither from endocrine therapy nor from HER2-targeted therapies (1). We mined published microarray datasets (2, 3) to determine in an unbiased fashion and at the systems level genes most differentially expressed in the primary tumors of patients with breast cancer. We report here significant differential expression of the gene encoding centromere protein K, CENPK, when comparing the tumor cells of patients with triple negative breast cancer to normal mammary ductal cells (2). CENPK was also differentially expressed in bulk tumor in human breast cancer (3). CENPK mRNA was present at significantly increased quantities in TNBC tumor cells relative to normal mammary ductal cells. Analysis of human survival data revealed that expression of CENPK in primary tumors of the breast was correlated with recurrence-free survival in patients with basal-like and luminal A type cancer, while within triple negative breast cancer, primary tumor expression of CENPK was correlated with overall survival in patients with basal-like 2 subtype disease. CENPK may be of relevance to initiation, maintenance or progression of triple negative breast cancers.

Anticentromere antibody induced by immunization with centromere protein and Freund’s complete adjuvant may interfere with mouse early-stage embryo

Background Anticentromere antibody (ACA) is a member of the antinuclear antibody spectrum (ANAs) which has been speculated to be associated with subfertility. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the induction of ACA production and its potential interference with early-stage embryos. Methods Recombinant centromere protein-A (CENP-A) or centromere protein-B (CENP-B) and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) were used to immunize mice. Serum ACA level was then evaluated by using an indirect immunofluorescence test. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect IgG in follicles in ovarian tissues and early-stage embryos. Results Following treatment, serum positive ACA was observed in mice treated with CENP and CFA. Furthermore, IgG were detected in follicular fluid and early-stage embryos from mice treated with CENP and CFA. Conclusions This study preliminarily indicated that ACA induced by CENP and CFA may penetrate into the living embryos of early-stage in mice.