Interplay between transforming growth factor-β and Nur77 in dual regulations of inhibitor of differentiation 1 for colonic tumorigenesis

The paradoxical roles of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling and nuclear receptor Nur77 in colon cancer development are known but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) is a target gene of TGFβ and a key promoter for colon cancer progression. Here, we show that Nur77 enhances TGFβ/Smad3-induced ID1 mRNA expression through hindering Smurf2-mediated Smad3 mono-ubiquitylation, resulting in ID1 upregulation. In the absence of TGFβ, however, Nur77 destabilizes ID1 protein by promoting Smurf2-mediated ID1 poly-ubiquitylation, resulting in ID1 downregulation. Interestingly, TGFβ stabilizes ID1 protein by switching Nur77 interaction partners to inhibit ID1 ubiquitylation. This also endows TGFβ with an active pro-tumorigenic action in Smad4-deficient colon cancers. Thus, TGFβ converts Nur77’s role from destabilizing ID1 protein and cancer inhibition to inducing ID1 mRNA expression and cancer promotion, which is highly relevant to colon cancer stemness, metastasis and oxaliplatin resistance. Our data therefore define the integrated duality of Nur77 and TGFβ signaling in regulating ID1 expression and provide mechanistic insights into the paradoxical roles of TGFβ and Nur77 in colon cancer progression.

Id1/NR2B Receptor Pathway Regulates Rat Cochlear Sensory Epithelial Cell Survival after Radiation

Survival of cochlear sensory epithelial cells may be regulated by inhibitor of differentiation-1 (Id1) and the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor. However, it is unclear whether Id1 and the NMDA receptor are involved in the radiation-mediated survival of rat cochlear sensory epithelial cells. Here, we show that the percentage of apoptotic cells increased, the percentage of cells in the S phase decreased, Id1 mRNA and protein expression decreased and the NMDA receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) mRNA and protein level increased in OC1 cells after radiation. Cells infected with the Id1 gene exhibited higher Id1 mRNA and protein levels and lower NR2B mRNA and protein levels than the control cells. In contrast, after transfection of the Id1 siRNA into OC1 cells, Id1 mRNA and protein expression decreased and NR2B mRNA and protein expression increased relative to that of the control group. Additionally, treatment with ifenprodil for 24 h before radiation reduced apoptosis and increased the percentage of cells in the S phase. Our results suggest that Id1 and NR2B might regulate the survival of OC1 cells following radiation.