Bromodomain-containing protein 4 inhibitor JQ1 promotes melanoma cell apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial dynamics

Although the role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) in ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma, and many other diseases is well known, its function in cutaneous melanoma is only partially understood. The results of the present study show that the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 promotes the apoptosis of B16 melanoma cells by altering mitochondrial dynamics, thereby inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and increasing oxidative stress. We found that treatment of B16 cells with different concentrations of JQ1 (125 nmol/L or 250 nmol/L) significantly downregulated the expression of protein subunits involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, IV, and V, increased reactive oxygen species, induced energy metabolism dysfunction, significantly enhanced apoptosis, and activated the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. At the same time, JQ1 inhibited the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, a metabolic energy sensor. In addition, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of mitochondrial dynamin-related protein 1 increased, whereas the levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 1 and optic atrophy protein 1 decreased. Mechanistically, we determined that JQ1 inhibited the expression of c-Myc and altered mitochondrial dynamics, eventually leading to changes in the mitochondrial function, metabolism, and apoptosis of B16 melanoma cells.     

BEX2 regulates mitochondrial apoptosis and G1 cell cycle in breast cancer

We have recently demonstrated that BEX2 is differentially expressed in primary breast tumors and BEX2 expression is required for the Nerve Growth factor inhibition of ceramide‐induced apoptosis in breast cancer. In this study we investigate the functional role of BEX2 in the survival and growth of breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that BEX2 downregulation induces mitochondrial apoptosis and sensitizes breast cancer cells to the pro‐apoptotic effects of ceramide, doxorubicin and staurosporine. In addition, BEX2 overexpression protects the breast cancer cells against mitochondrial apoptosis. We show that this effect of BEX2 is mediated through the modulation of Bcl‐2 protein family, which involves the positive regulation of anti‐apoptotic member Bcl‐2 and the negative regulation of pro‐apoptotic members BAD, BAK1 and PUMA. Moreover, our data suggests that BEX2 expression is required for the normal cell cycle progression during G1 in breast cancer cells through the regulation of cyclin D1 and p21. To further support the significance of BEX2 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer we demonstrate that BEX2 overexpression is associated with a higher activation of the Bcl‐2/NF‐κB pathway in primary breast tumors. Furthermore, we show that BEX2 downregulation results in a higher expression and activity of protein phosphatase 2A. The modulation of protein phosphatase 2A, which is also known to mediate the cellular response to ceramide, provides a possible mechanism to explain the BEX2‐mediated cellular effects. This study demonstrates that BEX2 has a significant role in the regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis and G1 cell cycle in breast cancer.     

Targeting EZH2 regulates tumor growth and apoptosis through modulating mitochondria dependent cell-death pathway in HNSCC

EZH2 is a negative prognostic factor and is overexpressed or activated in most human cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC data indicated that EZH2 over-expression was associated with high tumor grade and conferred poor prognosis. EZH2 inhibition triggered cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and decreased cell growth in vitro. MICU1 (mitochondrial calcium uptake1) was shown to be down regulated when EZH2 expression was inhibited in HNSCC. When the EZH2 and MICU1 were inhibited, HNSCC cells became susceptible to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential and cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration analysis suggested that EZH2 and MICU1 were required to maintain mitochondrial membrane potential stability. A xenograft tumor model was used to confirm that EZH2 depletion inhibited HNSCC cell growth and induced tumor cell apoptosis. In summary, EZH2 is a potential anti-tumor target in HNSCC.     

Tumor suppressor KIF1Bβ regulates mitochondrial apoptosis in collaboration with YME1L1

KIF1Bβ, a member of the kinesin superfamily of motor proteins, is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor mapped to chromosome 1p36.2, which is frequently deleted in neural crest–derived tumors, including neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma. While KIF1Bβ acts downstream of the nerve growth factor (NGF) pathway to induce apoptosis, further molecular functions of this gene product have largely been unexplored. In this study, we report that KIF1Bβ destabilizes the morphological structure of mitochondria, which is critical for cell survival and apoptosis. We identified YME1L1, a mitochondrial metalloprotease responsible for the cleavage of the mitochondrial GTPase OPA1, as a physical interacting partner of KIF1Bβ. KIF1Bβ interacted with YME1L1 through its death‐inducing region, as initiated the protease activity of YME1L1 to cleave the long forms of OPA1, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation. Overexpression of YME1L1 promoted apoptosis, while knockdown of YME1L1 promoted cell growth. High YME1L1 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in neuroblastoma. Furthermore, in NGF‐deprived PC12 cells, KIF1Bβ and YME1L1 were upregulated, accompanied by mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptotic cell death. Small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of either protein alone, however, remarkably inhibited the NGF depletion–induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate that tumor suppressor KIF1Bβ plays an important role in intrinsic mitochondria–mediated apoptosis through the regulation of structural and functional dynamics of mitochondria in collaboration with YME1L1. Dysfunction of the KIF1Bβ/YME1L1/OPA1 mechanism may be involved in malignant biological features of neural crest–derived tumors as well as the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.     

Hispidulin suppresses cell growth and metastasis by targeting PIM1 through JAK2/STAT3 signaling in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for over 600 000 deaths annually worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate the value of proto‐oncogene PIM1 as a therapeutic target in CRC and investigate the anticancer activity of hispidulin, a naturally occurring phenolic flavonoid compound, against CRC. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that PIM1 was upregulated in CRC tissue. The role of PIM1 as an oncogene was evidenced by the fact that PIM1 knockdown inhibits cell growth, induces apoptosis, and suppresses invasion. Our results showed that hispidulin exerts antitumor activity in CRC through inhibiting the expression of PIM1. Moreover, our findings revealed that hispidulin downregulated the expression of PIM1 by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling by generating reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, our in vivo studies showed that hispidulin can significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in CRC. Collectively, our results provide an experimental basis for trialing hispidulin in CRC treatment. PIM1 can be considered a potential therapeutic target in CRC.     

miR-223-3p 通过靶向RAC1 调控肝细胞癌SMMC-7721 细胞的增殖和凋亡

目的：探讨miR-223-3p 通过调控Ras 相关C3 肉毒素底物1（Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1，RAC1）对肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma，HCC）细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其可能的作用机制。方法：选用2016 年8 月至2018 年8 月吉林市中心医院手术切除的30 例HCC 组织及其癌旁组织标本和人HCC 细胞系SMMC-7721、Bel-7402、HepG2 及人正常肝细胞QSG-7701，用qPCR检测HCC组织和细胞系中miR-223-3p的表达水平。分别将miR-223-3p mimics、miR-223-3p inhibitor 和siRAC1转染至SMMC-7721 细胞，通过CCK-8、克隆形成实验和Annexin V-FITC/PI 染色流式细胞术检测SMMC-7721 细胞的增殖、克隆形成和凋亡水平。用双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-223-3p 与RAC1 的靶向关系，Western blotting 检测细胞中RAC1 蛋白的表达水平。结果：miR-223-3p 在HCC组织的表达水平显著低于癌旁组织（P<0.01），其表达水平与肿瘤大小、TNM分期及肿瘤分化病理特征相关（P<0.05 或P<0.01）；miR-223-3p 在HCC细胞系表达水平显著低于QSG-7701 细胞（均P<0.01），以在SMMC-7721细胞中表达水平最低。双荧光素酶报告基因实验证实RAC1 是miR-223-3p 靶基因，miR-223-3p 靶向负调控RAC1 的表达。转染miR-223-3p mimics 显著抑制SMMC-7721 细胞的增殖和克隆形成能力（P<0.05 或P<0.01），并促进细胞凋亡（P<0.01）；转染miR-223-3p inhibtor 则逆转miR-223-3p mimics 对细胞的抑制作用。结论：过表达miR-223-3p 抑制HCC细胞增殖和克隆形成能力并促进细胞凋亡，其机制可能与靶向下调RAC1表达有关。     

ASNA1, an ATPase targeting tail-anchored proteins, regulates melanoma cell growth and sensitivity to cisplatin and arsenite

Purpose  ASNA1 is homologous to E. coli ArsA, a well characterized ATPase involved in efflux of arsenite and antimonite. Cells resistant to arsenite and antimonite are cross-resistant to the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. ASNA1 is also an essential ATPase for the insertion of tail-anchored proteins into ER membranes and a novel regulator of insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to determine if altered ASNA1 levels influenced growth and sensitivity to arsenite and cisplatin in human melanoma cells. Methods  Cultured melanoma T289 cells were transfected with plasmids containing sense or antisense ASNA1. Cells were exposed to cisplatin, arsenite and zinc. Cell growth and chemosensitivity were evaluated by the MTT assay and apoptosis by a TUNEL assay. Results  ASNA1 expression was necessary for growth. T289 clones with decreased ASNA1 expression exhibited 51 ± 5% longer doubling times than wildtype T289 (P = 0.0091). After exposure to cisplatin, ASNA1 downregulated cells displayed a significant increase in apoptosis. The cisplatin IC₅₀ in ASNA1 underexpressing cells was 41.7 ± 1.8% compared to wildtype (P = 0.00097) and the arsenite IC₅₀ was 59.9 ± 3.2% of wildtype IC₅₀ (P = 0.0067). Conclusions  Reduced ASNA1 expression is associated with significant inhibition of cell growth, increased apoptosis and increased sensitivity to cisplatin and arsenite.     

A novel BH3 mimetic S1 potently induces Bax/Bak‐dependent apoptosis by targeting both Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1

Broad spectrum Bcl‐2 small molecule inhibitors act as BH3 mimetics are effective antitumor agents. Herein, we have identified S1 , a previously discovered small molecule Bcl‐2 inhibitor, as the first authentic BH3 mimetic as well as a dual, nanomolar inhibitor of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1 (K_i = 310 nM and 58 nM, respectively). The results of fluorescence polarization assays, coimmunoprecipitation, fluorescent resonance energy transfer, and shRNA indicated that S1 can disrupt Bcl‐2/Bax, Mcl‐1/Bak and Bcl‐2/Bim heterodimerization in multiple cell lines, activate Bax accompanied by its translocation to mitochondrial, activate caspase 3 completely dependent on Bax/Bak, and in turn induce a Bim‐independent apoptosis. Moreover, S1 could induce apoptosis on the primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells regardless of Mcl‐1 level. Mechanism‐based single agent antitumor activity in a mouse xenograft H22 (mouse liver carcinoma) model ascertain its therapeutic potential. S1 represents a novel chemical class of antitumor leads that function solely as BH3 mimetics and pan‐Bcl‐2 inhibitors. In the meanwhile, S1 could become a unique tool for interactions between Bcl‐2 family proteins.     

lncRNA PTPRG-AS1通过靶向miR-124-3p调控肝癌细胞凋亡和放射敏感性的研究机制

目的:探讨lncRNA PTPRG-AS1对肝癌细胞凋亡和放射敏感性的影响及作用机制。方法:培养正常肝细胞L02和肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402,qRT-PCR检测细胞中PTPRG-AS1和miR-124-3p表达水平。转染si-PTPRG-AS1、miR-124-3p mimics至HepG2细胞,抑制HepG2细胞中PTPRG-AS1表达或过表达miR-124-3p,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,克隆形成实验检测细胞放射敏感性,Western Blot法检测Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达。生物信息学软件预测PTPRG-AS1与miR-124-3p存在互补的核苷酸序列,双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证PTPRG-AS1与miR-124-3p之间的调控关系。结果:与正常肝细胞L02相比,肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402中PTPRG-AS1表达显著升高（P＜0.05）,miR-124-3p表达显著降低（P＜0.05）。抑制PTPRG-AS1或过表达miR-124-3p均可促进肝癌HepG2细胞的凋亡,增强肝癌HepG2细胞的放射敏感性,抑制Bcl-2蛋白表达,促进Bax蛋白表达。PTPRG-AS1负调控miR-124-3p表达。抑制miR-124-3p表达可部分逆转抑制PTPRG-AS1表达对肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的促进作用以及放射敏感性的增强作用。结论:抑制PTPRG-AS1表达可能通过上调miR-124-3p表达促进肝癌细胞的凋亡并提高其放射敏感性,是肝癌治疗的潜在作用靶点。     

CDO1通过PI3K/AKT信号通路调控胃癌细胞增殖及细胞周期

目的:探讨半胱氨酸双加氧酶1(CDO1)对胃癌细胞增殖、细胞周期的调控机制。方法:用脂质体法将si-NC组（转染si-NC）、si-CDO1组（转染si-CDO1）、pcDNA组（转染pcDNA）、pcDNA-CDO1组（转染pcDNA-CDO1）、pcDNA-CDO1+DMSO组（转染pcDNA-CDO1并用DMSO处理）、pcDNA-CDO1+IGF-1组（转染pcDNA-CDO1并用IGF-1处理）转染至AKG细胞。用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）、免疫印迹（Western blot）、细胞计数试剂盒（CCK-8）、流式细胞术检测细胞CDO1、PI3K、Akt、p-Akt蛋白的表达、细胞增殖、细胞周期。结果:与人胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1相比，胃腺癌细胞AKG中CDO1的表达明显降低（P<0.05）；与si-NC组相比，si-CDO1组AKG细胞的增殖明显上调，细胞发生明显的S期、G2/M期阻滞，过表达CDO1则具有相反的作用。重要的是，敲减CDO1可上调PI3K/AKT信号通路关键基因PI3K、p-Akt的表达，而过表达CDO1具有相反的作用。激活PI3K/AKT信号通路后，过表达CDO1对胃癌细胞的增殖、细胞周期的调控作用可被部分逆转。结论:CDO1可抑制胃癌细胞的增殖，调控细胞周期，其机制与抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路的活性有关，将为胃癌的治疗提供参考。     

CX3CR1/CX3CL1 axis negatively controls glioma cell invasion and is modulated by transforming growth factor-beta1

The chemokine CX3CL1 is constitutively expressed in the central nervous system by neurons and astrocytes controlling neuronal survival and neurotransmission. In this work, we analyzed the expression and function of the chemokine CX3CL1 and its receptor, CX3CR1, by human glioma cells. We show that both molecules are expressed on the tumor cell plasma membrane and that soluble CX3CL1 accumulates in the culture supernatants, indicating that the chemokine is constitutively released. We found that CX3CR1 is functional, as all the cell lines adhered to immobilized recombinant CX3CL1 and migrated in response to the soluble form of this chemokine. In addition, the blockade of endogenous CX3CL1 function by means of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody markedly delayed tumor cell aggregation and increased their invasiveness. We also show that CX3CL1 expression is potently modulated by the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a key regulator of glioma cell invasiveness. Indeed, both the treatment of glioma cells with recombinant TGF-beta1 and the inhibition of its endogenous expression by siRNA showed that TGF-beta1 decreases CX3CL1 mRNA and protein expression. Overall, our results indicate that endogenously expressed CX3CL1 negatively regulates glioma invasion likely by promoting tumor cell aggregation, and that TGF-beta1 inhibition of CX3CL1 expression might contribute to glioma cell invasive properties.