Noggin基因沉默对BMP和Wnt信号通路表达的影响

目的检测分析Noggin基因沉默对毛囊发育中BMP和Wnt信号通路的影响。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR和western blot技术对Noggin基因沉默的MC3T3-E1稳转细胞系中BMP-2、BMP-4、BMPR-IA、BMP-6、BMP-7、LEF-1、β-catenin的表达情况进行检测分析。结果实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,BMP信号通路中的五个基因的表达都受到Noggin基因沉默的显著的影响,其中BMP-2(P0.001)、BMP-4(P0.01)、BMP-6(P0.001)、BMP-7(P0.001)表达量均升高;BMPR-IA(P0.01)表达量降低。同时Wnt信号通路中的两个基因LEF-1(P0.001)、β-catenin(P0.001)的表达也都显著降低。Western blot结果显示,两条信号通路中这几种蛋白的表达也都受到影响,其中显著升高的有BMP-2(P0.05)、BMP-4(P0.05)、BMP-6(P0.05)和BMP-7(P0.05);显著降低的是β-catenin(P0.05)、BMPR-IA(P0.01)和LEF-1(P0.001)。结论在体外Noggin基因对BMP信号通路可能存在反馈性抑制机制,而对Wnt信号通路存在反馈性激活机制,为下一步探究在体内Noggin基因对BMP和Wnt信号通路表达的作用提供一定的依据。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对靶基因转录的调控

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路又被称为经典Wnt信号通路,在早期胚胎发育、成体组织稳态维持、干细胞干性调控和肿瘤发生等过程中均发挥重要作用.经典Wnt信号通路的核心信号转导因子β-catenin与核内转录因子TCF/LEF家族成员结合后,通过募集或替换一系列协同作用因子,诱导染色质结构变化,调控Wnt信号靶基因的转录.本文将从Wnt信号靶基因转录调控的基本模式、分子机制、表观遗传学调控和意义等方面,总结近年来有关Wnt信号靶基因转录调控的研究成果,方便读者更好地理解Wnt信号通路靶基因的转录调控.     

红景天苷通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路影响小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元细胞定向分化

目的:以小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞系D1细胞为研究对象,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路介导的红景天苷诱导D1细胞向神经细胞的定向分化。方法:实验分为对照组(D/F12完全培养基)和红景天苷诱导组(100μg/mL+D/F12完全培养基).将细胞分别诱导12、24、48和72 h后,采用细胞免疫荧光化学染色方法检测β-catenin和Gsk-3β的阳性细胞率。利用红景天苷分别诱导MSCs 1,2,8,12,24,48和72 h后,利用实时PCR技术检测Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的关键信号分子wnt3a、Axin2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达;采用Westernblot方法分析D1细胞诱导12、24、48和72 h后,β-catenin和Gsk-3β蛋白的表达;运用Wnt/β-catenin信号通路特异性阻断剂DKK1阻断Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,Western blot方法分析红景天苷对β-catenin和NSE蛋白表达的影响。结果:红景天苷诱导24 h时β-catenin的阳性率可达55.76%,与其他组和对照组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),诱导24 h后Gsk-3β的阳性率与其他时间和对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实时PCR检测结果显示,红景天苷诱导MSCs不同时间能促进Wnt/β-catenin信号通路中关键信号分子Wnt3a、Ax-in2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达,诱导不同时间Wnt3a、Axin2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达不尽相同。Westernblot结果表明,红景天苷诱导D1细胞12 h和24 h时β-catenin蛋白的表达明显上调,且与其他组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);随着作用时间的延长,Gsk-3β蛋白的表达增加且差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),阻断Wnt/β-catenin信号通路后,β-catenin和NSE蛋白的表达水平明显下调。结论:红景天苷能诱导D1细胞定向分化为神经元样细胞,红景天苷通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路实现其诱导MSCs向神经细胞定向分化。     

Wnt10A基因促进胃癌细胞增殖与迁移作用及机制探讨

阐明Wnt10A基因在胃癌细胞增殖及迁移中的功能及探索潜在的分子机制,为胃癌诊断、治疗提供新的靶点分子。以荧光定量PCR及免疫印迹技术检测基因表达,以RNAi技术敲减Wnt10A基因,以MTT法、划痕及transwell实验检测细胞行为学变化。结果显示,Wnt10A基因在胃癌组织中表达量均显著高于癌旁对照,平均差异达到3倍。并且Wnt10A基因在胃癌细胞系中表达量也高于正常细胞GES。当Wnt10A基因在胃癌细胞AGS中表达被成功下调约60%后,AGS细胞增殖率下降40%,迁移率下降约40%,侵袭能力也降低约70%。免疫印迹实验表明Wnt10A下调后,β-catenin、Cyclin D、TCF以及Myc基因表达量下调,而DKK1与GSK3β表达增强,与LGK-974处理结果一致。Wnt10A基因通过模拟激活Wnt/β-catenin/Myc信号通路促进胃癌细胞增殖与迁移,发挥促癌基因的功能。     

飞燕草素通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌的机制研究

为研究飞燕草素对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响。免疫组化检测裸鼠乳腺肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67及乳腺肿瘤组织蛋白水解酶超家族基质金属蛋白酶-7(matrix metallopeptidase 7,MMP-7)的表达水平;Western blot检测移植瘤Wnt/β-catenin通路β-联蛋白(β-catenin)、磷酸糖原合成酶激酶-3β(glycogen synthase kinase-3β,GSK-3β)及通路下游细胞周期相关蛋白cyclinD1、原癌基因c-myc和MMP-7的蛋白水平表达,体内外实验发现飞燕草素不仅能抑制裸鼠异种移植瘤生长及乳腺癌肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67表达还可以明显降低乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路β-catenin和p-GSK-3β下游靶基因c-myc、cyclin D1和MMP-7蛋白的表达。本研究证实飞燕草素能通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,发挥抑制乳腺癌的作用。     

外源性Wnt3a持续作用对小鼠胚胎干细胞Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的调控作用

目的观察Wnt/β-catenin信号通路是否在体外以外源性Wnt3a持续作用小鼠胚胎干细胞后被激活,并进一步调控该通路下游基因的表达。方法应用外源性Wnt3a持续作用ES-E14TG2a小鼠胚胎干细胞21d,通过细胞免疫荧光及Western Blotting检测细胞内β-catenin蛋白,以观察该蛋白的胞内积聚情况;同时QRT-PCR检测WNT下游靶标基因的表达量,采用完全随机F检验并用LSD法进行两两比较,来确定经典WNT／β-catenin信号通路是否被激活。结果ES-E14TG2a小鼠胚胎干细胞经Wnt3a连续培养21d后,β-catenin蛋白的细胞荧光明显较强,而对照组中的荧光强度较弱,说明细胞内β-catenin蛋白没有被降解而是在胞内大量积累;Western Blotting检测结果显示Wnt3a连续培养21d后ES-E14TG2a细胞内β-catenin蛋白条带明显比空白对照的蛋白条带粗;ES—E14TG2a细胞经wnt3a培养后Pitx2、Frizzled、Sox17的表达量均持续上升,Pitx2在培养7d、14d、21d分别为4．17±0．20、7．27±0．35、8．59±0．21（F=222．757,P=0．000）;Frizzled在培养7d、14d、21d分别为1．01±0．06、2．93±0．22、5．44±0．30（F=302．703,P=0．000）;Sox17在培养7d、14d、21d分别为8．45±0．41、18．35±0．17、34．93±0．16（F=7217．083,P=0．000）;Oct4培养到7d、14d的表达量持续增加分别为1．22±0．21、1．56±0．04,而连续培养21d后Oct4基因的表达量下降为1．15±0．07（F=8．827,P=0．016）。结论Wnt3a持续作用可激活Wnt／β-catenin信号通路,并调控下游基因的表达。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达和肿瘤转移的关系

目的:探讨了Wnt信号通路相关蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达及与肿瘤转移的关系。方法:选取2011年6月到2012年6月我院胃癌术后47例肿瘤标本作为研究对象,并选取同一患者的正常胃组织作为对照研究。采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot对胃癌组织和正常胃组织Wnt信号通路相关蛋白进行分析,并分析了肿瘤转移和非转移患者Wnt信号通路相关蛋白的变化。结果:与正常胃组织比较,胃癌组织中Wnt1、Wnt3、Wnt3a、β-catenin、CyclinD1和c-Myc等分子的mRNA水平明显上调,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。胃癌组织中总β-catenin和核内β-catenin蛋白较正常胃组织明显增加,而磷酸化β-catenin较正常组明显下降、差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。与非转移组比较,转移组患者胃癌组织中Wnt1、Wnt3、Wnt3a等分子mRNA水平显著上调,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Wnt信号通路异常激活在胃癌发生和癌细胞转移中发挥着重要的作用,为临床治疗提供了一定靶点。     

稳定转染NOR1抑制5-8F细胞片状伪足形成和Wnt信号通路

细胞骨架是真核细胞中的蛋白纤维网络结构,不仅与保持细胞形态结构有关,而且影响细胞黏附和细胞运动．NOR1是从鼻咽癌中克隆得到的新基因,在鼻咽癌组织和细胞系中表达下调．本研究建立了NOR1稳定表达的鼻咽癌5-8F细胞系．过表达NOR1引起高转移性鼻咽癌5-8F细胞形态改变,抑制片状伪足形成、细胞表面积缩小、细胞聚集性增强．扫描电镜检测发现,NOR1抑制了5-8F细胞膜微绒毛的数量,引起细胞膜表面改变．细胞骨架染色发现,NOR1过表达导致5-8F细胞actin骨架连续性破坏,应力纤维增加．Realtime RT-PCR检测发现,NOR1引起5-8F细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路分子Wnt5A受体FZD5、FZD7表达下调,抑制了β-catenin蛋白入核．提示NOR1抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路激活,破坏细胞骨架连续性,抑制细胞膜微绒毛与伪足形成．     

铁过载对Wnt信号诱导的ST2细胞成骨分化的作用及机制

该研究探究铁过载对Wnt信号诱导的小鼠骨髓基质细胞(ST2)成骨分化的作用及其可能的机制。采用柠檬酸铁铵(FAC)模拟铁过载微环境,用碱性磷酸酶(ALP)染色及生化定量检测成骨分化水平,qRT-PCR检测成骨分化标志基因Alp、Runx2、Osx、Col1以及Wnt信号靶基因Smad6、CyclinD1、Lef1、BMP4的mRNA表达水平,免疫荧光法检测β-catenin入核情况。结果显示,铁过载剂量依赖性抑制Wnt信号诱导的ST2成骨分化,同时显著降低Wnt信号诱导的成骨分化标志基因及Wnt信号靶基因的表达(P0.05),且铁过载抑制Wnt信号诱导的β-catenin入核。综上所述,铁过载抑制Wnt信号诱导的ST2细胞成骨基因和Wnt靶基因的表达,并通过抑制β-catenin入核而抑制ST2细胞成骨分化。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路与肝癌

肝细胞癌是常见的恶性肿瘤,其发病机制尚未完全明确。Wnt信号通路与人体内多种病理生理过程相关,其中肝癌的发生、发展可能与经典的Wnt/β-catenin信号通路密切相关。Wnt/β-catein信号通路通过表达癌症相关基因、激活肝星状细胞、调控肝干细胞行为、促进肝癌细胞侵袭转移等方式调控肝癌的发生、发展。Wnt/β-catein信号通路在肝癌发生、发展中的作用有望为肝癌研究提供新的思路。     

Let-7b contributes to hepatocellular cancer progression through Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Elevated evidences show that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in tumor progression regulation. However, the functional role of let-7b in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still largely unknown. In this study, we try to investigate the biological activity of let-7b in human HCC cells and try to find the potential regulatory signaling pathway. Our results indicate that let- 7b was remarkably down-regulated in human HCC tissues by qRT-PCR. In addition, let-7b overexpression decreased the expression of β-catenin and c-Myc, while upregulated E-cadherin expression in HCC cells which was verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Furthermore, Wnt/β-catenin was involved in let-7b biological activity which was revealed by luciferase assay. Moreover, Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor blocks HCC cell proliferation which is as the same pattern as let-7b overexpression inhibits in HCC cells proliferation. In conclusion, down-regulated let-7b promotes HCC cell proliferation through Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC cells. These results suggested that appropriate manipulation of let-7b might be a new treatment of human HCC in the future.     

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may regulate cell cycle and expression of cyclin A and cyclin E protein in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and cell cycle play the key roles during the genesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The cytoplasmic protein β-catenin is a multifunctional protein and a central molecule in the Wnt signaling pathway. Cell cycle is regulated by a a series of regulatory factors. Current researches indicated that expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc decreased after silencing β-catenin gene in HCC, but it is unclear if other cyclins are affected. To determine the relation, small interference RNA(siRNA) against β-catenin was transfected into HCC cell line HepG2, and cell cycle and cyclin A and cyclin E protein expression were detected. We demonstrated that cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 at 72 h after the transfection and with the time passing, the cell cycle began to transfer from G0/G1 to G2/M through S and had a trend to revert at 96 h. In addition, β-catenin protein expression was decreased at both 72 and 96 h, although the level was slightly higher at 96 h than that at 72 h. However, cyclin A and cyclin E protein expression increased at 72 h and decreased at 96 h. These findings suggest that silencing β-catenin gene may induce the changes of cell cycle and cyclin A and cyclin E expression. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway probably takes part in the genesis and development of HCC through regulating cell cycle and the expression of cyclin A and cyclin E.     

食管鳞状细胞癌中DICKKOPF-3基因的甲基化状态及表达

目的检测食管鳞状细胞癌(esophageal squamous cell cancer,ESCC)中Wnt通路拮抗基因DICKKOPF-3(DKK3)的甲基化状态,探讨其与ESCC发生的关系。方法应用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation specificPCR,MSP)及RT-PCR的方法检测78例ESCC及相应癌旁非肿瘤组织中DKK3基因的甲基化状态及mRNA表达情况,应用免疫组化的方法检测通路中心因子-βcatenin蛋白及下游靶基因cyclinD1的表达,并分析其与食管癌发生的关系。结果在ESCC组织中,DKK3基因的甲基化频率为37.2%(29/78),明显高于癌旁非肿瘤组织(χ2=35.622,P=0.000);癌组织中该基因的甲基化率与肿瘤患者临床分期相关(χ2=4.705,P=0.030),而与组织学分级无关;食管癌中DKK3基因mRNA的阳性表达率为65.4%(51/78),明显低于癌旁非肿瘤组织(χ2=13.298,P=0.000)。在发生甲基化的食管癌组织中该基因的mRNA表达缺失及-βcatenin蛋白的异质表达率均明显高于未发生甲基化的癌组织,且差异有统计学意义(χ2mRNA=29.141,P=0.000;χ2-βcatenin=6.245,P=0.012)。食管癌中cyclinD1的表达明显高于癌旁组织,且癌组织中该蛋白的表达与DKK3基因的甲基化状态相关(χ2=4.921,P=0.027)。结论 ESCC组织中DKK3基因高甲基化导致的转录沉默可能与食管癌的发生有关,并可能通过活化Wnt/-βcatenin信号转导通路促进下游靶基因cyclinD1的过表达发挥作用。     

Promoter Methylation-Mediated Silencing of β-Catenin Enhances Invasiveness of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Predicts Adverse Prognosis

β-Catenin plays dual role in adhesion complex formation and the Wnt signaling pathway. Although β-catenin expression appears to be upregulated and Wnt signaling pathway is activated in the majority of cancers, its expression level seems to be lost in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We previously reported that the promoter of β-catenin was hypermethylated in two NSCLC cell lines. In the current study, we expanded our analysis for the methylation status of β-catenin promoter region and its protein expression in seven NSCLC cell lines and a series of 143 cases of primary human lung cancer with adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP) analysis showed methylation of β-catenin promoter region in five NSCLC cell lines, with increased β-catenin protein levels upon 5′-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) treatment. The methylation status in SPC (methylated) and A549 (unmethylated) was confirmed by bisulfite sequencing PCR. 5-Aza-dC treatment inhibited invasiveness of SPC but not A549. Immunofluorescence analysis showed membranous β-catenin expression was lost in SPC and could be re-established by 5-aza-dC, while Wnt3a treatment led to nuclear translocation of β-catenin in both SPC and A549. Dual-luciferase assays indicated that 5-aza-dC treatment caused no significant increase in Wnt signaling activity compared with Wnt3a treatment. The effect of demethylation agent in SPC can be reversed by β-catenin depletion but not E-cadherin depletion which indicated that the methylation mediated β-catenin silencing might enhance NSCLC invasion and metastasis in an E-cadherin independent manner. Subsequent immunohistochemistry results further confirmed that β-catenin promoter hypermethylation correlated with loss of immunoreactive protein expression, positive lymph node metastasis, high TNM stage and poor prognosis. The present study implicates β-catenin promoter hypermethylation in the mechanism of epigenetic changes underlying NSCLC metastasis and progression, thus indicating the potential of β-catenin as a novel epigenetic target for the treatment of NSCLC patients.     

LncRNA CRNDE promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via enhancing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is a significantly upregulated long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CRNDE could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while its molecular mechanisms were still largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CRNDE. CRNDE was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, we revealed that knockdown of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and cell invasion capacities in HCC. Animal studies indicated that CRNDE knockdown represses both growth and metastasis of HCC tumors in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1, whereas, decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, slug, twist, and vimentin in HCC cells. We also revealed that knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC. Thus, CRNDE could modulate EMT of HCC cells and knockdown of CRNDE impaired the mesenchymal properties. CRNDE increased invasion of HCC cells might be through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

microRNA-485-5p inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through blocking the WBP2/Wnt signaling pathway

microRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) has been shown to act as a tumor-suppressor gene in some cancers, such as ovarian epithelial tumors and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. However, with regard to the anti-tumor role of miR-485-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evidence is unexpectedly limited. In the present study, we investigated the expression and the role of miR-485-5p in the progression of HCC. Microarray analysis revealed that miR-485-5p was downregulated and WBP2 was upregulated in HCC, which was consistent with RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays in the HCC tissues we collected. A negative correlation between the expression of miR-485-5p and WBP2 was also found in HCC tissues. It was predicted and confirmed that miR-485-5p could bind to WW domain binding protein 2 (WBP2) through in silico analysis of genetic sequences and an in vitro dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Next, gain- or loss-of-function studies were applied in the HCC cell line (Huh7) to examine the effects of miR-485-5p and WBP2 on HCC cell behavior. The effects of miR-485-5p and WBP2 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were determined by TOP/FOP flash luciferase assays. miR-485-5p was shown to downregulate WBP2 and block the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. As expected, elevated miR-485-5p levels and inhibition of WBP2 protein expression exerted inhibitory effects on HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and, induced apoptosis. In vivo experiments were finally conducted, which confirmed that upregulation of miR-485-5p or depletion of WBP2 attenuated tumor growth. Collectively, our results suggest miR-485-5p can downregulate WBP2 to inhibit the development of HCC by the blockade of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, providing a novel molecular target for HCC treatment.