The Role of Linker Histones in Carcinogenesis

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Linker histones are DNA-binding architectural chromatin proteins involved in the formation of supranucleosomal levels of chromatin packaging. In mammals,...     

宫颈腺癌发生相关蛋白的蛋白质组学初步研究

目的：为了研究宫颈腺癌和正常宫颈组织的差异表达蛋白,为宫颈腺癌的发生和早期诊断提供有意义的生物标志物。方法：以正常宫颈组织和宫颈腺癌组织为研究对象,提取组织总蛋白,依次进行二维凝胶电泳,凝胶图象分析,基质辅助激光解吸附／离子化飞行时间质谱及生物信息学分析。Western Blot方法验证部分蛋白表达情况。结果：建立了宫颈腺癌和正常宫颈组织的二维电泳图谱,进行质谱和生物信息学分析比较鉴定宫颈腺癌和正常宫颈组织差异表达蛋白7个,与正常宫颈组织比较,宫颈腺癌表达降低的蛋白有3个,包括抑制素（inhibin-beta）,PTEN,乳铁蛋白（lactoferrin）;宫颈腺癌表达升高的蛋白有4个,包括谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GSTT1＊0）,Homeodomain—interacting protein kinase2（HIPK2）,CD44v5,galectin-7。Western Blot方法检测结果显示inhibin-beta和PTEN在宫颈腺癌中表达变化情况与蛋白质组学结果一致。结论：宫颈腺癌和正常宫颈组织存在差异表达蛋白,这些差异表达蛋白可能是宫颈腺癌发生相关蛋白,可能作为宫颈腺癌早期诊断的标志物。     

A Human Papillomavirus-Independent Cervical Cancer Animal Model Reveals Unconventional Mechanisms of Cervical Carcinogenesis

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Aldehyde Dehydrogenases and Their Role in Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules that may have a variety of effects on biological systems. They can be generated from a virtually limitless number of endogenous and exogenous sources. Although some aldehyde-mediated effects such as vision are beneficial, many effects are deleterious, including cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. A variety of enzymes have evolved to metabolize aldehydes to less reactive forms. Among the most effective pathways for aldehyde metabolism is their oxidation to carboxylic acids by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs).

ALDHs are a family of NADP-dependent enzymes with common structural and functional features that catalyze the oxidation of a broad spectrum of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Based on primary sequence analysis, three major classes of mammalian ALDHs — 1, 2, and 3 — have been identified. Classes 1 and 3 contain both constitutively expressed and inducible cytosolic forms. Class 2 consists of constitutive mitochondrial enzymes. Each class appears to oxidize a variety of substrates that may be derived either from endogenous sources such as amino acid, biogenic amine, or lipid metabolism or from exogenous sources, including aldehydes derived from xenobiotic metabolism.

Changes in ALDH activity have been observed during experimental liver and urinary bladder carcinogenesis and in a number of human tumors, including some liver, colon, and mammary cancers. Changes in ALDH define at least one population of preneoplastic cells having a high probability of progressing to overt neoplasms. The most common change is the appearance of class 3 ALDH dehydrogenase activity in tumors arising in tissues that normally do not express this form. The changes in enzyme activity occur early in tumorigenesis and are the result of permanent changes in ALDH gene expression.

This review discusses several aspects of ALDH expression during carcinogenesis. A brief introduction examines the variety of sources of aldehydes. This is followed by a discussion of the mammalian ALDHs. Because the ALDHs are a relatively understudied family of enzymes, this section presents what is currently known about the general structural and functional properties of the enzymes and the interrelationships of the various forms.

The remainder of the review discusses various aspects of the ALDHs in relation to tumorigenesis. The expression of ALDH during experimental carcinogenesis and what is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying those changes are discussed. This is followed by an extended discussion of the potential roles for ALDH in tumorigenesis. The role of ALDH in the metabolism of cyclophosphamidelike chemotherapeutic agents is described. This work suggests that modulation of ALDH activity may be an important determinant of the effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutic agents. The evidence that changes in ALDH are part of an adaptive response of preneoplastic and neoplastic cells to altered cell physiology or stress is then considered. Roles in the metabolism of aldehydes generated from lipid peroxidation and as part of the Ah gene-mediated response to xenobiotic exposure are both discussed. The data are consistent with a role for certain ALDHs in lipid aldehyde metabolism. Biochemical and genetic data also imply that changes in ALDH may be linked, in part, to cellular adaptation to oxidative stress.

Finally, a model of inducible ALDH gene regulation is proposed. The model incorporates current information about ALDH gene expression with the regulation of other genes known to be part of the adaptive responses occurring in neoplastic cells. The model suggests that regulation of class 1 and 3 ALDH gene activity may be complex, involving the tissue-specific ability to respond to a variety of physiological cues. The model also suggests several avenues for future research that should provide a clearer understanding of the regulation of this important gene family in response to a variety of factors.     

Identification and Functional Characterization of Nuclear Mortalin in Human Carcinogenesis

The Hsp70 family protein mortalin is an essential chaperone that is frequently enriched in cancer cells and exists in various subcellular sites, including the mitochondrion, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and cytosol. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying its multiple subcellular localizations are not yet clear, their functional significance has been revealed by several studies. In this study, we examined the nuclear fractions of human cells and found that the malignantly transformed cells have more mortalin than the normal cells. We then generated a mortalin mutant that lacked a mitochondrial targeting signal peptide. It was largely localized in the nucleus, and, hence, is called nuclear mortalin (mot-N). Functional characterization of mot-N revealed that it efficiently protects cancer cells against endogenous and exogenous oxidative stress. Furthermore, compared with the full-length mortalin overexpressing cancer cells, mot-N derivatives showed increased malignant properties, including higher proliferation rate, colony forming efficacy, motility, and tumor forming capacity both in in vitro and in vivo assays. We demonstrate that mot-N promotes carcinogenesis and cancer cell metastasis by inactivation of tumor suppressor protein p53 functions and by interaction and functional activation of telomerase and heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP-K) proteins.     

细胞衰老和凋亡相关蛋白表达在宫颈鳞癌变中的意义

目的：许多细胞周期调控因子和衰老相关标志物如p14ARF、p15INK4b、p16INK4a 和p53 在G1 细胞周期阻滞和癌基因诱导的衰老中意义重大。这些关键的调节蛋白在多种恶性肿瘤中经常发生突变或是缺失。在本研究中将探讨这些因子在宫颈癌发生中的意义。方法：在本研究中在正常宫颈上皮、宫颈上皮内瘤变和宫颈鳞癌中,应用免疫组织化学方法检测p14ARF、p15INK4b、p16INK4a、Bcl-2、p53 表达,并分析它们的表达与宫颈癌变的相关性。结果：p16INK4a 在正常宫颈鳞状上皮10%（2/20）表达阴性,在大部分CIN 和宫颈鳞癌中表达阳性,其中在85%（17/20）CIN 和75%（15/20）鳞癌中呈弥漫性强阳性表达,CIN 和宫颈鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常上皮（P〈0.01）,CIN 和宫颈鳞癌的间表达率无显著差异。p15INK4b 在正常宫颈鳞状上皮中65%（13/20）表达弱阳性,在100% （20/20）CIN 和95%（19/20）宫颈鳞癌中表达弥漫性阳性,各组之间阳性表达率无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。p14ARF在40%（8/20）正常宫颈上皮细胞中表达呈弱阳性（1＋）,在宫颈鳞癌中表达呈弥漫性强阳性90%（18/20）,在45%（9/20）CIN中表达阳性,各组之间阳性表达率无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。Bcl-2 在20%（4/20）正常宫颈上皮表达呈弱阳性,在18/20CIN中其表达强度和比率均增加,阳性表达率为90%（18/20）,Bcl-2 在鳞癌中700%（14/20）呈强阳性和弥漫阳性,CIN 和宫颈鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常上皮（P〈0.01）,CIN 和宫颈鳞癌的间表达率无显著差异。P53 免疫组化染色显示在正常宫颈上皮为表达为20%（4/20）,在大多数CIN25%（5/20）和鳞癌中核阳性85%（17/20）,在鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常宫颈上皮和CIN 病变（P〈0.05）。结论：宫颈鳞癌变涉及包括细胞凋亡和细胞衰老在内的多种信号分子表达异常,这些分子可能在宫颈鳞癌发生发挥重要作用并在宫颈癌早期诊断中有重要意义。     

细胞衰老和凋亡相关蛋白表达在宫颈鳞癌变中的意义

目的:许多细胞周期调控因子和衰老相关标志物如p14ARF、p15INK4b、p16INK4a和p53在G1细胞周期阻滞和癌基因诱导的衰老中意义重大。这些关键的调节蛋白在多种恶性肿瘤中经常发生突变或是缺失。在本研究中将探讨这些因子在宫颈癌发生中的意义。方法:在本研究中在正常宫颈上皮、宫颈上皮内瘤变和宫颈鳞癌中,应用免疫组织化学方法检测p14ARF、p15INK4b、p16INK4a、Bcl-2、p53表达,并分析它们的表达与宫颈癌变的相关性。结果:p16INK4a在正常宫颈鳞状上皮10%(2/20)表达阴性,在大部分CIN和宫颈鳞癌中表达阳性,其中在85%(17/20)CIN和75%(15/20)鳞癌中呈弥漫性强阳性表达,CIN和宫颈鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常上皮(P0.01),CIN和宫颈鳞癌的间表达率无显著差异。p15INK4b在正常宫颈鳞状上皮中65%(13/20)表达弱阳性,在100%(20/20)CIN和95%(19/20)宫颈鳞癌中表达弥漫性阳性,各组之间阳性表达率无显著性差异(P0.05)。p14ARF在40%(8/20)正常宫颈上皮细胞中表达呈弱阳性(1+),在宫颈鳞癌中表达呈弥漫性强阳性90%(18/20),在45%(9/20)CIN中表达阳性,各组之间阳性表达率无显著性差异(P0.05)。Bcl-2在20%(4/20)正常宫颈上皮表达呈弱阳性,在18/20CIN中其表达强度和比率均增加,阳性表达率为90%(18/20),Bcl-2在鳞癌中700%(14/20)呈强阳性和弥漫阳性,CIN和宫颈鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常上皮(P0.01),CIN和宫颈鳞癌的间表达率无显著差异。P53免疫组化染色显示在正常宫颈上皮为表达为20%(4/20),在大多数CIN25%(5/20)和鳞癌中核阳性85%(17/20),在鳞癌中的阳性表达率显著高于正常宫颈上皮和CIN病变(P0.05)。结论:宫颈鳞癌变涉及包括细胞凋亡和细胞衰老在内的多种信号分子表达异常,这些分子可能在宫颈鳞癌发生发挥重要作用并在宫颈癌早期诊断中有重要意义。     

Gankyrin Is Frequently Overexpressed in Cervical High Grade Disease and Is Associated with Cervical Carcinogenesis and Metastasis

Our previous studies have showed that Gankyrin expression is correlated with a malignant phenotype in endometrial carcinoma. Here, we investigated the possible role of Gankyrin in cervical disease. The increasing protein level of Gankyrin was observed in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma compared with benign cervical tissues and low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In para-carcinoma tissues, it was found interestingly that there was no lymph node metastasis when nuclei Gankyrin was positively expressed, but lymph node metastasis rate was 30% (6/20) when nuclei Gankyrin was negatively expressed. In vitro, the transfection of Gankyrin resulted in markedly up-regulating of Vimentin, β-catenin and Twist2, as well as down-regulating of E-cadherin in cervical carcinoma cells. Our results suggested that Gankyrin may be functional in cervical carcinogenesis and metastasis.     

翻译后修饰对转录因子NF-E2相关因子2功能的调控

抗氧化反应组件（AREs）普遍存在于编码抗氧化和/或解毒酶基因的启动子区域,为这些基因的转录启动所必需;而这些基因的表达对维持细胞内氧化还原稳态,抵抗活性氧类（ROS）引起的细胞损伤发挥重要作用。转录因子NF E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2, NRF2)作为抗氧化反应中的关键转录因子,可以与ARE结合,启动其下游靶基因,在氧化应激及亲电子剂应激中发挥重要的调控作用,广泛参与炎症、增殖、凋亡、细胞分化、组织再生和代谢等过程;因此,激活NRF2有望成为治疗肿瘤及其他与氧化、炎症相关疾病的新策略。蛋白质的翻译后修饰,对蛋白质空间构象、稳定性及其与其他蛋白质间相互作用具有重要作用。因此,探究NRF2的翻译后修饰如磷酸化、乙酰化和泛素化的修饰过程等,对深入了解NRF2的功能及调控机制至关重要,并与某些疾病的发生发展密切相关。本文对近年来翻译后修饰对NRF2的活性及功能的调控进行综述。     

The Role of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Carcinogenesis

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a tryptophan-catabolizing intracellular enzyme of the L-kynurenine pathway, causes preneoplastic cells and tumor cells to escape the immune system by inducing immune tolerance; this mechanism might be associated with the development and progression of human malignancies. In the present study, we investigated the role of IDO in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by using IDO-knockout (KO) mice. To induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic adenoma, and preneoplastic hepatocellular lesions termed foci of cellular alteration (FCA), male IDO-wild-type (WT) and IDO-KO mice with a C57BL/6J background received a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN at 2 weeks of age. The mice were sacrificed to evaluate the development of FCA and hepatocellular neoplasms. HCC overexpressed IDO and L-kynurenine compared to surrounding normal tissue in the DEN-treated IDO-WT mice. The number and cell proliferative activity of FCAs, and the incidence and multiplicity of HCC were significantly greater in the IDO-WT than in the IDO-KO mice. The expression levels of the IDO protein, of L-kynurenine, and of IFN-γ, COX-2, TNF-α, and Foxp3 mRNA were also significantly increased in the DEN-induced hepatic tumors that developed in the IDO-WT mice. The mRNA expression levels of CD8, perforin and granzyme B were markedly increased in hepatic tumors developed in IDO-KO mice. Moreover, Foxp3-positive inflammatory cells had infiltrated into the livers of DEN-treated IDO-WT mice, whereas fewer cells had infiltrated into the livers of IDO-KO mice. Induction of IDO and elevation of L-kynurenine might play a critical role in both the early and late phase of liver carcinogenesis. Our findings suggest that inhibition of IDO might offer a promising strategy for the prevention of liver cancer.     

Complementary gene regulation by NRF1 and NRF2 protects against hepatic cholesterol overload

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Over Expression of Minichromosome Maintenance Genes is Clinically Correlated to Cervical Carcinogenesis

Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) proteins play important roles in cell cycle progression by mediating DNA replication initiation and elongation. Among 10 MCM homologues MCM 2–7 form a hexamer and assemble to the pre-replication complex acting as replication licensing factors. Binding and function of MCM2-7 to pre-replication complex is regulated by MCM10 mediated binding of RECQL4 with MCM2-7. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of MCMs in cervical cancer and their correlation with the clinical parameters of cervical cancer. We have investigated sixty primary cervical cancer tissue samples, eight cervical cancer cell lines and thirty hysterectomised normal cervical tissue. The expression profiling of MCMs was done using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. MCM2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and RECQL4 are significantly over-expressed in cervical cancer. Among these, MCM4, 6 and 10 show increased frequency of over expression along with advancement of tumor stages. MCM4, 5 and 6 also show differential expression in different types of lesion, while MCM2 and MCM10 are over expressed in cervical cancer irrespective of clinico-pathological parameters. Our data indicates the role of MCM4, MCM5, MCM6, MCM10 and RECQL4 in the progression of cervical cancer.     

Expression and Functional Role of Sprouty-2 in Breast Morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis is a mechanism used by many species for organogenesis and tissue maintenance. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the sprouty protein family are believed to be critical regulators of branching morphogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of Sprouty-2 (SPRY2) in the mammary gland and study its role in branching morphogenesis. Human breast epithelial cells, breast tissue and mouse mammary glands were used for expression studies using immunoblotting, real rime PCR and immunohistochemistry. Knockdown of SPRY2 in the breast epithelial stem cell line D492 was done by lentiviral transduction of shRNA constructs targeting SPRY2. Three dimensional culture of D492 with or without endothelial cells was done in reconstituted basement membrane matrix. We show that in the human breast, SPRY2 is predominantly expressed in the luminal epithelial cells of both ducts and lobuli. In the mouse mammary gland, SPRY2 expression is low or absent in the virgin state, while in the pregnant mammary gland SPRY2 is expressed at branching epithelial buds with increased expression during lactation. This expression pattern is closely associated with the activation of the EGFR pathway. Using D492 which generates branching structures in three-dimensional (3D) culture, we show that SPRY2 expression is low during initiation of branching with subsequent increase throughout the branching process. Immunostaining locates expression of phosphorylated SPRY2 and EGFR at the tip of lobular-like, branching ends. SPRY2 knockdown (KD) resulted in increased migration, increased pERK and larger and more complex branching structures indicating a loss of negative feedback control during branching morphogenesis. In D492 co-cultures with endothelial cells, D492 SPRY2 KD generates spindle-like colonies that bear hallmarks of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. These data indicate that SPRY2 is an important regulator of branching morphogenesis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the mammary gland.