肿瘤细胞Hedgehog信号通路及其抑制剂

越来越多的证据显示, 肿瘤的发生、生长、转移、复发以及耐药等均与肿瘤干细胞密切相关.Hedgehog (Hh)信号通路调节胚胎发育和成体许多组织器官干细胞的自我更新与增殖.然而, 那些在正常发育过程中受到Hh信号通路调节的组织器官, 在该信号通路异常时常常发生肿瘤.这些肿瘤包括肝癌、神经胶质瘤、基底细胞癌、横纹肌肉瘤、胰腺癌、小细胞肺癌、胃癌、结肠癌、前列腺癌、黑色素瘤和多发性骨髓瘤等.介绍了近年来Hh信号通路在肿瘤发生和发展过程中的机制、在维持肿瘤干细胞自我更新方面的作用, 以及该通路的特异性抑制剂, 以显示其在肿瘤治疗中潜在的重要意义.最后, 提出了今后肿瘤干细胞Hh通路研究的重点和新思路.     

The Neuroprotective Roles of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is characterized by high morbidity, mortality and disability rate worldwide. Because of its complexity in pathogenesis and lack of effective therapeutic strategies and drugs, great breakthrough has not yet been made in the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke. Therefore, to explore a more effective and safer therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemic stroke has been the focus of numerous researchers. Neuroprotective effects of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in ischemic stroke have been reported in recent studies, but have not been fully elucidated. In our review, we elaborate the roles of Shh signaling in ischemic stroke from different aspects, including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, astrogliosis and oligodendrogenesis. Meanwhile, Shh signaling based therapeutic approaches for cerebral ischemic stroke are also included in our review. We hope it will benefit the readers to better understand the roles of Shh signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic stroke and provide more comprehensive insights for basic research and novel strategies for the clinical treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke.     

Analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Normal and Abnormal Bladder Development

In this study, we examined the expression of Sonic Hedgehog, Patched, Gli1, Gli2, Gli3 and Myocardin in the developing bladders of male and female normal and megabladder (mgb−/−) mutant mice at embryonic days 12 through 16 by in situ hybridization. This analysis indicated that each member of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway as well as Myocardin displayed distinct temporal and spatial patterns of expression during normal bladder development. In contrast, mgb−/− bladders showed both temporal and spatial changes in the expression of Patched, Gli1 and Gli3 as well as a complete lack of Myocardin expression. These changes occurred primarily in the outer mesenchyme of developing mgb−/− bladders consistent with the development of an amuscular bladder phenotype in these animals. These results provide the first comprehensive analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway during normal bladder development and provide strong evidence that this key signaling cascade is critical in establishing radial patterning in the developing bladder. In addition, the lack of detrusor smooth muscle development observed in mgb−/− mice is associated with bladder-specific temporospatial changes in Sonic Hedgehog signaling coupled with a lack of Myocardin expression that appears to result in altered patterning of the outer mesenchyme and poor initiation and differentiation of smooth muscle cells within this region of the developing bladder.     

Hedgehog信号通路与脂肪形成

Hedgehog(Hh)信号通路是从果蝇到人类都非常保守的信号通路,在脊椎动物和非脊椎动物胚胎期多种组织器官的发育中发挥着重要作用。Hh信号通路的异常会导致疾病(先天性缺陷和癌症)的发生。近年的研究发现,Hh信号通路在脂肪生长发育中发挥重要作用,激活Hh信号通路能特异性地抑制白色脂肪组织细胞的分化,而对棕色脂肪组织细胞分化没有作用。该文综述了Hh信号通路在脂肪细胞分化中的作用及其分子机制,并对今后的研究和应用作了展望。     

The Ciliary G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Gpr161 Negatively Regulates the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway via cAMP Signaling

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Highlights? The GPCR Gpr161 localizes to primary cilia in a Tulp3/IFT-A-dependent manner ? Complete loss of Gpr161 increases Shh signaling in the mouse neural tube ? Gpr161 couples protein kinase A activation to Shh signaling via cAMP signaling ? Shh signaling internalizes Gpr161 from the cilia, preventing its activity     

Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Oligodendrocyte Differentiation

During development, the secreted molecule Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is required for lineage specification and proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLPs), which are the glia cells responsible for the myelination of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Shh signaling has been implicated in controlling both the generation of oligodendrocytes (OLGs) during embryonic development and their production in adulthood. Although, some evidence points to a role of Shh signaling in OLG development, its involvement in OLG differentiation remains to be fully determined. The objective of this study was to assess whether Shh signaling is involved in OLG differentiation after neural stem cell commitment to the OLG lineage. To address these questions, we manipulated Shh signaling using cyclopamine, a potent inhibitor of Shh signaling activator Smoothened (Smo), alone or combined with the agonist SAG in OLG primary cultures and assessed expression of myelin-specific markers. We found that inactivation of Shh signaling caused a dose-dependent decrease in myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) in differentiating OLGs. Co-treatment of the cells with SAG reversed the inhibitory effect of cyclopamine on both myelin-specific protein levels and morphological changes associated with it. Further experiments are required to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which Shh signaling regulates OLG differentiation.     

Exploring Sonic Hedgehog Cell Signaling in Neurogenesis: Its Potential Role in Depressive Behavior

Neurochemical Research - Depression is the most prevalent form of neuropsychiatric disorder affecting all age groups globally. As per the estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO),...     

Signaling Domain of Sonic Hedgehog as Cannibalistic Calcium-Regulated Zinc-Peptidase

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is a representative of the evolutionary closely related class of Hedgehog proteins that have essential signaling functions in animal development. The N-terminal domain (ShhN) is also assigned to the group of LAS proteins (LAS = Lysostaphin type enzymes, D-Ala-D-Ala metalloproteases, Sonic Hedgehog), of which all members harbor a structurally well-defined center; however, it is remarkable that ShhN so far is the only LAS member without proven peptidase activity. Another unique feature of ShhN in the LAS group is a double- center close to the zinc. We have studied the effect of these calcium ions on ShhN structure, dynamics, and interactions. We find that the presence of calcium has a marked impact on ShhN properties, with the two calcium ions having different effects. The more strongly bound calcium ion significantly stabilizes the overall structure. Surprisingly, the binding of the second calcium ion switches the putative catalytic center from a state similar to LAS enzymes to a state that probably is catalytically inactive. We describe in detail the mechanics of the switch, including the effect on substrate co-ordinating residues and on the putative catalytic water molecule. The properties of the putative substrate binding site suggest that ShhN could degrade other ShhN molecules, e.g. by cleavage at highly conserved glycines in ShhN. To test experimentally the stability of ShhN against autodegradation, we compare two ShhN mutants in vitro: (1) a ShhN mutant unable to bind calcium but with putative catalytic center intact, and thus, according to our hypothesis, a constitutively active peptidase, and (2) a mutant carrying additionally mutation E177A, i.e., with the putative catalytically active residue knocked out. The in vitro results are consistent with ShhN being a cannibalistic zinc-peptidase. These experiments also reveal that the peptidase activity depends on .     

Methoprene Photolytic Compounds Disrupt Zebrafish Development,Producing Phenocopies of Mutants in the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

Environmental chemicals have been proposed to impact endocrine or retinoid pathways, causing developmental abnormalities in humans and other vertebrates. Presented evidence shows that exposure of zebrafish embryos to sunlight-induced photolytic products of the pesticide methoprene results in developmental defects in the head, heart, pectoral fins, and somites, and in spinal motor and optic nerve axons. Exposed embryos are phenocopies of zebrafish you-type mutants and, as in the mutant sonic-you, show underexpression of the signaling protein sonic hedgehog. Reduced expression of sonic hedgehog is also displayed in embryos treated with the retinoic acid synthesis inhibitor citral. This study identifies citral-related compounds as embryonic signaling disruptors of potential environmental concern.     

抑制Hedgehog信号通路改变结肠癌细胞基因表达谱

Hedgehog（Hh）信号通路在机体发育和肿瘤发生中发挥着重要作用。在该研究中,Western blot检测三株结肠癌细胞Hedgehog信号通路组分的表达,结果表明三株结肠癌细胞中HT-29细胞Hedgehog信号通路组分较完整。采用MTT和BrdU法检测Hedgehog信号通路膜受体Smo特异性抑制剂环杷明和末端转录因子Gli1/2的特异性抑制剂GANT61对HT-29细胞的影响,提示这两种抑制剂均显著抑制HT-29细胞生存率和细胞增殖率,且GANT61比环杷明更敏感。表达谱芯片检测阻断Hedgehog信号通路后HT-29细胞基因谱的变化,结合生物信息学分析,揭示HT-29细胞经环杷明和GANT61处理后基因表达呈现抑制特征,其差异基因表达主要以下调为主,其中环杷明主要影响细胞内源刺激等,而GANT61主要影响代谢和类固醇合成,并与MAPK信号通路有关联,两者均能影响细胞免疫及凋亡相关通路。这些结果提示,Hh信号通路有可能作为结肠癌的治疗靶点。     

Dual Function of UNC-51-like Kinase 3 (Ulk3) in the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway controls a variety of developmental processes and is implicated in tissue homeostasis maintenance and neurogenesis in adults. Recently, we identified Ulk3 as an active kinase able to positively regulate Gli proteins, mediators of the Shh signaling in mammals. Here, we provide several lines of evidence that Ulk3 participates in the transduction of the Shh signal also independently of its kinase activity. We demonstrate that Ulk3 through its kinase domain interacts with Suppressor of Fused (Sufu), a protein required for negative regulation of Gli proteins. Sufu blocks Ulk3 autophosphorylation and abolishes its ability to phosphorylate and positively regulate Gli proteins. We show that Shh signaling destabilizes the Sufu-Ulk3 complex and induces the release of Ulk3. We demonstrate that the Sufu-Ulk3 complex, when co-expressed with Gli2, promotes generation of the Gli2 repressor form, and that reduction of the Ulk3 mRNA level in Shh-responsive cells results in higher potency of the cells to transmit the Shh signal. Our data suggests a dual function of Ulk3 in the Shh signal transduction pathway and propose an additional way of regulating Gli proteins by Sufu, through binding to and suppression of Ulk3.     

A Novel PEGylated Liposome-Encapsulated SANT75 Suppresses Tumor Growth through Inhibiting Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors have shown great promise in cancer therapeutics. SANT75, a novel compound we previously designed to specially inhibit the Smoothened (SMO) protein in the Hh pathway, has greater inhibitory potency than many of commonly used Hh inhibitors. However, preclinical studies of SANT75 revealed water insolubility and acute toxicity. To overcome these limitations, we developed a liposomal formulation of SANT75 and investigated its antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo. We encapsulated SANT75 into PEGylated liposome and the mean particle size distribution and zeta-potential (ZP) of liposomes were optimized. Using the Shh-light2 cell and Gli-GFP or Flk-GFP transgenic reporter zebrafish, we confirmed that liposome-encapsulated SANT75 inhibited Hh activity with similar potency as the original SANT75. SANT75 encapsulated into liposome exerted strong tumor growth-inhibiting effects in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the liposomal SANT75 therapy efficiently improved the survival time of tumor-bearing mice without obvious systemic toxicity. The pathological morphology and immunohistochemistry staining revealed that liposomal SANT75 induced tumor cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor angiogenesis as assessed by CD31 and down-regulated the expression of Hh target protein Gli-1 in tumor tissues. Our findings suggest that liposomal formulated SANT75 has improved solubility and bioavailability and should be further developed as a drug candidate for treating tumors with abnormally high Hh activity.     

Role of the ANKMY2-FKBP38 Axis in Regulation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Signaling Pathway

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted morphogen that controls the patterning and growth of various tissues in the developing vertebrate embryo, including the central nervous system. Ablation of the FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38) gene results in activation of the Shh signaling pathway in mouse embryos, but the molecular mechanism by which FKBP38 suppresses Shh signaling has remained unclear. With the use of a proteomics approach, we have now identified ANKMY2, a protein with three ankyrin repeats and a MYND (myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1)-type Zn²⁺ finger domain, as a molecule that interacts with FKBP38. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that endogenous FKBP38 and ANKMY2 interact in the mouse brain. Depletion or overexpression of ANKMY2 resulted in down- and up-regulation of Shh signaling, respectively, in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, combined depletion of both FKBP38 and ANKMY2 attenuated Shh signaling in these cells, suggesting that ANKMY2 acts downstream of FKBP38 to activate the Shh signaling pathway. Targeting of the zebrafish ortholog of mouse Ankmy2 (ankmy2a) in fish embryos with an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide conferred a phenotype reflecting loss of function of the Shh pathway, suggesting that the regulation of Shh signaling by ANKMY2 is conserved between mammals and fish. Our findings thus indicate that the FKBP38-ANKMY2 axis plays a key role in regulation of Shh signaling in vivo.     

Hedgehog信号通路与乳腺癌

近年来的研究表明,Hedgehog信号通路在肿瘤的发生发展中具有重要的作用,该通路基因突变或异常表达将导致多种器官肿瘤的发生,并与Wnt、MAPK等信号通路相互作用,共同调节肿瘤的发生发展。我们简要综述了Hedgehog信号通路在乳腺癌发生发展中的重要作用,旨在了解乳腺癌发生、发展的分子机制.     

The Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Induces Myopic Development by Activating Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in Guinea Pigs

Purpose

To investigate whether the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling induces myopic development by increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in guinea pigs.

Methods

A translucent diffuser was glued onto the right eye to induce form-deprivation myopia (FDM) in 10 guinea pigs. Four guinea pigs were served as a control group. The other 100 guinea pigs were subdivided into 5 groups (20 per group) and received a 10 µl intravitreal injection every 2 days for 4 times. Two groups were injected with 20 or 50 µg/ml Shh amino-terminal peptide (Shh-N) into the right eye and 0.1% bovine serum albumin into the other. FDM was induced in the right eyes of the three cyclopamine-treated groups and both eyes were injected with 50, 100, or 200 µg/ml cyclopamine. Retinoscopic refraction and eye dimensions were assessed on Day 14 of treatment. MMP-2 protein expression was determined in both scleras by western blotting.

Results

Both concentrations of Shh-N stimulated myopic development and axial growth as compared with control eyes. Myopia and axial elongation were significantly greater in the 50 µg/ml than in the 20 µg/ml Shh-N group (P<0.001 and P = 0.0019, respectively). All three doses of cyclopamine significantly attenuated myopic development compared with the FDM group (P<0.0001). Cyclopamine at 100 or 200 µg/ml significantly reduced axial elongation compared with the FDM group (P = 0.044 and P = 0.001, respectively). FDM-induced myopia and axial elongation were significantly greater in the 50 µg/ml than in the 200 µg/ml cyclopamine group (P<0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). MMP-2 expression was significantly greater in Shh-N–treated eyes than in the control eyes, and was lower in the cyclopamine plus FDM groups than in the FDM group.

Conclusions

The Shh signaling pathway induces myopic development by activating MMP-2 in guinea pigs.     

局灶缺血性脑卒中大鼠侧脑室下带Shh信号通路成分的动态表达

通过研究Sonic hedgehog(Shh)信号通路成分在局灶缺血性脑卒中大鼠侧脑室下带(subventricular zone,SVZ)的动态表达,初步探讨该通路在局灶性缺血性脑卒中后神经再生的调控作用.将84只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组(n=12)、假手术组(n=12)、缺血6、12、24 h和3、7 d,共7组(n=12).采用线栓法制备大鼠右侧大脑中动脉阻断(middle cerebral artery occlussion,MCAO)模型.分别应用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、免疫组化、免疫印迹法检测局灶脑缺血大鼠侧脑室下带Shh、Gli1 mRNA和蛋白变化.与正常组比较,Shh、Gli1mRNA和蛋白在假手术组表达变化不明显(P>0.05),模型组6 h表达增高(P<0.01),24 h达峰值(P<0.01),3 d时接近正常水平(P>0.05),7 d表达又升高(P<0.01).缺血性脑卒中可以上调Shh信号通路成分在SVZ区的表达,提示Shh信号通路可能参与卒中后神经再生机制的调控.     

Tissue Plasminogen Activator Causes Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Injury After Oxygen Glucose Deprivation by Inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog Signaling

Neurochemical Research - The thrombolytic activity of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has undisputed benefits. However, the documented neurotoxicity of tPA raises important issues. Currently,...