乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4的表达及其对细胞转移的影响和机理研究

目的：观察乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平,研究MKK4蛋白表达对乳腺癌细胞运动能力及EMT标志物的影响,确定MKK4在肿瘤细胞EMT转化及肿瘤转移中的作用,为肿瘤转移机制研究提供一定的基础资料,为肿瘤防治奠定一定的理论基础。方法：通过体外细胞培养技术收集系列乳腺癌细胞株的培养裂解液,利用Westernblot技术检测细胞培养裂解液中MKK4及EMT标志物的表达水平,构建M鼬（4表达水平与细胞转移能力的对应图;采用siRNA技术,干扰MKK4高表达乳腺癌细胞株MKK4的表达,Westernblot技术观察MKK4低表达后,EMT标志物的变化,同时,构建MKK4质粒,转染MKK4低表达乳腺癌细胞株,Westernblot技术观察MKK4高表达后,EMT标志物的变化。并采用MTT法、Transwell、划痕法观察MKK4高表达后细胞增殖、运动、迁移等能力的变化。结果：乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞运动能力有一定的相关性,并与EMT标志物的表达具有相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。干扰或转染技术影响乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4的表达后,细胞EMT标志物的表达也相应变化,乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4高表达后,其细胞增殖明显抑制,运动迁移能力也相应下降。结论：乳腺癌细胞中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞EMT转化及运动能力有一定的相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。     

GALNT14对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞迁移的影响

构建真核表达载体pcDNA 3.1-Flag-T14,重组质粒经酶切分析及测序鉴定后,利用脂质体将重组质粒转染人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7细胞,经G418筛选并建立稳定转染GALNT14细胞株.应用半定量RT-PCR、Western blot检测稳定细胞株GALNT14 mRNA及蛋白表达水平,细胞划痕修复及穿膜试验检测GALNT14基因对MCF-7迁移能力的影响,同时RT-PCR检测GALNT14对MMP-2,MMP-9,TGF-β1及VEGF等肿瘤浸润转移相关因子表达的影响.结果显示成功构建了真核重组表达载体pcDNA 3.1-Flag-T14,经RT-PCR和Western blot检测显示成功获得了稳定表达GALNT14的MCF-7细胞株;GALNT14能够提高MCF-7细胞株的迁移能力,且能增加侵袭转移相关因子MMP-2,MMP-9,TGF-β1及VEGF的表达.结论:GALNT14可明显促进MCF-7细胞的迁移,可能在肿瘤侵袭转移中起重要作用.     

肝细胞生长因子诱导人肝癌细胞上皮间质化

上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）与肿瘤侵袭转移密切相关.虽然肝细胞生长因子（hepatocyte growth factor,HGF）已被证实为肿瘤EMT的主要诱导剂,但是HGF诱导肿瘤EMT发生的分子机制尚不完全清楚.本研究旨在探讨Snail在HGF诱导肝癌细胞上皮间质转化中的作用.用HGF处理肝癌HepG2和Hep3B细胞,显微镜观察细胞形态变化,划痕试验及Transwell试验检测细胞迁移能力,Western印迹检测Met,AKT的磷酸化及蛋白质表达的变化,Western印迹与real-time RT-PCR检测上皮细胞表面标志E-Cadherin和间质细胞表面标志N-Cadherin、Fibronectin的表达变化,以及EMT相关转录因子的表达变化.经HGF处理的HepG2、Hep3B细胞,Met和AKT的磷酸化水平显著增强;相差倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态向间质型细胞形态转化;细胞划痕和Transwell试验检测细胞的迁移能力较对照组显著增强;Real-time RT-PCR和Western印迹实验显示HGF的诱导能上调间质标记蛋白的表达及下调上皮型标志蛋白的表达.进一步发现,HGF能上调转录因子Snail的表达,干扰Snail能逆转HGF对HepG2和Hep 3B细胞EMT发生的诱导作用.由此可见,HGF可能通过诱导Snail的表达促进肝癌细胞EMT的发生.这为阐明肝癌细胞侵袭转移机制,以及肝癌的防治提供新线索.     

肝细胞生长因子诱导人肝癌细胞上皮间质转化

上皮间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)与肿瘤侵袭转移密切相关.虽然肝细胞生长因子(hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)已被证实为肿瘤EMT的主要诱导剂,但是HGF诱导肿瘤EMT发生的分子机制尚不完全清楚.本研究旨在探讨Snail在HGF诱导肝癌细胞上皮间质转化中的作用.用HGF处理肝癌Hep G2和Hep3B细胞,显微镜观察细胞形态变化,划痕试验及Transwell试验检测细胞迁移能力,Western印迹检测Met,AKT的磷酸化及蛋白质表达的变化,Western印迹与real-time RT-PCR检测上皮细胞表面标志E-Cadherin和间质细胞表面标志NCadherin、Fibronectin的表达变化,以及EMT相关转录因子的表达变化.经HGF处理的Hep G2、Hep3B细胞,Met和AKT的磷酸化水平显著增强;相差倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态向间质型细胞形态转化;细胞划痕和Transwell试验检测细胞的迁移能力较对照组显著增强;Real-time RT-PCR和Western印迹实验显示HGF的诱导能上调间质标记蛋白的表达及下调上皮型标志蛋白的表达.进一步发现,HGF能上调转录因子Snail的表达,干扰Snail能逆转HGF对Hep G2和Hep 3B细胞EMT发生的诱导作用.由此可见,HGF可能通过诱导Snail的表达促进肝癌细胞EMT的发生.这为阐明肝癌细胞侵袭转移机制,以及肝癌的防治提供新线索.     

EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

EBP50通过抑制LIMK/cofilin信号通路和PI3K/Akt/m TOR/MMP信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。然而,EBP50是否可以通过其他机制抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移尚未可知。本研究发现,EBP50能通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。Western印迹结果显示,EBP50在低转移细胞株MCF-7和正常乳腺细胞株MCF-10A中高表达,而在高转移细胞株MDA-MB-231低表达。采用RNAi技术将小RNA质粒瞬时转染乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,同时将质粒pc DNA3.1-EBP50转入乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231。Western印迹结果显示,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显下调,MDA231/EBP50细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显上调。Transwell侵袭实验和划痕实验结果显示,用Wnt3a刺激后,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显增强,MDA231/EBP50细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显减弱。Western印迹结果显示,与未用Wnt3a或同时用Wnt3a和抑制剂Dkk1刺激的相比,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白(Ecadherin)下调,波形蛋白(vimentin)上调,细胞核中β-联蛋白(β-catenin)的表达水平升高,而MDA231/EBP50细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白上调,波形蛋白下调,细胞核中β-联蛋白表达下降。上述结果表明,EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响β-联蛋白的转核,抑制EMT的发生,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。     

环状GMP-AMP合成酶高表达对乳腺癌细胞上皮间质转化的影响

目的:探讨环状GMP-AMP合成酶(cGAS)高表达对乳腺癌MCF7细胞发生上皮间质转化(EMT)的影响。方法:构建稳定高表达cGAS的慢病毒载体并转染MCF7细胞;转染后细胞分别培养12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h,每组实验重复三次,采用MTT检测cGAS对MCF7细胞增殖的影响; transwell法检测高表达cGAS对MCF7细胞迁移能力的影响;蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)法分析EMT相关蛋白E-cadherin和N-cadherin的表达情况。结果:与对照组比较,cGAS上调后MCF7细胞增殖能力显著增强(P<0.05);细胞形态学观察显示cGAS上调后诱导MCF7细胞EMT发生,细胞形态由鹅卵石样变为梭形; transwell实验结果显示,cGAS上调导致MCF7细胞迁移能力增强(P<0.05); Western blot结果表明,cGAS上调后上皮标记蛋白E-cadherin表达下降(P<0.05),间质标记蛋白N-cadherin表达增加(P<0.05)。结论:cGAS上调可增强乳腺癌细胞的增殖和迁移能力,诱导乳腺癌细胞EMT发生...     

GPRC6A过表达前列腺癌细胞株构建及EMT相关研究

目的:构建GPRC6A基因过表达的前列腺癌LncapC4-2细胞株,检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力改变及EMT相关基因表达,为研究GPRC6A介导的EMT在前列腺癌发生发展过程中的作用奠定基础。方法:构建过表达GPRC6A的慢病毒载体pCDH-GPRC6A,人胚肾293T细胞包被病毒并感染Lncap C4-2细胞株,Puromycin筛选获得稳定过表达GPRC6A的细胞株。RT-PCR和Western blot验证细胞GPRC6A的过表达情况。划痕和transwell实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,qPCR检测EMT相关基因表达。结果:成功构建GPRC6A表达的慢病毒载体,RT-PCR和Western blot检测LncapC4-2 GPRC6A过表达细胞株中GPRC6A的mRNA和蛋白质表达增高,与对照相比较,在过表达GPRC6A的LncapC4-2细胞中,细胞迁移和侵袭能力增强,并且EMT相关基因E-cadherin表达降低而SNAIL表达增高。结论:成功构建过表达的GPRC6A的前列腺癌细胞株,肿瘤细胞中的GPRC6A可能通过增强细胞迁移和侵袭能力并促进细胞EMT而参与前列腺癌发生发展过程。     

TGF-β1对乳腺癌细胞系Snail表达的影响

目的通过TGF-β1诱导乳腺癌MCF-7发生上皮-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)后检测锌指转录因子Snail表达的改变,探讨Snail在EMT及乳腺癌发生发展中的作用。方法常规培养乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7后,用TGF-β1诱导其发生EMT,用Transwell侵袭小室法进行细胞体外侵袭能力检测;用免疫组织化学方法及免疫荧光检测E-cadherin、Vi mentin、Snail的表达;用real ti me PCR检测E-cadherin、Vi mentin、Snail mRNA的表达。结果TGF-β1处理72h后的MCF-7细胞穿透能力明显增强。E-cadherin蛋白及mRNA表达减少,Vi mentin、Snail蛋白及mRNA表达增加。结论E-cadherin、Vi mentin是细胞发生EMT的重要生物学标志,Snail可能在转录水平上调控E-cadherin、Vi mentin蛋白的表达,Snail在EMT和乳腺癌的发生发展中起着重要的作用。     

Cas9蛋白对亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株生物学性质和超微结构的影响

目的：构建表达Cas9蛋白的亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株,并研究Cas9蛋白的表达对细胞生物学性质和超微结构的影响,为利用CRISPR/Cas9技术研究乳腺癌骨转移分子机制提供实验基础。方法：通过慢病毒载体介导Cas9蛋白基因转染亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231BO,通过G418筛选转染细胞,采用流式细胞术、Western blot、免疫细胞化学验证Cas9基因转染是否成功;运用实时无标记动态细胞分析技术和细胞划痕实验检测Cas9蛋白表达对细胞增殖及迁移的影响;透射电镜观察Cas9蛋白表达对细胞超微结构的影响。结果：成功构建稳定表达Cas9蛋白的亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231BO-Cas9,Cas9蛋白的表达对细胞的增殖、迁移和超微结构无明显影响。结论：MDA-MB-231BO-Cas9细胞可用于CRISPR/Cas9技术进一步研究。     

FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究乳腺癌组织与乳腺癌癌旁组织中FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白的表达及其临床意义。方法:分别以实时荧光定量RT-PCR、Western blot的方法检测52例乳腺癌组织和52例癌旁正常组织中FGFR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达,分析FGFR4 mRNA和蛋白的表达与临床病理特征的相关性。结果:在乳腺癌组织中,FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白的表达均高于在乳腺癌癌旁正常组织(P0.05),并且FGFR4的表达与患者淋巴结转移和Her-2相关,而与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、分化程度、ER和PR无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:FGFR4 mRNA及蛋白在乳腺癌组织中表达升高,与淋巴结转移和Her-2有关,有望成为预测乳腺癌的转移和预后的参考指标之一。     

Map2k4 functions as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma and inhibits tumor cell invasion by decreasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 expression

MAP2K4 encodes a dual-specificity kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4, or MKK4) that is mutated in a variety of human malignancies, but the biochemical properties of the mutant kinases and their roles in tumorigenesis have not been fully elucidated. Here we showed that 8 out of 11 cancer-associated MAP2K4 mutations reduce MKK4 protein stability or impair its kinase activity. On the basis of findings from bioinformatic studies on human cancer cell lines with homozygous MAP2K4 loss, we posited that MKK4 functions as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinomas that develop in mice owing to expression of mutant Kras and Tp53. Conditional Map2k4 inactivation in the bronchial epithelium of mice had no discernible effect alone but increased the multiplicity and accelerated the growth of incipient lung neoplasias induced by oncogenic Kras. MKK4 suppressed the invasion and metastasis of Kras-Tp53-mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells. MKK4 deficiency increased peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) expression through noncanonical MKK4 substrates, and PPARγ2 enhanced tumor cell invasion. We conclude that Map2k4 functions as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma and inhibits tumor cell invasion by decreasing PPARγ2 levels.     

Effect of siRNA targeted against MKK4 on myostatin-induced downregulation of differentiation marker gene expression

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was reported to be involved in myostatin signaling and MKK4 was suggested as the only upstream kinase for myostatin-induced JNK activation, implying that MKK4 is a suitable target of RNA interference (RNAi) for blocking myostatin activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against MKK4 on myostatin-induced downregulation of differentiation marker gene expression. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the level of MKK4 expression was efficiently reduced by MKK4-specific siRNA. Western blot assays showed that knockdown of MKK4 attenuated the myostatin-induced downregulation of MyoD and myogenin expression.     

Distinct signaling properties of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 4 (MKK4) and 7 (MKK7) in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation

Signal transduction pathways are integral components of the developmental regulatory network that guides progressive cell fate determination. MKK4 and MKK7 are upstream kinases of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), responsible for channeling physiological and environmental signals to their cellular responses. Both kinases are essential for survival of mouse embryos, but because of embryonic lethality, their precise developmental roles remain largely unknown. Using gene knock-out mouse ESCs, we studied the roles of MKK4 and MKK7 in differentiation in vitro. While MKK4 and MKK7 were dispensable for ESC self-renewal and pluripotency maintenance, they exhibited unique signaling and functional properties in differentiation. MKK4 and MKK7 complemented each other in activation of the JNK-c-Jun cascades and loss of both led to senescence upon cell differentiation. On the other hand, MKK4 and MKK7 had opposite effects on activation of the p38 cascades during differentiation. Specifically, MKK7 reduced p38 activation, while Mkk7(-/-) ESCs had elevated phosphorylation of MKK4, p38, and ATF2, and increased MEF2C expression. Consequently, Mkk7(-/-) ESCs had higher expression of MHC and MLC and enhanced formation of contractile cardiomyocytes. In contrast, MKK4 was required for p38 activation and Mkk4(-/-) ESCs exhibited diminished p-ATF2 and MEF2C expression, resulting in impaired MHC induction and defective cardiomyocyte differentiation. Exogenous MKK4 expression partially restored the ability of Mkk4(-/-) ESCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Our results uncover complementary and interdependent roles of MKK4 and MKK7 in development, and identify the essential requirement for MKK4 in p38 activation and cardiomyocyte differentiation.     

Exploring the function of the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signalling pathway in physiological and pathological processes to design novel therapeutic strategies

JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) is a member of the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) family that regulates a range of biological processes implicated in tumorigenesis and neurodegenerative disorders. For example, genetic studies have demonstrated that the removal of specific Jnk genes can reduce neuronal death associated with cerebral ischaemia. As such, targeting JNK signalling constitutes an obvious opportunity for therapeutic intervention. However, MAPK inhibitors can display toxic effects. Consequently, dual-specificity MKKs (MAPK kinases) may represent more attractive targets. In particular, evidence that blocking JNK activation by removing MKK4 offers an effective therapy to treat pathological conditions has started to emerge. MKK4 was the first JNK activator identified. The remaining level of JNK activity in cells lacking MKK4 expression led to the discovery of a second activator of JNK, named MKK7. Distinct phenotypic abnormalities associated with the targeted deletion of Mkk4 and Mkk7 in mice have revealed that MKK4 and MKK7 have non-redundant function in vivo. Further insights into the specific functions of the JNK activators in cancer cells and in neurons will be of critical importance to validate MKK4 and MKK7 as promising drug targets.