Smac调控Caspase-3对耐药肺腺癌细胞株生物活性及相关信号的研究

摘要 目的：探讨Smac基因调控Caspase-3表达对紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株生物活性及经典凋亡信号通路的作用机制。方法：取构建好的耐药A549细胞,将其分为A549细胞（LC）组、A549细胞+Smac-NC（SN）组、A549细胞+Smac抑制剂（SI）组、A549细胞+Smac激动剂（SM）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3-NC（CN）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3抑制剂（CI）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3激动剂（CM）组、A549细胞+Smac激动剂+Caspase-3激动剂（MM）组;Real-time PCR法检测正常肺上皮细胞及4种肺腺癌细胞系中Smac、Caspase-3表达水平,将阴性对照、Smac、Caspase-3类似物转染至紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株,MTT法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,免疫印迹法检测经典凋亡信号通路表达,并分析Smac与Caspase-3的相关性。结果：肺腺癌细胞系中的Smac、Caspase-3 mRNA表达量显著低于正常肺上皮细胞系BEAS-2B（P＜0.05）,其中A549的Smac、Caspase-3 mRNA值最小（P＜0.05）,因此选取其作为此次实验细胞;LC组与SN组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与SN组相比,SI组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,与SI组相比,SM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;LC组与CN组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与CN组相比,CI组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,与CI组相比,CM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;SM组与CM组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与CM组相比,MM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;Smac与Caspase-3呈现正相关（r=0.470,P=0.002）,组间具有显著差异。结论：Smac基因可显著改善紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株细胞生物活性,并激活经典凋亡信号通路,其作用机制可能与调控Caspase-3表达有关。     

BET抑制剂JQ1通过调控GSK3对结肠癌细胞HCT116增殖及凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨BET抑制剂JQ1通过调控GSK3对结肠癌细胞HCT116增殖及凋亡的影响。方法：将HCT116细胞进行培养,按处理方式的不同分为对照组（NC组）、给药组（JQ1组）、给药+沉默组（JQ1+siRNA-GSK3组）与给药+过表达组（JQ1+OE-GSK3组）。分别通过细胞增殖-毒性检测（CCK-8）实验检测细胞增殖情况;原位末端标记（TUNEL）染色观察细胞凋亡水平;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡数量;逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测相关mRNA含量水平表达变化;蛋白质印迹法（Western Blot）检测增殖与凋亡相关蛋白表达情况。结果：与NC组表现出的高增殖活性相比,给予JQ1后能够明显抑制HCT116细胞的增殖活性（P<0.05）;与JQ1组相比,沉默GSK3后其增殖活性则进一步下降,过表达GSK3后其增殖活性明显上升（P<0.05）。TUNEL染色结果显示,对NC组相比,JQ1组及JQ1+siRNA-GSK3组细胞凋亡水平显著上升;与JQ1组相比,过表达GSK3后其凋亡水平明显降低（P<0.05）。流式细胞术结果显示,NC组细胞凋亡数量最少,而给予JQ1后凋亡细胞数量显著增加,同时沉默GSK3后其细胞凋亡数量进一步上升,过表达GSK3后细胞凋亡数量明显下降（P<0.05）。Western Blot与RT-PCR显示;与NC组相比,给予JQ1及siRNA-GSK3处理后Caspase-3及BAX表达显著增加,GSK3与PCNA表达显著降低（P<0.05）;与JQ1组相比,过表达GSK3后Caspase-3及BAX表达明显降低,GSK3与PCNA表达明显上调（P<0.05）。结论：JQ1能够抑制HCT116细胞的增殖水平并促进其凋亡,从而发挥抗肿瘤作用,这一过程可能与JQ1能够抑制GSK3的表达有关。     

METTL3介导EZH2 m6A修饰在结直肠癌5-氟尿嘧啶耐药中的作用机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨甲基转移酶样蛋白3（METTL3）在5-氟尿嘧啶耐药中的作用机制。方法：大剂量间歇诱导法建立5-FU耐药细胞株。在耐药组细胞中分别敲减METTL3及EZH2抑制GSK343处理。qPCR及Western blot检测METTL3和EZH2表达。CCK-8检测各组细胞增殖情况。m6A甲基化RNA免疫沉淀技术分析EZH2 mRNA m6A修饰修饰情况。结果：各药物浓度处理下的耐药组细胞增殖活性与未处理细胞无显著差异（P>0.05）而原代细胞组肠癌细胞较未处理细胞在0.5-10 μg/mL处理下细胞增殖活性显著减低（P<0.01）。耐药组细胞与原代细胞组相比,METTL3及EZH2表达水平显著升高（P<0.01）。耐药组细胞METTL3敲减后或GSK343处理后,在0.5 μg/mL-10 μg/mL浓度间下的细胞增殖活性与0 μg/mL处理细胞增殖活性相比显著减低（P<0.05）。耐药组细胞METTL3敲减细胞的EZH2表达与对照细胞比,显著下调（P<0.01）。m6A甲基化RNA免疫沉淀实验显示耐药组细胞METTL3敲减细胞的EZH2 mRNA m6A修饰水平（m6A富集度为6361.95±67.47%）,较未敲减细胞修饰水平（396.30±57.74）显著减低（P<0.01）。结论：METTL3在肠癌细胞5-FU耐药抵抗中起到关键作用,靶向抑制METTL3有望成为缓解肠癌耐药的重要分子靶点。     

基于逆转录病毒载体构建稳定表达人CD19和荧光蛋白的SW620细胞株

摘要 目的：构建表达人CD19和增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）和荧光素酶（LUC）的SW620细胞株。方法：构建MFG-CD19质粒,进行逆转录病毒载体包装,与MFG-EGFP-P2A-LUC逆转录病毒载体共同转导SW620细胞,筛选出稳定且强表达的单克隆细胞株SW620-CD19-EGFP-LUC并扩大培养。通过流式细胞术与qPCR技术检测细胞CD19的表达、通过荧光素酶法对细胞系表面荧光素酶的表达和细胞系功能进行鉴定。结果：流式检测构建完成的细胞株中CD19阳性的细胞占比为99.9%,EGFP阳性的细胞占比为99.2%;荧光显微镜下能够明显观察到细胞的绿色荧光;qPCR检测结果表明细胞株中CD19的表达水平相比原始细胞株明显上调,并且能够激活CD19 CAR-T细胞对其进行杀伤。结论：成功构建了能够稳定表达人CD19和荧光蛋白的SW620细胞株。     

MMPs抑制剂对结肠癌细胞凋亡、免疫功能及炎性因子的影响

摘要 目的：探究基质金属蛋白酶（Matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs）抑制剂对结肠癌细胞凋亡、免疫功能及炎性因子的影响。方法：取SW480结肠癌细胞,随机分为低表达组（将MMPs抑制剂慢病毒质粒与SW480细胞混合培养）,空白对照组（SW480细胞与慢病毒包装质粒混合培养）。采用流式细胞法、免疫细胞化学法、酶联免疫吸附（Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA）法、实时荧光定量PCR（real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, qRT-PCR）法、Hoechst 33258 荧光染色法检测SW480细胞凋亡,TNF-α、IL-6蛋白阳性表达、免疫球蛋白表达水平、MMP-9 mRNA表达量。结果：空白对照组与低表达组相比较,低表达组SW480细胞内MMP-9 mRNA表达量显著下降(P<0.05),说明转染成功。与空白对照组相比较,低表达组SW480细胞凋亡数量显著上升(P<0.05)。低表达组细胞的细胞核出现核固缩的概率显著高于空白对照组（P<0.05）。与空白对照组相比较,低表达组SW480细胞IL-2表达水平显著升高（P＜0.05）,IL-4、TGF-β1、TIM-1表达水平显著降低（P＜0.05）。SW480细胞内的MMP-9 mRNA与IL-2呈现负相关性（r=-0.723,P=0.007）,MMP-9 mRNA与IL-4、TGF-β1及TIM-1均呈现负相关性（均P＜0.05）。空白对照组SW480细胞中TNF-α、IL-6蛋白阳性数最高,低表达组SW480细胞中TNF-α、IL-6蛋白阳性数最低,与空白对照组相比较,低表达组SW480细胞中TNF-α、IL-6阳性数显著下降(均P<0.05)。结论：MMPs抑制剂可促进SW480细胞凋亡,改善免疫功能,降低炎性介质的表达水平。     

MIF、PRC2核心基因、p27在胃癌合并Hp感染患者病变组织中的表达及其临床意义

摘要 目的：探究巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（MIF）、多梳抑制复合物2（PRC2）核心基因（EZH2）、p27在胃癌合并Hp感染患者病变组织中的表达情况及其临床意义。方法：选取我院2017年6月～2019年2月期间接治的68例胃癌合并Hp感染患者作为胃癌合并Hp感染组,另选取54例单纯胃癌患者作为单纯胃癌组,比较两组癌组织与癌旁组织中MIF、EZH2、p27表达水平的差异,并对比胃癌合并Hp感染组不同临床病理特征患者MIF、EZH2、p27表达情况,采用Spearman相关性分析MIF、EZH2、p27与胃癌、胃癌合并Hp感染及临床病理特征的关联性。对胃癌合并Hp感染组随访1年,统计1年生存率,采用Kaplan-Meier曲线对胃癌合并Hp感染组不同MIF、EZH2、p27表达患者的生存情况生存分析。结果：两组癌组织中MIF、EZH2阳性表达率高于癌旁组织,p27阳性表达率低于癌旁组织,胃癌合并Hp感染组癌组织、癌旁组织中MIF、EZH2高于单纯胃癌组,p27阳性表达率低于单纯胃癌组（P＜0.05）;Spearman相关性分析,MIF、EZH2与胃癌合并Hp感染患者TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈正相关,与分化程度呈负相关,p27与胃癌合并Hp感染患者TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈负相关,与分化程度呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：MIF、EZH2、p27在胃癌合并Hp感染患者病变组织中呈异常表达,与TNM分期、淋巴结转移、分化程度密切相关,且MIF、p27能为临床预测生存状况提供参考依据。     

miR-126调控脑缺血大鼠细胞凋亡机制的研究

摘要 目的：探讨脑缺血大鼠microRNA-126（MiR-126）在脑组织和血浆中表达的动态变化及与细胞凋亡的关系。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠45只随机分为3组,其中3只大鼠不作任何处理,用于检测正常大鼠中MiR-126在脑组织和血浆的表达,剩余大鼠随机分为假手术组和模型组,模型组用线栓法造脑缺血大鼠模型。TTC法检测模型组大鼠脑组织梗死病变用以确定造模是否成功;RT-qPCR检测大鼠造模后1、3、6、9、12、24和48小时脑组织和血浆中MiR-126的动态表达变化;采用苏木精-伊红染色法检测脑组织形态学变化;采用Western blot 方法分析相关凋亡蛋白表达的变化。结果：TTC法和H-E染色结果表明,大鼠脑缺血造模成功,模型组大鼠出现脑组织大面积梗死病变;MiR-126和Caspase-3表达在模型组大鼠脑组织和血浆中随着脑缺血时间的延长其表达水平逐渐提高,24 h到达高峰后,在48 h Mi-R126表达强度又降低,但仍然高于假手术组大鼠水平;Caspase-3在正常对照组和假手术组表达量都较少（P>0.05）,其他凋亡蛋白Bax和 STAT3相对表达水平趋势同 Caspase-3相似;而Bcl-2表达水平明显降低,趋势与其他凋亡蛋白相反。结论：MiR-126在脑缺血大鼠脑组织和血浆中表达水平明显升高,而且细胞凋亡明显增加,因此MiR-126可能通过促进细胞凋亡对脑缺血大鼠有保护作用,此研究为脑缺血发病机制和诊断提供更多依据。     

结直肠癌组织AGR2、MFAP2蛋白表达与临床病理特征和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：研究结直肠癌（CRC）组织前梯度蛋白2（AGR2）、微纤维相关蛋白2（MFAP2）蛋白表达与临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：将我院从2015年1月～2016年2月收治的84例CRC患者纳入研究。分别采集所有患者的CRC组织以及癌旁正常组织（距离肿瘤边缘2~5 cm）,检测并比较不同组织中AGR2、MFAP2蛋白表达情况。分析AGR2、MFAP2蛋白表达与CRC患者临床病理特征以及预后的关系。采用Cox回归模型分析CRC患者预后的影响因素。结果：CRC组织中AGR2、MFAP2蛋白阳性表达率均高于癌旁正常组织（P＜0.05）。分化程度为低分化、TNM分期为Ⅲ期及脉管浸润的CRC患者的AGR2、MFAP2蛋白阳性表达率均高于分化程度为中高分化、TNM分期为Ⅰ～Ⅱ期、无脉管浸润的CRC患者（P＜0.05）。AGR2、MFAP2蛋白阳性表达患者的3年生存率及5年生存率均明显低于阴性表达患者（P＜0.05）。经Cox回归模型分析发现：分化程度为低分化、TNM分期为Ⅲ期、脉管浸润以及AGR2、MFAP2蛋白阳性表达均是CRC患者死亡的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：CRC组织中AGR2、MFAP2蛋白阳性表达率升高,且和患者分化程度、TNM分期、脉管浸润有关,检测其表达情况有助于预测CRC患者预后。     

慢性牙周炎合并2型糖尿病患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6的变化及临床价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨慢性牙周炎（CP）合并2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者龈沟液沉默信息调节因子-1（Sirtuin-1）、Sirtuin-6的变化和临床价值。方法：选择2020年3月至2023年3月中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九七〇医院收治的147例CP合并T2DM患者（T2DM组）,128例单纯CP患者（CP组）和121例健康体检者（对照组）。根据牙周检查结果将T2DM组患者分为轻度组（n=49）、中度组（n=67）、重度组（n=31）。检测受试者龈沟液中Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平以及外周血单核细胞核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体热蛋白结构域亚家族成员3（NLRP3）信使核糖核酸（mRNA）、程序性细胞死亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）mRNA、半胱氨酸蛋白酶1（Caspase-1）mRNA表达,并评估牙周临床指标。Pearson分析CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平与牙周临床指标、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达的相关性。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6诊断CP合并T2DM的价值。结果：T2DM组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于CP组和对照组（P＜0.05）,出血指数（SBI）、牙周袋探诊深度（PD）、牙龈指数（GI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、附着丧失（AL）、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于CP组和对照组（P＜0.05）。CP组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于和对照组（P＜0.05）,GI、SBI、PLI、PD、AL、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于对照组（P＜0.05）。重度组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）,GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）。中度组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于轻度组（P＜0.05）,GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于轻度组（P＜0.05）。CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、 Sirtuin-6水平与GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达均呈负相关（P＜0.05）。龈沟液Sirtuin-1、 Sirtuin-6诊断CP合并T2DM的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.787、0.806,联合诊断AUC为0.912,高于单独诊断。结论：CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液中Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平降低,且与牙周组织破坏程度加重、NLRP3炎症小体激活有关。龈沟液Sirtuin-1联合Sirtuin-6在CP合并T2DM诊断中具有较高价值。     

miR-21对心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞TLR-4/NF-κB通路的影响

摘要 目的：探究微小核糖核酸-21（miR-21）对心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子-κB（NF-κB）通路的影响。方法：取40只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（10只）和建模组（30只）,建模组大鼠通过左冠状动脉前降支（LAD）结扎术建立心肌缺血大鼠模型,假手术组大鼠仅开胸后不做其他处理即缝合。将建模成功大鼠随机分为对照组（转染miR-NC慢病毒）、沉默组（转染miR-21 antagomir慢病毒）、过表达组（转染miR-21 mimics慢病毒）,假手术组注射等量生理盐水。苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察心肌组织损伤情况;原位末端标记法（TUNEL）检测细胞凋亡率;实时定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）和蛋白质免疫印迹法（WB）检测TLR-4、NF-κB、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase3）、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2关联X蛋白（Bax）信使核糖核酸（mRNA）和蛋白表达及磷酸化NF-κB p65（p-NF-κB p65）水平。结果：对照组大鼠心肌纤维排列紊乱,大量心肌细胞肿胀坏死并伴随炎症细胞浸润,沉默组大鼠心肌组织损伤情况进一步加重,而过表达组大鼠心肌组织损伤现象得到明显改善。与假手术组比,对照组、沉默组、过表达组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平升高,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）;与对照组比,沉默组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA表达与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平升高,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）,过表达组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平降低,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达升高（P＜0.05）。结论：下调miR-21表达可促进TLR-4/NF-κB通路表达,加重心肌缺血大鼠心肌损伤。     

Bmi-1和EZH2基因在皮肤血管瘤组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨Bmi-1和EZH2基因在血管瘤组织中的表达及其意义。方法收集武汉大学人民医院病理科2008年-2011年皮肤毛细血管瘤存档蜡块40例,其中男性15例,女性25例。采用免疫组织化学S～P法检测40例皮肤血管瘤增生期、退化期及正常皮肤组织Bmi-1和EZH2基因表达水平,采用HPIAS-1000图文报告管理系统对Bmi-l和EZH2基因的表达进行定量分析,并用SPSSll．5软件对各组免疫组织化学反应阳性颗粒的平均光密度、阳性面积率做单因素方差分析和SNK（q）检验。结果（1）Bmi-1的表达增生期血管瘤血管内皮细胞中可见密集分布的棕黄色颗粒,Bmi-1呈高表达,正常皮肤组及退化组血管内皮细胞中可见少量的棕黄色颗粒,Bmi-1呈低表达。增生期组Bmi-1的表达明显高于退化期组和正常皮肤组（P〈0．05）,而后两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。（2）EZH2的表达增生期血管瘤血管内皮细胞中可见密集分布的棕黄色颗粒,EZH2呈高表达,正常皮肤组及退化组血管内皮细胞中可见少量的棕黄色颗粒,EZH2呈低表达。增生期组EZH2的表达明显高于退化期组和正常皮肤组（P〈o．05）,而后两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论Bmi-1和EZH2基因在血管瘤增生期均呈高表达,表明Bmi-1和EZH2基因均参与了血管瘤的发生和发展。     

Design and synthesis of (E)-1,2-diphenylethene-based EZH2 inhibitors

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) serves as the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repression complex 2 (PRC2), which is implicated in cancer progression metastasis and poor prognosis. Based on our EZH2 inhibitor SKLB1049 with low nanomolar activity, we extended the “tail” region to get a series of (E)-1,2-diphenylethene derivatives as novel EZH2 inhibitors. SAR exploration and preliminary assessment led to the discovery of the potent novel EZH2 inhibitor 9b (EZH2^WT IC₅₀ = 22.0 nM). Compound 9b inhibited the proliferation of WSU-DLCL2 and SU-DHL-4 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 1.61 µM and 2.34 µM, respectively). The biological evaluation showed that 9b was a potent inhibitor for wild-type EZH2 and greatly reduced the overall levels of H3K27me3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Further study indicated that 9b could significantly induce apoptosis of SU-DHL-4 cells. These findings indicated that 9b would be an attractive lead compound for further optimization and evaluation.     

Dephosphorylation-induced EZH2 activation mediated RECK downregulation by ERK1/2 signaling

The reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) gene, a widely known cancer inhibitor, could effectively suppress cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. Downregulation or loss of RECK expression frequently occurs during cancer progression. However, the mechanism underlying RECK dysregulation has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we reported for the first time that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, could epigenetically attenuate RECK expression via catalyzing H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) within the RECK promoter. Furthermore, we also proved, for the first time, the involvement of EZH2 in the inhibition of RECK by extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK)-1/2 signaling. Next, we revealed that the modulation of the enzymic activity of EZH2 resulting from posttranslational phosphorylation at the serine-21 site was responsible for the increased enrichment of H3K27me3 at the RECK promoter region by ERK1/2 signaling. Collectively, the results of our study shed more light on the mechanisms responsible for the dysregulation of RECK by the ERK1/2 pathway.     

Overexpression of MYC and EZH2 cooperates to epigenetically silence MST1 expression

Hippo-like MST1 protein kinase regulates cell growth, organ size, and carcinogenesis. Reduction or loss of MST1 expression is implicated in poor cancer prognosis. However, the mechanism leading to MST1 silencing remains elusive. Here, we report that both MYC and EZH2 function as potent suppressors of MST1 expression in human prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that concurrent overexpression of MYC and EZH2 correlated with the reduction or loss of MST1 expression, as shown by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Methylation sensitive PCR and bisulfite genomic DNA sequencing showed that DNA methylation caused MST1 silencing. Pharmacologic and RNAi experiments revealed that MYC and EZH2 silenced MST1 expression by inhibiting its promoter activity, and that EZH2 was a mediator of the MYC-induced silencing of MST1. In addition, MYC contributed to MST1 silencing by partly inhibiting the expression of microRNA-26a/b, a negative regulator of EZH2. As shown by ChIP assays, EZH2-induced DNA methylation and H3K27me3 modification, which was accompanied by a reduced H3K4me3 mark and RNA polymerase II occupancy on the MST1 promoter CpG region, were the underlying cause of MST1 silencing. Moreover, potent pharmacologic inhibitors of MYC or EZH2 suppressed prostate cancer cell growth in vitro, and the knockdown of MST1 caused cells’ resistance to MYC and EZH2 inhibitor-induced growth retardation. These findings indicate that MYC, in concert with EZH2, epigenetically attenuates MST1 expression and suggest that the loss of MST1/Hippo functions is critical for the MYC or EZH2 mediation of cancer cell survival.     

Overexpression of MYC and EZH2 cooperates to epigenetically silence MST1 expression

Hippo-like MST1 protein kinase regulates cell growth, organ size, and carcinogenesis. Reduction or loss of MST1 expression is implicated in poor cancer prognosis. However, the mechanism leading to MST1 silencing remains elusive. Here, we report that both MYC and EZH2 function as potent suppressors of MST1 expression in human prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that concurrent overexpression of MYC and EZH2 correlated with the reduction or loss of MST1 expression, as shown by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Methylation sensitive PCR and bisulfite genomic DNA sequencing showed that DNA methylation caused MST1 silencing. Pharmacologic and RNAi experiments revealed that MYC and EZH2 silenced MST1 expression by inhibiting its promoter activity, and that EZH2 was a mediator of the MYC-induced silencing of MST1. In addition, MYC contributed to MST1 silencing by partly inhibiting the expression of microRNA-26a/b, a negative regulator of EZH2. As shown by ChIP assays, EZH2-induced DNA methylation and H3K27me3 modification, which was accompanied by a reduced H3K4me3 mark and RNA polymerase II occupancy on the MST1 promoter CpG region, were the underlying cause of MST1 silencing. Moreover, potent pharmacologic inhibitors of MYC or EZH2 suppressed prostate cancer cell growth in vitro, and the knockdown of MST1 caused cells’ resistance to MYC and EZH2 inhibitor-induced growth retardation. These findings indicate that MYC, in concert with EZH2, epigenetically attenuates MST1 expression and suggest that the loss of MST1/Hippo functions is critical for the MYC or EZH2 mediation of cancer cell survival.     

EZH2和CBX7在皮肤血管瘤中的异常表达及意义

目的探讨EZH2和CBX7在血管瘤中的的异常表达及临床意义。方法收集武汉大学人民医院病理科2005年9月一2009年12月皮肤毛细血管瘤存档蜡块50例,其中男性25例,女性25例。采用免疫组织化学S-P法检测50例皮肤血管瘤增生期、退化期及正常皮肤组织中EZH2和CBX7的表达水平,采用图像分析系统对EZH2和CBX7的表达进行定量分析,并用SPSS13．0软件对各组免疫组织化学反应阳性颗粒的平均光密度、阳性面积率做单因素方差分析和SNK（q）检验。结果增生期血管瘤血管内皮细胞中可见密集分布的棕黄色颗粒,EZH2和CBX7呈高表达,退化组及正常皮肤组血管内皮细胞中可见少量的棕黄色颗粒,EZH2和CBX7表达弱。增生期组EZH2和CBX7的表达明显高于退化期组和正常皮肤组（P〈0．05）,而后两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论EZH2和CBX7在血管瘤增生期均上调表达,表明EZH2和CBX7均与血管瘤内皮细胞的增殖密切相关。     

EZH2: an emerging role in melanoma biology and strategies for targeted therapy

Histone modifications are increasingly being recognized as important epigenetic mechanisms that govern chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), responsible for tri‐methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) that leads to gene silencing. This highly conserved histone methyltransferase is found to be overexpressed in many different types of cancers including melanoma, where it is postulated to abnormally repress tumor suppressor genes. Somatic mutations have been identified in approximately 3% of melanomas, and activating mutations described within the catalytic SET domain of EZH2 confer its oncogenic activity. In the following review, we discuss the evidence that EZH2 is an important driver of melanoma progression and we summarize the progress of EZH2 inhibitors against this promising therapeutic target.     

Downregulation of MEG3 and upregulation of EZH2 cooperatively promote neuroblastoma progression

Neuroblastoma (NB), an embryonic tumour originating from sympathetic crest cells, is the most common extracranial solid tumour type in children with poor overall prognosis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the involvement of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in numerous biological processes and their associations with embryonic development and multiple diseases. Ectopic lncRNA expression is linked to malignant tumours. Previous studies by our team indicate that MEG3 attenuates NB autophagy through inhibition of FOXO1 and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition via the mTOR pathway in vitro. Moreover, MEG3 and EZH2 negatively regulate each other. In present study, we first collected 60 NB tissues and 20 adjacent tissues for Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) experiments and performed clinical correlation analysis of the results. At the same time, nude mice were used for subcutaneous tumour formation to detect the effect of MEG3 in vivo. Two NB cell lines, SK‐N‐AS and SK‐N‐BE(2)C, were overexpressed MEG3 and rescued with EZH2 and then were subjected to proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and autophagy experiments. RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Co‐Immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of MEG3 and EZH2 interaction. Q‐PCR revealed that MEG3 expression was negatively correlated with INSS stage and risk grade of NB. Moreover, MEG3 overexpression was associated with inhibition of NB growth in vivo. MEG3 exerted an anti‐cancer effect via stimulatory effects on EZH2 ubiquitination leading to its degradation. Conversely, EZH2 interacted with DNMT1 and HDAC1 to induce silencing of MEG3. The EZH2 inhibitor, DZNep, and HDAC inhibitor, SAHA, displayed synergistic activity against NB. Combined treatment with DZNep and SAHA inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of NB through suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/FOXO1 pathway. In conclusion, downregulation of MEG3 and upregulation of EZH2 forms a feedback loop that concertedly promotes the development of NB. Combined blockage of EZH2 and HDAC1 with the appropriate inhibitors may therefore present an effective treatment strategy for NB cases with low MEG3 and high EZH2 expression.