Novel KRAS Gene Mutations in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer

Introduction

In this article, we report 7 novel KRAS gene mutations discovered while retrospectively studying the prevalence and pattern of KRAS mutations in cancerous tissue obtained from 56 Saudi sporadic colorectal cancer patients from the Eastern Province.

Methods

Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancerous and noncancerous colorectal tissues. Successful and specific PCR products were then bi-directionally sequenced to detect exon 4 mutations while Mutector II Detection Kits were used for identifying mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61. The functional impact of the novel mutations was assessed using bioinformatics tools and molecular modeling.

Results

KRAS gene mutations were detected in the cancer tissue of 24 cases (42.85%). Of these, 11 had exon 4 mutations (19.64%). They harbored 8 different mutations all of which except two altered the KRAS protein amino acid sequence and all except one were novel as revealed by COSMIC database. The detected novel mutations were found to be somatic. One mutation is predicted to be benign. The remaining mutations are predicted to cause substantial changes in the protein structure. Of these, the Q150X nonsense mutation is the second truncating mutation to be reported in colorectal cancer in the literature.

Conclusions

Our discovery of novel exon 4 KRAS mutations that are, so far, unique to Saudi colorectal cancer patients may be attributed to environmental factors and/or racial/ethnic variations due to genetic differences. Alternatively, it may be related to paucity of clinical studies on mutations other than those in codons 12, 13, 61 and 146. Further KRAS testing on a large number of patients of various ethnicities, particularly beyond the most common hotspot alleles in exons 2 and 3 is needed to assess the prevalence and explore the exact prognostic and predictive significance of the discovered novel mutations as well as their possible role in colorectal carcinogenesis.     

Aberrant Gene Promoter Methylation Associated with Sporadic Multiple Colorectal Cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) multiplicity has been mainly related to polyposis and non-polyposis hereditary syndromes. In sporadic CRC, aberrant gene promoter methylation has been shown to play a key role in carcinogenesis, although little is known about its involvement in multiplicity. To assess the effect of methylation in tumor multiplicity in sporadic CRC, hypermethylation of key tumor suppressor genes was evaluated in patients with both multiple and solitary tumors, as a proof-of-concept of an underlying epigenetic defect.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We examined a total of 47 synchronous/metachronous primary CRC from 41 patients, and 41 gender, age (5-year intervals) and tumor location-paired patients with solitary tumors. Exclusion criteria were polyposis syndromes, Lynch syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. DNA methylation at the promoter region of the MGMT, CDKN2A, SFRP1, TMEFF2, HS3ST2 (3OST2), RASSF1A and GATA4 genes was evaluated by quantitative methylation specific PCR in both tumor and corresponding normal appearing colorectal mucosa samples. Overall, patients with multiple lesions exhibited a higher degree of methylation in tumor samples than those with solitary tumors regarding all evaluated genes. After adjusting for age and gender, binomial logistic regression analysis identified methylation of MGMT2 (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.97; p = 0.008) and RASSF1A (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.13; p = 0.047) as variables independently associated with tumor multiplicity, being the risk related to methylation of any of these two genes 4.57 (95% CI, 1.53 to 13.61; p = 0.006). Moreover, in six patients in whom both tumors were available, we found a correlation in the methylation levels of MGMT2 (r = 0.64, p = 0.17), SFRP1 (r = 0.83, 0.06), HPP1 (r = 0.64, p = 0.17), 3OST2 (r = 0.83, p = 0.06) and GATA4 (r = 0.6, p = 0.24). Methylation in normal appearing colorectal mucosa from patients with multiple and solitary CRC showed no relevant difference in any evaluated gene.

Conclusions

These results provide a proof-of-concept that gene promoter methylation is associated with tumor multiplicity. This underlying epigenetic defect may have noteworthy implications in the prevention of patients with sporadic CRC.     

Non-Eosinophilic Nasal Polyps Shows Increased Epithelial Proliferation and Localized Disease Pattern in the Early Stage

BackgroundNon-eosinophilic nasal polyps (NPs) show less inflammatory changes and are less commonly associated with lower airway inflammatory disorders such as asthma, compared with eosinophilic NPs. However, the development of non-eosinophilic NPs which is a predominant subtype in Asian population still remains unclear.MethodsA total of 81 patients (45 with non-eosinophilic NPs and 36 with eosinophilic NPs) were enrolled. Clinical information and computed tomography (CT), endoscopic, and histological findings were investigated. Tissue samples were analyzed for total IgE levels and for mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL–5, IL–13, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17A, IL–22, IL-23p19, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and periostin. Immunostaining assessment of Ki–67 as a proliferation marker was performed.ResultsWe found that epithelial in-growing patterns such as pseudocysts were more frequently observed in histological and endoscopic evaluations of non-eosinophilic NPs, which was linked to increase epithelial staining of Ki–67, a proliferating marker. Eosinophilic NPs were characterized by high infiltration of inflammatory cells, compared with non-eosinophilic NPs. To investigate the developmental course of each subtype, CT was analyzed according to CT scores and subtypes. Non-eosinophilic NPs showed more localized pattern and maxillary sinus involvement, but lesser olfactory involvement in early stage whereas eosinophilic NPs were characterized by diffuse ethmoidal and olfactory involvement. In addition, high ethmoidal/maxillary (E/M) CT scores, indicating ethmoidal dominant involvement, were one of surrogate markers for eosinophilic NP. E/M CT scores was positively correlated with levels of T_H2 inflammatory markers, including IL–4, IL–5, periostin mRNA expression and total IgE levels in NPs, whereas levels of the T_H1 cytokine, IFN- γ were inversely correlated. Moreover, if the combinatorial algorithm meet the three of the four markers, including IL–5 (<2.379), periostin (<3.889), IFN-γ (>0.316), and E/M ratio (<2.167), non-eosinophilic CRSwNP are diagnosed with a sensitivity of 84.4% and a specificity of 84.8%.ConclusionHistologic, immunologic and clinical data suggest that non-eosinophilic NPs showed enhanced epithelial alteration and more localized maxillary involvement. Combination of cutoff value on IL–5, periostin, IFN-γ, and E/M scores may be one of surrogate markers for non-eosinophil NP subtype.     

Mechanisms Underlying Cancer Growth and Apoptosis by DEK Overexpression in Colorectal Cancer

Our previous study indicated that DEK protein was overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) compared with the normal colorectal mucosa. DEK was also significantly correlated with the prognostic characteristics of patients with CRC, demonstrating that DEK played an important role in CRC progression. In this work, we evaluate the effects of DEK on biological behaviors in CRC and explore the related molecular mechanisms. The results showed that DEK was overexpressed in human CRC tissues, and was correlated with the Ki-67 index and the apoptotic index. DEK depletion by RNAi in SW-620 and HCT116 cells significantly decreased cell proliferation, but increased cell apoptosis. Upregulation of DEK was involved in the p53/MDM, Bcl-2 family, and caspase pathways. Our study demonstrates that DEK promotes the growth of CRC, and could be a therapeutic target in CRC.     

Sporadic Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Is a Specific Sub-Type of Cancer: A Morphological,Molecular and Genetics Study

Sporadic early onset colorectal carcinoma (EOCRC) which has by definition no identified hereditary predisposition is a growing problem that remains poorly understood. Molecular analysis could improve identification of distinct sub-types of colorectal cancers (CRC) with therapeutic implications and thus can help establish that sporadic EOCRC is a distinct entity. From 954 patients resected for CRC at our institution, 98 patients were selected. Patients aged 45–60 years were excluded to help define “young” and “old” groups. Thirty-nine cases of sporadic EOCRC (patients≤45 years with microsatellite stable tumors) were compared to both microsatellite stable tumors from older patients (36 cases, patients>60 years) and to groups of patients with microsatellite instability. Each group was tested for TP53, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutations and the presence of a methylator phenotype. Gene expression profiles were also used for pathway analysis. Compared to microsatellite stable CRC from old patients, sporadic EOCRC were characterized by distal location, frequent synchronous metastases and infrequent synchronous adenomas but did not have specific morphological characteristics. A familial history of CRC was more common in sporadic EOCRC patients despite a lack of identified hereditary conditions (p = 0.013). Genetic studies also showed the absence of BRAF mutations (p = 0.022) and the methylator phenotype (p = 0.005) in sporadic EOCRC compared to older patients. Gene expression analysis implicated key pathways such as Wnt/beta catenin, MAP Kinase, growth factor signaling (EGFR, HGF, PDGF) and the TNFR1 pathway in sporadic EOCRC. Wnt/beta catenin signaling activation was confirmed by aberrant nuclear beta catenin immunostaining (p = 0.01). This study strongly suggests that sporadic EOCRC is a distinct clinico-molecular entity presenting as a distal and aggressive disease associated with chromosome instability. Furthermore, several signaling pathways including the TNFR1 pathway have been identified as potential biomarkers for both the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.     

二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：MTT法分别检测二甲双胍、阿霉素和二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用;平板克隆实验检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞仪检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的影响。结果：二甲双胍和阿霉素分别对MDA-MB-231细胞生长有抑制作用,二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用更加显著,并且随着药物浓度的增加而增加;二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够明显降低MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成率,并且促进细胞凋亡。结论：二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够显著抑制人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231细胞的增值,促进其凋亡,可见两药联用对肿瘤细胞的杀伤具有协同性。     

Promoter Hypermethylation-Related Reduced Somatostatin Production Promotes Uncontrolled Cell Proliferation in Colorectal Cancer

BackgroundSomatostatin (SST) has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects. Our aims were to analyze and compare the SST expression during normal aging and colorectal carcinogenesis at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, we tested the methylation status of SST in biopsy samples, and the cell growth inhibitory effect of the SST analogue octreotide in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line.MethodsColonic samples were collected from healthy children (n1 = 6), healthy adults (n2 = 41) and colorectal cancer patients (CRCs) (n₃ = 34) for SST mRNA expression analysis, using HGU133 Plus2.0 microarrays. Results were validated both on original (n₁ = 6; n₂ = 6; n₃ = 6) and independent samples ((n₁ = 6; n₂ = 6; n₃ = 6) by real-time PCR. SST expressing cells were detected by immunohistochemistry on colonic biopsy samples (n₁ = 14; n₂ = 20; n₃ = 23). The effect of octreotide on cell growth was tested on Caco-2 cell line. SST methylation percentage in biopsy samples (n₁ = 5; n₂ = 5; n₃ = 9) was defined using methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion.ResultsIn case of normal aging SST mRNA expression did not alter, but decreased in cancer (p<0.05). The ratio of SST immunoreactive cells was significantly higher in children (0.70%±0.79%) compared to CRC (0%±0%) (p<0.05). Octreotide significantly increased the proportion of apoptotic Caco-2 cells. SST showed significantly higher methylation level in tumor samples (30.2%±11.6%) compared to healthy young individuals (3.5%±1.9%) (p<0.05).ConclusionsIn cancerous colonic mucosa the reduced SST production may contribute to the uncontrolled cell proliferation. Our observation that in colon cancer cells octreotide significantly enhanced cell death and attenuated cell proliferation suggests that SST may act as a regulator of epithelial cell kinetics. The inhibition of SST expression in CRC can be epigenetically regulated by promoter hypermethylation.     

无花果果浆对肿瘤细胞增殖抑制和诱导凋亡作用

为了探讨无花果果浆(Fig fruit latex,FFL)对人肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用及其机制,用无花果果浆处理体外培养的人肿瘤细胞,细胞增殖试验(MTT法)、克隆形成试验研究FFL对人肿瘤细胞的增殖抑制作用,Brdu掺人试验、吖啶橙/溴乙啶(AO/EB)染色、流式细胞术检测FFL对肿瘤细胞DNA合成、凋亡和细胞周期的影响.结果,用FFL处理后,肿瘤细胞增殖活性降低(P＜0.05),克隆形成下降(P＜0.05),Brdu标记指数降低(P＜0.05),吖啶橙染色凋亡细胞增多(P＜0.05);细胞周期分布改变,凋亡指数升高(P＜0.01),G0/G1期细胞数增加(P＜0.01),S期细胞数减少(P＜0.01),在一定剂量内对正常细胞无明显影响.试验结果提示,FFL对所试肿瘤细胞的增殖有显著地抑制作用,其作用机理可能与抑制肿瘤细胞DNA合成,诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡及细胞周期阻滞有关.     

去铁酮对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

去铁酮可诱导p53的表达和引发肿瘤细胞凋亡。RRM2B基因在铁螯合剂抑制肿瘤细胞生长中同样起重要作用,且其表达受p53调节。为了探讨去铁酮对宫颈癌细胞的影响,以及p53和RRM2B基因二者的关系,通过MTT法检测不同浓度及不同时间去铁酮处理对HeLa细胞活性的影响,采用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡水平。同时,利用Western-blot和荧光定量PCR技术分别在蛋白和mRNA水平检测p53和RRM2B表达变化,并进一步利用p53抑制剂检测p53对RRM2B表达的影响。结果表明,HeLa细胞活性随着去铁酮作用浓度及作用时间的增加而下降,在500μmol/L去铁酮处理48h后出现明显凋亡。进一步研究发现,去铁酮可显著上调p53表达水平(P0.05),而p53可显著下调RRM2B表达水平(P0.05)。综上所述,去铁酮可通过p53下调RRM2B表达水平而参与抑制宫颈癌细胞增殖。     

Nemo-Like Kinase Associated with Proliferation and Apoptosis by c-Myb Degradation in Breast Cancer

Nemo-like kinase (NLK), a mediator of the Wnt signaling pathway, binds directly to c-Myb, leading to its phosphorylation, ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. NLK was significantly downregulated in the breast cancer tissues compared to corresponding normal tissues. NLK expression was negatively correlated with c-Myb expression. NLK suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis and mediated c-Myb degradation in MCF-7 cells via a mechanism that seems to involve c-myc and Bcl2. These findings might provide a novel target for therapeutic intervention in patients with breast cancer.     

羽扇豆醇通过抑制RhoA-ROCK1信号通路抑制结肠癌细胞增殖

该文探讨了羽扇豆醇(Lupeol)对人结肠癌HCT116和SW620细胞增殖的影响及相关作用机制。使用不同浓度的Lupeol处理HCT116和SW620细胞后,用MTT法检测细胞活性,CCK8法检测细胞增殖能力,平板克隆实验检测细胞克隆形成能力,流式细胞术检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡,(quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR)和Western blot检测相应mRNA和蛋白表达水平,免疫荧光检测β-Catenin蛋白细胞内分布情况。通过构建shRNA敲低两种结肠癌细胞中RhoA,进一步研究Lupeol影响细胞增殖的分子机制。结果显示,Lupeol处理后,HCT116和SW620细胞增殖能力明显下降,克隆形成能力受到抑制,细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期,细胞内RhoA、ROCK1、β-Catenin、Cyclin D1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著下降,β-Catenin蛋白胞质和胞膜上分布减少。敲低RhoA后抑制了细胞增殖,同时使得RhoA-ROCK1-β-Catenin信号通路蛋白受到抑制,β-Catenin蛋白胞质和胞膜上分布减少。综上所述,Lupeol可通过抑制RhoA-ROCK1信号通路,抑制β-Catenin蛋白表达,进而抑制HCT116和SW620细胞增殖,Lupeol有望成为临床结肠癌治疗的新药物。     

microRNA-21在食管癌细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡中的作用

本研究检测了40例食管癌组织和40例癌旁组织中的miR-21、PTEN、PI3K和AKT表达,并通过转染miR-21抑制剂来敲低人食管癌细胞系EC9706的miR-21表达,考察了miR-21对食管癌细胞生长的影响。研究发现,食管癌组织中PTEN蛋白的阳性染色评分低于癌旁组织(p<0.05),而PI3K和AKT蛋白的阳性染色评分高于癌旁组织(p<0.05)。miR-21在人食管癌组织中被上调(3.56 vs 1.21,p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂导致PTEN蛋白表达升高,而PI3K和AKT蛋白表达降低(p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂抑制了EC9706细胞的增殖和迁移,但促进了细胞凋亡(p<0.05)。miR-21的上调可通过激活PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路来促进食道癌细胞的增殖和迁移,并抑制细胞凋亡。     

苜蓿素对人直肠癌SW1116细胞增殖和凋亡的作用及其机制

本文探讨苜蓿素对人直肠癌SW1116细胞增殖和凋亡的作用及其机制.采用MTr法检测苜蓿素对SW1116细胞生长的抑制作用;AO/EB染色后观察凋亡细胞形态;流式细胞术检测对细胞周期的影响;DNA片段化分析对细胞凋亡的作用;Westem blot检测对Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达的影响.结果显示,苜蓿素可明显抑制SW1116细胞的增殖,呈剂量依赖性;AO/EB染色观察到给药组出现细胞凋亡特征;苜蓿素可阻滞细胞于G1/G1期和增加SW1116细胞凋亡率;凝胶成像分析仪检测到典型的DNA阶梯状条带;苜蓿素可呈剂量依赖地减弱Bcl-2和增强Bax蛋白表达.上述结果表明,苜蓿素可显著抑制人直肠癌SW1116细胞的增殖,使细胞阻滞于G1/G1期,并可诱导细胞凋亡,其机制可能与下调Bcl-2和上调Bax蛋白有关.     

海兔素对人乳腺癌SK-BR-3细胞的抑制作用及机制研究

本文阐述了海兔素(Aplysin)对人乳腺癌SK-BR-3细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨了其可能的作用机制.分别采用CCK-8法和流式细胞术Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法测定不同剂量海兔素对SK-BR-3细胞的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用,并以Western blot测定SK-BR-3细胞中EGFR、Akt及ERK表达水平和磷酸化水平.结果发现,20、30、40、45、50、55、60 mg/L海兔素处理SK-BR-3细胞24 h后,细胞的生长增殖明显受到抑制,呈量效依赖性,其IC25和IC50值为分别为29.4和33.7 mg/L; IC25和IC50剂量海兔素可明显诱导细胞凋亡,并下调SK-BR-3细胞EGFR、Akt及ERK的磷酸化蛋白表达水平,但是不影响总蛋白表达水平.表明海兔素对人乳腺癌SK-BR-3细胞具有抑制增殖和诱导凋亡的作用,其作用机制可能与海兔素抑制细胞中EGFR蛋白磷酸化,进而阻断下游效应分子Akt和ERK的活化有关.     

白藜芦醇对胰腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡影响的研究

为了研究白藜芦醇对人胰腺癌细胞增殖和存活的影响,利用不同浓度白藜芦醇处理PANC-1和Bx PC-3细胞,通过MTS和软琼脂集落实验检测白藜芦醇对胰腺癌细胞的停泊依赖和停泊非依赖增殖的抑制。同时,采用免疫印迹的方法,检测不同浓度白藜芦醇对胰腺癌细胞增殖相关信号通路的调控,及不同时间点凋亡激活相关蛋白分子的表达。结果发现白藜芦醇能剂量依赖性抑制PANC-1和Bx PC-3细胞增殖,并且这种增殖抑制作用与表皮生长因子受体(epithelial growth factor receptor,EGFR)及下游信号通路的抑制有关。一定浓度的白藜芦醇能诱导胰腺癌细胞发生凋亡,caspase3和caspase7被剪切活化。通过检测Bcl-2(B-cell lymphoma-2,Bcl-2)促存活家族蛋白,证实白藜芦醇能有效抑制Mcl-1(myeloid cell leukemia-1,Mcl-1)的表达,并不改变Bcl-2和Bcl-XL的表达。实验结果初步表明,白藜芦醇抑制胰腺癌的增殖与存活与EGFR信号通路及促存活蛋白Mcl-1的表达下调有关。     

miRNA-183 Suppresses Apoptosis and Promotes Proliferation in Esophageal Cancer by Targeting PDCD4

In our previous study, miRNA-183, a miRNA in the miR-96-182-183 cluster, was significantly over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, we explored the oncogenic roles of miR-183 in ESCC by gain and loss of function analysis in an esophageal cancer cell line (EC9706). Genome-wide mRNA microarray was applied to determine the genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by miR-183. 3′UTR luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to verify the target gene of miR-183. Cell culture results showed that miR-183 inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05), and accelerated G1/S transition (p < 0.05). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of miR-183 on apoptosis was rescued when miR-183 was suppressed via miR-183 inhibitor (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which was predicted as the target gene of miR-183 by microarray profiling and bioinformatics predictions, decreased when miR-183 was over-expressed. The 3′UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-183 directly regulated PDCD4 by binding to sequences in the 3′UTR of PDCD4. Pearson correlation analysis further confirmed the significant negative correlation between miR-183 and PDCD4 in both cell lines and in ESCC patients. Our data suggest that miR-183 might play an oncogenic role in ESCC by regulating PDCD4 expression.     

Regulation of Proliferation and Apoptosis by Epidermal Growth Factor and Protein Kinase C in Human Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is produced in the ovary and influences proliferation of the malignant ovarian surface epithelium (OSE); yet its role in malignancy or in regulating the normal surface epithelium is unclear. In human OSE cells derived from primary cultures of normal tissue transfected with SV40 large T antigen (IOSE cells), EGF promoted survival but not proliferation. This survival effect was reversed by acute treatment with the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-13-phorbol acetate (TPA) which alone markedly inhibited IOSE proliferation. We tested whether the activities of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2 and JNK1) varied in response to EGF, TPA, or combinations of these agonists and if the same treatments altered patterns of immediate early gene expression. Alone, EGF activated ERK1/2, increased and sustained levels of c-junmRNA, but had almost no effect on JNK1 activation. Conversely, PKC activation resulted in a rapid, but transient induction of c-fosRNA and of both kinases, JNK1 and ERK2. When combined, EGF and TPA further enhanced the phosphorylation of both enzymes despite inhibiting survival. Though JNKs and ERKs are thought to transduce opposing cellular responses, in IOSE cells, robust costimulation of the JNK and ERK pathways may redirect the survival message.