| 1. |
- Hamidi, Anahita
(författare)
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Molecular mechanisms for activation of non-canonical TGFβ pathways and their importance during prostate cancer progression
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Prostate cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in men and a major and growing health problem in Western countries. Deregulation of different pathways has been implicated in progression of prostate cancer, namely nuclear factor kappa enhancer binding protein (NF-κB), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), phosphoinositide 3ʹ-kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT) and Src kinase pathways. However, the detailed mechanisms by which TGFβ activates these pathways to contribute in tumorigenesis and invasive behavior of prostate cancer cells have not been elucidated.We have demonstrated (paper I) that the E3 ligase activity of TRAF6 is crucial for recruitment of the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85α, to TβRI and for TGFβ-induced Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of p85α. TRAF6 is required for the TGFβ-induced recruitment of AKT to the complex of PI3K and TβRI, where the polyubiquitination and activation of AKT occurs. When activated, AKT promotes TGFβ-induced cell migration which is dependent on p85 and PI3K activity, as well as on TRAF6, but not on TβRI kinase activity. Thus, TGFβ-induced activation of PI3K/AKT induces cell motility contributing to the progression of cancer.We have demonstrated (paper II) a pivotal role of TAK1 polyubiquitination in three different pathways, including TNFR, IL-1R, and TLR4 signaling. Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of TAK1 at Lys34 is essential for downstream signaling to NF-κB-mediated target gene expression in both cancer and immune cells. These findings are of importance for the understanding of the mechanism of activation of NF-κB in inflammation and may aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat chronic inflammation and cancer.We have also shown (paper III) that TGFβ activates the tyrosine kinase Src via formation of a complex between TβRI and Src. The E3 ligase TRAF6 promotes the formation of the complex in a manner not dependent on its ubiquitin ligase activity, suggesting that TRAF6 acts as an adaptor. Moreover, the activation of Src is not dependent on the kinase activity of TβRI. On a functional level, Src activity was found to be necessary for TGFβ-induced chemotaxis.In conclusion, we have elucidated molecular mechanisms whereby TGFβ activates non-Smad pathways, i.e. PI3K and Src. Our findings shed light on the pro-tumorigenesis mechanisms of TGFβ. In addition, we have demonstrated how the activation of TAK1, an important component of the TGFβ non-Smad pathway, by TGFβ and other stimuli leads to the activation of NF-κB and thereby induction of inflammation which likely contributes to prostate cancer progression.
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| 2. |
- Hellerbrand, Claus, et al.
(författare)
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Cylindromatosis-A Protective Molecule against Liver Diseases.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Medicinal Research Reviews. - : Wiley. - 1098-1128 .- 0198-6325. ; 36:2, s. 342-359
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cylindromatosis (CYLD) is a deubiquitination enzyme involved in the regulation of different cellular processes including inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. The function of CYLD is via deubiquitination of specific substrates in different signaling pathways including NF-κB, Notch, and JNK. CYLD contributes to hepatic homeostasis and restoration upon liver injury. Mutation or disruption of the activity of CYLD in animals aggravates acute as well as chronic liver injury and promotes development and progression of hepatocellular cancer. This is mediated by a shift of the balance toward pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrogenic, and pro-oncogenic pathways. In this review, we will explain the liver-associated signaling pathways that CYLD regulates in hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells under physiological and pathological conditions. We will also describe the most recent findings concerning CYLD-mediated downstream signaling in the liver in situations such as injury, infection, inflammation, and cancer. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential of novel diagnostic tools and treatment strategies utilizing CYLD and its target genes.
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| 3. |
- Huang, Xiaoli, et al.
(författare)
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The Molecular Basis for Inhibition of Stemlike Cancer Cells by Salinomycin
- 2018
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Ingår i: ACS Central Science. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2374-7943 .- 2374-7951. ; 4:6, s. 760-767
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tumors are phenotypically heterogeneous and include subpopulations of cancer cells with stemlike properties. The natural product salinomycin, a K+-selective ionophore, was recently found to exert selectivity against such cancer stem cells. This selective effect is thought to be due to inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway, but the mechanistic basis remains unclear. Here, we develop a functionally competent fluorescent conjugate of salinomycin to investigate the molecular mechanism of this compound. By subcellular imaging, we demonstrate a rapid cellular uptake of the conjugate and accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This localization is connected to induction of Ca2+ release from the ER into the cytosol. Depletion of Ca2+ from the ER induces the unfolded protein response as shown by global mRNA analysis and Western blot analysis of proteins in the pathway. In particular, salinomycin-induced ER Ca2+ depletion up-regulates C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which inhibits Wnt signaling by down-regulating β-catenin. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ also activates protein kinase C, which has been shown to inhibit Wnt signaling. These results reveal that salinomycin acts in the ER membrane of breast cancer cells to cause enhanced Ca2+ release into the cytosol, presumably by mediating a counter-flux of K+ ions. The clarified mechanistic picture highlights the importance of ion fluxes in the ER as an entry to inducing phenotypic effects and should facilitate rational development of cancer treatments.
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| 4. |
- Jemaà, Mohamed, et al.
(författare)
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Reversine inhibits Colon Carcinoma Cell Migration by Targeting JNK1
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Metastasis is the leading reason for the resultant mortality of these patients. Accordingly, development and characterization of novel anti-cancer drugs limiting colorectal tumor cell dissemination and metastasis are needed. In this study, we found that the small molecule Reversine reduces the migration potential of human colon carcinoma cells in vitro. A coupled kinase assay with bio-informatics approach identified the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) cascade as the main pathway inhibited by Reversine. Knockdown experiments and pharmacological inhibition identified JNK1 but not JNK2, as a downstream effector target in cancer cell migration. Xenograft experiments confirm the effect of JNK inhibition in the metastatic potential of colon cancer cells. These results highlight the impact of individual JNK isoforms in cancer cell metastasis and propose Reversine as a novel anti-cancer molecule for treatment of colon cancer patients.
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| 5. |
- Ke, Hengning, et al.
(författare)
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Nemo-like kinase regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in alveolar epithelial cells
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The canonical Wnt signaling can be silenced either through β-catenin-mediated ubiquitination and degradation or through phosphorylation of Tcf and Lef by nemo-like kinase (NLK). In the present study, we generated NLK deficient animals and found that these mice become cyanotic shortly before death because of lung maturation defects. NLK-/- lungs exhibited smaller and compressed alveoli and the mesenchyme remained thick and hyperplastic. This phenotype was caused by epithelial activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via recruitment of Lef1 to the promoter of VEGF. Elevated expression of VEGF and activation of the VEGF receptor through phosphorylation promoted an increase in the proliferation rate of epithelial and endothelial cells. In summary, our study identifies NLK as a novel signaling molecule for proper lung development through the interconnection between epithelial and endothelial cells during lung morphogenesis.
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| 6. |
- Kobayashi, Tamae, et al.
(författare)
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Deubiquitinating activity of CYLD is impaired by SUMOylation in neuroblastoma cells.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Oncogene. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5594 .- 0950-9232. ; 34:17, s. 2251-2260
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CYLD is a deubiquitinating (DUB) enzyme that has a pivotal role in modulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways by removing the lysine 63- and linear-linked ubiquitin chain from substrates such as tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and TRAF6. Loss of CYLD activity is associated with tumorigenicity, and levels of CYLD are lost or downregulated in different types of human tumors. In the present study, we found that high CYLD expression was associated with better overall survival and relapse-free neuroblastoma patient outcome, as well as inversely correlated with the stage of neuroblastoma. Retinoic acid-mediated differentiation of neuroblastoma restored CYLD expression and promoted SUMOylation of CYLD. This posttranslational modification inhibited deubiquitinase activity of CYLD against TRAF2 and TRAF6 and facilitated NF-κB signaling. Overexpression of non-SUMOylatable mutant CYLD in neuroblastoma cells reduced retinoic acid-induced NF-κB activation and differentiation of cells, but instead promoted cell death.Oncogene advance online publication, 9 June 2014; doi:10.1038/onc.2014.159.
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| 7. |
- Kuo, Joseph, et al.
(författare)
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Cyclophilin Inhibitor NV556 Reduces Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Mice With Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Pharmacology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1663-9812. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third major cause of cancer mortality, can result from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Due to limited efficacy of drugs approved for HCC and no drug available yet for NASH, identification of new effective treatments is crucial. Here, we investigated whether NV556, a cyclophilin inhibitor derived from sanglifehrins, would decrease the development of NASH and HCC in a preclinical mouse model. For our experiment, male mice were administered streptozotocin to disrupt pancreatic cells and nourished with high-fat diet since 3 weeks of age. Afterward, NV556 or vehicle was orally administered daily for 6 weeks before the 14-week-old time point for the development of NASH, or 10 weeks before the 30-week-old time point for the establishment of HCC. Body weight, blood glucose level, and liver weight were recorded. Moreover, for NASH, livers were histologically examined for inflammation and steatosis. Collagen was measured by Sirius Red staining of hepatic tissues. Systemic cytokine levels in serum were detected by multiplex assays. For HCC, nodules of livers were measured and scored according to a developed system with number and size of nodules as criteria. NV556 significantly decreased collagen deposition (p = 0.0281), but did not alter inflammation, steatosis, body and liver weight, and systemic cytokine production compared to control mice with NASH symptoms. For HCC, NV556 statistically reduced the number (p = 0.0091) and diameter of tumorous nodules (p = 0.0264), along with liver weight (p = 0.0026) of mice.Our study suggests NV556 as a promising candidate for treatment of NASH-derived fibrosis and HCC.
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| 8. |
- Kuphal, Silke, et al.
(författare)
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UVB radiation represses CYLD expression in melanocytes
- 2017
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Ingår i: Oncology Letters. - : Spandidos Publications. - 1792-1074 .- 1792-1082. ; 14:6, s. 7262-7268
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CYLD lysine 63 deubiquitinase (CYLD) was originally identified as a tumor suppressor that is mutated in familial cylindromatosis. Unlike in cylindromatosis, downregulation of the deubiquitinase CYLD in melanoma, a highly aggressive tumor, is not caused by mutations in the CYLD gene, but rather by a constitutive and high expression of the snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (SNAIL1). A reduced CYLD level leads to B-cell lymphoma-3/p50/p52-dependent nuclear factorκB activation, which in turn triggers the expression of genes such as cyclin D1 and N-cadherin. Elevated levels of cyclin D1 and N-cadherin promote melanoma proliferation and invasion. By analyzing the regulation of CYLD expression in melanocytes, the present study identified a signaling pathway that is regulated in response to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in melanocytes. UVB light leads to an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mediated induction of SNAIL1 and subsequent downregulation of CYLD expression in normal human epithelial melanocytes. The UVB-mediated suppression of CYLD in melanocytes may have a key role in the reaction to UV stimuli, and may also potentially be involved in the early malignant transformation processes.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Masoumi, Katarzyna Chmielarska, et al.
(författare)
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NLK-mediated phosphorylation of HDAC1 negatively regulates Wnt signaling
- 2017
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Ingår i: Molecular Biology of the Cell. - 1059-1524. ; 28:2, s. 346-355
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Wnt signaling pathway is essential in regulating various cellular processes. Different mechanisms of inhibition for Wnt signaling have been proposed. Besides β-catenin degradation through the proteasome, nemo-like kinase (NLK) is another molecule that is known to negatively regulate Wnt signaling. However, the mechanism by which NLK mediates the inhibition of Wnt signaling was not known. In the present study, we used primary embryonic fibroblast cells isolated from NLK-deficient mice and showed that these cells proliferate faster and have a shorter cell cycle than wild-type cells. In NLK-knockout cells, we observed sustained interaction between Lef1 and β-catenin, leading to elevated luciferase reporter of β-catenin/Lef1-mediated transcriptional activation. The mechanism for the reduced β-catenin/Lef1 promoter activation was explained by phosphorylation of HDAC1 at serine 421 via NLK. The phosphorylation of HDAC1 was achieved only in the presence of wild-type NLK because a catalytically inactive mutant of NLK was unable to phosphorylate HDAC1 and reduced the luciferase reporter of β-catenin/Lef1-mediated transcriptional activation. This result suggests that NLK and HDAC1 together negatively regulate Wnt signaling, which is vital in preventing aberrant proliferation of nontransformed primary fibroblast cells.
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