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Science Translational Medicine Jul 2023Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog that has been successfully used in the treatment of multiple cancers. However, intrinsic or acquired resistance reduces the...
Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog that has been successfully used in the treatment of multiple cancers. However, intrinsic or acquired resistance reduces the chemotherapeutic potential of gemcitabine. Here, we revealed a previously unappreciated mechanism by which phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers, dominates the decision-making process that is central to the regulation of gemcitabine efficacy in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). By investigating a gemcitabine-treated CCA cohort, we found that PTEN deficiency was correlated with the improved efficacy of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Using cell-based drug sensitivity assays, cell line-derived xenograft, and patient-derived xenograft models, we further confirmed that PTEN deficiency or genetic-engineering down-regulation of PTEN facilitated gemcitabine efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PTEN directly binds to and dephosphorylates the C terminus of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) to increase its enzymatic activity, which further dephosphorylates deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) at Ser to diminish gemcitabine efficacy. Therefore, PTEN deficiency and high phosphorylation of DCK predict a better response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in CCA. We speculate that the combination of PP2A inhibitor and gemcitabine in PTEN-positive tumors could avoid the resistance of gemcitabine, which would benefit a large population of patients with cancer receiving gemcitabine or other nucleoside analogs.
Topics: Humans; Phosphorylation; Gemcitabine; Cholangiocarcinoma; Nucleosides; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; PTEN Phosphohydrolase
PubMed: 37437018
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add7464 -
Trends in Biochemical Sciences Aug 2023Dynamic protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are essential regulatory mechanisms that ensure proper cellular signaling and biological functions. Deregulation of... (Review)
Review
Dynamic protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are essential regulatory mechanisms that ensure proper cellular signaling and biological functions. Deregulation of either reaction has been implicated in several human diseases. Here, we focus on the mechanisms that govern the specificity of the dephosphorylation reaction. Most cellular serine/threonine dephosphorylation is catalyzed by 13 highly conserved phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) catalytic subunits, which form hundreds of holoenzymes by binding to regulatory and scaffolding subunits. PPP holoenzymes recognize phosphorylation site consensus motifs and interact with short linear motifs (SLiMs) or structural elements distal to the phosphorylation site. We review recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of PPP site-specific dephosphorylation preference and substrate recruitment and highlight examples of their interplay in the regulation of cell division.
Topics: Humans; Phosphorylation; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Catalytic Domain; Holoenzymes; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 37173206
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.04.004 -
Chemistry (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Dec 2023A metal-free one-pot process for the gem-difluoroolefination of amides is described. The reaction is based on interaction of generated in situ α-chloroiminium salts...
A metal-free one-pot process for the gem-difluoroolefination of amides is described. The reaction is based on interaction of generated in situ α-chloroiminium salts with difluorinated phosphorus ylide formed from difluorocarbene and triphenylphosphine. The olefination involves nucleophile-assisted dephosphorylation and proceeds within one hour at low temperature. The gem-difluoroenamines were used in further transformations leading to a variety of fluoroalkylated amines.
PubMed: 37815941
DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303144 -
Cell Research Dec 2023Combination therapy with PD-1 blockade and IL-2 substantially improves anti-tumor efficacy comparing to monotherapy. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the...
Combination therapy with PD-1 blockade and IL-2 substantially improves anti-tumor efficacy comparing to monotherapy. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the synergistic effects of the combination therapy remain enigmatic. Here we show that PD-1 ligation results in BATF-dependent transcriptional induction of the membrane-associated E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH5, which mediates K27-linked polyubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of the common cytokine receptor γ chain (γ). PD-1 ligation also activates SHP2, which dephosphorylates γ, leading to impairment of γ family cytokine-triggered signaling. Conversely, PD-1 blockade restores γ level and activity, thereby sensitizing CD8 T cells to IL-2. We also identified Pitavastatin Calcium as an inhibitor of MARCH5, which combined with PD-1 blockade and IL-2 significantly improves the efficacy of anti-tumor immunotherapy in mice. Our findings uncover the mechanisms by which PD-1 signaling antagonizes γ family cytokine-triggered immune activation and demonstrate that the underlying mechanisms can be exploited for increased efficacy of combination immunotherapy of cancer.
Topics: Animals; Mice; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; Interleukin-2; Neoplasms; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Ubiquitination; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Mitochondrial Proteins; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 37932447
DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00890-4 -
Nature Communications Oct 2023PPTC7 is a resident mitochondrial phosphatase essential for maintaining proper mitochondrial content and function. Newborn mice lacking Pptc7 exhibit aberrant...
PPTC7 is a resident mitochondrial phosphatase essential for maintaining proper mitochondrial content and function. Newborn mice lacking Pptc7 exhibit aberrant mitochondrial protein phosphorylation, suffer from a range of metabolic defects, and fail to survive beyond one day after birth. Using an inducible knockout model, we reveal that loss of Pptc7 in adult mice causes marked reduction in mitochondrial mass and metabolic capacity with elevated hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Pptc7 knockout animals exhibit increased expression of the mitophagy receptors BNIP3 and NIX, and Pptc7 mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) display a major increase in mitophagy that is reversed upon deletion of these receptors. Our phosphoproteomics analyses reveal a common set of elevated phosphosites between perinatal tissues, adult liver, and MEFs, including multiple sites on BNIP3 and NIX, and our molecular studies demonstrate that PPTC7 can directly interact with and dephosphorylate these proteins. These data suggest that Pptc7 deletion causes mitochondrial dysfunction via dysregulation of several metabolic pathways and that PPTC7 may directly regulate mitophagy receptor function or stability. Overall, our work reveals a significant role for PPTC7 in the mitophagic response and furthers the growing notion that management of mitochondrial protein phosphorylation is essential for ensuring proper organelle content and function.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mitochondrial Proteins; Mitophagy; Fibroblasts; Mitochondria; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
PubMed: 37833277
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42069-w -
Molecular Cancer Feb 2024Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most prevalent kidney cancer with high aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that...
A novel peptide PDHK1-241aa encoded by circPDHK1 promotes ccRCC progression via interacting with PPP1CA to inhibit AKT dephosphorylation and activate the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.
BACKGROUND
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most prevalent kidney cancer with high aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that circRNAs have been identified as pivotal mediators in cancers. However, the role of circRNAs in ccRCC progression remains elusive.
METHODS
The differentially expressed circRNAs in 4 paired human ccRCC and adjacent noncancerous tissues ccRCC were screened using circRNA microarrays and the candidate target was selected based on circRNA expression level using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. CircPDHK1 expression in ccRCC and adjacent noncancerous tissues (n = 148) were evaluated along with clinically relevant information. RT-qPCR, RNase R digestion, and actinomycin D (ActD) stability test were conducted to identify the characteristics of circPDHK1. The subcellular distribution of circPDHK1 was analyzed by subcellular fractionation assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and immunofluorescence (IF) were employed to evaluate the protein-coding ability of circPDHK1. ccRCC cells were transfected with siRNAs, plasmids or lentivirus approach, and cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as tumorigenesis and metastasis in nude mice were assessed to clarify the functional roles of circPDHK1 and its encoded peptide PDHK1-241aa. RNA-sequencing, western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation (IP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were further employed to identify the underlying mechanisms regulated by PDHK1-241aa.
RESULTS
CircPDHK1 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues and closely related to WHO/ISUP stage, T stage, distant metastasis, VHL mutation and Ki-67 levels. CircPDHK1 had a functional internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and encoded a novel peptide PDHK1-241aa. Functionally, we confirmed that PDHK1-241aa and not the circPDHK1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC. Mechanistically, circPDHK1 was activated by HIF-2A at the transcriptional level. PDHK1-241aa was upregulated and interacted with PPP1CA, causing the relocation of PPP1CA to the nucleus. This thereby inhibited AKT dephosphorylation and activated the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicated that circPDHK1-encoded PDHK1-241aa promotes ccRCC progression by interacting with PPP1CA to inhibit AKT dephosphorylation. This study provides novel insights into the multiplicity of circRNAs and highlights the potential use of circPDHK1 or PDHK1-241aa as a therapeutic target for ccRCC.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; RNA, Circular; Mice, Nude; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Cell Line, Tumor; Signal Transduction; Kidney Neoplasms; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Cell Proliferation; Peptides; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Protein Phosphatase 1
PubMed: 38360682
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01940-0 -
Oncogene Sep 2023Proliferating cells have metabolic dependence on glutamine to fuel anabolic pathways and to refill the mitochondrial carbon pool. The Hippo pathway is essential for...
Proliferating cells have metabolic dependence on glutamine to fuel anabolic pathways and to refill the mitochondrial carbon pool. The Hippo pathway is essential for coordinating cell survival and growth with nutrient availability, but no molecular connection to glutamine deprivation has been reported. Here, we identify a non-canonical role of YAP, a key effector of the Hippo pathway, in cellular adaptation to perturbation of glutamine metabolism. Whereas YAP is inhibited by nutrient scarcity, enabling cells to restrain proliferation and to maintain energy homeostasis, glutamine shortage induces a rapid YAP dephosphorylation and activation. Upon glutaminolysis inhibition, an increased reactive oxygen species production inhibits LATS kinase via RhoA, leading to YAP dephosphorylation. Activated YAP promotes transcriptional induction of ATF4 to induce the expression of genes involved in amino acid homeostasis, including Sestrin2. We found that YAP-mediated Sestrin2 induction is crucial for cell viability during glutamine deprivation by suppressing mTORC1. Thus, a critical relationship between YAP, ATF4, and mTORC1 is uncovered by our findings. Finally, our data indicate that targeting the Hippo-YAP pathway in combination with glutaminolysis inhibition may provide potential therapeutic approaches to treat tumors.
Topics: Humans; Activating Transcription Factor 4; Cell Survival; Glutamine; Homeostasis; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Mitochondria
PubMed: 37591953
DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02811-6 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder remain elusive, numerous investigations have characterized its two core pathologies: the presence of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, multiple studies of postmortem brain tissue, as well as results from AD preclinical models, have consistently demonstrated the presence of a sustained inflammatory response. As the persistent immune response is associated with neurodegeneration, it became clear that it may also exacerbate other AD pathologies, providing a link between the initial deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the later development of neurofibrillary tangles. Initially discovered in T cells, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is one of the main transcription factors driving the expression of inflammatory genes and thus regulating immune responses. NFAT-dependent production of inflammatory mediators is controlled by Ca-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes its transcriptional activity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that aberrant CaN/NFAT signaling is linked to several pathologies observed in AD, including neuronal apoptosis, synaptic deficits, and glia activation. In view of this, the role of NFAT isoforms in AD has been linked to disease progression at different stages, some of which are paralleled to diminished cognitive status. The use of classical inhibitors of CaN/NFAT signaling, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine, or adeno-associated viruses to specifically inhibit astrocytic NFAT activation, has alleviated some symptoms of AD by diminishing β-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. In this article, we discuss the recent findings related to the contribution of CaN/NFAT signaling to the progression of AD and highlight the possible benefits of targeting this pathway in AD treatment.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Calcineurin; Plaque, Amyloid; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Brain
PubMed: 38077352
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281882 -
Annual Review of Genetics Nov 2023Enzymes that phosphorylate, dephosphorylate, and ligate RNA 5' and 3' ends were discovered more than half a century ago and were eventually shown to repair purposeful... (Review)
Review
Enzymes that phosphorylate, dephosphorylate, and ligate RNA 5' and 3' ends were discovered more than half a century ago and were eventually shown to repair purposeful site-specific endonucleolytic breaks in the RNA phosphodiester backbone. The pace of discovery and characterization of new candidate RNA repair activities in taxa from all phylogenetic domains greatly exceeds our understanding of the biological pathways in which they act. The key questions anent RNA break repair in vivo are () identifying the triggers, agents, and targets of RNA cleavage and () determining whether RNA repair results in restoration of the original RNA, modification of the RNA (by loss or gain at the ends), or rearrangements of the broken RNA segments (i.e., RNA recombination). This review provides a perspective on the discovery, mechanisms, and physiology of purposeful RNA break repair, highlighting exemplary repair pathways (e.g., tRNA restriction-repair and tRNA splicing) for which genetics has figured prominently in their elucidation.
Topics: Phylogeny; RNA Ligase (ATP); RNA; RNA, Transfer; RNA Splicing
PubMed: 37722686
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-071719-021856 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023NLRP3 is a prototypical sensor protein connecting cellular stress to pro-inflammatory signaling. A complex array of regulatory steps is required to switch NLRP3 from an... (Review)
Review
NLRP3 is a prototypical sensor protein connecting cellular stress to pro-inflammatory signaling. A complex array of regulatory steps is required to switch NLRP3 from an inactive state into a primed entity that is poised to assemble an inflammasome. Accumulating evidence suggests that post-translational mechanisms are critical. In particular, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and ubiquitylation/deubiquitylation reactions have been reported to regulate NLRP3. Taken individually, several post-translational modifications appear to be essential. However, it remains difficult to understand how they may be coordinated, whether there is a unique sequence of regulatory steps accounting for the functional maturation of NLRP3, or whether the sequence is subject to variations depending on cell type, the stimulus, and other parameters such as the cellular context. This review will focus on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, and on kinases and phosphatases that have been reported to modulate NLRP3 activity. The aim is to try to integrate the current understanding and highlight potential gaps for further studies.
Topics: Inflammasomes; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Phosphorylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Proteins
PubMed: 38022631
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281607