RESUMO
The mevalonate pathway plays an important role in breast cancer and other tumor types. However, many issues remain obscure as yet regarding its mechanism of regulation and action. In the present study, we report that the expression of mevalonate pathway enzymes is mediated by the RHO guanosine nucleotide exchange factors VAV2 and VAV3 in a RAC1- and sterol regulatory element-binding factor (SREBF)-dependent manner in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, in vivo tumorigenesis experiments indicated that the two most upstream steps of this metabolic pathway [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase 1 (HMGCS1) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR)] are important for primary tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and cell survival in breast cancer cells. HMGCR, but not HMGCS1, is also important for the extravasation and subsequent fitness of breast cancer cells in the lung parenchyma. Genome-wide expression analyses revealed that HMGCR influences the expression of gene signatures linked to proliferation, metabolism, and immune responses. The HMGCR-regulated gene signature predicts long-term tumor recurrence but not metastasis in cohorts of nonsegregated and chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer patients. These results reveal a hitherto unknown, VAV-catalysis-dependent mechanism involved in the regulation of the mevalonate pathway in breast cancer cells. They also identify specific mevalonate-pathway-dependent processes that contribute to the malignant features of breast cancer cells.
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Metastatic cutaneous melanoma is a fatal skin cancer. Resistance to targeted and immune therapies limits the benefits of current treatments. Identifying and adding anti-resistance agents to current treatment protocols can potentially improve clinical responses. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) is a transcriptional coactivator whose activity is indirectly regulated by actin and the Rho family of GTPases. We previously demonstrated that development of BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance frequently activates the Rho/MRTF pathway in human and mouse BRAFV600E melanomas. In clinical trials, pretreatment with BRAFi reduces the benefit of immune therapies. We aimed to test the efficacy of concurrent treatment with our MRTF pathway inhibitor CCG-257081 and anti-PD1 in vivo and to examine its effects on the melanoma immune microenvironment. Because MRTF pathway activation upregulates the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitor genes/proteins, we asked whether CCG-257081 can improve the response to immune checkpoint blockade. CCG-257081 reduced the expression of PDL1 in BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells and decreased surface PDL1 levels on both BRAFi-sensitive and -resistant melanoma cells. Using our recently described murine vemurafenib-resistant melanoma model, we found that CCG-257081, in combination with anti-PD1 immune therapy, reduced tumor growth and increased survival. Moreover, anti-PD1/CCG-257081 co-treatment increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and B cells into the tumor microenvironment and reduced tumor-associated macrophages. Here, we propose CCG-257081 as an anti-resistance and immune therapy-enhancing anti-melanoma agent.
Assuntos
Antígeno B7-H1 , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico , Melanoma , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Microambiente Tumoral , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/metabolismo , Animais , Melanoma/tratamento farmacológico , Melanoma/metabolismo , Melanoma/genética , Melanoma/patologia , Camundongos , Humanos , Antígeno B7-H1/antagonistas & inibidores , Antígeno B7-H1/metabolismo , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/farmacologia , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Transativadores/metabolismo , Transativadores/genética , Feminino , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
For eukaryotic cells to heal wounds, respond to immune signals, or metastasize, they must migrate, often by adhering to extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells may also deposit ECM components, leaving behind a footprint that influences their crawling. Recent experiments showed that some epithelial cell lines on micropatterned adhesive stripes move persistently in regions they have previously crawled over, where footprints have been formed, but barely advance into unexplored regions, creating an oscillatory migration of increasing amplitude. Here, we explore through mathematical modeling how footprint deposition and cell responses to footprint combine to allow cells to develop oscillation and other complex migratory motions. We simulate cell crawling with a phase field model coupled to a biochemical model of cell polarity, assuming local contact with the deposited footprint activates Rac1, a protein that establishes the cell's front. Depending on footprint deposition rate and response to the footprint, cells on micropatterned lines can display many types of motility, including confined, oscillatory, and persistent motion. On two-dimensional (2D) substrates, we predict a transition between cells undergoing circular motion and cells developing an exploratory phenotype. Small quantitative changes in a cell's interaction with its footprint can completely alter exploration, allowing cells to tightly regulate their motion, leading to different motility phenotypes (confined vs. exploratory) in different cells when deposition or sensing is variable from cell to cell. Consistent with our computational predictions, we find in earlier experimental data evidence of cells undergoing both circular and exploratory motion.
Assuntos
Movimento Celular , Matriz Extracelular , Movimento Celular/fisiologia , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Matriz Extracelular/fisiologia , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Humanos , Polaridade Celular/fisiologia , Modelos Biológicos , Animais , Adesão Celular/fisiologia , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/citologia , Células Epiteliais/fisiologiaRESUMO
The clinical use of the DNA damaging anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by irreversible cardiotoxicity, which depends on the cumulative dose. The RAS-homologous (RHO) small GTPase RAC1 contributes to DOX-induced DNA damage formation and cardiotoxicity. However, the pathophysiological relevance of other RHO GTPases than RAC1 and different cardiac cell types (i.e., cardiomyocytes, non-cardiomyocytes) for DOX-triggered cardiac damage is unclear. Employing diverse in vitro and in vivo models, we comparatively investigated the level of DOX-induced DNA damage in cardiomyocytes versus non-cardiomyocytes (endothelial cells and fibroblasts), in the presence or absence of selected RHO GTPase inhibitors. Non-cardiomyocytes exhibited the highest number of DOX-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), which were efficiently repaired in vitro. By contrast, rather low levels of DSB were formed in cardiomyocytes, which however remained largely unrepaired. Moreover, DOX-induced apoptosis was detected only in non-cardiomyocytes but not in cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological inhibitors of RAC1 and CDC42 most efficiently attenuated DOX-induced DNA damage in all cell types examined in vitro. Consistently, immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the RAC1 inhibitor NSC23766 and the pan-RHO GTPase inhibitor lovastatin reduced the level of DOX-induced residual DNA damage in both cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes in vivo. Overall, we conclude that endothelial cells, fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes contribute to the pathophysiology of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, with RAC1- and CDC42-regulated signaling pathways being especially relevant for DOX-stimulated DSB formation and DNA damage response (DDR) activation. Hence, we suggest dual targeting of RAC1/CDC42-dependent mechanisms in multiple cardiac cell types to mitigate DNA damage-dependent cardiac injury evoked by DOX-based anticancer therapy.
Assuntos
Aminoquinolinas , Doxorrubicina , Células Endoteliais , Fibroblastos , Miócitos Cardíacos , Pirimidinas , Proteína cdc42 de Ligação ao GTP , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Animais , Miócitos Cardíacos/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/patologia , Proteína cdc42 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Doxorrubicina/efeitos adversos , Células Endoteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Endoteliais/patologia , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Cardiotoxicidade , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/toxicidade , Camundongos , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Humanos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Quebras de DNA de Cadeia Dupla/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuropeptídeos/metabolismo , Dano ao DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Células CultivadasRESUMO
Attachment of circulating tumor cells to the endothelial cells (ECs) lining blood vessels is a critical step in cancer metastatic colonization, which leads to metastatic outgrowth. Breast and prostate cancers are common malignancies in women and men, respectively. Here, we observe that ß1-integrin is required for human prostate and breast cancer cell adhesion to ECs under shear-stress conditions in vitro and to lung blood vessel ECs in vivo. We identify IQGAP1 and neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (NWASP) as regulators of ß1-integrin transcription and protein expression in prostate and breast cancer cells. IQGAP1 and NWASP depletion in cancer cells decreases adhesion to ECs in vitro and retention in the lung vasculature and metastatic lung nodule formation in vivo. Mechanistically, NWASP and IQGAP1 act downstream of Cdc42 to increase ß1-integrin expression both via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/focal adhesion kinase signaling at the protein level and by myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor (SRF) transcriptionally. Our results identify IQGAP1 and NWASP as potential therapeutic targets to reduce early metastatic dissemination.
Assuntos
Integrina beta1 , Metástase Neoplásica , Fator de Resposta Sérica , Proteínas Ativadoras de ras GTPase , Humanos , Integrina beta1/metabolismo , Integrina beta1/genética , Proteínas Ativadoras de ras GTPase/metabolismo , Proteínas Ativadoras de ras GTPase/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Fator de Resposta Sérica/metabolismo , Masculino , Feminino , Neoplasias da Próstata/patologia , Neoplasias da Próstata/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Próstata/genética , Animais , Transativadores/metabolismo , Adesão Celular , Proteína Neuronal da Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich/metabolismo , Proteína Neuronal da Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Camundongos , Quinase 1 de Adesão Focal/metabolismo , Quinase 1 de Adesão Focal/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Proteína cdc42 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
VAV2 is an activator of RHO GTPases that promotes and maintains regenerative proliferation-like states in normal keratinocytes and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Here, we demonstrate that VAV2 also regulates ribosome biogenesis in those cells, a program associated with poor prognosis of human papilloma virus-negative (HPV-) OSCC patients. Mechanistically, VAV2 regulates this process in a catalysis-dependent manner using a conserved pathway comprising the RAC1 and RHOA GTPases, the PAK and ROCK family kinases, and the c-MYC and YAP/TAZ transcription factors. This pathway directly promotes RNA polymerase I activity and synthesis of 47S pre-rRNA precursors. This process is further consolidated by the upregulation of ribosome biogenesis factors and the acquisition of the YAP/TAZ-dependent undifferentiated cell state. Finally, we show that RNA polymerase I is a therapeutic Achilles' heel for both keratinocytes and OSCC patient-derived cells endowed with high VAV2 catalytic activity. Collectively, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating VAV2 and the ribosome biogenesis pathways in both preneoplastic and late progression stages of OSCC.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Neoplasias Bucais , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav , Humanos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Proliferação de Células , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Neoplasias Bucais/genética , Neoplasias Bucais/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , RNA Polimerase I/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e PescoçoRESUMO
RhoU and RhoV are members of the Rho family of small GTPases that comprise their own subfamily. RhoUV GTPases are classified as atypical due to the kinetics of their GTP/GDP binding cycles. They also possess unique N- and C-termini that regulate their subcellular localization and activity. RhoU and RhoV have been linked to cytoskeletal regulation, cell adhesion, and cell migration. They each exhibit distinct expression patterns during embryonic development and diseases such as cancer metastasis, suggesting they have specialized functions. In this review, we will discuss the known functions of RhoU and RhoV, with a focus on their roles in early development, organogenesis, and disease.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ligação ao GTP , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Proteínas de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Adesão CelularRESUMO
Anithiactin D (1), a 2-phenylthiazole class of natural products, was isolated from marine mudflat-derived actinomycetes Streptomyces sp. 10A085. The chemical structure of 1 was elucidated based on the interpretation of NMR and MS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectral data. Anithiactin D (1) significantly decreased cancer cell migration and invasion activities at a concentration of 5 µM via downregulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in A549, AGS, and Caco-2 cell lines. Moreover, 1 inhibited the activity of Rho GTPases, including Rac1 and RhoA in the A549 cell line, suppressed RhoA in AGS and Caco-2 cell lines, and decreased the mRNA expression levels of some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in AGS and Caco-2 cell lines. Thus 1, which is a new entity of the 2-phenylthiazole class of natural products with a unique aniline-indole fused moiety, is a potent inhibitor of the motility of cancer cells.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Streptomyces , Humanos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Células CACO-2 , Streptomyces/metabolismo , Células A549 , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Movimento Celular , Transição Epitelial-MesenquimalRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that Rho GTPases play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and metastasis, but their involvement in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well understood. METHODS: We aim to develop a tumor prognosis prediction system called the Rho GTPases-related gene score (RGPRG score) using Rho GTPase signaling genes and further bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS: Our work found that HCC patients with a high RGPRG score had significantly worse survival and increased immunosuppressive cell fractions compared to those with a low RGPRG score. Single-cell cohort analysis revealed an immune-active TME in patients with a low RGPRG score, with strengthened communication from T/NK cells to other cells through MIF signaling networks. Targeting these alterations in TME, the patients with high RGPRG score have worse immunotherapeutic outcomes and decreased survival time in the immunotherapy cohort. Moreover, the RGPRG score was found to be correlated with survival in 27 other cancers. In vitro experiments confirmed that knockdown of the key Rho GTPase-signaling biomarker SFN significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insight into the TME features and clinical use of Rho GTPase gene pattern at the bulk-seq and single-cell level, which may contribute to guiding personalized treatment and improving clinical outcome in HCC.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Humanos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Carcinogênese , Linhagem Celular , Imunossupressores , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
RhoU is an atypical member of the Rho family of small G-proteins, which has N- and C-terminal extensions compared to the classic Rho GTPases RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42, and associates with membranes through C-terminal palmitoylation rather than prenylation. RhoU mRNA expression is upregulated in prostate cancer and is considered a marker for disease progression. Here, we show that RhoU overexpression in prostate cancer cells increases cell migration and invasion. To identify RhoU targets that contribute to its function, we found that RhoU homodimerizes in cells. We map the region involved in this interaction to the C-terminal extension and show that C-terminal palmitoylation is required for self-association. Expression of the isolated C-terminal extension reduces RhoU-induced activation of p21-activated kinases (PAKs), which are known downstream targets for RhoU, and induces cell morphological changes consistent with inhibiting RhoU function. Our results show for the first time that the activity of a Rho family member is stimulated by self-association, and this is important for its activity.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Próstata , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Humanos , Masculino , Proteína cdc42 de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Proteína cdc42 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular/genética , Neoplasias da Próstata/genética , Neoplasias da Próstata/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
Atypical Rho GTPases are a subtype of the Rho GTPase family that are involved in diverse cellular processes. The typical Rho GTPases, led by RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42, have been well studied, while relative studies on atypical Rho GTPases are relatively still limited and have great exploration potential. With the increase in studies, current evidence suggests that atypical Rho GTPases regulate multiple biological processes and play important roles in the occurrence and development of human cancers. Therefore, this review mainly discusses the molecular basis of atypical Rho GTPases and their roles in cancer. We summarize the sequence characteristics, subcellular localization and biological functions of each atypical Rho GTPase. Moreover, we review the recent advances and potential mechanisms of atypical Rho GTPases in the development of multiple cancers. A comprehensive understanding and extensive exploration of the biological functions of atypical Rho GTPases and their molecular mechanisms in tumors will provide important insights into the pathophysiology of tumors and the development of cancer therapeutic strategies.
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Neoplasias , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Humanos , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Neoplasias/genéticaRESUMO
Resistance to radio and chemotherapy in Glioblastoma (GBM) is correlated with its malignancy, invasiveness, and aggressiveness. The Rho GTPase pathway plays important roles in these processes, but its involvement in the GBM response to genotoxic treatments remains unsolved. Inhibition of this signaling pathway has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of CNS injuries and diseases, proving to be a strong candidate for therapeutic approaches. To this end, Rho-associated kinases (ROCK), classic downstream effectors of small Rho GTPases, were targeted for pharmacological inhibition using Y-27632 in GBM cells, expressing the wild-type or mutated p53 gene, and exposed to genotoxic stress by gamma ionizing radiation (IR) or cisplatin (PT). The use of the ROCK inhibitor (ROCKi) had opposite effects in these cells: in cells expressing wild-type p53, ROCKi reduced survival and DNA repair capacity (reduction of γH2AX foci and accumulation of strand breaks) after stress promoted by IR or PT; in cells expressing the mutant p53 protein, both treatments promoted longer survival and more efficient DNA repair, responses further enhanced by ROCKi. The target DNA repair mechanisms of ROCK inhibition were, respectively, an attenuation of NHEJ and NER pathways in wild-type p53 cells, and a stimulation of HR and NER pathways in mutant p53 cells. These effects were accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by genotoxic stress only in mutant p53 cells but potentiated by ROCKi and reversed by p53 knockdown. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) treatment or Rac1 knockdown completely eliminated ROCKi's p53-dependent actions, since ROCK inhibition specifically elevated Rac-GTP levels only in mutant p53 cells. Combining IR or PT and ROCKi treatments broadens our understanding of the sensitivity and resistance of, respectively, GBM expressing wild-type or mutant p53 to genotoxic agents. Our proposal may be a determining factor in improving the efficiency and assertiveness of CNS antitumor therapies based on ROCK inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE: The use of ROCK inhibitors in association with radio or chemotherapy modulates GBM resistance and sensitivity depending on the p53 activity, suggesting the potential value of this protein as therapeutic target for tumor pre-sensitization strategies.
Assuntos
Glioblastoma , Humanos , Glioblastoma/tratamento farmacológico , Glioblastoma/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Quinases Associadas a rho/genética , Quinases Associadas a rho/metabolismo , Dano ao DNA , Linhagem Celular TumoralRESUMO
Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key hallmark of cancer progression. A critical component of ECM remodeling is the assembly of the glycoprotein fibronectin (FN) into insoluble fibrils, which provide a scaffold for invading vascular endothelial cells and escaping cancer cells, as well as a framework for collagen deposition and oncogenic cytokine tethering. FN fibril assembly is induced by Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), which was originally identified for its role in malignant transformation. Addition of exogenous TGF-ß1 drives FN fibril assembly while also upregulating endogenous TGF-ß1 expression and autocrine signaling. In the current study, we sought to determine if autocrine TGF-ß1 signaling plays a role in FN fibril formation in either MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, which behave similarly to healthy epithelia, or malignant MDA- MB-231 breast cancer cells. Our results show two interesting findings: first, malignant MDA-MB- 231 cells assemble less FN into fibrils, despite expressing and secreting more soluble FN; second, autocrine TGF-ß1 signaling is required for FN fibril formation in MCF10A epithelial cells, even in the presence of exogenous, active TGF-ß1. This suggests that autocrine TGF-ß1 is signaling through distinct pathways from active exogenous TGF-ß1. We hypothesized that this signaling was mediated by interactions between the TGF-ß1 latency associated peptide (LAP) and αv integrins; indeed, incubating MCF10As with soluble LAP, even in the absence of the active TGF-ß1 ligand, partially recovered FN fibril assembly. Taken together, these data suggests that autocrine TGF-ß1 plays a critical role in FN fibril assembly, and this interaction is mediated by LAP-integrin signaling.
Assuntos
Fibronectinas , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1 , Fibronectinas/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Comunicação Autócrina , Células Epiteliais/metabolismoRESUMO
The regulation of machinery involved in cell migration is vital to the maintenance of proper organism function. When migration is dysregulated, a variety of phenotypes ranging from developmental disorders to cancer metastasis can occur. One of the primary structures involved in cell migration is the actin cytoskeleton. Actin assembly and disassembly form a variety of dynamic structures which provide the pushing and contractile forces necessary for cells to properly migrate. As such, actin dynamics are tightly regulated. Classically, the Rho family of GTPases are considered the major regulators of the actin cytoskeleton during cell migration. Together, this family establishes polarity in the migrating cell by stimulating the formation of various actin structures in specific cellular locations. However, while the Rho GTPases are acknowledged as the core machinery regulating actin dynamics and cell migration, a variety of other proteins have become established as modulators of actin structures and cell migration. One such group of proteins is the Rab40 family of GTPases, an evolutionarily and functionally unique family of Rabs. Rab40 originated as a single protein in the bilaterians and, through multiple duplication events, expanded to a four-protein family in higher primates. Furthermore, unlike other members of the Rab family, Rab40 proteins contain a C-terminally located suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) box domain. Through the SOCS box, Rab40 proteins interact with Cullin5 to form an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. As a member of this complex, Rab40 ubiquitinates its effectors, controlling their degradation, localization, and activation. Because substrates of the Rab40/Cullin5 complex can play a role in regulating actin structures and cell migration, the Rab40 family of proteins has recently emerged as unique modulators of cell migration machinery.
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Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in metastasis, which is the leading cause of death in breast cancer patients. Here, we show that Cdc42 GTPase-activating protein (CdGAP) promotes tumor formation and metastasis to lungs in the HER2-positive (HER2+) murine breast cancer model. CdGAP facilitates intravasation, extravasation, and growth at metastatic sites. CdGAP depletion in HER2+ murine primary tumors mediates crosstalk with a Dlc1-RhoA pathway and is associated with a transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß)-induced EMT transcriptional signature. CdGAP is positively regulated by TGF-ß signaling during EMT and interacts with the adaptor talin to modulate focal adhesion dynamics and integrin activation. Moreover, HER2+ breast cancer patients with high CdGAP mRNA expression combined with a high TGF-ß-EMT signature are more likely to present lymph node invasion. Our results suggest CdGAP as a candidate therapeutic target for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer by inhibiting TGF-ß and integrin/talin signaling pathways.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Feminino , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Talina/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/genética , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/metabolismo , Integrinas/metabolismo , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Metástase Neoplásica , Movimento CelularRESUMO
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key cellular transformation for many physiological and pathological processes ranging from cancer over wound healing to embryogenesis. Changes in cell migration, cell morphology and cellular contractility were identified as hallmarks of EMT. These cellular properties are known to be tightly regulated by the actin cytoskeleton. EMT-induced changes of actin-cytoskeletal regulation were demonstrated by previous reports of changes of actin cortex mechanics in conjunction with modifications of cortex-associated f-actin and myosin. However, at the current state, the changes of upstream actomyosin signaling that lead to corresponding mechanical and compositional changes of the cortex are not well understood. In this work, we show in breast epithelial cancer cells MCF-7 that EMT results in characteristic changes of the cortical association of Rho-GTPases Rac1, RhoA and RhoC and downstream actin regulators cofilin, mDia1 and Arp2/3. In the light of our findings, we propose that EMT-induced changes in cortical mechanics rely on two hitherto unappreciated signaling paths-i) an interaction between Rac1 and RhoC and ii) an inhibitory effect of Arp2/3 activity on cortical association of myosin II.
Assuntos
Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Actinas , Mitose , Desenvolvimento EmbrionárioRESUMO
The non-cholinergic molecular targets of organophosphate (OP) compounds have recently been investigated to explain their role in the generation of non-neurological diseases, such as immunotoxicity and cancer. Here, we evaluated the effects of malathion and its dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites on the cytoskeleton components and organization of RAW264.7 murine macrophages as non-cholinergic targets of OP and DAPs toxicity. All OP compounds affected actin and tubulin polymerization. Malathion, dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP) dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), and dimethylphosphate (DMP) induced elongated morphologies and the formation of pseudopods rich in microtubule structures, and increased filopodia formation and general actin disorganization in RAW264.7 cells and slightly reduced stress fibers in the human fibroblasts GM03440, without significantly disrupting the tubulin or vimentin cytoskeleton. Exposure to DMTP and DMP increased cell migration in the wound healing assay but did not affect phagocytosis, indicating a very specific modification in the organization of the cytoskeleton. The induction of actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell migration suggested the activation of cytoskeletal regulators such as small GTPases. We found that DMP slightly reduced Ras homolog family member A activity but increased the activities of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and cell division control protein 42 (Cdc42) from 5 min to 2 h of exposure. Chemical inhibition of Rac1 with NSC23766 reduced cell polarization and treatment with DMP enhanced cell migration, but Cdc42 inhibition by ML-141 completely inhibited the effects of DMP. These results suggest that methylated OP compounds, especially DMP, can modify macrophage cytoskeleton function and configuration via activation of Cdc42, which may represent a potential non-cholinergic molecular target for OP compounds.
Assuntos
Inseticidas , Malation , Camundongos , Humanos , Animais , Malation/toxicidade , Malation/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Actinas/metabolismo , Tubulina (Proteína)/metabolismo , Citoesqueleto de Actina/metabolismo , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Inseticidas/metabolismo , Movimento Celular , Compostos Organofosforados/metabolismo , Organofosfatos/metabolismoRESUMO
Ras homolog gene family member (RhoA) is a GTPase and a member of the RAS superfamily of GTPases. RhoA is a master regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. It inhibits axon growth preventing repair and recovery following spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Despite decades of research into the biological function of Rho GTPases, there exist no small-molecule Rho inhibitors. Here, we screen a library of cysteine electrophiles to explore whether covalent bond formation at Cys-107 leads to inhibition of RhoA activation by guanine exchange factor Trio. Two fragments, propiolamide 1 (ACR-895) and acrylamide 2 (ACR-917), inhibited RhoA nucleotide exchange by Trio in a time-dependent manner. The fragments formed a covalent bond with wild-type RhoA but not Cys107Ser RhoA mutant. Time- and concentration-dependent studies led to equilibrium constants KIs and reaction rates that correspond to t1/2 values in the single-digit hour range. One fragment was selective for RhoA over Rac1 GTPase and had no effect on KRAS nucleotide exchange by SOS1. The fragments did not inhibit RhoA binding to ROCK effector protein. This work establishes Cys-107 as a suitable site for Rho GTPase inhibition and provides fragment starting points for the future development of Rho GTPase covalent inhibitors that could have profound implications in the treatment of patients with injuries of the central nervous system.
Assuntos
Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina , Guanina , Humanos , Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Nucleotídeos/metabolismoRESUMO
Metastatic cancer cells dynamically adjust their shape to adhere, invade, migrate, and expand to generate secondary tumors. Inherent to these processes is the constant assembly and disassembly of cytoskeletal supramolecular structures. The subcellular places where cytoskeletal polymers are built and reorganized are defined by the activation of Rho GTPases. These molecular switches directly respond to signaling cascades integrated by Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), which are sophisticated multidomain proteins that control morphological behavior of cancer and stromal cells in response to cell-cell interactions, tumor-secreted factors and actions of oncogenic proteins within the tumor microenvironment. Stromal cells, including fibroblasts, immune and endothelial cells, and even projections of neuronal cells, adjust their shapes and move into growing tumoral masses, building tumor-induced structures that eventually serve as metastatic routes. Here we review the role of RhoGEFs in metastatic cancer. They are highly diverse proteins with common catalytic modules that select among a variety of homologous Rho GTPases enabling them to load GTP, acquiring an active conformation that stimulates effectors controlling actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Therefore, due to their strategic position in oncogenic signaling cascades, and their structural diversity flanking common catalytic modules, RhoGEFs possess unique characteristics that make them conceptual targets of antimetastatic precision therapies. Preclinical proof of concept, demonstrating the antimetastatic effect of inhibiting either expression or activity of ßPix (ARHGEF7), P-Rex1, Vav1, ARHGEF17, and Dock1, among others, is emerging.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP , Humanos , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Fatores de Troca de Nucleotídeo Guanina Rho/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
The recent SARS-CoV-2 and mpox outbreaks have highlighted the need to expand our arsenal of broad-spectrum antiviral agents for future pandemic preparedness. Host-directed antivirals are an important tool to accomplish this as they typically offer protection against a broader range of viruses than direct-acting antivirals and have a lower susceptibility to viral mutations that cause drug resistance. In this study, we investigate the exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) as a target for broad-spectrum antiviral therapy. We find that the EPAC-selective inhibitor, ESI-09, provides robust protection against a variety of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and Vaccinia (VACV)-an orthopox virus from the same family as mpox. We show, using a series of immunofluorescence experiments, that ESI-09 remodels the actin cytoskeleton through Rac1/Cdc42 GTPases and the Arp2/3 complex, impairing internalization of viruses that use clathrin-mediated endocytosis (e.g. VSV) or micropinocytosis (e.g. VACV). Additionally, we find that ESI-09 disrupts syncytia formation and inhibits cell-to-cell transmission of viruses such as measles and VACV. When administered to immune-deficient mice in an intranasal challenge model, ESI-09 protects mice from lethal doses of VACV and prevents formation of pox lesions. Altogether, our finding shows that EPAC antagonists such as ESI-09 are promising candidates for broad-spectrum antiviral therapy that can aid in the fight against ongoing and future viral outbreaks.