CYP19A1 expression is controlled by mRNA stability of the upstream transcription factor AP-2γ in placental JEG3 cells.

CYP19A1 encodes aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen, and is induced during placental maturation. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying this function, histone methylation was analyzed using the placental cytotrophoblast cell line, JEG3. Treatment of JEG3 cells with 3-deazaneplanocin A, an inhibitor of several methyltransferases, resulted in increased CYP19A1 expression, accompanied by removal of the repressive mark H3K27me3 from the CYP19A1 promoter. However, this increase was not observed in cells treated with GSK126, another specific inhibitor for H3K27me3 methylation. Expression of TFAP2C, which encodes AP-2γ, a transcription factor that regulates CYP19A1, was also elevated upon 3-deazaneplanocin A treatment. Interestingly, TFAP2C mRNA was readily degraded in JEG3 cells but protected from degradation in the presence of 3-deazaneplanocin A. TFAP2C mRNA contained N6-methyladenosines, which were reduced upon drug treatment. These observations indicate that the TFAP2C mRNA undergoes adenosine methylation and rapid degradation, whereas 3-deazaneplanocin A suppresses methylation, resulting in an increase in AP-2γ levels. We conclude that the increase in AP-2γ expression via stabilization of the TFAP2C mRNA is likely to underlie the increased CYP19A1 expression.

Adipocyte regulation of cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a highly tumorigenic subpopulation of the cancer cells within a tumor that drive tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. In general, stem cell niche provides a specific microenvironment in which stem cells are present in an undifferentiated and self-renewable state. CSC niche is a specialized tumor microenvironment for CSCs which provides cues for their maintenance and propagation. However, molecular mechanisms for the CSC-niche interaction remain to be elucidated. We have revealed that adipsin (complement factor D) and its downstream effector hepatocyte growth factor are secreted from adipocytes and enhance the CSC properties in breast cancers in which tumor initiation and progression are constantly associated with the surrounding adipose tissue. Considering that obesity, characterized by excess adipose tissue, is associated with an increased risk of multiple cancers, it is reasonably speculated that adipocyte-CSC interaction is similarly involved in many types of cancers, such as pancreas, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. In this review, various molecular mechanisms by which adipocytes regulate CSCs, including secretion of adipokines, extracellular matrix production, biosynthesis of estrogen, metabolism, and exosome, are discussed. Uncovering the roles of adipocytes in the CSC niche will propose novel strategies to treat cancers, especially those whose progression is linked to obesity.

Monocyte-Derived miRNA-1914-5p Attenuates IL-1ß-Induced Monocyte Adhesion and Transmigration.

Atherosclerosis can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaque formation is promoted by the accumulation of inflammatory cells. Therefore, modulating monocyte recruitment represents a potential therapeutic strategy. In an inflammatory state, the expression of adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is upregulated in endothelial cells. We previously reported that miR-1914-5p in endothelial cells suppresses interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. However, whether monocyte miR-1914-5p affects monocyte recruitment is unclear. In this study, IL-1ß decreased miR-1914-5p expression in a human monocyte cell line. Moreover, miR-1914-5p inhibition enhanced adhesion to endothelial cells with the upregulation of macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1), a counter-ligand to ICAM-1. Transmigration through the endothelial layer was also promoted with the upregulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Furthermore, a miR-1914-5p mimic suppressed IL-1ß-induced monocyte adhesion and transmigration in monocytes with Mac-1 and MCP-1 downregulation. Further investigation of miR-1914-5p in monocytes could lead to the development of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis.

Effects of High-Fructose Corn Syrup Intake on Glucocorticoid Metabolism in Rats During Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood.

The consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been increasing in recent decades, especially among children. Some reports suggest that children and adolescents are more sensitive to the adverse effects of fructose intake than adults. However, the underlying mechanism of the difference in vulnerability between adolescence and adulthood have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the different effects of HFCS intake at different growth stages in rats: childhood and adolescence (postnatal day (PD) 21-60), young adulthood (PD60-100), and adulthood (PD100-140). Since alterations in hepatic glucocorticoid (GC) metabolism can cause diseases including insulin resistance, we focused on GC metabolizing enzymes such as 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (Hsd11b1 and Hsd11b2) and steroid 5 alpha-reductase 1 (Srd5a1). Western blotting showed an increase in Hsd11b1 expression and a decrease in Hsd11b2 expression in childhood and adolescence but not in adulthood. We also observed changes in Hsd11b1 and Hsd11b2 activities only in childhood and adolescence, consistent with the results of mRNA and protein expression analysis. The effect of high-fructose intake with regards to GC metabolism may therefore vary with developmental stage. This study provides insight into the adverse effects of fructose on GC metabolism in children in the context of increasing rates of HFCS consumption.

Differential effects of excess high-fructose corn syrup on the DNA methylation of hippocampal neurotrophic factor in childhood and adolescence.

Consumption of fructose-containing beverages such as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is increasing, raising concerns about the negative effects of excessive fructose intake. A recent report indicated that excess HFCS intake impairs hippocampal function. In this study, we focused on neurotrophic factors (NFs) in the hippocampus from the viewpoint of epigenetics to clarify the adverse effects of fructose. We analyzed the effects of HFCS intake on hippocampal function in three age categories: childhood and adolescence (postnatal day (PD) 21-60), young adulthood (PD60-100), and late adulthood (PD100-140). For the experiments, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three age categories, the control group was received distilled water and the HFCS group was received 20% HFCS solution for 40 days in each period. We analyzed mRNA and protein levels for qPCR and western blotting, respectively, of a hippocampal NF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). HFCS consumption reduced hippocampal Bdnf mRNA and protein expressions in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, pyrosequencing assays revealed increased DNA methylation at the Bdnf promoter in childhood and adolescence. This Bdnf levels reduction may be due to hypermethylation of the promoter regions. It should be noted that this phenomenon was observed only in childhood and adolescence fructose consumption. Our results indicate that the sensitivity of the hippocampus to fructose may vary with age. This study provides insight into the adverse effects of excessive HFCS consumption on the hippocampus in children.

Upregulation of BMI1-suppressor miRNAs (miR-200c, miR-203) during terminal differentiation of colon epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of stem cell functions, including self-renewal and differentiation. In this study, we aimed to identify miRNAs that are upregulated during terminal differentiation in the human colon epithelium, and elucidate their role in the mechanistic control of stem cell properties. METHODS: "Bottom-of-the-crypt" (EPCAM+/CD44+/CD66alow) and "top-of-the-crypt" (EPCAM+/CD44neg/CD66ahigh) epithelial cells from 8 primary colon specimens (6 human, 2 murine) were purified by flow cytometry and analyzed for differential expression of 335 miRNAs. The miRNAs displaying the highest upregulation in "top-of-the-crypt" (terminally differentiated) epithelial cells were tested for positive correlation and association with survival outcomes in a colon cancer RNA-seq database (n = 439 patients). The two miRNAs with the strongest "top-of-the-crypt" expression profile were evaluated for capacity to downregulate self-renewal effectors and inhibit in vitro proliferation of colon cancer cells, in vitro organoid formation by normal colon epithelial cells and in vivo tumorigenicity by patient-derived xenografts (PDX). RESULTS: Six miRNAs (miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-203, miR-210, miR-345) were upregulated in "top-of-the-crypt" cells and positively correlated in expression among colon carcinomas. Overexpression of the three miRNAs with the highest inter-correlation coefficients (miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c) associated with improved survival. The top two over-expressed miRNAs (miR-200c, miR-203) cooperated synergistically in suppressing expression of BMI1, a key regulator of self-renewal in stem cell populations, and in inhibiting proliferation, organoid-formation and tumorigenicity of colon epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: In the colon epithelium, terminal differentiation associates with the coordinated upregulation of miR-200c and miR-203, which cooperate to suppress BMI1 and disable the expansion capacity of epithelial cells.

Maternal fructose intake predisposes rat offspring to metabolic disorders via abnormal hepatic programming.

Given that fructose consumption has increased by more than 10-fold in recent decades, it is possible that excess maternal fructose consumption causes harmful effects in the next generation. This study attempted to elucidate the mechanism of the harmful effects of excessive maternal fructose intake from the perspective of offspring liver function. Female rats during gestation and lactation were fed water containing fructose, and their offspring were fed normal water. We attempted to elucidate the mechanism of fructose-induced transgenerational toxicity by conducting a longitudinal study focusing on hepatic programming prior to disease onset. Impaired Insulin resistance and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were observed at 160 days of age. However, metabolic disorders were not observed in 60-day-old offspring. Microarray analysis of 60-day-old offspring livers showed the reduction of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) mRNA expression. This reduction continued until the rats were aged 160 days and attenuated Igf1 signaling. Hepatic microRNA-29 (miR-29a) and miR-130a, which target Igf1 mRNA, were also found to be upregulated. Interestingly, these miRNAs were upregulated in the absence of metabolic disorder. In this study, we found that maternal fructose intake resulted in dysregulated expression of Igf1 and its target miRNAs in the offspring liver, and that these offspring were more likely to develop metabolic disorders. Abnormal hepatic programming induced by an imbalanced maternal nutritional environment is maintained throughout life, implying that it may contribute to metabolic disorders.

Adipsin-Dependent Secretion of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Regulates the Adipocyte-Cancer Stem Cell Interaction.

Adipose tissue is a component of the tumor microenvironment and is involved in tumor progression. We have previously shown that adipokine adipsin (CFD) functions as an enhancer of tumor proliferation and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties in breast cancers. We established the Cfd-knockout (KO) mice and the mammary adipose tissue-derived stem cells (mADSCs) from them. Cfd-KO in mADSCs significantly reduced their ability to enhance tumorsphere formation of breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells, which was restored by the addition of Cfd in the culture medium. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was expressed and secreted from mADSCs in a Cfd-dependent manner. HGF rescued the reduced ability of Cfd-KO mADSCs to promote tumorsphere formation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo by breast cancer PDX cells. These results suggest that HGF is a downstream effector of Cfd in mADSCs that enhances the CSC properties in breast cancers.

Transcriptional regulation of CYP19 by cohesin-mediated chromosome tethering in human granulosa cells.

Human CYP19 spans a region of chromosome 15 of approximately 130 kb and encodes aromatase, an enzyme required for estrogen synthesis. In the human granulosa cell-line KGN, there are seven open chromatin regions within the CYP19 locus. In this study, we demonstrate that two of these regions ~40 kb upstream and ~15 kb downstream of the CYP19 promoter are cohesin-loading sites, physically interacting with the promoter to negatively and positively regulate transcription, respectively. These observations suggest that CYP19 expression is controlled by a balance between the upstream silencer and downstream enhancer. When cohesin is depleted, CYP19 expression is elevated since the silencer is 2.5-fold further from the promoter than the enhancer and most likely depends on cohesin-mediated tethering to influence expression.

Maternal fructose consumption downregulates hippocampal catalase expression via DNA methylation in rat offspring.

Some studies have demonstrated that excessive fructose consumption negatively impact brain function. Recently, the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis - which suggests that maternal nutritional status during gestation and lactation can alter offspring phenotype - has received much attention. In a previous study, we demonstrated that maternal fructose consumption increases levels of lipid peroxides in hippocampi of offspring. The hypothesis in the present study was that maternal fructose intake would affect hippocampal antioxidant enzyme via epigenetic regulation. Upon confirmation of gestation, female rats were assigned to receive either water (control group) or a 20% fructose solution (fructose-fed group). Water or fructose solution were administered to dams from day 1 of gestation to postnatal day 21. Immediately after weaning, hippocampi of offspring were removed for analysis of antioxidant enzyme (Sod1, Sod2, Gpx1, Gpx4, and Cat) messenger RNA transcript levels. Levels of the Cat transcript were significantly lower in the fructose-fed relative to the control group. The Cat protein level was also significantly lower in the fructose-fed relative to the control group as with the messenger RNA transcript levels. Moreover, Cat promoter DNA methylation levels were higher in the fructose-fed group. The present study indicates that maternal fructose consumption may decrease offspring hippocampal Cat transcript levels via altered DNA methylation, which may result in higher levels of oxidative stress due to a decreased ability to neutralize lipid peroxides.

Local states of chromatin compaction at transcription start sites control transcription levels.

The 'open' and 'compact' regions of chromatin are considered to be regions of active and silent transcription, respectively. However, individual genes produce transcripts at different levels, suggesting that transcription output does not depend on the simple open-compact conversion of chromatin, but on structural variations in chromatin itself, which so far have remained elusive. In this study, weakly crosslinked chromatin was subjected to sedimentation velocity centrifugation, which fractionated the chromatin according to its degree of compaction. Open chromatin remained in upper fractions, while compact chromatin sedimented to lower fractions depending on the level of nucleosome assembly. Although nucleosomes were evenly detected in all fractions, histone H1 was more highly enriched in the lower fractions. H1 was found to self-associate and crosslinked to histone H3, suggesting that H1 bound to H3 interacts with another H1 in an adjacent nucleosome to form compact chromatin. Genome-wide analyses revealed that nearly the entire genome consists of compact chromatin without differences in compaction between repeat and non-repeat sequences; however, active transcription start sites (TSSs) were rarely found in compact chromatin. Considering the inverse correlation between chromatin compaction and RNA polymerase binding at TSSs, it appears that local states of chromatin compaction determine transcription levels.

Upregulation of S100A10 in metastasized breast cancer stem cells.

Metastatic progression remains the major cause of death in human breast cancer. Cancer cells with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties drive initiation and growth of metastases at distant sites. We have previously established the breast cancer patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) mouse model in which CSC marker CD44+ cancer cells formed spontaneous microscopic metastases in the liver. In this PDX mouse, the expression levels of S100A10 and its family proteins were much higher in the CD44+ cancer cells metastasized to the liver than those at the primary site. Knockdown of S100A10 in breast cancer cells suppressed and overexpression of S100A10 in breast cancer PDX cells enhanced their invasion abilities and 3D organoid formation capacities in vitro. Mechanistically, S100A10 regulated the matrix metalloproteinase activity and the expression levels of stem cell-related genes. Finally, constitutive knockdown of S100A10 significantly reduced their metastatic ability to the liver in vivo. These findings suggest that S100A10 functions as a metastasis promoter of breast CSCs by conferring both invasion ability and CSC properties in breast cancers.

Upregulation of CIP2A in estrogen depletion-resistant breast cancer cells treated with low-dose everolimus.

Everolimus (EVE), an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, is an emerging second-line therapeutic option for hormone therapy-resistant breast cancers. However, some patients do not respond to EVE, whereas in others it exacerbates the disease. Cellular inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is a human oncoprotein that can promote cancer cell growth and apoptosis resistance. Although CIP2A is upregulated in hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer, little is known about potential anti-tumor effects of downregulating CIP2A. As a model to study the resistance of breast cancer cells to hormone treatment, we previously established clones of long-term estrogen depletion-resistant MCF-7 (LTED) cells. Here, we selected three clones highly responsive to EVE and three clones poorly responsive to EVE. When cells were treated with EVE, CIP2A mRNA expression was decreased in highly responsive EVE clones (DC-cells) whereas it was increased in poorly responsive EVE clones (IC-cells). Using Kaplan-Meier survival plots, we report that high expression of CIP2A was associated with significantly reduced overall survival in patients with luminal A breast cancer. In IC-cells, cell growth was enhanced upon EVE treatment whereas an EVE range of 0.1-100 nm decreased growth in DC-cells. The mRNA expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) such as CDH1, CLDN3, and CK19 was significantly decreased in IC-cells, but remained unchanged in DC-cells. These findings highlight a relationship between CIP2A and EMT in the intrinsic resistance of hormone therapy-resistant breast cancers to EVE.

Maternal fructose consumption down-regulates Lxra expression via miR-206-mediated regulation.

Maternal fructose consumption affects the metabolic functions of offspring later in life. However, the molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Differences of microRNA expression profile and DNA methylation status are a candidate mechanism to explain the developmental programming that contributes to the development of a metabolic disorder. This study examined the transgenerational effect of maternal fructose consumption from the perspective of epigenetic modification. To do this, we collected serum and liver tissues from male offspring rats that were exposed to maternal distilled water or 20% fructose water during gestation and lactation. A decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was observed in the offspring of fructose-fed dams at postnatal day (PD) 160. Given research indicating a role of liver X receptor alpha (LXRA) in cholesterol metabolism, we analyzed Lxra expression. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that offspring that were delivered from fructose-fed dams exhibited decreased Lxra gene expression in their liver tissue. There is a well-established association between Lxra expression and the level of DNA methylation and miR-206 expression. Pyrosequencing assays revealed no differences in the level of DNA methylation in the Lxra promoter region, whereas miR-206 expression was increased in the liver at PD 60 and 160. Our data indicate that early-life exposure to maternal fructose results in changing of miR-206 expression level in the liver that suppresses the expression of Lxra. This phenomenon may be associated with the decreased serum HDL-C level in offspring.

MicroRNA-93 targets WASF3 and functions as a metastasis suppressor in breast cancer.

Cancer cells with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties initiate both primary tumor formation and metastases at distant sites. Acquisition of CSC properties is highly associated with epigenetic alterations, including those mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). We have previously established the breast cancer patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) mouse model in which CSC marker CD44+ cancer cells formed spontaneous microscopic metastases in the liver. In this PDX mouse, we found that the expression levels of 3 miRNAs (miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b) in the miR-106b-25 cluster were much lower in the CD44+ human cancer cells metastasized to the liver than those at the primary site. Constitutive overexpression of miR-93 suppressed invasive ability and 3D-organoid formation capacity of breast cancer cells in vitro and significantly suppressed their metastatic ability to the liver in vivo. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3), a regulator of both cytoskeleton remodeling and CSC properties, was identified as a functional target of miR-93: overexpression of miR-93 reduced the protein level of WASF3 in breast cancer cells and WASF3 rescued the miR-93-mediated suppression of breast cancer cell invasion. These findings suggest that miR-93 functions as a metastasis suppressor by suppressing both invasion ability and CSC properties in breast cancers.

MicroRNA-9-5p-CDX2 Axis: A Useful Prognostic Biomarker for Patients with Stage II/III Colorectal Cancer.

A lack of caudal-type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) protein expression has been proposed as a prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the relationship between CDX2 levels and the survival of patients with stage II/III CRC along with the relationship between microRNAs (miRs) and CDX2 expression are unclear. Tissue samples were collected from patients with stage II/III CRC surgically treated at Kyoto University Hospital. CDX2 expression was semi-quantitatively evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The prognostic impacts of CDX2 expression on overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were evaluated by multivariable statistical analysis. The expression of miRs regulating CDX2 expression and their prognostic impacts were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas Program for CRC (TCGA-CRC). Eleven of 174 CRC tissues lacked CDX2 expression. The five-year OS and RFS rates of patients with CDX2-negative CRC were significantly lower than those of CDX2-positive patients. Multivariate analysis of clinicopathological features revealed that CDX2-negative status is an independent marker of poor prognosis in stage II/III CRC. miR-9-5p was shown to regulate CDX2 expression. TCGA-CRC analysis showed that high miR-9-5p expression was significantly associated with poor patient prognosis in stage II/III CRC. In conclusion, CDX2, the post-transcriptional target of microRNA-9-5p, is a useful prognostic biomarker in patients with stage II/III CRC.

Lack of association of ovariectomy-induced obesity with overeating and the reduction of physical activities.

Obesity commonly occurs in postmenopausal women, increasing the risk of various diseases. Estrogen can prevent obesity by activating lipid metabolism and suppressing depressive behavior. However, the reasons for obesity in postmenopausal women are not clearly elucidated. To mimic the effect of estrogen decline in postmenopausal women, we analyzed the behavior and the lipid metabolism-related genes, PPARγ and CD36 in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The OVX mice showed increased visceral fat mass and PPARγ and CD36 expression in the visceral fat. In contrast, they were not significantly affected in terms of physical activity and food intake. Further, subcutaneous supplementation of estrogen effectively suppressed the increase in subcutaneous and visceral fat mass in OVX mice. We conclude that obesity in postmenopausal women is unlikely to be caused by overeating and reduction in physical activity, and subcutaneous supplementation of estrogen is an effective strategy to prevent obesity in postmenopausal women.

miR-221 Targets QKI to Enhance the Tumorigenic Capacity of Human Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells.

miRNAs are key players in the integrated regulation of cellular processes and shape many of the functional properties that define the "cancer stem cell" (CSC) phenotype. Little is known, however, about miRNAs that regulate such properties in human colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we compared the expression levels of 754 miRNAs between paired samples of EpCAM+/CD44+ cancer cells (enriched in CSCs) and EpCAM+/CD44neg cancer cells (with CSC depletion) sorted in parallel from human primary colorectal carcinomas and identified miR-221 as the miRNA that displayed the highest level of preferential expression in EpCAM+/CD44+ cancer cells. High levels of miR-221 expression were associated with Lgr5+ cells in mouse colon crypts and reduced survival in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Constitutive overexpression of miR-221 enhanced organoid-forming capacity of both conventional colorectal carcinoma cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in vitro. Importantly, constitutive downregulation of miR-221 suppressed organoid-forming capacity in vitro and substantially reduced the tumorigenic capacity of CSC populations from PDX lines in vivo. Finally, the most abundant splicing isoform of the human Quaking (QKI) gene, QKI-5, was identified as a functional target of miR-221; overexpression of miR-221-reduced QKI-5 protein levels in human colorectal carcinoma cells. As expected, overexpression of QKI-5 suppressed organoid-forming capacity in vitro and tumorigenic capacity of colorectal carcinoma PDX cells in vivo. Our study reveals a mechanistic link between miR-221 and QKI and highlights their key role in regulating CSC properties in human colorectal cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings uncover molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of cancer stem cell properties in colon cancer.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/20/5151/F1.large.jpg.

Maternal fructose-induced oxidative stress occurs viaTfam and Ucp5 epigenetic regulation in offspring hippocampi.

Fructose consumption is rising globally, but maternal high fructose intake might adversely affect offspring. Our previous report demonstrated that excess maternal fructose intake impairs hippocampal function in offspring, indicating that the hippocampi of offspring are highly sensitive to maternal fructose. Here, we examined the effect of maternal high fructose on mitochondrial physiology and uncoupling protein (UCP) expression. Rat dams received a 20% fructose solution during gestation and lactation. Immediately after weaning, offspring hippocampi were isolated. Maternal high fructose consumption attenuated the mitochondrial O2 consumption rate and stimulated lipid hydroperoxide production in the hippocampi of offspring. Reduced Ucp5 and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) mRNA levels were also observed after maternal exposure to fructose. We assessed the promoter regions of both genes and found that this treatment enhanced DNA methylation levels. In addition, luciferase assays showed that this DNA methylation could reduce the transcription of both genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that specificity protein 1 binding to the Ucp5 promoter regions was reduced by DNA methylation. In addition, Ucp5 knockdown induced the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species levels in a rat brain glioma cell line, whereas reduced O2 consumption was observed with Tfam knockdown. Maternal high fructose intake thus induces reduced O2 oxygen consumption and increases oxidative stress in offspring, at least partly through epigenetic mechanisms involving Ucp5 and Tfam.-Yamada, H., Munetsuna, E., Yamazaki, M., Mizuno, G., Sadamoto, N., Ando, Y., Fujii, R., Shiogama, K., Ishikawa, H., Suzuki, K., Shimono, Y., Ohashi, K., Hashimoto, S. Maternal fructose-induced oxidative stress occurs viaTfam and Ucp5 epigenetic regulation in offspring hippocampi.

F-Box/WD Repeat Domain-Containing 7 Induces Chemotherapy Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells.

Although the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept has provided a reasonable explanation for cancer recurrence following chemotherapy, the relationship between CSCs and chemotherapy resistance has not been thoroughly investigated, especially in solid tumors. We aimed to identify the mechanism underlying colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoresistance focusing on the cell cycle mediator F-Box/WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7). From 55 consecutive CRC cases who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) at Kyoto University Hospital, pre-treatment endoscopic biopsy specimens were collected and divided into two groups upon immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis: 21 cases of FBXW7 high expression (FBXW7-high group) and 34 cases of low expression (FBXW7-low group). High FBXW7 expression in pre-treatment biopsy specimen was significantly associated with poor pathological therapeutic effect (p = 0.019). The proportion of FBXW7-positive cells in surgically resected CRC specimens from patients who underwent NAC or NACRT was significantly higher than that in the pre-treatment biopsy specimens (p < 0.001). The expression of FBXW7 was inversely correlated with that of Ki67 in both pre-treatment biopsy specimens and surgically resected specimens. FBXW7 expression in the EpCAMhigh/CD44high subpopulation isolated by flow cytometry from CRC samples was significantly higher than that in the EpCAMhigh/CD44low subpopulation. Cell-cycle analysis in CRC cell lines revealed that, upon FBXW7 silencing, the proportion of G0/G1 cells was significantly lower than that in control cells. Moreover, knockdown of FBXW7 in CRC cell lines increased the sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs in vitro and in vivo. A subset of CRC stem cells possesses chemoresistance through FBXW7 expression. Cell cycle arrest induced by FBXW7 expression should be considered as a potential therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in CRC stem cell subsets.