Pachymic acid exerts antitumor activities by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via targeting PTP1B

Objective:To determine the inhibitory effects of pachymic acid on lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism.Methods:CCK-8,wound healing,Transwell,Western blot,tube formation,and immunofluorescence assays were carried out to measure the effects of various concentrations of pachymic acid on LUAD cell proliferation,metastasis,angiogenesis as well as autophagy.Subsequently,molecular docking technology was used to detect the potential targeted binding association between pachymic acid and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B(PTP1B).Moreover,PTP1B was overexpressed in A549 cells to detect the specific mechanisms of pachymic acid.Results:Pachymic acid suppressed LUAD cell viability,metastasis as well as angiogenesis while inducing cell autophagy.It also targeted PTP1B and lowered PTP1B expression.However,PTP1B overexpression reversed the effects of pachymic acid on metastasis,angiogenesis,and autophagy as well as the expression of Wnt3a andβ-catenin in LUAD cells.Conclusions:Pachymic acid inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis,and promotes autophagy in LUAD cells by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via targeting PTP1B.

Regulation of CTNNB1 signaling in gastric cancer and stem cells

Recent research has shown that the alteration of combinations in gene expression contributes to cellular phenotypic changes. Previously, it has been demonstrated that the combination of cadherin 1 and cadherin 2 expression can identify the diffuse-type and intestinal-type gastric cancers. Although the diffuse-type gastric cancer has been resistant to treatment, the precise mechanism and phenotypic involvement has not been revealed. It may be possible that stem cells transform into gastric cancer cells, possibly through the involvement of a molecule alteration and signaling mechanism. In this review article, we focus on the role of catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1 or β-catenin) and describe the regulation of CTNNB1 signaling in gastric cancer and stem cells.

侵袭性纤维瘤病中CTNNB1基因突变与复发的相关性

目的分析CTNNB1基因在侵袭性纤维瘤病中的突变情况,探讨其与肿瘤复发的相关性。方法回顾性分析2010年~2019年十堰市太和医院收治的32例CTNNB1突变阳性侵袭性纤维瘤病,采用免疫组化和PCR-Sanger测序法分别检测β-catenin蛋白表达和CTNNB1基因突变状态,分析侵袭性纤维瘤病局部复发的可能因素。结果32例侵袭性纤维瘤病中女性26例,男性6例;其中12例发生于腹壁,15例发生于腹壁外,5例发生于腹腔内及肠系膜。免疫组化标记侵袭性纤维瘤病中β-catenin的阳性率为84.4%,以核表达为主,部分伴有胞质着色。不同CTNNB1基因突变类型之间β-catenin阳性率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不同CTNNB1基因突变位点在患者年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、发生部位之间差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。32例中10例患者首次术后出现复发,单因素生存分析结果显示,CTNNB1突变位点可能与肿瘤局部复发相关(P<0.05)。结论CTNNB1基因突变是侵袭性纤维瘤病中较为常见的分子病理事件,不同肿瘤突变位点可能与局部肿瘤复发有关。

The expressions of Pin1, β-catenin and cyclin D1 in elderly lung carcinomas and their significance

Objective： To investigate the expressions and correlations of Pin1, β-catenin and cyclin D1 in elderly lung carcinomas. Methods： The expressions of Pin1, β-catenin and cyclin D1 were examined in the specimens of 92 elderly lung carcinomas and 10 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemistry and explored the relationship between the expression levels and clinicopathological factors. Results： （1） The overexpression of Pin1 and cyclin D1 in lung carcinomas was 46 （50%） cases and 60 （65.22%） cases respectively and 56 （60.82%） cases showed positive immunoreactivity for 13-catenin in the nuclear and （or） cytoplasmic fraction in tumor tissues. In normal tissue, the expressions of Pin1 and cyclin D1 were negative, the expression of β-catenin was lied in cell membrane. （2） In lung carcinomas the expressions of Pin1, β-catenin and cyclin D1 correlated with tumor differentiation （P 〈 0.05）. The pesitive expression rate and intensity of Pin1 correlated with tumor stage （P = 0.032） and lymph node positive disease （P = 0.041）. The expression of β-catenin correlated with lymph node positive disease （P = 0.012）. （3） High expression levels of Pin1 correlated with aberrant I]-catenin expression （P = 0.000） but did not show a correlation with cyclin D1 （P = 0.157）. Conclusion： In elderly lung carcinomas, the positive expression of Pin1 causes abnormal accumulation of β-catenin and actives its target gene, however, this target gene was not cyclin DI. The detection of Pin1 expression had some clinical significance in estimating prognosis of elderly patient with lung carcinomas.

Gene expression and pathway analysis of CTNNB1 in cancer and stem cells

AIM To investigate β-catenin(CTNNB1) signaling in cancer and stem cells, the gene expression and pathway were analyzed using bioinformatics.METHODS The expression of the catenin β 1(CTNNB1) gene, which codes for β-catenin, was analyzed in mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) and gastric cancer(GC) cells. Beta-catenin signaling and the mutation of related proteins were also analyzed using the cB ioP ortal for Cancer Genomics and HOMology modeling of Complex Structure(HOMCOS) databases.RESULTS The expression of the CTNNB1 gene was up-regulated in GC cells compared to MSCs. The expression of EPH receptor A8(EPHA8), synovial sarcoma translocation chromosome 18(SS18), interactor of little elongation complex ELL subunit 1(ICE1), patched 1(PTCH1), mutS homolog 3(MSH3) and caspase recruitment domain family member 11(CARD11) were also shown to be altered in GC cells in the cB ioP ortal for Cancer Genomics analysis. 3D complex structures were reported for E-cadherin 1(CDH1), lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1(LEF1), transcription factor 7 like 2(TCF7L2) and adenomatous polyposis coli protein(APC) with β-catenin. CONCLUSION The results indicate that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related gene CTNNB1 plays an important role in the regulation of stem cell pluripotency and cancer signaling.

散发性结直肠腺癌APC、β-catenin基因的表达及其意义

目的探讨APC、β-catenin在散发性结直肠肿瘤发生、发展中的作用和意义。方法采用SP免疫组化方法检测55例散发性结直肠腺癌、33例结直肠腺瘤组织标本中APC、β-catenin基因蛋白产物的表达水平。结果APC基因蛋白产物在结直肠腺癌组织中阳性表达率(23.6%)明显低于正常结直肠黏膜组织(86.7%)和结直肠腺瘤组织(72.7%),差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结直肠腺瘤、结直肠腺癌组织中β-catenin阳性表达率(69.7%、81.8%)明显高于正常结直肠黏膜组织(0%),差异有显著性P<0.05。结直肠腺癌中APC的表达与β-catenin的表达呈负相关关系γ=-0.514,P<0.05。结论APC、β-catenin基因在散发性结直肠腺癌的发生、发展过程中有重要作用。散发性结直肠腺癌组织中β-catenin细胞核聚集的主要原因可能是APC蛋白产物功能的失活。β-catenin细胞核异位表达是散发性结直肠腺癌发生发展过程中的早期改变。

β-catenin表达与基因突变在侵袭性纤维瘤病诊断中的作用

目的探讨β-catenin表达与基因突变在侵袭性纤维瘤病诊断中的作用。方法采用免疫组化方法和一代测序的方法对28例侵袭性纤维瘤病和32例形态学相似的梭形细胞肿瘤患者的石蜡组织进行β-catenin蛋白表达分析和CTNNB1基因突变检测。结果96.43%(27/28)的侵袭性纤维瘤病样本和46.88%(15/32)的对照样本中检测到β-catenin阳性表达(P<0.01);89.29%(25/28)的侵袭性纤维瘤病样本和对照样本中检测到CTNNB1基因突变(P<0.01)。在侵袭性纤维瘤病样本中,CTNNB1基因突变主要发生在41密码子和45密码子,其中41密码子突变率为64.29%(18/28)、45密码子突变率为25%(7/28)。结论β-catenin蛋白在侵袭性纤维瘤病中阳性率明显高于其他梭形细胞肿瘤,CTNNB1突变在侵袭性纤维瘤病中很常见,联合β-catenin表达和基因突变检测可辅助诊断侵袭性纤维瘤病。

Crosstalk among canonical Wnt and Hippo pathway members in skeletal muscle and at the neuromuscular junction

Skeletal muscles are essential for locomotion,posture,and metabolic regulation.To understand physiological processes,exercise adaptation,and muscle-related disorders,it is critical to understand the molecular pathways that underlie skeletal muscle function.The process of muscle contra ction,orchestrated by a complex interplay of molecular events,is at the core of skeletal muscle function.Muscle contraction is initiated by an action potential and neuromuscular transmission requiring a neuromuscular junction.Within muscle fibers,calcium ions play a critical role in mediating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments that generate force.Regulation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in excitation-contraction coupling.The development and growth of skeletal muscle are regulated by a network of molecular pathways collectively known as myogenesis.Myogenic regulators coordinate the diffe rentiation of myoblasts into mature muscle fibers.Signaling pathways regulate muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy in response to mechanical stimuli and nutrient availability.Seve ral muscle-related diseases,including congenital myasthenic disorders,sarcopenia,muscular dystrophies,and metabolic myopathies,are underpinned by dys regulated molecular pathways in skeletal muscle.Therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving muscle mass and function,enhancing regeneration,and improving metabolic health hold promise by targeting specific molecular pathways.Other molecular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle include the canonical Wnt signaling pathway,a critical regulator of myogenesis,muscle regeneration,and metabolic function,and the Hippo signaling pathway.In recent years,more details have been uncovered about the role of these two pathways during myogenesis and in developing and adult skeletal muscle fibers,and at the neuromuscular junction.In fact,research in the last few years now suggests that these two signaling pathways are interconnected and that they jointly control physiological and pathophysiological processes in muscle fibers.In this review,we will summarize and discuss the data on these two pathways,focusing on their concerted action next to their contribution to skeletal muscle biology.However,an in-depth discussion of the noncanonical Wnt pathway,the fibro/a dipogenic precursors,or the mechanosensory aspects of these pathways is not the focus of this review.

睾丸微囊性间质肿瘤2例临床病理及分子特征分析

目的观察2例睾丸微囊性间质肿瘤(microcystic stromal tumor,MCST)的临床病理学表现和分子改变。方法回顾性分析2例睾丸MCST的临床病理学及相关分子特征,运用免疫组化法及高通量基因测序技术检测MCST中的蛋白表达及基因状态。结果2例患者年龄分别为31岁和34岁,均偶然发现单侧睾丸肿大,无不适症状,肿瘤最大径分别为2.0 cm和1.7 cm。镜下见肿瘤呈结节状或分叶状膨胀性生长,瘤细胞呈微囊、网状、实性、漩涡状、条索状等多种形态,与玻变纤维不同比例混合。细胞形态较一致,胞质较丰富,核圆形~卵圆形,未见病理性核分裂及坏死。免疫表型:瘤细胞表达β-catenin(核染色)、CD10及CD99,不表达性索-间质肿瘤标志物(α-inhibin及Calretinin)。二代基因测序示2例均发生CTNNB1基因3号外显子突变,其中1例发生了APC基因突变。2例均行患侧睾丸根治术,术后分别随访14个月和29个月,均未见复发和转移。结论睾丸MCST极其罕见,除具有独特的微囊结构外,还具有更宽广的形态表现。发病机制与CTNNB1或APC基因突变有关,导致β-catenin核异常表达,归属性腺肿瘤中的独立病种之一。大多数肿瘤切除后治愈,生物学行为仍需深入探究。

Integrative analysis of aberrant Wnt signaling in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To comprehensively understand the underlying molecular events accounting for aberrant Wnt signaling activation in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: This study was retrospective. The HCC tissue specimens used in this research were obtained from patients who underwent liver surgery. The Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer(COSMIC) database was searched for the mutation statuses of CTNNB1, TP53, and protein degradation regulator genes of CTNNB1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed with TOP/FOP reporters to detect whether TP53 gain-of-function(GOF) mutations could enhance the transcriptional activity of Wnt signaling. Methylation sensitive restriction enzyme-quantitative PCR was used to explore the methylation status of Cp G islands located in the promoters of APC, SFRP1, and SFRP5 in HCCs with different risk factors. Finally, nestedreverse transcription PCR was performed to examine the integration of HBx in front of LINE1 element and the existence of HBx-LINE1 chimeric transcript in Hepatitis B virus-related HCC. All results in this article were analyzed with the software SPSS version 19.0 for Windows, and different groups were compared by χ2 test as appropriate.RESULTS: Based on the data from COSMIC database, compared with other solid tumors, mutation frequency of CTNNB1 was significantly higher in HCC(P < 0.01). The rate of CTNNB1 mutation was significantly less frequent in Hepatitis B virus-related HCC than in other etiologies(P < 0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter system and TOP/FOP reporter assays confirmed that TP53 GOF mutants were able to enhance the transcriptional ability of Wnt signaling. An exclusive relationship between the status of TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations was observed. However, according to the COSMIC database, TP53 GOF mutation is rare in HCC, which indicates that TP53 GOF mutation is not a reason for the aberrant activation of Wnt signaling in HCC. APC and AXIN1 were mutated in HCC. By using methylation sensitive restriction enzyme-quantitative PCR, hypermethylation of APC was detected in HCC with different risk factors, whereas SFRP1 and SFRP5 were not hypermethylated in any of the HCC etiologies, which indicates thatthe mutation of APC and AXIN1, together with the methylation of APC could take part in the overactivation of Wnt signaling. Nested-reverse transcription PCR failed to detect the integration of HBx before the LINE1 element, or the existence of an HBx-LINE1 chimeric transcript, suggesting that integration could not play a role in the aberrant activation of Wnt signaling in HCC.CONCLUSION: In HCC, genetic/epigenetic aberration of CTNNB1 and its protein degradation regulators are the major cause of Wnt signaling overactivation.

Genotype phenotype classification of hepatocellular adenoma

Studies that compare tumor genotype with phenotype have provided the basis of a new histological/molecular classification of hepatocellular adenomas. Based on two molecular criteria （presence of a TCFI/HNF1α or β-catenin mutation）, and an additional histological criterion （presence or absence of an inflammatory infiltrate）, subgroups of hepatocellular adenoma can be defined and distinguished from focal nodular hyperplasia. Analysis of 96 hepatocellular adenomas performed by a French collaborative network showed that they can be divided into four broad subgroups： the first one is defined by the presence of mutations in TCF1 gene inactivating the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 （HNF1α）, the second by the presence of β-catenin activating mutations; the category without mutations of HNF1α or β-catenin is further divided into 2 subgroups depending on the presence or absence of inflammation. Therefore, the approach to the diagnosis of problematic benign hepatocytic nodules may be entering a new era directed by new molecular information. It is hoped that immunohistological tools will improve significantly diagnosis of liver biopsy in our ability to distinguish hepatocellular adenoma from focal nodular hyperplasia （FNH）, and to delineate clinically meaningful entities within each group to define the best clinical management. The optimal care of patients with a liver nodule will benefit from the recent knowledge coming from molecular biology and the combined expertise of hepatologists, pathologists, radiologists, and surgeons.

The human and mouse sex-determining SRY genes repress the Rspo1/β-catenin signaling

The sex-determining region Y （SRY） is the gene on the Y chromosome responsible for switching on male sex determination during mammalian embryogenesis. In its absence, ovaries develop in the embryo. Hence, ovarian determination and differentiation is considered to be a default, or passive, developmental pathway. Recently this classical paradigm of sex determination has been challenged with the discovery of the R-spondin 1 （RSPO1） as an active ovarian determinant. Mutations of RSPO1 cause a female-to-male sex reversal. RSPO1 synergizes with WNT4 in activating an ovarian development in the bipotential gonad via the canonical Wnt signaling. Early studies showed that SRY represses such Wnt signaling, but also generated discrepancies on whether only mouse Sry is capable of inhibiting such Wnt signaling and whether both human and mouse SRY proteins are able to interact with β-catenin, the intracellular messenger responsible for executing the Wnt signals. Our studies show that both human SRY and mouse Sry are capable of repressing the Rspol/Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, the repression activities vary among different SRY/Sry proteins and paradoxically related to the presence and/or size of an acidic/glutamine-rich domain. The HMG box of human SRY could bind directly to β-catenin while the mouse Sry binds to β-catenin via its HMG box and glutamine-rich domain. The results clarify some of the initial discrepancies, and raise the possibility that SRY interacts with β-catenin in the nucleus and represses the transcriptional activation of the Rspol/Wnt target genes involved in ovarian determination, thereby switching on testis determination.

Involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway and cell apoptosis in the rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

We investigated the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by examining β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression in the rat hippocampal CA1 region following acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Our results demonstrate that cell apoptosis increases in the CA1 region following ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression gradually increases, peaking at 48 hours following reperfusion. Dickkopf-1 administration, after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, results in decreased cell apoptosis, and β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β expression, in the CA1 region. This suggests that β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, both components of the Wnt signaling pathway, participate in cell apoptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

小儿恶性肿瘤β-catenin基因突变的研究进展

β-catenin是一种重要的信号转导分子和细胞间黏附分子，在小儿恶性肿瘤中突变率较高，可能与肿瘤的发生和转移都有关系。肝母细胞瘤中突变率约48％，肾母细胞瘤中突变发生在有WT1突变的病例中，神经母细胞瘤中已发现有β-catenin突变。

Alantolactone inhibits proliferation,metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways

Although there are many therapeutic strategies such as surgery and chemotherapy,the prognosis of osteosarcoma(OS)is still far from being satisfactory.It is urgent to develop more effective,tolerable and safe drugs for the treatment of OS.In the present study,we investigated the anti-OS activity of Alantolactone(ALT),a natural eucalyptone sesquiterpene lactone mainly exists in Inula helenium,and probed the possible mechanism involved.We demonstrated that ALT significantly inhibited cell proliferation of various human OS cell lines while had relative lower cytotoxicity against normal cells.Then,we validated that ALT reduced migration,decreased invasion possibly through reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)process and suppressing Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs).Moreover,we confirmed that ALT promoted apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase of human OS cells in vitro.In addition,we confirmed that ALT restrained tumor growth and metastasis of OS 143 cells in a xenograft model in vivo.Mechanistically,ALT inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin and p38,ERK1/2 and JNK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases(MAPKs)signal pathway.Notably,the combination of ALT and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor,as well as the combination of ALT and MAPKs inhibitors resulted in a synergistically effect on inhibiting the proliferation,migration and invasion of OS cells.Collectively,our results validate the ALT may inhibit proliferation,metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human OS cells possibly through suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways.

YAP regulates the liver size during the fasting-refeeding transition in mice

Liver is the central hub regulating energy metabolism during feeding-fasting transition.Evidence suggests that fasting and refeeding induce dynamic changes in liver size,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Yes-associated protein(YAP)is a key regulator of organ size.This study aims to explore the role of YAP in fasting-and refeeding-induced changes in liver size.Here,fasting significantly reduced liver size,which was recovered to the normal level after refeeding.Moreover,hepatocyte size was decreased and hepatocyte proliferation was inhibited after fasting.Conversely,refeeding promoted hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation compared to fasted state.Mechanistically,fasting or refeeding regulated the expression of YAP and its downstream targets,as well as the proliferation-related protein cyclin D1(CCND1).Furthermore,fasting significantly reduced the liver size in AAV-control mice,which was mitigated in AAV Yap(5SA)mice.Yap overexpression also prevented the effect of fasting on hepatocyte size and proliferation.Besides,the recovery of liver size after refeeding was delayed in AAV Yap shRNA mice.Yap knockdown attenuated refeeding-induced hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation.In summary,this study demonstrated that YAP plays an important role in dynamic changes of liver size during fasting-refeeding transition,which provides new evidence for YAP in regulating liver size under energy stress.