RESUMO
It is well established that microRNA-21 (miR-21) targets phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), facilitating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance in cancer. Recent evidence indicates that PTEN activates its pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNA, PTENP1, which in turn inhibits miR-21. However, the dynamics of PTEN, miR-21, and PTENP1 in the DNA damage response (DDR) remain unclear. Thus, we propose a dynamic Boolean network model by integrating the published literature from various cancers. Our model shows good agreement with the experimental findings from breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), elucidating how DDR activation transitions from the intra-S phase to the G2 checkpoint, leading to a cascade of cellular responses such as cell cycle arrest, senescence, autophagy, apoptosis, drug resistance, and EMT. Model validation underscores the roles of PTENP1, miR-21, and PTEN in modulating EMT and drug resistance. Furthermore, our analysis reveals nine novel feedback loops, eight positive and one negative, mediated by PTEN and implicated in DDR cell fate determination, including pathways related to drug resistance and EMT. Our work presents a comprehensive framework for investigating cellular responses following DDR, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting PTEN, miR-21, and PTENP1 in cancer treatment.
Assuntos
Dano ao DNA , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , MicroRNAs , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase , RNA Longo não Codificante , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismo , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Humanos , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/genética , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/patologia , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Apoptose/genética , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells are extremely effective in controlling tumor growth and have been the focus of immunotherapy approaches. We leverage in silico tools to investigate whether the occurrence of mutations in proteins previously described as immunogenic and highly expressed by glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), Phosphatase and Tensin homolog (PTEN) and Tumor Protein 53 (TP53), may be contributing to the differential presentation of immunogenic epitopes. We recovered Class I MHC binding information from wild-type and mutated proteins using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB). After that, we built peptide-MHC (pMHC-I) models in HLA-arena, followed by hierarchical clustering analysis based on electrostatic surface features from each complex. We identified point mutations that are determinants for the presentation of a set of peptides from TP53 protein. We point to structural features in the pMHC-I complexes of wild-type and mutated peptides, which may play a role in the recognition of CD8 T cells. To further explore these features, we performed 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations for the peptide pairs (wt/mut) selected. In pursuit of novel therapeutic targets for GBM treatment, we selected peptides where our predictive results indicated that mutations would not disrupt epitope presentation, thereby maintaining a specific CD8 T cell immune response. These peptides hold potential for future GBM interventions, including peptide-based or mRNA vaccine development applications.
Assuntos
Apresentação de Antígeno , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Glioblastoma , Isocitrato Desidrogenase , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53 , Glioblastoma/imunologia , Glioblastoma/genética , Glioblastoma/terapia , Humanos , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Isocitrato Desidrogenase/genética , Isocitrato Desidrogenase/imunologia , Isocitrato Desidrogenase/química , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/imunologia , Apresentação de Antígeno/imunologia , Mutação , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/imunologia , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/química , Receptores ErbB/imunologia , Receptores ErbB/genética , Epitopos de Linfócito T/imunologia , Epitopos de Linfócito T/genética , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/imunologia , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/imunologia , Neoplasias Encefálicas/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/terapiaRESUMO
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Current chemotherapy treatment regimens have improved survival rates to approximately 80%; however, resistance development remains the primary cause of treatment failure, affecting around 20% of cases. Some studies indicate that loss of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) leads to deregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, increasing the expression of proteins involved in chemoresistance. PTEN loss results in deregulation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and induces hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) expression in various cancers. Additionally, it triggers upregulation of the Yin Yang 1 (YY1) transcription factor, leading to chemoresistance mediated by glycoprotein p-170 (Gp-170). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the PTEN/NF-κB axis in YY1 regulation via HIF-1α and its involvement in ALL. A PTEN inhibitor was administered in RS4;11 cells, followed by the evaluation of PTEN, NF-κB, HIF-1α, YY1, and Gp-170 expression, along with chemoresistance assessment. PTEN, HIF-1α, and YY1 expression levels were assessed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from pediatric ALL patients. The results reveal that the inhibition of PTEN activity significantly increases the expression of pAkt and NF-κB, which is consistent with the increase in the expression of HIF-1α and YY1 in RS4;11 cells. In turn, this inhibition increases the expression of the glycoprotein Gp-170, affecting doxorubicin accumulation in the cells treated with the inhibitor. Samples from pediatric ALL patients exhibit PTEN expression and higher HIF-1α and YY1 expression compared to controls. PTEN/Akt/NF-κB axis plays a critical role in the regulation of YY1 through HIF-1α, and this mechanism contributes to Gp-170-mediated chemoresistance in pediatric ALL.
Assuntos
Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras , Fator de Transcrição YY1 , Humanos , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismo , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , Fator de Transcrição YY1/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição YY1/genética , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/metabolismo , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/genética , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/metabolismo , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/tratamento farmacológico , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/genética , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/patologia , Criança , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Masculino , FemininoRESUMO
Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and consumption of cafeteria (CAF) diet, which are widespread in Western society, seem to be associated with endometrial hyperplasia (EH). Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a subchronic low dose of GBH added to the CAF diet on the rat uterus. Female Wistar rats were fed from postnatal day (PND)21 until PND240 with chow (control) or CAF diet. Since PND140, rats also received GBH (2 mg of glyphosate/kg/day) or water through food, yielding four experimental groups: control, CAF, GBH, and CAF+GBH. On PND240, CAF and CAF+GBH animals showed an increased adiposity index. With respect to the control group, no changes in the serum levels of 17ß-estradiol and progesterone were found. However, progesterone levels were higher in the CAF+GBH group than in the CAF and GBH groups. In the uterus, both studied factors alone and in combination induced morphological and molecular changes associated with EH. Furthermore, the addition of GBH provoked an increased thickness of subepithelial stroma in rats fed with the CAF diet. As a consequence of GBH exposure, CAF+GBH rats exhibited an increased density of abnormal gland area, considered preneoplastic lesions, as well as a reduced PTEN and p27 expression, both tumor suppressor molecules that inhibit cell proliferation, with respect to control rats. These results indicate that the addition of GBH exacerbates the CAF effects on uterine lesions and that the PTEN/p27 signaling pathway seems to be involved. Further studies focusing on the interaction between unhealthy diets and environmental chemicals should be encouraged to better understand uterine pathologies.
Assuntos
Glicina , Glifosato , Herbicidas , Ratos Wistar , Útero , Animais , Feminino , Útero/efeitos dos fármacos , Útero/patologia , Útero/metabolismo , Herbicidas/toxicidade , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Ratos , Hiperplasia Endometrial/induzido quimicamente , Hiperplasia Endometrial/patologia , Hiperplasia Endometrial/metabolismo , Progesterona/sangue , Dieta , Estradiol/sangue , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismo , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genéticaRESUMO
Cowden Syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, often presenting a challenging diagnosis due to its diverse clinical manifestations. Although extensively linked to several types of cancer, the precise association between CS and oral malignancies, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), remains poorly understood. This report describes a unique case of late diagnosis of CS in a 53-year-old female patient who later developed SCC in the inferior alveolar ridge, even without exposure to classic risk factors. The need to increase awareness in the medical and dental communities about CS and its manifestations in the oral cavity is highlighted. Early recognition and management of conditions associated with CS have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Encouraging the publication of similar cases is recommended to encourage detailed analyzes and investigations in order to better understand the possible association between the syndrome and the development of malignancies in the oral cavity.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Neoplasias Bucais , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo/complicações , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo/diagnóstico , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/complicações , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/diagnóstico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço/complicações , Qualidade de Vida , Neoplasias Bucais/complicações , Neoplasias Bucais/diagnóstico , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/complicaçõesRESUMO
Worldwide, the second-highest mortality rate is caused by breast cancer (BC). The most studied BC cell line is MCF-7 because it exhibits strong consistency with clinical cases and is a good system for analyzing tumors with functional estrogen receptors (ER-positive cancers). In this paper, we introduce the first theoretical method for describing PTEN-loss-induced cellular senescence (PICS), which is an increase in cellular senescence caused by PTEN knockout, utilizing a logical model of the G2/M checkpoint. We predict that PTEN expression acts as a switch between cell phenotypes associated with senescence and apoptosis. We show that PICS is induced by the activity of the positive feedback between AKT and mTORC2, and that overexpression of PTEN will disrupt the feedback, abrogating senescence and only leading to arrest or apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that miR-21 can be used as a target against proliferation control because its knockout is equivalent to PTEN overexpression. We think the findings can be used to motivate new strategies for MCF-7 strain proliferation control.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , MicroRNAs , Humanos , Feminino , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Células MCF-7 , Apoptose/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , MicroRNAs/genética , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismoRESUMO
A 56-year-old Brazilian woman sought dental care, presenting with multiple asymptomatic papillomatous lesions with a coalescent pattern and intermingled cobblestone-like clefts along the alveolar ridge and marginal and attached gingivae. Multiple whitish papules were also observed on the face, neck, and limbs. Incisional biopsies of these lesions were performed. Microscopically, the skin lesion revealed epithelial clear cells and intraepithelial keratinization with areas of orthokeratosis, while the gingival lesions showed a parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with collagenous connective tissue. These features were consistent with those of a trichilemmoma and fibroepithelial hyperplasia, respectively. This article illustrates a case of Cowden syndrome (CS), a rare multisystem genetic condition in which both cutaneous and mucosal tissues were affected. Fewer than 40 cases of CS with oral involvement affecting middle-aged adults have been documented hitherto.
Assuntos
Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo , Papiloma , Dermatopatias , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Humanos , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo/complicações , Síndrome do Hamartoma Múltiplo/patologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Gengiva/patologia , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is a complex disorder that causes death worldwide. One of the genes involved in developing this disease may be PTEN. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the PTEN gene and protein expression in tissue and blood samples taken from coronary bypass surgery patients. METHODS: Molecular studies were performed at Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK). Right atrial appendage and blood samples were taken from the central vein of 22 coronary bypass surgery patients before starting and ending cardiopulmonary bypass. PTEN expression was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the PTEN gene expression in blood samples taken before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. However, a substantial increase in both protein and gene expression levels of P-PTEN and PTEN was observed in the tissue samples. Myocardial expression of the PTEN gene was significantly increased at the end of the cardiopulmonary bypass. PTEN gene expression in the post-cardiopulmonary bypass period was increased when compared to the pre-bypass period, but it was insignificant when compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION: This study first revealed the role of the PTEN gene by analyzing both mRNA and protein expression in coronary bypass patients, appearing in both myocardial tissue and blood samples. Increased levels of PTEN may be a marker in myocardial tissue for patients with coronary artery disease.
FUNDAMENTO: A doença arterial coronariana é um distúrbio complexo que causa morte em todo o mundo. Um dos genes envolvidos no desenvolvimento dessa doença pode ser o PTEN. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo foi investigar a expressão gênica e proteica do PTEN em amostras de tecido e sangue retiradas de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados estudos moleculares no Centro de estudos do genoma humano e células-tronco da Universidade Erciyes (GENKOK). Amostras do apêndice atrial direito e de sangue foram coletadas da veia central de 22 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica antes de iniciar e terminar a circulação extracorpórea. A expressão do PTEN foi determinada usando PCR quantitativo em tempo real e análise de Western Blot. O nível de significância aceito foi de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa na expressão gênica do PTEN em amostras de sangue coletadas antes e depois da circulação extracorpórea. Entretanto, foi observado um aumento substancial nos níveis de expressão gênica e proteica de P-PTEN e PTEN nas amostras de tecido. A expressão gênica miocárdica PTEN aumentou significativamente ao final da circulação extracorpórea. A expressão gênica do PTEN no período pós-circulação extracorpórea aumentou em comparação com o período pré-circulação extracorpórea, mas não foi um aumento significativo em comparação com sujeitos saudáveis do grupo de controle. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo revelou pela primeira vez o papel do gene PTEN analisando a expressão de mRNA e de proteína em pacientes com revascularização miocárdica, que se manifesta tanto em tecido miocárdico quanto em amostras de sangue. O aumento dos níveis de PTEN pode ser um marcador no tecido miocárdico para pacientes com doença arterial coronariana.
Assuntos
Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Humanos , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/genética , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/cirurgia , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/metabolismo , Ponte de Artéria Coronária , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Ponte Cardiopulmonar , Western Blotting , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismoRESUMO
Cell fate determination is a complex process that is frequently described as cells traveling on rugged pathways, beginning with DNA damage response (DDR). Tumor protein p53 (p53) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are two critical players in this process. Although both of these proteins are known to be key cell fate regulators, the exact mechanism by which they collaborate in the DDR remains unknown. Thus, we propose a dynamic Boolean network. Our model incorporates experimental data obtained from NSCLC cells and is the first of its kind. Our network's wild-type system shows that DDR activates the G2/M checkpoint, and this triggers a cascade of events, involving p53 and PTEN, that ultimately lead to the four potential phenotypes: cell cycle arrest, senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis (quadra-stable dynamics). The network predictions correspond with the gain-and-loss of function investigations in the additional two cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7). Our findings imply that p53 and PTEN act as molecular switches that activate or deactivate specific pathways to govern cell fate decisions. Thus, our network facilitates the direct investigation of quadruplicate cell fate decisions in DDR. Therefore, we concluded that concurrently controlling PTEN and p53 dynamics may be a viable strategy for enhancing clinical outcomes.
Assuntos
Dano ao DNA , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53 , Humanos , Apoptose , Pontos de Checagem do Ciclo Celular , Células HeLa , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/genética , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase/metabolismo , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hsa_circ_0001535 is involved in biological processes in various tumors. However, the biological effects and related mechanism of hsa_circ_0001535 in ovarian cancer (OC) is unclear. This work is aimed to probe the biological function and underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_0001535 in OC, especially sponged with mi-RNA, require further elucidation. METHODS: Hsa_circ_0001535 expression in OC tissues and cell lines were examined by qRT-PCR. Hsa_circ_0001535 overexpression model was constructed by lentivirus-mediated transfection in two OC cell lines, and the biological functions of hsa_circ_0001535 were evaluated by CCK-8, transwell assay and Western blot. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was respectively used to explore the relationship between hsa_circ_0001535 and miR-593-3p, as well as miR-593-3p and PTEN. The expression of miR-593-3p and PTEN were detected by qRT-PCR in two OC cell lines and OC tissues. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0001535 was down-regulated in OC tissues and cell lines. Hsa_circ_0001535 overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration and EMT marker expression in OC cells. Of interest, hsa_circ_0001535 targeted miR-593-3p and reduced its RNA level in OC cells. PTEN was a target gene of miR-593-3p, which was up-regulated by inhibiting miR-593-3p in OC cells. Furthermore, miR-593-3p mimic treatment reversed the up-regulation of PTEN by hsa_circ_0001535 overexpression in OC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The above results showed that hsa_circ_0001535 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-593-3p to repress miR-593-3p expression, and promoted the expression of PTEN, thus inhibited proliferation and migration of OC cells. Our research provides a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer patients.