Chundong Yu

Amplified in breast cancer 1 enhances human cholangiocarcinoma growth and chemoresistance by simultaneous activation of Akt and Nrf2 pathways

Transcriptional coactivator amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) plays important roles in the progression of several cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its role in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a chemoresistant bile duct carcinoma with a poor prognosis, remains unclear. In this study we found that AIB1 protein was frequently overexpressed in human CCA specimens and CCA cell lines. Down‐regulation of AIB1 induced the G2/M arrest and decreased the expression of mitosis‐promoting factors including Cyclin A, Cyclin B, and Cdk1 through suppressing the Akt pathway, which resulted in inhibiting CCA cell proliferation. In addition, AIB1 enhanced the chemoresistance of CCA cells at least in part through up‐regulating the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2. AIB1 regulated the expression of Bcl‐2 in CCA cells through activating the Akt pathway as well as suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). AIB1 suppressed ROS by up‐regulating antioxidants such as glutathione synthetase and glutathione peroxidase, which are targets of the NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), a critical transcription factor that regulates antioxidants, detoxification enzymes, and drug efflux proteins. AIB1 also increased the expression of another two Nrf2 targets, ABCC2 and ABCG2, to enhance drug efflux. AIB1 served as an essential coactivator for Nrf2 activation by physically interacting with Nrf2 to enhance its transcriptional activity. Conclusion: AIB1 plays an important role in proliferation and chemoresistance of CCA through simultaneous activation of Akt and Nrf2 pathways, suggesting that AIB1 is a potential molecular target for CCA treatment. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;55:1822–1831)

Reprogramming the posttranslational code of SRC-3 confers a switch in mammalian systems biology

Here we demonstrate that reprogramming steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) function by changing its posttranslational modification (PTM) code drastically influences systems biology. These findings support the physiological importance of PTMs in directing in vivo functions of a master coregulator. We previously reported that the transactivation potential of SRC-3 is controlled in part by PTMs, although this data emanated from in vitro studies. To test the physiological implications of PTMs on SRC-3, we developed a knock-in mouse model containing mutations at four conserved phosphorylation sites. These mice displayed a systems biology phenotype with increased body weight and adiposity, coupled with reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity. Collectively, these phenotypes result from increased IGF1 signaling, due to elevated IGFBP3 levels. We provide convincing evidence that these mutations in SRC-3 promoted enhanced transcription of the IGFBP3 gene and globally influenced growth and metabolism. Consequently, these mice displayed increased liver tumorigenesis, which likely results from elevated IGF1 signaling.

Overexpression of transcriptional coactivator AIB1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by enhancing cell proliferation and invasiveness

Amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) is a transcriptional coactivator for nuclear receptors and other transcription factors. AIB1 has an important role in malignancy of several cancers such as breast and prostate cancers. However, its involvement in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains unclear. Here, we found that AIB1 protein was overexpressed in 23 of 34 human HCC specimens (68%). Down-regulation of AIB1 reduced HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, colony formation ability and tumorigenic potential in nude mice. These phenotypic changes caused by AIB1 knockdown correlated with increased expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21Cip1/Waf1 and decreased Akt activation and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and matrix metallopeptidase MMP-9. In agreement with these findings, clinical AIB1-positive HCC expressed higher levels of PCNA than AIB1-negative HCC. A positive correlation was established between the levels of AIB1 protein and PCNA protein in HCC, suggesting that AIB1 may contribute to HCC cell proliferation. In addition, MMP-9 expression in AIB1-postive HCC was significantly higher than that in AIB1-negative HCC, suggesting that AIB1-postive HCC may be more invasive. Collectively, our results show that overexpression of AIB1 promotes human HCC progression by enhancing cell proliferation and invasiveness. Therefore, AIB1 is a master regulator of human HCC growth and might be a useful molecular target for HCC prognosis and treatment.

Hepatitis B virus X protein stabilizes amplified in breast cancer 1 protein and cooperates with it to promote human hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasiveness

Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is closely associated with the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV X protein (HBx) plays a key role in the progression of HCC. We recently found that amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) protein is overexpressed in 68% of human HCC specimens and promotes HCC progression by enhancing cell proliferation and invasiveness. Given that both HBx and AIB1 play important oncogenic roles in HCC, we aimed to determine whether they could cooperatively promote human HCC development. Herein, we show that HBx‐positive HCC tissues had a higher level of AIB1 protein, compared to HBx‐negative HCC tissues. A positive correlation between HBx protein level and AIB1 protein level was established in HCC specimens. Without affecting its messenger RNA level, HBx induced a significant increase of the protein level of AIB1, which correlated with a significant extension of the half‐life of AIB1 protein. Mechanistically, HBx could interact with AIB1 to prevent the interaction between envelope protein 3 ubiquitin ligase F‐box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (Fbw7)α and AIB1, then inhibited the Fbw7α‐mediated ubiquitination and degradation of AIB1. In addition, reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that both HBx and AIB1 were recruited to matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) promoter to enhance MMP‐9 promoter activity cooperatively. Consistently, HBx and AIB1 cooperatively enhanced MMP‐9 expression in HepG2 cells, which, in turn, increased cell‐invasive ability. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that HBx can stabilize AIB1 protein and cooperate with it to promote human HCC cell invasiveness, highlighting the essential role of the cross‐talk between HBx and AIB1 in HBV‐related HCC progression. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1015–1024)

Mycoepoxydiene Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses through the of TRAF6 Polyubiquitination

Mycoepoxydiene (MED) is a polyketide isolated from a marine fungus associated with mangrove forests. MED has been shown to be able to induce cell cycle arrest and cancer cell apoptosis. However, its effects on inflammatory response are unclear. Herein we showed that MED exhibited inhibitory effect on inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MED significantly inhibited LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and nitric oxide (NO) in macrophages. MED inhibited LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (NF-κB) p65, IκB degradation, IκB kinase (IKK) phosphorylation, and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38, suggesting that MED blocks the activation of both NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Furthermore, the effects of MED on LPS-induced activation of upstream signaling molecules such as transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase 1 (TAK1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and IL-1 receptor associated kinases1 (IRAK1) were investigated. MED significantly inhibited TAK1 phosphorylation and TRAF6 polyubiquitination, but not IRAK1 phosphorylation and TRAF6 dimerization, indicating that MED inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses at least in part through suppression of TRAF6 polyubiquitination. Moreover, MED protected mice from LPS-induced endotoxin shock by reducing serum inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that MED is a potential lead compound for the development of a novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Soluble FGFR4 extracellular domain inhibits FGF19-induced activation of FGFR4 signaling and prevents nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a crucial role in the regulation of hepatic bile acid and lipid metabolism. FGFR4 underlies high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis, suggesting that inhibition of FGFR4 activation may be an effective way to prevent or treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To determine whether neutralization of FGFR4 ligands by soluble FGFR4 extracellular domain (FGFR4-ECD) can inhibit the activation of FGFR4, we constructed FGFR4-ECD expression vector and showed that FGFR4-ECD was effectively expressed in cells and secreted into culture medium. FGFR4-ECD inhibited FGF19-induced activation of FGFR4 signaling and reduced steatosis of HepG2 induced by palmitic acid in vitro. Furthermore, in a tetracycline-induced fatty liver model, expression of FGFR4-ECD in mouse liver reduced the accumulation of hepatic lipids and partially restored the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which promotes the mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation but is repressed by tetracycline. Taken together, these results demonstrate that FGFR4-ECD can block FGFR4 signaling and prevent hepatic steatosis, highlighting the potential value of inhibition of FGFR4 signaling as a method for therapeutic intervention against NAFLD.

Mycoepoxydiene inhibits activation of BV2 microglia stimulated by lipopolysaccharide through suppressing NF-κB, ERK 1/2 and toll-like receptor pathways.

Mycoepoxydiene (MED) is a polyketide isolated from the marine fungal Diaporthe sp. HLY-1 associated with mangroves. Although MED has been shown to have various biological effects such as antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, its activities and cellular mechanisms during microglial activation have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of MED on the production of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine BV2 microglia. MED significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and nitric oxide (NO), whereas it increased anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production in BV2 microglia in a concentration-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Moreover, MED suppressed NF-κB activation by blocking IkappaB-α (IκB-α) degradation and inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression, but had no effect on the phosphorylation of JNK, and p38. Our results demonstrate that the inhibitory and promotion effect of MED on LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators and anti-inflammatory factor production in BV2 microglia is associated with the suppression of the NF-κB, ERK1/2 and TLR signaling pathways. Therefore, MED may have therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting inflammatory mediators and enhancing anti-inflammatory factor production in activated microglia.

Steroid Receptor Coactivator 3 Is Required for Clearing Bacteria and Repressing Inflammatory Response in Escherichia coli-Induced Septic Peritonitis

Steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in regulation of bacterial LPS-induced inflammation. However, its involvement in host defense against bacterial infection remains unclear. In this study, we used SRC-3 knockout mice to assess the role of SRC-3 in antibacterial defense in Escherichia coli-induced septic peritonitis. After E. coli bacteria were injected i.p., SRC-3–deficient mice exhibited excessive local and systemic inflammatory responses and more severe bacterial burdens, leading to a significantly higher mortality compared with wild-type mice. Peritoneal macrophages of SRC-3–deficient mice showed a decrease in bacterial phagocytosis in culture and an increase in apoptosis, which was consistent with the defective bacterial clearance observed in SRC-3–deficient mice. Accordingly, SRC-3 null macrophages expressed much lower levels of scavenger receptor A, the antioxidant enzyme catalase, and antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2. Collectively, our data demonstrate that SRC-3 is important not only in modulating the local and systemic inflammation but also in intensifying bacterial clearance, which highlights a pivotal role of SRC-3 in the host defense system against bacterial infection.

Amplified in breast cancer 1 promotes colorectal cancer progression through enhancing notch signaling.

Aberrant activation of Notch signaling has an essential role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1), also known as steroid receptor coactivator 3 or NCOA3, is a transcriptional coactivator that promotes cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. However, AIB1 implication in CRC progression through enhancing Notch signaling is unknown. In this study, we found that several CRC cell lines expressed high levels of AIB1, and knockdown of AIB1 decreased cell proliferation, colony formation and tumorigenesis of these CRC cells. Specifically, knockdown of AIB1 inhibited cell cycle progression at G1 phase by decreasing the mRNA levels of cyclin A2, cyclin B1, cyclin E2 and hairy and enhancer of split (Hes) 1. Furthermore, AIB1 interacted with Notch intracellular domain and Mastermind-like 1 and was recruited to the Hes1 promoter to enhance Notch signaling. Downregulation of AIB1 also decreased CRC cell invasiveness in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Besides that, knockout of AIB1 in mice inhibited colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate treatment. The mRNA levels of cyclin B1 and Hes5 were downregulated, but p27, ATOH1 and MUC2 were upregulated in the colon tumors from AIB1-deficient mice compared with those from wild-type mice. Thus, our results signify the importance of AIB1 in CRC and demonstrate that AIB1 promotes CRC progression at least in part through enhancing Notch signaling, suggesting that AIB1 is a potential molecular target for CRC treatment.

Mycoepoxydiene suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and reduces ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice.

Mycoepoxydiene (MED) is a compound isolated from the marine fungal Diaporthe sp. HLY-1 associated with mangroves. MED has various biological effects such as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of MED on the differentiation of osteoclasts, the multinucleated bone-resorbing cells which play a crucial role in bone remodeling, is still unknown. In this study, we showed that MED could inhibit receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and the expression of three well-known osteoclast markers such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin receptor, and cathepsin K in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Furthermore, we found that MED inhibited the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1, a key transcriptional factor in osteoclast differentiation, via inhibiting the phosphorylation of TAK1 and then blocking the activation of NF-κB and ERK1/2 pathways. Moreover, MED could prevent bone loss in ovariectomized mice. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that MED can suppress RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in vivo, suggesting that MED is a potential lead compound for the development of novel drugs for osteoporosis treatment.