Yongchun Yu

Characterization of function and regulation of miR-24-1 and miR-31

To date, numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) have been discovered. However, the function of these miRNAs is largely unknown. While our knowledge of miRNA post-transcriptional processing has greatly expanded in recent years, we have a limited understanding of the regulation and transcription of miRNA genes. In this study, we characterized two BMP-2 upregulated miRNAs, miR-24-1 and miR-31, in mesenchymal stem cells and showed their opposing function in controlling cellular proliferation, and adipogenesis. Furthermore, we are the first to identify and characterize mouse intronic miR-23b~27b~24-1 and intergenic miR-31 genes. Moreover, we found that pri-miR-23b, pri-miR-27b, and pri-miR-24-1 are transcribed independently and their expression profiles are unique when cells are treated with BMP-2, even though they are located closely together.

Sox9, a Key Transcription Factor of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-Induced Chondrogenesis, is Activated Through BMP Pathway and a CCAAT Box in the Proximal Promoter

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) can be differentiated into fully functional chondrocytes in response to bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2). The expression of Sox9, a critical transcription factor for the multiple steps of chondrogenesis, has been reported to be upregulated during this process. But the molecular mechanisms by which BMP‐2 promotes chondrogenesis still remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the underlying mechanism. In the MEFs, BMP‐2 efficiently induced Sox9 expression along with chondrogenic differentiation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. SB203580, a specific inhibitor for p38 pathway, blocked BMP‐2‐induced chondrogenic differentiation as well as Sox9 expression and its transactivation of downstream genes. Forced expression of Smad6, a natural antagonist for BMP/Smad pathway, only inhibited Sox9 protein function without rendering any effects on its mRNA expression. A CCAAT box was identified in Sox9 promoter as the cis‐elements responsible for BMP‐2 stimulation. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying BMP‐2‐regulated Sox9 expression and activity in MEFs, and suggests differential roles of BMP‐2/p38 and BMP‐2/Smad pathways in modulating the function of Sox9 during chondrogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 228–241, 2008.

Mutual interaction between YAP and CREB promotes tumorigenesis in liver cancer

Yes‐associated protein (YAP), the downstream effecter of the Hippo‐signaling pathway as well as cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein (CREB), has been linked to hepatocarcinogenesis. However, little is known about whether and how YAP and CREB interact with each other. In this study, we found that YAP‐CREB interaction is critical for liver cancer cell survival and maintenance of transformative phenotypes, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, both CREB and YAP proteins are highly expressed in a subset of human liver cancer samples and are closely correlated. Mechanistically, CREB promotes YAP transcriptional output through binding to −608/−439, a novel region from the YAP promoter. By contrast, YAP promotes protein stabilization of CREB through interaction with mitogen‐activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14/p38) and beta‐transducin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (BTRC). Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function studies demonstrated that phosphorylation of CREB by MAPK14/p38 at ser133 ultimately leads to its degradation. Such effects can be enhanced by BTRC through phosphorylation of MAPK14/p38 at Thr180/Tyr182. However, YAP negatively controls phosphorylation of MAPK14/p38 through inhibition of BTRC expression. Conclusion: There is a novel positive autoregulatory feedback loop underlying the interaction between YAP and CREB in liver cancer, suggesting that YAP and CREB form a nexus to integrate the protein kinase A, Hippo/YAP, and MAPK14/p38 pathways in cancer cells and thus may be helpful in the development of effective diagnosis and treatment strategies against liver cancer. (Hepatology 2013;53:1011–1020)

Cluster of Differentiation 166 (CD166) Regulated by Phosphatidylinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)/AKT Signaling to Exert Its Anti-apoptotic Role via Yes-associated Protein (YAP) in Liver Cancer

Background: CD166 is overexpressed and regarded as a valuable prognostic marker in tumors. Results: An autoregulatory feedback between PI3K/AKT and CD166 was revealed, and YAP was identified as a CD166 downstream effecter. Conclusion: CD166 is regulated by PI3K/AKT to exert its anti-apoptotic role via YAP. Significance: The relationship between CD166 and YAP provides new therapeutic insights into liver cancer. Cluster of differentiation 166 (CD166 or Alcam) is a cell surface molecule that can be greatly induced in liver cancer cells after serum deprivation, suggesting its role in influencing cell survival. However, whether and how CD166 acts as an anti-apoptotic regulator needs to be further investigated. Here, we report that gene silencing of CD166 promoted apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-2 in liver cancer cells. PI3K/AKT signaling was found to up-regulate CD166 expression independently of transcription. We also revealed that CD166 promoted both AKT expression and activity, thus providing a novel positive regulatory feedback between PI3K/AKT signaling and CD166. Moreover, Yes-associated protein (YAP) was identified as a CD166 downstream effecter, which can partly rescue CD166 knockdown-induced apoptosis and reduced in vivo cancer cell growth. Mechanically, CD166 modulated YAP expression and activity through at least two different ways, transcriptional regulation of YAP through cAMP-response element-binding protein and post-transcriptional control of YAP stability through inhibition to AMOT130. We also showed that CD9 enhanced CD166-mediated regulation of YAP via a mechanism involving facilitating CD166-CD166 homophilic interaction. Tissue microarray analysis revealed that CD166 and YAP were up-regulated and closely correlated in liver cancer samples, demonstrating the importance of their relationship. Taken together, this work summarizes a novel link between CD166 and YAP, explores the interplay among related important signaling pathways, and may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies for liver cancer.

Impaired Phosphorylation and Ubiquitination by p70 S6 Kinase (p70S6K) and Smad Ubiquitination Regulatory Factor 1 (Smurf1) Promote Tribbles Homolog 2 (TRIB2) Stability and Carcinogenic Property in Liver Cancer

Background: TRIB2 is functionally important for liver cancer cell survival and transformation. Results: Structure-function and biochemistry-based analysis revealed domains critical for TRIB2 protein stability. Conclusion: Impaired phosphorylation and ubiquitination by p70S6K and Smurf1 increase protein stability of TRIB2 in liver cancer. Significance: The uncovered mechanism underlying regulation of TRIB2 provides new therapeutic insights into TRIB2-dependent liver cancer. Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) is critical for both solid and non-solid malignancies. Recently, TRIB2 was identified as a liver cancer-specific Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream target and is functionally important for liver cancer cell survival and transformation. TRIB2 functions as a protein that interacts with E3 ubiquitin ligases and thereby modulates protein stability of downstream effectors. However, the regulation underlying TRIB2 protein stability per se has not yet been reported. In this study, we found that TRIB2 was up-regulated and exhibited high stability in liver cancer cells compared with other cells. We performed a structure-function analysis of TRIB2 and identified a domain (amino acids 1–5) at the N terminus that interacted with the E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf1 and was critical for protein stability. Deletion of this domain extended TRIB2 half-life time accompanied with a more significant malignant property compared with wild type TRIB2. Furthermore, Smurf1-mediated ubiquitination required phosphorylation of TRIB2 by p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) via another domain (amino acids 69–85) that is also essential for correct TRIB2 subcellular localization. Mutation of Ser-83 diminished p70S6K-induced phosphorylation of TRIB2. Moreover, the high stability of TRIB2 may be due to the fact that both p70S6K and Smurf1 were down-regulated and negatively correlated with TRIB2 expression in both liver cancer tissues and established liver cancer cell lines. Taken together, impaired phosphorylation and ubiquitination by p70S6K and Smurf1 increase the protein stability of TRIB2 in liver cancer and thus may be helpful in the development of diagnosis and treatment strategies against this malignant disease.

Osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myogenic progenitor cells requires the Fos-related antigen Fra-1 – A novel target of Runx2

Bone formation is a developmental process requiring the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. It is established that Runx2 tightly regulates osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Fos-related antigen Fra-1 is an essential factor for bone formation. Current evidence does not support a relationship between Fra-1 and Runx2 in osteogenesis. Here, we explored the possibility that Runx2 regulates Fra-1 expression during osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myogenic progenitor cells. Expression of Fra-1 was induced rapidly after activation of Runx2 in a Tet-on stable C2C12 cell-line (C2C12/Runx2(Dox) sub-line). Transient transfection assay showed that Runx2 activates Fra-1 promoter-reporter activity, suggesting that Fra-1 may be a direct target of Runx2. To determine the minimal region of the Fra-1 promoter that was activated by Runx2, a series of Fra-1 promoter deletion constructs were made. By transient transfection assay, we defined the minimal region to the proximal 342 bp (-84 to +258). Two potential Runx2-binding sites (at positions +139 and +208) were predicted within this region. Mutation of the Runx2 motif at position +208 significantly decreased Fra-1 promoter activity compared to wild type, whereas mutation of Runx2 at position +139 had no effect. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated the existence of one atypical Runx2-binding element at position +208, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that Runx2 bound to the native Fra-1 promoter in vivo via this site. Finally, forced expression of Fra-1 resulted in upregulation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a marker of early osteoblast differentiation. Together, these results indicate that Fra-1 is a direct target of Runx2 during osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myogenic progenitor cells.

c-Myc inhibits TP53INP1 expression via promoter methylation in esophageal carcinoma.

Tumor protein p53-induced nuclear protein 1 (TP53INP1) is a well known stress-induced protein that plays a role in both cell cycle arrest and p53-mediated apoptosis. Loss of TP53INP1 expression has been reported in human melanoma, breast carcinoma, and gastric cancer. However, TP53INP1 expression and its regulatory mechanism in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear. Our findings are in agreement with previous reports in that the expression of TP53INP1 was downregulated in 28% (10/36 cases) of ESCC lesions, and this was accompanied by significant promoter methylation. Overexpression of TP53INP1 induced G1 cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis in ESCC cell lines (EC-1, EC-109, EC-9706). Furthermore, our study showed that the oncoprotein c-Myc bound to the core promoter of TP53INP1 and recruited DNA methyltransferase 3A to methylate the local promoter region, leading to the inhibition of TP53INP1 expression. Our findings revealed that TP53INP1 is a tumor suppressor in ESCC and that c-Myc-mediated DNA methylation-associated silencing of TP53INP1 contributed to the pathogenesis of human ESCC.

microRNA sponge blocks the tumor-suppressing functions of microRNA-122 in human hepatoma and osteosarcoma cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as gene expression regulators, have been identified to be closely associated with tumorigenesis. Thus a loss-of-function study is more likely to reveal the biological roles of endogenous miRNAs. Genetic knockout, antisense oligonucleotide inhibitors, and miRNA sponge (miR‑SP) are usually performed to inhibit the activities of miRNAs of interest. In the present study, we utilized the miR-SP method, which has long-term rather than short-term effects of antisense oligonucleotide inhibitors, to generate a microRNA-122 sponge (miR-122-SP) mediated by lentivirus, and identified its silencing role in the Huh7 hepatoma cell line and U2OS osteosarcoma cell line. The results showed that miR-122-SP effectively sequestered ectopic miR-122 and restored the expression of miR-122 which targets cyclin G1 (CCNG1), Bcl-w and disintegrin and metalloprotease 10. Moreover, miR-122-SP overexpression rescued the effects of ectopic miR-122 on suppressing proliferation, inhibiting cell migration and invasion, arresting cell cycle at G1 phase, and activating caspase-3/7, not only in Huh7 human hepatoma cells, but also in U2OS osteosarcoma cells. miR-122-SP also knocked down endogenous miR-122 expression in Huh7 and promoted tumorigenesis in vivo. miR-122-SP therefore is a useful tool that may be utilized to study the functions of miR-122 with regard to liver development and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Contrary Effects of BMP-2 and ATRA on Adipogenesis in Mouse Mesenchymal Fibroblasts

This study evaluates the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on adipogenesis in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). In BMP-2-treated MEFs, lipid accumulation and substantial induction of the adipocyte specific marker 442-aP2 suggested the conversion of MEFs into adipocytes. Such adipogenesis was found to be mediated through sequential induction of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and PPARγ. Both the BMP/Smad and BMP/p38 pathways contributed to the adipocyte differentiation. Contrary to the effects of BMP-2, ATRA was demonstrated to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in MEFs. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that ATRA caused a selective inhibition of both the basal and induction levels of C/EBPα and PPARγ, without altering the expression pattern of C/EBPβ. Taken together, these data suggest the roles of BMP-2 and ATRA in adipogenic differentiation of primary MEFs, and the possible molecular mechanism that involves the regulation of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and PPARγ.

Identification and characterization of mouse Gas6 promoter

In this study, we identify and characterize the promoter of the mouse Gas6 gene, a negative regulator of chondrogenic differentiation. We identified two highly conserved regions within the core Gas6 promoter, which are conserved among mouse, human, and rat Gas6 genes, named A-BOX and B-BOX. Basal transcriptional activity was significantly reduced after deletion of either the A-BOX or the latter half of the B-BOX. After treatment with BMP-2 for 3 days, putative A-BOX Binding Factor(s) B (ABFB) and B-BOX Binding Factor(s) (BBF) were unable to bind to their specific motifs in C3H10T1/2 cells, compared with untreated control cells. In addition, we confirmed binding of an NF-Y site within the core promoter region of mouse Gas6 gene. Taken together, these observations provide insight into the mechanism by which Gas6 is downregulated during mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into chondrocytes.