TOXICOLOGY
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2024
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IF 4.8
Hong-Yu Fu,Yue Li,Han Cui,Jiu-Zhi Li,Wan-Xue Xu,Xi Wang,Rui-Feng Fan
Mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ), a widespread environmental pollutant, induces ferroptosis in chicken embryonic kidney (CEK) cells. Whereas activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a critical mediator of oxidative homeostasis, plays a dual role in ferroptosis, but its precise mechanisms in HgCl 2 -induced ferroptosis remain elusive. This study aims to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of ATF4 in HgCl 2 -induced ferroptosis. Our results revealed that ATF4 was downregulated during HgCl 2 -induced ferroptosis in CEK cells. Surprisingly, HgCl 2 exposure has no significant impact on ATF4 mRNA level. Further investigation indicated that HgCl 2 enhanced the expression of the E3 ligase beta-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP) and increased ATF4 ubiquitination. Subsequent findings identified that miR-15b-5p as an upstream modulator of β-TrCP, with miR-15b-5p downregulation observed in HgCl 2 -exposed CEK cells. Importantly, miR-15b-5p mimics suppressed β-TrCP expression and reversed HgCl 2 -induced cellular ferroptosis. Mechanistically, HgCl 2 inhibited miR-15b-5p, and promoted β-TrCP-mediated ubiquitin degradation of ATF4, thereby inhibited the expression of antioxidant-related target genes and promoted ferroptosis. In conclusion, our study highlighted the crucial role of the miR-15b-5p/β-TrCP/ATF4 axis in HgCl 2 -induced nephrotoxicity, offering a new therapeutic target for understanding the mechanism of HgCl 2 nephrotoxicity.
研究领域:
毒理学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
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2023
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IF 5.8
Mengyan Wang,Xiaowei Wang,Wenxia Zhao,Yang Li,Meilian Cai,Kexin Wang,Xiaoming Xi,Cong Zhao,Huimin Zhou,Rongguang Shao,Guimin Xia,Yefan Zhang,Wuli Zhao
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of tumor cells with the features of self-renewal, tumor initiation, and insensitivity to common physical and chemical agents, are the key to cancer relapses , metastasis, and resistance. Accessible CSCs inhibitory strategies are primarily based on small molecule drugs, yet toxicity limits their application. Here, we report a liposome loaded with low toxicity and high effectiveness of miriplatin, lipo-miriplatin (LMPt) with high miriplatin loading, and robust stability, exhibiting a superior inhibitory effect on CSCs and non-CSCs. LMPt predominantly inhibits the survival of oxaliplatin-resistant (OXA-resistant) cells composed of CSCs. Furthermore, LMPt directly blocks stemness features of self-renewal, tumor initiation, unlimited proliferation, metastasis, and insensitivity. In mechanistic exploration, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that LMPt downregulates the levels of pro-stemness proteins and that the β-catenin-mediated stemness pathway is enriched. Further research shows that either in adherent cells or 3D-spheres, the β-catenin-OCT4/NANOG axis, the vital pathway to maintain stemness, is depressed by LMPt. The consecutive activation of the β-catenin pathway induced by mutant β-catenin (S33Y) and OCT4/NANOG overexpression restores LMPt’s anti-CSCs effect, elucidating the key role of the β-catenin-OCT4/NANOG axis. Further studies revealed that the strengthened binding of β-catenin and β-TrCP initiates ubiquitination and degradation of β-catenin induced by LMPt. In addition, the Apc Min/+ transgenic mouse model, in which colon tumors are spontaneously formed, demonstrates LMPt’s potent anti-non-CSCs activity in vivo.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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癌症研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
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2023
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IF 3.4
Duo Li,Ting-Ting Wei,Jiping Cai,Tian-Hua Xie,Yong Yao,Lingpeng Zhu
Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor-1 (Smurf1) is one of C2-WW-HECT domain E3 ubiquitin ligases , it can regulate BMP pathway by mediating ubiquitylation degradation of Smad1/Smad5. Many functions about Smurf1 also are still unknown, especially in retina . This research is about to explore the role of Smurf1 in retina degeneration . Tail vein injection of sodium iodate (NaIO 3 ) in C57BL/6J mice was the animal model of retina degeneration. In NaIO 3 model, Smurf1 had more expression than normal mice. Specific Smurf1 inhibitor, A01, was injected into vitreous cavity. Results showed that inhibiting Smurf1 could alleviate acute retina injury, such as keeping a better retina structure in living imaging and histologic sections, less cell death and inflammation activation. Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) was used to establish oxidative stress injury in human retinal pigments epithelial cell line (ARPE-19). Oxidative stress injury gradually caused co-upregulation of Smurf1, TGF-β1 and phosphorylated NF-κB (pNF-κB). TGF-β1 could directly induce Smurf1 expression. Inhibiting Smurf1 had an anti-epithelial mesenchymal transition (anti-EMT) function. Similarly, A01 also could inhibit the expression of pNF-κB, NLRP3 and IL-1β. At last, after searching bioinformatics database, Smurf1 had a possible interaction with beta-transducin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (β-TrCP), another E3 ubiquitin ligases. β-TrCP can mediate ubiquitination degradation of p-IκBα. Lentivirus- SMURF1 was used to overexpress Smurf1, and GS143 was used to inhibit β-TrCP. The results showed Smurf1 could directly induce NF-κB, pNF-κB, and NLRP3 expression, and keep a stable β-TrCP expression. However, inhibiting β-TrCP could cause more NF-κB activation and NLRP3 expression. Therefore, β-TrCP may play a negative role in NF-κB pathway activation. In summary, Smurf1 plays a role in exacerbating oxidative stress injury and inflammation in retina and may become a potential therapeutic target in ROS injury of retina.
研究领域:
眼科学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Cell Reports Medicine
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2025
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IF 10.6
Nan Su,Wenhua Lian,Baoding Zhang,Yuan Tian,Linying Li,Yiyu Chen,Xiang Zhi,Taoling Zeng,Qiao Wu,Lanfen Chen,Dawang Zhou,Hong-Rui Wang,Shih-Chin Cheng,Li Li,Xianming Deng
Tumor immune microenvironment greatly influences triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression. Identifying targets to convert “cold” tumors into “hot” tumors holds promise for improving treatment outcomes. Here, we show that high expression of NEDD4, an HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, correlates with poor prognosis and reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration in TNBC patients. NEDD4 depletion in TNBC cells significantly inhibits tumor growth through enhancing CD8 + T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in immunocompetent hosts. Mechanistically, NEDD4 depletion stabilizes β-TrCP, leading to YAP ubiquitination and degradation. Downregulated YAP reprograms the immunosuppressive tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) to increase CD8 + T cell infiltration. Furthermore, a small-molecule inhibitor of NEDD4, XMU-MP-10, exhibits significant in vivo efficacy in inhibiting TNBC tumor growth by enhancing CD8 + T cell infiltration in mouse models. Collectively, our findings suggest that the genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of NEDD4 enhances antitumor immune responses via the β-TrCP/YAP/ECM cascades, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC treatment.
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
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2026
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IF 5.2
Jiaqi Li,Zhengxin Lu,Nan Zhang,Xiaowei Zhou,Yuanbiao Ma,Jia-qi Li,Yimu Zhang,Zhewen Deng,Na Lin,Peng Yue,Yilin Yang,Qi Zhang,Bo Ma
Andrographolide (Andro), the primary bioactive compound of Andrographis paniculata , has known bioactivities but also male reproductive toxicity with unclear mechanisms. This study investigated its testicular injury effects and mechanism, focusing on Sertoli cells (SCs) ferroptosis. Toxicity was evaluated in mice and SCs. Mechanisms were probed using RT-qPCR, Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays. LC-MS/MS assessed tissue distribution. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations characterized the Andro-β-TrCP interaction. The results demonstrated that Andro exposure caused significant testicular atrophy, blood-testis barrier (BTB) disruption, and spermatogenic impairment in mice. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetic analysis revealed SCs as the primary target of Andro-induced testicular damage, showing rapid Andro accumulation that was subsequently detected in sperm and the epididymis. Furthermore, Andro triggered ferroptosis in testicular injury and SCs, marked by increased ROS, MDA, iron overload, and lipid peroxidation. These effects were rescued by the ferroptosis inhibitor deferoxamine. Mechanistically, Andro directly bound to β-TrCP, downregulating its expression and subsequently stabilizing ATF4 by impairing its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Silencing ATF4 inhibited ferroptosis and restored cell viability upon Andro challenge. The direct Andro-β-TrCP interaction was consistently confirmed by molecular docking, dynamics simulations, and CETSA. This study reveals that Andro triggers SCs ferroptosis by inhibiting β-TrCP-mediated ATF4 ubiquitination and degradation, leading to BTB disruption and spermatogenic impairment. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing clinical application of Andro in the future.
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
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2018
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IF 3.309
Yanting Zhu,Fangwei Li,Wenhua Shi,Cui Zhai,Jian Wang,Xin Yan,Qingting Wang,Qianqian Zhang,Lan Yang,Li Gao,Manxiang Li
Up-regulation of mammalian COP9 signalosome subunit 6 (CSN6) and consequent reduction of SCF ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor β-transduction repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP) have been shown to be associated with cancer cells proliferation . However, it is unclear whether CSN6 and β-TrCP are also involved in PDGF-induced pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation. This study aims to address this issue and further explore its potential mechanisms. Our results indicated that PDGF phosphorylated Akt, stimulated PASMCs proliferation; while inhibition of PDGF receptor (PDGFR) by imatinib prevented these effects. PDGF further up-regulated CSN6 protein expression , this was accompanied with β-TrCP reduction and increase of Cdc25A. Inhibition of PDGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway reversed PDGF-induced such changes and cell proliferation. Prior transfection of CSN6 siRNA blocked PDGF-induced β-TrCP down-regulation, Cdc25A up-regulation and cell proliferation. Furthermore, pre-treatment of cells with MG-132 also abolished PDGF-induced β-TrCP reduction, Cdc25A elevation and cell proliferation. In addition, pre-depletion of Cdc25A by siRNA transfection suppressed PDGF-induced PASMCs proliferation. Taken together, our study indicates that up-regulation of CSN6 by PDGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway decreases β-TrCP by increasing its ubiquitinated degradation, and thereby increases the expression of Cdc25A, which promotes PDGF-induced PASMCs proliferation.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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