Profiles of differentially expressed genes and overexpression of NEBL indicates a positive prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
Authors: Qiu, Xiao; Feng, Jue-Rong; Wang, Fan; Chen, Peng-Fei; Chen, Xiao-Xing; Zhou, Rui; Chang, Ying; Liu, Jing; Zhao, Qiu
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and provide novel prognostic biomarkers for CRC. The microarray dataset GSE41258 was used to screen DEGs of CRC. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction network of DEGs and Gene Ontology analysis were performed to identify hub genes and associated biological processes. Nebulette (NEBL) and complement C1q like 1 (C1QL1) were validated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in patients with CRC. Survival analysis was performed for the two hub genes. GSE41258 dataset included 182 CRC samples and 54 normal tissues. A total of 759 DEGs, including 279 upregulated and 480 downregulated were screened between both groups. NEBL and C1QL1 were identified as the two hub genes and upregulated genes involved in various biological processes, including regulation of biological quality' and response to stimulus', respectively. Additionally, the overexpression of NEBL and C1QL1 in experimental validation was consistent with the aforementioned bioinformatics analysis results. Survival analysis suggested that overexpressed NEBL in patients with CRC was associated with a positive prognosis for overall survival. In conclusion, CRC was associated with a large group of DEGs. From the upregulated genes, overexpressed NEBL in patients CRC indicated a positive prognosis for overall survival and may be used as a prognostic biomarker for patients with CRC.
C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 promote angiogenesis of endothelial cells through activation of ERK1/2 signal pathway
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
Authors: Liu, Fang; Tan, Anni; Yang, Renhao; Xue, Yingzi; Zhang, Ming; Chen, Lei; Xiao, Luanjuan; Yang, Xuesong; Yu, Yanhong
Abstract
C1ql-like (C1QL)-1 and -4 proteins are encoded by homologous genes that are highly expressed in brain and adipose tissues. However, functional properties of C1QL proteins outside of the brain and adipocytes remain unknown. Here, we report that the globular domain of C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 proteins directly stimulate the angiogenesis of endothelial cells. In this study, soluble C1ql1/CTRP14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 proteins, produced in prokaryote expression system, are co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs), which phenotype is identified with von Willebrand factor antibody. C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 promote the migration and capillary tube formation of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. During this process, phosphorylation of c-Raf, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and p90RSK are activated by C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11. MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, blocks C1ql1/Ctrp14-, and C1ql4/Ctrp11-induced capillary tube formation and cell migration. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of the receptor of C1QL1-C1QL4, brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 3 (BAI3), is detected in HUVECs, suggesting that BAI3 may mediate C1QL1/CTRP14- and C1QL4/CTRP11-induced angiogenesis. Meanwhile, C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 exposure also causes a stimulatory response of angiogenesis in chick yolk sac membrane. These data demonstrate that C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 stimulate the new blood vessel growth by activation of ERK1/2 signal pathway. The proangiogenic activity of C1ql1/Ctrp14 and C1ql4/Ctrp11 provides novel insights into the new opportunities for therapeutic intervention by targeting C1QLs in tumorigenesis, tissue regeneration, and recovery of ischemic heart disease.