Novel Long Non-coding RNA lncAMPC Promotes Metastasis and Immunosuppression in Prostate Cancer by Stimulating LIF/LIFR Expression
MOLECULAR THERAPY
Authors: Zhang, Wei; Shi, Xiaolei; Chen, Rui; Zhu, Yasheng; Peng, Shihong; Chang, Yifan; Nian, Xinwen; Xiao, Guang'an; Fang, Ziyu; Li, Yaoming; Cao, Zhexu; Zhao, Lin; Liu, Guang; Sun, Yinghao; Ren, Shancheng
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimd to identify a novel lncRNA, named lncRNA activated in metastatic PCa (lncAMPC), and investigate its mechanisms and clinical significance in PCa. First, the biological capacity of lncAMPC in PCa was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The lncAMPC was overexpressed in tumor tissue and urine of metastatic PCa patients and promoted PCa tumorigenesis and metastasis. Then, a mechanism study was conducted to determine how the lncAMPC-activated pathway contributed to PCa metastasis and immunosuppression. In the cytoplasm, lncAMPC upregulated LIF expression by sponging miR-637 and inhibiting its activity. In the nucleus, lncAMPC enhanced LIFR transcription by decoying histone H1.2 away from the upstream sequence of the LIFR gene. The lncAMPC-activated LIF/LIFR expressions stimulated the Jak1-STAT3 pathway to simultaneously maintain programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein stability and promote metastasis-associated gene expression. Finally, the prognostic value of the expression of lncAMPC and its downstream genes in PCa patients was evaluated. High LIF/LIFR levels indicated shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival among patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Therefore, the lncAMPC/LIF/LIFR axis plays a critical role in PCa metastasis and immunosuppression and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.
Molecular mechanism of the MORC4 ATPase activation
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Authors: Tencer, Adam H.; Cox, Khan L.; Wright, Gregory M.; Zhang, Yi; Petell, Christopher J.; Klein, Brianna J.; Strahl, Brian D.; Black, Joshua C.; Poirier, Michael G.; Kutateladze, Tatiana G.
Abstract
Human Microrchidia 4 (MORC4) is associated with acute and chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory disorders and cancer but it remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we describe the structure-function relationship of MORC4 and define the molecular mechanism for MORC4 activation. Enzymatic and binding assays reveal that MORC4 has ATPase activity, which is dependent on DNA-binding functions of both the ATPase domain and CW domain of MORC4. The crystal structure of the ATPaseCW cassette of MORC4 and mutagenesis studies show that the DNA-binding site and the histone/ATPase binding site of CW are located on the opposite sides of the domain. The ATPase and CW domains cooperate in binding of MORC4 to the nucleosome core particle (NCP), enhancing the DNA wrapping around the histone core and impeding binding of DNA-associated proteins, such as transcription factors, to the NCP. In cells, MORC4 mediates formation of nuclear bodies in the nucleus and has a role in the progression of S-phase of the cell cycle, and both these functions require CW and catalytic activity of MORC4. Our findings highlight the mechanism for MORC4 activation, which is distinctly different from the mechanisms of action observed in other MORC family members. Human Microrchidia 4 (MORC4) ATPase has been implicated in acute and chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Here the authors describe the structure-function relationship of MORC4 and define the molecular mechanism for MORC4 activation.