1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Clinical and molecular characteristics of bronchial adenoma: an analysis of 88 cases
Qingxia XU ; Tingting MA ; Longquan XIANG ; Yingyong HOU ; Shaohua LU ; Wei YUAN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(4):368-374
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, gene mutations, and distribution of bronchial adenoma (BA).Methods:Eighty-eight cases of BA diagnosed via routine section diagnosis between May 2015 and February 2024 were collected at the Pathology Departments of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (71 cases), Shanghai, China and Jining No.1 People′s Hospital (17 cases), Jining, China. Clinical data, image features, histopathological sections, immunohistochemical stains, and genetic testing results were reviewed.Results:Among the 88 patients with BA, there were 36 males and 52 females. The incidence of proximal-type BA was the same in both genders (50%, 28/56), while distal-type BA was more commonly found in females (75%, 24/32, P=0.022). BA predominantly affected middle-aged and elderly adults, with an age range of 30-78 years (median, 61 years). Clinically, BA generally presented without obvious symptoms. Radiologically it mainly manifested as peripheral lung ground-glass nodules, mixed ground-glass nodules, or solid nodules, primarily located in the lower lobes of the lungs (72.7%, 64/88). Proximal-type BA was characterized by solid nodules (53.6%, 30/56), while distal-type BA by ground-glass nodules (56.3%, 18/32), with a statistically significant difference between the two types ( P<0.01). The tumor was non-encapsulated, with a gray-white cut surface, and some areas were gray-brown. In 18.2% (16/88) of cases, the cut surface was slippery, with soft to medium-firm consistency and poorly defined margins. The smooth texture was predominantly found in proximal-type BA (14/16), whose tumor diameters ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 cm. Microscopically, the lesions exhibited glandular, papillary, or relatively flat patterns, with the main cellular components consisting of basal cells, ciliated columnar cells, mucinous cells, and alveolar epithelial cells in various proportions. Proximal-type BA resembled the morphology of proximal bronchioles and commonly contained mucinous and ciliated cells, while distal-type BA typically lacked mucinous and ciliated cells. The frequency of ciliated cell micropapillae in proximal-type BA (64.3%, 36/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (31.3%, 10/32, P=0.003). The morphological manifestation of glandular duct dilation was more commonly noted in proximal-type BA (98.2%, 55/56) than that in distal-type BA (81.25%, 26/32, P=0.009). Overall, the disagreement rate between frozen-section and routine diagnoses was 19.5% (17/87). Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p40 showed that basal cell continuity in proximal-type BA (82.1%, 46/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (56.2%, 18/32, P=0.009). Molecular testing showed an accumulative gene mutation rate of 60.5% (23/38) in BA, including mutations in BRAF V600E (34.2%, 13/38), KRAS (18.4%, 7/38), ALK (5.3%, 2/38), and EGFR (2.6%, 1/38). Proximal-type BA was associated with BRAF V600E mutations, while distal-type BA with KRAS mutations ( P=0.025). Conclusions:BA is a rare benign bronchial tumor and has a high diagnostic error-rate on intraoperative frozen section. Proximal-type BA often presents with ciliated cell micropapillae, which supports the diagnosis, while distal-type BA frequently shows a partial reduction or absence of basal cells, increasing the diagnostic difficulty. The different subtypes of BA exhibit distinct genetic (mutation) profiles that may assist in its diagnosis and histological classification
4.Research status of autophagy in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
Wen-xia QI ; Gang WANG ; Yan-feng YAN ; Jie-xiang TIAN ; Tao WANG ; Yong WEI ; Zhan-dong WANG ; Yuan-yuan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):264-268
With the deepening of molecular biology and cell biology research,the regulatory mechanism of autophagy has been gradually revealed,providing new ideas for the treatment of numerous diseases.Autophagy may be closely related to pathological changes such as apoptosis resistance of fibroblast-like synoviocytes,disturbances in bone metabolic homeostasis,and antigen presentation,the regulation of autophagy homeostasis may be an important approach for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).In this paper,we provide a review on the pathological mechanism of autophagy in RA,with a view to providing a theoretical basis for later studies.
5.lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 affects the proliferation and invasion of renal cancer cells by regulating the miR-133a-3p/SLC6A1 axis
Wei XIANG ; Lei LÜ ; Fuxin ZHENG ; Jingdong YUAN ; Suibin HUANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(8):754-761
Objective To analyze the expression of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)ABHD11-AS1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)and renal cancer cell lines,and explore its potential functions and mechanisms of action.Methods The bioinformatics tool GEPIA2 software was used to analyze The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database and compare the expression levels of ABHD11-AS1 in ccRCC and normal kidney tissues.Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to assess ABHD11-AS1 expression in ccRCC tissues,normal kidney tissues,and renal cancer cell lines.Subcellular localization experiments were performed to determine the subcellular locali-zation of ABHD11-AS1 in renal cancer cells.The MTT assay,Transwell assay,real-time quantitative PCR,and Western blotting were used to detect the effects of ABHD11-AS1 and miR-133a-3p on the proliferation,invasion,and expression of SLC6A1 in renal cancer cells.A dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments was performed to validate the binding effect of ABHD11-AS1 to miR-133a-3p and the effect of miR-133a-3p on SLC6A1.Results GEPIA2 software and real-time quantitative PCR analyses indicated that ABHD11-AS1 was highly expressed in ccRCC tissues compared to normal kidney tissues(P<0.05).Compared to the immortalized renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells,the expression of ABHD11-AS1 was significantly upregulated in the ACHN,786-O,and SN12-PM6 cells,with the highest expression observed in 786-O cells.The results of the subcellular localization experiments indicated that ABHD11-AS1 was primarily distributed in the cytoplasm of 786-O cells.ABHD11-AS1 knockdown reduced the proliferative and invasive abilities of 786-O cells and decreased SLC6A1 mRNA and protein expression(P<0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments demonstrated that ABHD11-AS1 targets and binds to miR-133a-3p,which in turn binds to SLC6A1.Overexpression of miR-133a-3p reduced the mRNA and protein levels of SLC6A1 in 786-O cells,whereas downregulation of miR-133a-3p had the opposite effect.Downregulation of miR-133a-3p enhanced the proliferation and invasion of 786-O cells,while knockdown of SLC6A1 partially reversed the promoting effect of miR-133a-3p downreg-ulation on the proliferation and invasion of 786-O cells(P<0.05).Simultaneously,downregulation of miR-133a-3p could also partially reverse the inhibitory effects of ABHD11-AS1 knockdown on 786-O cell proliferation,invasion,and SLC6A1 expression(P<0.05).Con-clusion ABHD11-AS1 exerts a pro-cancer effect on ccRCC by regulating the miR-133a-3p/SLC6A1 axis,which influences the prolifera-tion and invasion of renal cancer cells.
6.One case of elderly pregnant women with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was treated
Tao LI ; Gui-xia WEI ; Zhen-ye CHENG ; Jun-jie ZHANG ; Li YU ; Yuan-yuan SONG ; Xue-xiang LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(7):412-417
Patients with advanced pregnancy complicated by acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction are relatively rare both domestically and internationally,and there are currently no relevant guidelines to guide clinical treatment.In this case,a 39-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to the hospital with sudden chest pain,and the electrocardiogram showed extensive anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.Coronary angiography showed subtotal subtotal occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery.Reperfusion and revascularization were given,and the blood flow grade of the trial of thrombolytic in myocardial infarction was restored.Complete intravascular ultrasonography to determine the cause of occlusion due to spontaneous hematoma of the left anterior descending artery.After the operation,a reasonable antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment regimen was selected according to the coronary artery lesion,and the pregnancy was terminated at the appropriate time,and 1 live male baby was successfully delivered.Maternal and fetal health was followed up after 1、3 and 6 months.Through the experience and summary of the treatment process,combined with the literature,the pathogenesis of this disease is discussed,and the strategy of revascularization,the selection of antithrombotic drugs and the timing of pregnancy termination are discussed in depth for clinical reference.
7.Clinical and molecular characteristics of bronchial adenoma: an analysis of 88 cases
Qingxia XU ; Tingting MA ; Longquan XIANG ; Yingyong HOU ; Shaohua LU ; Wei YUAN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(4):368-374
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, gene mutations, and distribution of bronchial adenoma (BA).Methods:Eighty-eight cases of BA diagnosed via routine section diagnosis between May 2015 and February 2024 were collected at the Pathology Departments of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (71 cases), Shanghai, China and Jining No.1 People′s Hospital (17 cases), Jining, China. Clinical data, image features, histopathological sections, immunohistochemical stains, and genetic testing results were reviewed.Results:Among the 88 patients with BA, there were 36 males and 52 females. The incidence of proximal-type BA was the same in both genders (50%, 28/56), while distal-type BA was more commonly found in females (75%, 24/32, P=0.022). BA predominantly affected middle-aged and elderly adults, with an age range of 30-78 years (median, 61 years). Clinically, BA generally presented without obvious symptoms. Radiologically it mainly manifested as peripheral lung ground-glass nodules, mixed ground-glass nodules, or solid nodules, primarily located in the lower lobes of the lungs (72.7%, 64/88). Proximal-type BA was characterized by solid nodules (53.6%, 30/56), while distal-type BA by ground-glass nodules (56.3%, 18/32), with a statistically significant difference between the two types ( P<0.01). The tumor was non-encapsulated, with a gray-white cut surface, and some areas were gray-brown. In 18.2% (16/88) of cases, the cut surface was slippery, with soft to medium-firm consistency and poorly defined margins. The smooth texture was predominantly found in proximal-type BA (14/16), whose tumor diameters ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 cm. Microscopically, the lesions exhibited glandular, papillary, or relatively flat patterns, with the main cellular components consisting of basal cells, ciliated columnar cells, mucinous cells, and alveolar epithelial cells in various proportions. Proximal-type BA resembled the morphology of proximal bronchioles and commonly contained mucinous and ciliated cells, while distal-type BA typically lacked mucinous and ciliated cells. The frequency of ciliated cell micropapillae in proximal-type BA (64.3%, 36/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (31.3%, 10/32, P=0.003). The morphological manifestation of glandular duct dilation was more commonly noted in proximal-type BA (98.2%, 55/56) than that in distal-type BA (81.25%, 26/32, P=0.009). Overall, the disagreement rate between frozen-section and routine diagnoses was 19.5% (17/87). Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p40 showed that basal cell continuity in proximal-type BA (82.1%, 46/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (56.2%, 18/32, P=0.009). Molecular testing showed an accumulative gene mutation rate of 60.5% (23/38) in BA, including mutations in BRAF V600E (34.2%, 13/38), KRAS (18.4%, 7/38), ALK (5.3%, 2/38), and EGFR (2.6%, 1/38). Proximal-type BA was associated with BRAF V600E mutations, while distal-type BA with KRAS mutations ( P=0.025). Conclusions:BA is a rare benign bronchial tumor and has a high diagnostic error-rate on intraoperative frozen section. Proximal-type BA often presents with ciliated cell micropapillae, which supports the diagnosis, while distal-type BA frequently shows a partial reduction or absence of basal cells, increasing the diagnostic difficulty. The different subtypes of BA exhibit distinct genetic (mutation) profiles that may assist in its diagnosis and histological classification
8.LncRNA SFTA1P modulates the miR - 182 - 5p / FN1 pathway to promote the proliferation and migration of clear cell renal carcinoma cells
Wei Xiang ; Lei Lv ; Fuxin Zheng ; Jingdong Yuan
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):41-48
Abstract:
To explore the molecular mechanism by which long non-coding RNA Surfactant Associated 1 Pseudogene(SFTA1P) promotes the proliferation and migration of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC) cells by regulating the microRNA-182-5p(miR-182-5p)/fibronectin 1(FN1) pathway.
Methods:
GEPIA2 software was utilized to analyze the expression ofSFTA1Pin ccRCC tissues from the TCGA database. Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR) was employed to detect the expression ofSFTA1Pin ccRCC tissues, normal kidney tissues and ccRCC cell lines. A subcellular localization experiment was performed to explore the localization ofSFTA1Pwithin the human renal cell adenocarcinoma cell line(ACHN) derived from ccRCC. ACHN cells were then divided into the following groups: si-Con group, si-SFTA1P #2 group, mimic NC group, miR-182-5p mimic group, anti-miR-Con group, anti-miR-182-5p group, anti-miR-182-5p+si-FN1 group, si-Con+anti-miR-Con group, si-SFTA1P #2+anti-miR-Con group, and si-SFTA1P #2+anti-miR-182-5p group. CCK-8 and Transwell chamber experiments were conducted to assess cell proliferation and migration abilities. qPCR, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were employed to elucidate the regulatory interactions amongSFTA1P,miR-182-5p, andFN1.
Results:
Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated thatSFTA1Pwas overexpressed in ccRCC tissues(P<0.05). When compared to normal kidney tissues,SFTA1Pexpression was markedly elevated in ccRCC tissues(P<0.01). Furthermore, the expression levels ofSFTA1Pin ccRCC cell lines 786-O, SN12-PM6, ACHN, and A498 were significantly higher than those in human renal proximal tubule cells(HK-2)(allP<0.01). Subcellular localization experiments revealed thatSFTA1Ppredominantly localized in the cytoplasm of ACHN cells. Compared to the si-Con group, the si-SFTA1P #2 group exhibited a significant reduction in proliferation and migration abilities of ACHN cells, accompanied by a decrease inFN1mRNA and protein expression(P<0.05). Compared to the mimic NC group, the expression ofFN1mRNA and protein in ACHN cells in the miR-182-5p mimic group reduced(P<0.01). In comparison to the anti-miR-Con group, the expression levels ofFN1mRNA and protein in ACHN cells were significantly elevated in the anti-miR-182-5p group. Additionally, there was a significant enhancement in both cell proliferation and migration capabilities(P<0.05). Conversely, the proliferation and migration abilities of ACHN cells in the anti-miR-182-5p+si-FN1 group were significantly reduced compared to the anti-miR-182-5p group(P<0.05). Furthermore, relative to the si-SFTA1P #2+anti-miR-Con group, the ACHN cells in the si-SFTA1P #2+anti-miR-182-5p group demonstrated increased proliferation and migration abilities, along with elevatedFN1mRNA and protein expression levels(P<0.05).
Conclusion
SFTA1Pexhibits elevated expression levels in ccRCC and facilitates the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells through the modulation of themiR-182-5p/FN1signaling pathway.
9.Regulatory role of ITCH-TXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway in Alzheimer disease-like lesions in vivo and in vitro
Qiuyu XIE ; Jianfeng MA ; Qiying SHEN ; Yongxiang HE ; Xiaobing LI ; Shuo YANG ; Yuke XIANG ; Yuan QIN ; Wei WEI ; Yinghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(6):1109-1117
AIM:To investigate the modulatory role of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase ITCH in Alzheimer disease(AD)-like pathology through the thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway using both in vivo and in vitro experimental models.METHODS:(1)Ten 5×FAD(AD model)mice and 10 wild-type(WT)mice at 2-,4-and 6-month-old were randomly allocated into AD and WT groups.Amyloid β-protein(Aβ)plaque burden in the brain was detected by thioflavin-S and immunofluorescence staining,with the latter method additionally applied to assess TXNIP protein expression.The protein levels of ITCH and TXNIP were determined by Western blot,while their interaction was verified by co-immunoprecipitation.(2)Mouse mi-croglia BV2 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were used to construct neuroinflammation model,and were di-vided into control(CON)group and LPS+ATP treatment group.The BV2 cells stimulated by Aβ were used to construct AD inflammation model.According to the different treatment time,they were divided into CON,and 12,24 and 48 h treatment groups.Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of ITCH,TXNIP,and NLRP3 inflammasome compo-nents(NLRP3 and caspase-1)as well as the downstream IL-1β.Adenovirus-mediated ITCH overexpression(OE-ITCH)in Aβ-stimulated BV2 cells comprised three experimental groups:negative control group,Aβ oligomer stimulation group,and OE-ITCH group,with subsequent immunoblotting of inflammatory mediators.RESULTS:The deposition of Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of 5×FAD transgenic mice exhibited an age-dependent progression(P<0.01).Compared with WT mice,the levels of TXNIP protein increased synchronously,and the levels of ubiquitin ligase ITCH was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between ITCH and TXNIP proteins in the brain of 2-and 4-month-old 5×FAD mice,which exhibited marked attenuation by 4 months of age.In BV2 microglial models,Aβ/LPS stimulation provoked significant ITCH suppression,concurrently up-regulating TXNIP,core NLRP3 inflammasome components(NLRP3 and caspase-1),and downstream IL-1β(P<0.05).Overexpression of ITCH significantly inhibited Aβ-induced activation of TXNIP and NLRP3 and therelated inflammatory factors in BV2 cells.CONCLUSION:The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that ITCH protein exerts effects against AD-like pathology by inhibiting the expression of TXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway.
10.Glutamine signaling specifically activates c-Myc and Mcl-1 to facilitate cancer cell proliferation and survival.
Meng WANG ; Fu-Shen GUO ; Dai-Sen HOU ; Hui-Lu ZHANG ; Xiang-Tian CHEN ; Yan-Xin SHEN ; Zi-Fan GUO ; Zhi-Fang ZHENG ; Yu-Peng HU ; Pei-Zhun DU ; Chen-Ji WANG ; Yan LIN ; Yi-Yuan YUAN ; Shi-Min ZHAO ; Wei XU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(11):968-984
Glutamine provides carbon and nitrogen to support the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the precise reason why cancer cells are particularly dependent on glutamine remains unclear. In this study, we report that glutamine modulates the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) to promote cancer cell proliferation and survival. Specifically, lysine 604 (K604) in the sixth of the 7 substrate-recruiting WD repeats of FBW7 undergoes glutaminylation (Gln-K604) by glutaminyl tRNA synthetase. Gln-K604 inhibits SCFFBW7-mediated degradation of c-Myc and Mcl-1, enhances glutamine utilization, and stimulates nucleotide and DNA biosynthesis through the activation of c-Myc. Additionally, Gln-K604 promotes resistance to apoptosis by activating Mcl-1. In contrast, SIRT1 deglutaminylates Gln-K604, thereby reversing its effects. Cancer cells lacking Gln-K604 exhibit overexpression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and display resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Silencing both c-MYC and MCL-1 in these cells sensitizes them to chemotherapy. These findings indicate that the glutamine-mediated signal via Gln-K604 is a key driver of cancer progression and suggest potential strategies for targeted cancer therapies based on varying Gln-K604 status.
Glutamine/metabolism*
;
Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Signal Transduction
;
Neoplasms/pathology*
;
F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7/genetics*
;
Cell Survival
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Apoptosis


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