SOCS-1基因与宫颈癌关系的研究新进展

SOCS-1基因定位在染色体16p13.3,编码的SOCS-1蛋白是细胞因子信号转导抑制因子(SOCS)家族的成员之一,最初研究认为SOCS-1主要通过对JAK/STAT信号通路的负性调节从而对多种细胞因子、激素的进行调节,近来有研究表明SOCS-1同样能下调TLR信号通路的活性.细胞因子及TLR信号通路在细胞的生长、成熟、分化及机体的免疫调节中发挥了重要的作用.在多种恶性肿瘤中研究显示SOCS-1呈现基因广泛甲基化及蛋白表达缺失,致JAK/STAT通路的持续活化,与肿瘤的发生发展有关,提示SOCS-1的作用类似于抑癌基因,而在一些肿瘤中则见SOCS-1的高表达,SOCS-1在肿瘤中的作用机制仍存在争议.近年来SOCS-1在宫颈癌中的作用得到重视,但其作用机制尚未明确.而HPV感染可能促进了SOCS-1基因的异常表达,SOCS-1的沉默在宫颈癌的发生发展中可能发挥了重要作用.     

人乳头瘤病毒致癌蛋白E6的结构与功能研究进展

人乳头瘤病毒(Human papillomavirus,HPV)是一类无包膜的小DNA病毒,主要感染人皮肤上皮细胞和黏膜,持续感染HPV会引起良性和恶性肿瘤,如尖锐湿疣和宫颈癌等多种疾病。HPV早期蛋白E6是引起宿主细胞发生恶性转化的关键致癌蛋白,其参与调节宿主细胞内多个关键的生理生化过程,如促使抑癌蛋白p53的降解、激活端粒酶和降解细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bak(Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer)等,进而干扰宿主细胞的生长因子依赖性、细胞凋亡、细胞转录、DNA损伤反应、细胞周期和宿主细胞分化等一系列生命活动。因此,分析阐述HPV致癌蛋白E6的结构与功能,有助于阐明HPV诱发宫颈癌等恶性肿瘤的分子机理,为今后设计治疗性HPV疫苗奠定理论基础。本文就HPV致癌蛋白E6的结构及其生物学功能进行综述。     

p16基因甲基化与表达在子宫内膜癌中的意义

肿瘤抑制基因p16定位于9号染色体短臂2区1带,编码细胞周期调节蛋白p16,p16基因失活将导致细胞增殖失控。研究证实肿瘤抑制基因启动子区域5CpG岛甲基化是导致转录水平上基因失活的重要机制。为了研究p16基因甲基化状态及其表达异常与子宫内膜癌发生的关系,采用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)、免疫组化及PCR方法检测62例子宫内膜癌及相应癌旁组织、10例相应年龄正常子宫内膜中p16基因5′cpG岛甲基化状态、p16蛋白表达及p16基因外显子E,和E：表达缺失情况。结果表明癌旁及正常子宫内膜p16基因无甲基化,且无p16蛋白、外显子1和2的表达异常。62例子宫内膜癌中,15例甲基化,占24、2％;33例p16蛋白表达下降或无表达,占54．8％;p16基因外显子1缺失率16．1％(10／62),外显子2缺失率为30．6％(19／62),两者均缺失9．68％(6／62),至少其中1种缺失46、6％(29／62)。提示P16基因失活在子宫内膜癌中多见且与病理分级、临床分期密切相关。D16基因甲基化在子宫内膜癌的发生中起着重要作用。MSP法测定基因甲基化状态准确且简便可行。     

HPV16 E6蛋白在宫颈癌中的作用研究进展

高危型人乳头状瘤病毒16型(HPV16)与50%以上的宫颈癌密切相关,其E6癌蛋白作为病毒生命周期的主要蛋白之一,在诱导肿瘤发生与发展进程中起重要作用,且与病毒复制、宿主细胞周期调控、细胞凋亡、细胞增殖、细胞恶性表型转化有关。E6蛋白主要作用包括:通过结合E6相关蛋白降解P53抑制细胞凋亡;增强端粒酶活性使宿主细胞永生化;与Daxx启动子区结合,抑制启动子转录活性,降低Daxx蛋白表达,阻遏细胞凋亡;与多种细胞因子相互作用后,经多种途径改变细胞微环境,使之有利于肿瘤细胞逃避宿主固有免疫应答。因此,在宫颈癌的发生和发展中,HPV16 E6蛋白通过多种作用机制发挥重要作用。     

肺癌肿瘤阻抑基因1:一种新的抑癌基因

新的抑癌基因TSLC1属于免疫球蛋白超家族,位于人染色体11q23.2。TSLC1编码的蛋白质参与细胞间黏附、细胞运动、信号转导及免疫调节。研究显示,TSLC1在多种肿瘤中表达异常,它对肿瘤的影响主要表现为抑制瘤细胞增殖及诱导凋亡、改变瘤细胞的生长特性及基因表达,和抑制上皮间质转化。TSLC1的缺失与启动子甲基化关系密切,但其发挥抑癌作用的分子机制及信号转导途径尚有待研究。     

宫颈癌中相关基因启动子高甲基化研究进展

本文主要从分子水平介绍了在宫颈癌发生发展过程中抑癌基因的甲基化的作用.以往认为人乳头状病毒高危型的的感染是导致宫颈癌发生的主要因素.随着科技的发展,宫颈癌组织中抑癌基因的甲基化越来越备受关注.既往认为基因内突变和染色体物质缺失是肿瘤抑制基因失活的主要原因.但是,启动子CPG岛异常甲基化导致的基因失活在肿瘤发生发展过程中起着非常重要的作用现已确切证明,DNA甲基化是肿瘤抑制基因失活的第三种机制,而且在某些情况下是抑癌基因失活的惟一机制.对宫颈癌组织中的对相关抑癌基因甲基化的筛选并作为标记应用在检测宫颈癌中,这在防止宫颈癌的发生起到重大作用,还可有望作为宫颈癌治疗疗效检测的一项手段.     

人乳头瘤病毒诱导细胞增殖和抗凋亡的信号转导途径

人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)通过激活Ras—MAP激酶通路可以诱导细胞增殖,而HPV编码3种蛋白质彼此独立地发挥作用,但又相互联系,形成一个大的信号网络：E5蛋白通过调节EGF信号通路抑制细胞凋亡;E6蛋白和Tyk2结合后减弱Jak—STAT通路;E7可直接作用于Smad蛋白,并且调节TGF—β信号转导。通过了解HPV及其编码的3种蛋白质的信号转导途径以及诱导细胞增殖和抑制细胞凋亡机制,对于进一步探明HPV的致病机制及防治HPV所引起的疾病具有重要的意义。     

天花粉蛋白对宫颈癌HeLa细胞TSLC1基因甲基化及其表达的影响

目的：检测人宫颈癌HeLa细胞中TSLC1基因甲基化的状况,研究在人宫颈癌HeLa细胞凋亡过程中TSLC1基因甲基化的变化情况,探讨肿瘤细胞凋亡与抑癌基因甲基化的相关性,并进一步证实天花粉蛋白（TCS）去甲基化作用是否存在普遍性,以促进天花粉蛋白的临床应用。方法：应用甲基化特异性PCR（MSP）法检测人宫颈癌HeLa细胞及其凋亡过程中TSLC1基因甲基化的状况;采用实时定量RT-PCR技术检测TCS处理前、后HeLa细胞TSLC1基因表达的变化。结果：肿瘤抑制基因TSLC1在人宫颈癌HeLa细胞中呈高度甲基化状态,经40μg／mL TCS处理48h后,TSLC1基因甲基化程度明显降低;RT-PCR检测结果显示,TCS处理组HeLa细胞中TSLC1 mRNA的表达量高于未处理组,提示TSLC1基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化是导致其低表达的重要机制。结论：肿瘤抑制基因TSLC1启动子甲基化在人宫颈癌癌变过程中可能是一种重要的分子调控机制;人宫颈癌HeLa细胞凋亡与抑癌基因的去甲基化之间可能存在某些密切的相关性;TCS对肿瘤抑制基因TSLC1有一定的去甲基化作用。     

HPV16 E6通过阻碍ING4对p53作用而抑制细胞凋亡的实验研究

通过HPV16 E6干扰ING4对p53作用的实验研究,探讨HPV16 E6新的致癌机制。采用转染及免疫共沉淀实验证明HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白乙酰化的作用;将表达p53、ING4和p53报告基因与HPV16 E6或其突变体的质粒共转染p53蛋白阴性的SaoS2细胞系,荧光素酶报告基因检测HPV16 E6抑制ING4对p53基因在转录水平的影响;并采用细胞集落形成实验检测HPV16 E6对ING4所诱导p53途径所致细胞凋亡的抑制。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白Lys-382的乙酰化;HPV16 E6减弱ING4在转录水平对p53基因的调控,HPV16 E6抑制ING4诱导的p53途径介导的细胞凋亡,且所有这些作用不依赖p53蛋白的降解。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4对p53的作用而抑制细胞凋亡可能是其引起癌变的途径之一。     

HPV16 E6通过阻碍ING4对p53作用而抑制细胞凋亡的研究

通过HPV16 E6干扰ING4对p53作用的实验研究,探讨HPV16 E6新的致癌机制。采用转染及免疫共沉淀实验证明HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白乙酰化的作用;将表达p53、ING4和p53报告基因与HPV16 E6或其突变体的质粒共转染p53蛋白阴性的SaoS2细胞系,荧光素酶报告基因检测HPV16 E6抑制ING4对p53基因在转录水平的影响;并采用细胞集落形成实验检测HPV16 E6对ING4所诱导p53途径所致细胞凋亡的抑制。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4和p53结合及其诱导的p53蛋白Lys-382的乙酰化;HPV16 E6减弱ING4在转录水平对p53基因的调控,HPV16 E6抑制ING4诱导的p53途径介导的细胞凋亡,且所有这些作用不依赖p53蛋白的降解。HPV16 E6阻碍ING4对p53的作用而抑制细胞凋亡可能是其引起癌变的途径之一。     

UHRF1 Induces Methylation of the TXNIP Promoter and Down-Regulates Gene Expression in Cervical Cancer

DNA methylation, and consequent down-regulation, of tumour suppressor genes occurs in response to epigenetic stimuli during cancer development. Similarly, human oncoviruses, including human papillomavirus (HPV), up-regulate and augment DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities, thereby decreasing tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) expression. Ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domain 1 (UHRF1), an epigenetic regulator of DNA methylation, is overexpressed in HPV-induced cervical cancers. Here, we investigated the role of UHRF1 in cervical cancer by knocking down its expression in HeLa cells using lentiviral-encoded short hairpin (sh)RNA and performing cDNA microarrays. We detected significantly elevated expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a known TSG, in UHRF1-knockdown cells, and this gene is hypermethylated in cervical cancer tissue and cell lines, as indicated by whole-genome methylation analysis. Up-regulation of UHRF1 and decreased TXNIP were further detected in cervical cancer by western blot and immunohistochemistry and confirmed by Oncomine database analysis. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we identified the inverted CCAAT domain-containing UHRF1-binding site in the TXNIP promoter and demonstrated UHRF1 knockdown decreases UHRF1 promoter binding and enhances TXNIP expression through demethylation of this region. TXNIP promoter CpG methylation was further confirmed in cervical cancer tissue by pyrosequencing and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Critically, down-regulation of UHRF1 by siRNA or UHRF1 antagonist (thymoquinone) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), which stabilises and promotes UHRF1 function, is increased by HPV viral protein E6/E7 overexpression. These results indicate HPV might induce carcinogenesis through UHRF1-mediated TXNIP promoter methylation, thus suggesting a possible link between CpG methylation and cervical cancer.     

人乳头瘤病毒16E5突变与宫颈癌的研究进展

人乳头瘤病毒(Humanpapillomavirus)HPV是发生宫颈癌的必要条件,人乳头瘤病毒16E5癌基因突变与宫颈癌的发生有密切的相关性。人乳头瘤病毒E5是一种转化作用的癌蛋白,是细胞膜或内膜整合蛋白。人乳头瘤病毒E5在感染的细胞中表达。主要在感染细胞克隆早期的繁殖,扩张中起重要作用。它干预生长因子受体,干扰周期蛋白和周期蛋白激酶,促进病毒癌基因转化,抑制抑癌基因表达,激活启动子促进病毒繁殖,并通过多种机制促使损伤细胞,通过细胞周期,使宿主细胞增殖,分化延缓,恶性化。E5基因变异意味着功能有可能改变,可能机体或细胞对病毒变异株的免疫能力,与宫颈癌的发生和HPV的嗜上皮性有关,因此对人乳头瘤病毒16E5基因变异的研究对于人乳头瘤病毒16在宫颈癌发病中的作用有着不可忽略的意义。本文对人乳头瘤病毒16E5突变株在宫颈癌组织中的作用及其基因突变的研究现状进行分析。     

Repression of the human papillomavirus E6 gene initiates p53-dependent, telomerase-independent senescence and apoptosis in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells

Cervical cancer cells express high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 proteins. When both HPV oncogenes are repressed in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells, the dormant p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor pathways are activated, and the cells undergo senescence in the absence of apoptosis. When the E6 gene is repressed in cells that continue to express an E7 gene, the p53 pathway, but not the Rb pathway, is activated, and both senescence and apoptosis are triggered. To determine the role of p53 signaling in senescence or apoptosis after repression of HPV oncogenes, we introduced a dominant-negative allele of p53 into HeLa cells. Dominant-negative p53 prevented senescence and apoptosis when E6 alone was repressed but did not inhibit senescence when both E6 and E7 were repressed. To determine whether reduced telomerase activity was involved in senescence or apoptosis after E6 repression, we generated HeLa cells stably expressing an exogenous hTERT gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase. Although these cells contained markedly elevated telomerase activity and elongated telomeres, hTERT expression did not prevent senescence and apoptosis when E6 alone was repressed. These results demonstrate that when the Rb tumor suppressor pathway is inactivated by the E7 protein, E6 repression activates p53 signaling, which in turn is required for growth inhibition, senescence, and apoptosis. Thus, sustained inactivation of the p53 pathway by the E6 protein is required for maintenance of the proliferative phenotype of HeLa cervical carcinoma cells.     

Molecular genetics of human cervical cancer: role of papillomavirus and the apoptotic cascade

Cervical cancer is rated the second most common malignant tumour globally, and is aetiologically linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here the cellular pathology under consideration of stem/progenitor cell carcinogenesis is reviewed. Of the three causative molecular mechanisms of cervical cancer, two are associated with HPV: firstly, the effect of the viral oncogenes, E6 and E7; and secondly, integration of the viral DNA into chromosomal regions of tumour phenotype. The third process involved is the repetitive loss of heterozygosity in some chromosomal regions. HPV can be classified into high- and low-risk types; the high-risk types encode two oncoproteins, E6 and E7, which interact with tumour suppressor proteins. The association results in the inactivation of tumour suppressor proteins and the abrogation of apoptosis. Apoptosis is referred to as programmed cell death, whereby a cell deliberately commits suicide, and thus regulates cell numbers during development and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. This review attempts to elucidate the role of apoptotic genes, and considers external factors that interact with HPV in the development and progression of cervical cancer. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the apoptotic genes that control molecular mechanisms in cervical cancer are of critical importance. Useful targets for therapeutic strategies would be those that alter apoptotic pathways in a manner where the escape of HPV from surveillance by the host immune system is prevented. Such an approach directed at the apoptotic genes maybe useful in the treatment of cervical cancer.     

Genetic alterations in cervical cancer

In the pathogenesis of cervical cancer the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is well established. However, other than HPV infection the genetics of cervical cancer remains poorly understood. In the pathogenesis of cervical cancel three major factors are involved, two of which are related to the presence of HPV and the third is the recurrent genetic alterations not linked to HPV infection. Several chromosomal regions with recurrent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in cervical cancer have been identified. However; the putative tumor suppressor genes located in these chromosomal locations are yet to be identified. Recurrent amplifications have been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 3 in invasive cancer. Microsatellite instability and mutator phenotype do not play a major role in cervical carcinogenesis. As in other cancers, cervical cancer too requires the accumulation of genetic alterations for carcinogenesis to occur. Identification of these alterations could help to provide a better understanding of the disease and thus improve treatment.     

Molecular screening of compounds to the predicted Protein-Protein Interaction site of Rb1-E7 with p53- E6 in HPV

Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) which are heterogeneous groups of small double stranded DNA viruses are considered as the primary cause of cervical cancer, involved in 90% of all Cervical Cancers. Two early HPV genes, E6 and E7, are known to play crucial role in tumor formation. E6 binds with p53 and prevents its translocation and thereby inhibit the ability of p53 to activate or repress target genes. E7 binds to hypophosphorylated Rb and thereby induces cells to enter into premature S-phase by disrupting Rb-E2F complexes. The strategy of the research work was to target the site of interaction of Rb1 -E7 & p53-E6. A total of 88 compounds were selected for molecular screening, based on comprehensive literature survey for natural compounds with anti-cancer activity. Molecular docking analysis was carried out with Molegro Virtual Docker, to screen the 88 chosen compounds and rank them according to their binding affinity towards the site of interaction of the viral oncoproteins and human tumor suppressor proteins. The docking result revealed that Nicandrenone a member of Withanolides family of chemical compounds as the most likely molecule that can be used as a candidate drug against HPV induced cervical cancer. ABBREVIATIONS: HPV - Human Papiloma Virus, HTSP - Human Tumor Suppressor Proteins, VOP - Viral oncoproteins.