TAK1 Is a Novel Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Contributes to Sorafenib ResistanceSummary

Shunjie Xia; Lin Ji; Liye Tao; Yu Pan; Zhongjie Lin; Zhe Wan; Haoqi Pan; Jie Zhao; Liuxin Cai; Junjie Xu; Xiujun Cai

Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Jan 2021)

TAK1 Is a Novel Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Contributes to Sorafenib ResistanceSummary

Shunjie Xia,
Lin Ji,
Liye Tao,
Yu Pan,
Zhongjie Lin,
Zhe Wan,
Haoqi Pan,
Jie Zhao,
Liuxin Cai,
Junjie Xu,
Xiujun Cai

Affiliations

Shunjie Xia: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Lin Ji: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Liye Tao: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Yu Pan: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Zhongjie Lin: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Zhe Wan: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Haoqi Pan: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Jie Zhao: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Liuxin Cai: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
Junjie Xu: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China; Correspondence Address correspondence to: Junjie Xu, MD, PhD, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China.
Xiujun Cai: Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China; Xiujun Cai, MD, PhD, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 3
pp. 1121 – 1143

Abstract

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Background & Aims: Identifying novel and actionable targets in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an unmet medical need. TAK1 was originally identified as a transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase and was further proved to phosphorylate and activate numerous downstream targets and promote cancer progression. However, the role of TAK1 in developed HCC progression and targeted therapy resistance is poorly understood. Methods: The expression of TAK1 or MTDH in HCC cell lines, tumor tissues, and sorafenib-resistant models was analyzed by in silico analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. In vivo and in vitro experiments were introduced to examine the function of TAK1 or MTDH in HCC and sorafenib resistance using small interfering RNA and pharmacologic inhibitors in combination with or without sorafenib. Co-immunoprecipitation and RNA immunoprecipitation were carried out to determine the binding between TAK1 and FBXW2 or between MTDH and FBXW2 mRNA. Protein half-life and in vitro ubiquitination experiment was performed to validate whether FBXW2 regulates TAK1 degradation. Results: Our findings unraveled the clinical significance of TAK1 in promoting HCC and sorafenib resistance. We identified a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase, FBXW2, targeting TAK1 for K48-linked polyubiquitylation and subsequent degradation. We also found that MTDH contributes to TAK1 up-regulation in HCC and sorafenib resistance through binding to FBXW2 mRNA and accelerates its degradation. Moreover, combination of TAK1 inhibitor and sorafenib suppressed the growth of sorafenib-resistant HCCLM3 xenograft in mouse models. Conclusions: These results revealed novel mechanism underlying TAK1 protein degradation and highlighted the therapeutic value of targeting TAK1 in suppressing HCC and overcoming sorafenib resistance.

Published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology

ISSN: 2352-345X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/cellular-and-molecular-gastroenterology-and-hepatology/

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