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Circadian regulator NR1D2 regulates glioblastoma cell proliferation and motility
Min Yu1, Wenjing Li1, Qianqian Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
Abstract:
Nuclear receptor NR1D2 is originally characterized as the repressor of genes involved in circadian rhythm. Recently, it is documented that NR1D2 is overexpressed in various cancers. However, the pathways and biological functions that NR1D2 involved in cancers remain poorly understood. Here, we reported that NR1D2 was abundant in human glioblastoma (GBM) tissue and cell lines but not primary human astrocytes. Silencing of NR1D2 changed the morphology of GBM cells, inhibited cell proliferation and motility, whereas had no effects on apoptosis. Importantly, based on RNA-seq and ChIP assay, we identified receptor tyrosine kinase AXL as a new transcriptional target of NR1D2 in GBM cells. AXL mediated partially the regulatory effects of NR1D2 on PI3K/AKT axis and promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells. Besides, NR1D2 knockdown remarkably impaired the maturation of focal adhesion and assembly of F-actin, along with downregulated p-FAK, and proteins involved in actin nucleation and polymerization (p-Rac1/Cdc42, WAVE and PFN2). Moreover, NR1D2 had more targets other than AXL to regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cell motility in GBM cells. Altogether, our findings uncover a GBM-promoting role of NR1D2 and provide the rationale for targeting NR1D2 as a potential therapeutic approach.
Insights
Nuclear receptor NR1D2 promotes glioblastoma (GBM) growth by regulating AXL and affecting cell motility. Targeting NR1D2 offers a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nuclear receptor NR1D2, known for regulating circadian rhythm, is increasingly found overexpressed in cancers.
- Its specific roles and pathways in cancer, particularly glioblastoma (GBM), are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of NR1D2 in glioblastoma (GBM).
- To identify NR1D2 targets and pathways involved in GBM progression.
Main Methods:
- NR1D2 expression analysis in GBM tissues and cell lines versus astrocytes.
- Functional assays including cell proliferation, motility, and apoptosis after NR1D2 silencing.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays.
- Western blotting to assess protein levels and signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT, FAK, actin-related proteins).
Main Results:
- NR1D2 is highly expressed in GBM but not in normal astrocytes.
- NR1D2 silencing inhibits GBM cell proliferation and motility without affecting apoptosis.
- AXL receptor tyrosine kinase identified as a direct transcriptional target of NR1D2.
- NR1D2 regulates the PI3K/AKT pathway via AXL, promoting GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- NR1D2 knockdown impairs focal adhesion maturation and actin assembly, downregulating key proteins like p-FAK, p-Rac1/Cdc42, WAVE, and PFN2.
- NR1D2 influences epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell motility through multiple targets beyond AXL.
Conclusions:
- NR1D2 plays a significant role in promoting glioblastoma growth and progression.
- NR1D2 targets, including AXL, mediate its effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and motility.
- NR1D2 represents a potential therapeutic target for glioblastoma treatment.
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