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PDE4D binds and interacts with YAP to cooperatively promote HCC progression
Huili Ren1, Yingxiang Chen1, Zhou Ao1
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by interacting with yes-associated protein (YAP). Targeting this PDE4D-YAP interaction with roflumilast may offer a new HCC treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is debated.
- The function of phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D), a cAMP-hydrolyzing enzyme, in HCC is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PDE4D in HCC progression.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PDE4D's function in HCC.
- To evaluate PDE4D-targeted therapies for HCC.
Main Methods:
- Assessed PDE4D expression in HCC patients and correlated it with survival.
- Investigated the interaction between PDE4D and yes-associated protein (YAP) using biochemical and cellular assays.
- Utilized PDE4D and YAP inhibitors (verteporfin, roflumilast) and genetic manipulation (silencing, overexpression) in HCC cell lines and in vivo models.
- Analyzed signaling pathways including cAMP-PKA and ERK.
Main Results:
- Higher PDE4D expression correlated with poor HCC survival.
- PDE4D directly binds to YAP, enhancing its dephosphorylation, activity, and promoting HCC cell growth.
- Silencing PDE4D or inhibiting YAP suppressed HCC growth.
- YAP overexpression promoted PDE4D expression and HCC growth.
- Roflumilast treatment activated cAMP-PKA signaling, leading to YAP phosphorylation, degradation, and suppressed HCC growth.
- YAP silencing induced HCC cell apoptosis via ERK activation.
Conclusions:
- PDE4D interacts with YAP to drive HCC progression.
- Targeting the PDE4D-YAP interaction with roflumilast shows therapeutic potential for HCC.
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