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YY2-DRP1 Axis Regulates Mitochondrial Fission and Determines Cancer Stem Cell Asymmetric Division
Mankun Wei1,2, Uli Nurjanah1,2, Juan Li1,2
1Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China.
Yin Yang 2 (YY2) suppresses liver cancer stem cell (CSC) division by regulating mitochondrial fission. Lower YY2 levels correlate with poor prognosis, suggesting YY2 as a therapeutic target to deplete CSCs.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor progression, recurrence, and treatment resistance.
- Asymmetric division maintains the CSC pool, producing both CSCs and transit-amplifying cells.
- Understanding CSC division mechanisms is crucial for developing effective antitumor strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel regulators of cancer stem cell maintenance.
- To elucidate the role of Yin Yang 2 (YY2) in liver CSC division and tumor progression.
- To explore YY2's potential as a therapeutic target for liver cancer.
Main Methods:
- Cross-omics analysis to identify YY2 as a regulator of CSCs.
- Analysis of YY2 expression in liver cancer cell lines and patient samples.
- Functional studies involving YY2 overexpression and knockout in liver CSC models.
- Investigation of YY2's mechanism involving mitochondrial dynamics and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) transcription.
Main Results:
- YY2 is downregulated in liver CSCs and liver cancer, correlating with disease progression and poor prognosis.
- YY2 overexpression inhibits liver CSC asymmetric division, depletes the CSC pool, and reduces tumor initiation.
- YY2 deficiency enriches mitochondrial functions and impairs mitochondrial fission by suppressing DRP1 transcription, thereby affecting CSC asymmetric division.
Conclusions:
- YY2 acts as a novel negative regulator of liver CSC maintenance by modulating mitochondrial dynamics.
- YY2's role in suppressing asymmetric CSC division highlights its function as a tumor suppressor.
- YY2 represents a potential therapeutic target for depleting CSCs and treating liver cancer.
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