scholarly journals Toll-like receptor 4 signaling activates ERG function in prostate cancer and provides a therapeutic target

NAR Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M Greulich ◽  
Joshua P Plotnik ◽  
Travis J Jerde ◽  
Peter C Hollenhorst

Abstract The TMPRSS2–ERG gene fusion and subsequent overexpression of the ERG transcription factor occurs in ∼50% of prostate tumors, making it the most common abnormality of the prostate cancer genome. While ERG has been shown to drive tumor progression and cancer-related phenotypes, as a transcription factor it is difficult to target therapeutically. Using a genetic screen, we identified the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway as important for ERG function in prostate cells. Our data confirm previous reports that ERG can transcriptionally activate TLR4 gene expression; however, using a constitutively active ERG mutant, we demonstrate that the critical function of TLR4 signaling is upstream, promoting ERG phosphorylation at serine 96 and ERG transcriptional activation. The TLR4 inhibitor, TAK-242, attenuated ERG-mediated migration, clonogenic survival, target gene activation and tumor growth. Together these data indicate a mechanistic basis for inhibition of TLR4 signaling as a treatment for ERG-positive prostate cancer.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Ben Greulich ◽  
Josh Plotnik ◽  
Peter Hollenhorst

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The objective of this research was to learn how the oncogenic transcription factor, ERG, is regulated in prostate cancer. If we could learn how ERG is regulated and which genes are important for its oncogenic phenotype in prostate cells, we could design new therapeutic strategies against ERG, which has proven to be difficult to target. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted an shRNA screen in prostate cells to determine candidate genes and pathways that are important for ERG function. To validate the findings of the screen, we performed a variety of cell-based functional assays, including trans-well migration, wound healing, and clonogenic survival assays. To further investigate the mechanism between ERG and the genes revealed by the screen, we performed biochemical and molecular biology experiments such as Western blotting and qRT-PCR for protein and mRNA expression, co-immunoprecipitation assays to determine protein-protein interactions, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-qPCR) to determine transcription factor binding to DNA sites. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The screen revealed that genes involved in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway are important for ERG-mediated migration. We tested the effect of a TLR4 inhibitor on ERG function and observed decreased migration and clonogenic survival exclusively in ERG-positive cells. Expression of pMEK and pERG was reduced when TLR4 was inhibited, which suggests a mechanism in which TLR4 upregulates pMEK, leading to the phosphorylation and activation of ERG. This is supported by functional assays in which cells expressing a phosphomimetic ERG are resistant to the TLR4 inhibitor. We demonstrated that ERG drives the transcription of TLR4 and its endogenous ligands HSPA8 and BGN. Therefore, ERG can sensitize the cell to TLR4 activation by increasing the number of receptors as well as providing the ligands needed for stimulation. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This research provides a new therapeutic pathway for treating ERG-positive patients through TLR4 inhibition. This can be beneficial because many patients become resistant to the standard therapy, leaving very few treatment options. TLR4-based therapies could provide an alternative for patients who have developed resistance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1029-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiyuan Huang ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Ruidan Bai ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Jian Lv

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruyan Wu ◽  
Jun-Xu Li

The emphasis of neuronal alterations and adaptations have long been the main focus of the studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of drug addiction. Recent studies have begun to appreciate the role of innate immune system, especially toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in drug reward-associated behaviors and physiology. Drugs like opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants activate TLR4 signaling and subsequently induce proinflammatory responses, which in turn contributes to the development of drug addiction. Inhibition of TLR4 or its downstream effectors attenuated the reinforcing effects of opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants, and this effect is also involved in the withdrawal and relapse-like behaviors of different drug classes. However, conflicting results also argue that TLR4-related immune response may play a minimal part in drug addiction. This review discussed the preclinical evidence that whether TLR4 signaling is involved in multiple drug classes action and the possible mechanisms underlying this effect. Moreover, clinical studies which examined the potential efficacy of immune-base pharmacotherapies in treating drug addiction are also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Xiao ◽  
Bin Kong ◽  
Hongjie Yang ◽  
Chang Dai ◽  
Jin Fang ◽  
...  

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key pattern recognition receptor, initiates the innate immune response and leads to chronic and acute inflammation. In the past decades, accumulating evidence has implicated TLR4-mediated inflammatory response in regulation of myocardium hypertrophic remodeling, indicating that regulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway may be an effective strategy for managing cardiac hypertrophy's pathophysiology. Given TLR4's significance, it is imperative to review the molecular mechanisms and roles underlying TLR4 signaling in cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we comprehensively review the current knowledge of TLR4-mediated inflammatory response and its interaction ligands and co-receptors, as well as activation of various intracellular signaling. We also describe the associated roles in promoting immune cell infiltration and inflammatory mediator secretion, that ultimately cause cardiac hypertrophy. Finally, we provide examples of some of the most promising drugs and new technologies that have the potential to attenuate TLR4-mediated inflammatory response and prevent or reverse the ominous cardiac hypertrophy outcomes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Yarrington ◽  
Jared S. Rudd ◽  
David J. Stillman

Promoters often contain multiple binding sites for a single factor. The yeastHOgene contains nine highly conserved binding sites for the SCB (Swi4/6-dependent cell cycle box) binding factor (SBF) complex (composed of Swi4 and Swi6) in the 700-bp upstream regulatory sequence 2 (URS2) promoter region. Here, we show that the distal and proximal SBF sites in URS2 function differently. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments show that SBF binds preferentially to the left side of URS2 (URS2-L), despite equivalent binding to the left-half and right-half SBF sitesin vitro. SBF binding at URS2-L sites depends on prior chromatin remodeling events at the upstream URS1 region. These signals from URS1 influence chromatin changes at URS2 but only at sites within a defined distance. SBF bound at URS2-L, however, is unable to activate transcription but instead facilitates SBF binding to sites in the right half (URS2-R), which are required for transcriptional activation. Factor binding atHO, therefore, follows a temporal cascade, with SBF bound at URS2-L serving to relay a signal from URS1 to the SBF sites in URS2-R that ultimately activate gene expression. Taken together, we describe a novel property of a transcription factor that can have two distinct roles in gene activation, depending on its location within a promoter.


2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuntao Zhang ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Jianlin Yuan ◽  
Weijun Qin ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
...  

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