Article
Oncology
Quanxin Wu, Cheng Xu, Xianghua Zeng, Zhimin Zhang, Bo Yang, Zhiguo Rao
Summary: The study found that sFRP-4 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cells compared to adjacent healthy tissues and MIHA cells. Overexpression of sFRP-4 inhibited HCC cell viability and proliferation, and accelerated HCC cell apoptosis. Furthermore, sFRP-4 inhibited the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway by regulating GSK-3 beta and beta-catenin expression, restraining the malignant behavior of HCC cells.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Siyuan Shen, Chang Zhao, Chao Wu, Suyue Sun, Ziyan Li, Wei Yan, Zhenhua Shao
Summary: GPCRs, as the largest family of transmembrane proteins, regulate various physiological processes. However, their complicated signal transduction pathways and difficulties in drug development have presented challenges. By identifying new ligands that bind to allosteric sites, safer drugs for treating various diseases can be designed.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Manuela Johnson de Sousa Brito, Andrew Butcher, Addolorata Pisconti, Blandine Poulet, Amanda Prior, Gemma Charlesworth, Catherine Sperinck, Michele Scotto di Mase, Ke Liu, George Bou-Gharios, Robert Jurgen van 't Hof, Anna Daroszewska
Summary: Syndecan-3 promotes new bone formation in osteoblasts by enhancing WNT signaling, and its deficiency in mice results in an early osteoporosis-like phenotype due to delayed osteoblast maturation and impaired function. Overexpressing Sdc3 in osteoblasts rescues the low bone volume phenotype and increases bone mass, making SDC3 a potential target for novel bone anabolic drug development.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chuanrui Xu, Zhong Xu, Yi Zhang, Matthias Evert, Diego F. Calvisi, Xin Chen
Summary: Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a major genetic alteration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its activation plays an oncogenic role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The activated pathway is associated with specific gene expression patterns and pathological features, and it synergizes with other signaling cascades to promote HCC formation. Therefore, understanding and targeting this pathway has important implications for the diagnosis, classification, and personalized treatment of HCC.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Shefali Mehta, Swapnil Hingole, Varun Chaudhary
Summary: Wnt proteins are lipid-modified secreted proteins that activate multiple signaling pathways, regulating crucial processes during development. Despite being hydrophobic, they can travel several cell distances in the extracellular space. Research has identified factors and mechanisms regulating their expression, secretion, and extracellular travel, recognizing the importance of Wnt protein gradients in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuyuan Zi, Jie Gao, Chenglv Wang, Yidi Guan, Linzhao Li, Xinxin Ren, Lan Zhu, Yun Mu, Shuang-hui Chen, Zimei Zeng, Zhen Cao, Zhuoxian Rong, Pan Chen, Xiuping Zhang, Tao Chen, Haiguang Xin, Xuebing Li, Zhi Li, Lunquan Sun, Yuezhen Deng, Nan Li, Yingjie Nie
Summary: This study reveals that Pantothenate kinase 1 (PANK1) acts as a negative regulator of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Downregulation of PANK1 in HCC is associated with clinical features. Knockdown of PANK1 promotes HCC cell proliferation, growth, and invasion, while overexpression of PANK1 suppresses these processes. Mechanistically, PANK1 interacts with CK1 alpha and phosphorylates N-terminal residues in beta-catenin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Yagmur Azbazdar, Mustafa Karabicici, Esra Erdal, Gunes Ozhan
Summary: Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in physiological activities and has significant implications in cancer development and progression. By regulating plasma membrane composition and lipid organization, Wnt signaling can be activated or inhibited, leading to the development of more targeted anticancer drugs.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Haoran Jiang, Daniella Galtes, Jialu Wang, Howard A. Rockman
Summary: This review explores the signaling pathways, dynamic structures, and physiological relevance of the three most important GPCR signaling effectors in the cardiovascular system: heterotrimeric G proteins, GPCR kinases (GRKs), and 8-arrestins. It summarizes their prominent roles in GPCR pharmacology before transitioning into less well-explored areas. The application of new technologies has contributed to an increasing understanding of GPCR structure and downstream effectors.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yinghui Liu, Jingjing Ma, Shimin Lu, Pengzhan He, Weiguo Dong
Summary: This study found that USP25 was overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its high expression was closely associated with poor prognosis. USP25 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells by interacting with TRIM21 to activate the beta-catenin signaling pathway.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Long Fang, Chun Gao, Ru-Xue Bai, Hui-Fen Wang, Shi-Yu Du
Summary: This study investigates the regulatory effects of sFRP3 on the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and their interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The results suggest that sFRP3 acts as an anti-oncogene in HCC by inhibiting the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, leading to suppression of tumor formation.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fanhua Wang, Mingyao Liu, Ning Wang, Jian Luo
Summary: This review discusses the role of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in osteoarthritis (OA), including the pathophysiological processes involved, preclinical and clinical trial data, and the challenges in developing therapies targeting GPCRs for OA.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Quansheng Wu, Xiaofeng Yin, Wenbo Zhao, Wenli Xu, Laizhao Chen
Summary: Our study demonstrated that SFRP2 is downregulated in radiotherapy-treated glioma patients, and low SFRP2 expression is associated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis. Knockdown of SFRP2 promoted soft agar colony formation, cancer stemness, and radioresistance of glioma cells, while overexpression of SFRP2 had opposite effects. Additionally, inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling by XAV-939 abrogated the effects of SFRP2 knockdown on cancer stemness and radioresistance of glioma cells.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kate F. Byrne, Ajay Pal, James F. Curtin, John C. Stephens, Gemma K. Kinsella
Summary: The focus of the review is on G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets, with chemokine, cannabinoid, and dopamine receptors showing promise. Further research is needed on potential targets such as MC4R, adhesion receptors, LPA, and Smo receptors to develop new drug-screening strategies for safe and effective GBM therapies.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Samuel Teo, Patricia C. Salinas
Summary: The formation of synapses is tightly regulated and vital for the treatment of neurological disorders. Wnt signaling plays a key role in synapse formation by modulating neuronal activity.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lili Zhu, Xiaobei Yang, Jingyu Feng, Jian Mao, Qidong Zhang, Mengru He, Yang Mi, Yingwu Mei, Ge Jin, Haifeng Zhang
Summary: The study reveals that CYP2E1 plays a role in hepatocarcinogenesis by manipulating the Wnt/Dvl2/beta-catenin pathway through inducing ROS accumulation, which leads to the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Regina Cheuk-lam Lo, Kristy Kwan-shuen Chan, Kenneth Siu-ho Chok, Irene Oi-lin Ng
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Surgery
Regina Cheuk-lam Lo, Kristy Kwan-shuen Chan, Carmen Oi-ning Leung, Irene Oi-lin Ng
CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION
(2018)
Article
Oncology
Han-Wei Tan, Carmen Oi-Ning Leung, Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Daniel Wai-Hung Ho, Ming-Sum Leung, Chun-Ming Wong, Irene Oi-Lin Ng, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Ming-Sum Leung, Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Wen-Juan Dai, Cheuk-Yan Wong, Kwan-Yung Au, Pik-Ying Wong, Carmen Chak-Lui Wong, Terence Kin-Wah Lee, Irene Oi-Lin Ng, Weiyuan John Kao, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Kwan-Yung Au, Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
Summary: This study aimed to describe clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients diagnosed at 40 years of age or below. Higher CK19 expression rate was observed in young-onset HCC cohort, while /i-catenin pathway activation and TP53 gene mutation events were less frequent. Conventional clinicopathological parameters remain predictors of survival, with tumor nodules, vascular invasion, and preoperative serum AFP level being associated with prognosis.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Tsz-Chun Hon, Kwan-Yung Au, Hiu-Lam Choi, Danny Ka-Ho Wong, Albert Chi-Yan Chan, Man-Fung Yuen, Ching-Lung Lai, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
Summary: The study identifies Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) as a specific serum biomarker for HBV-associated liver fibrosis. STC1 plays a functional role in promoting liver fibrogenesis and may be a potential actionable target.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Kwan-Yung Au, Long-Hin Suen, Bernice Leung, Cheuk-Yan Wong, Wei-Qiang Leow, Tony Kiat-Hon Lim, Irene Oi-Lin Ng, Clive Yik-Sham Chung, Regina Cheuk-Lam Loz
Summary: The study reveals the functional role of sortilin in hepatocarcinogenesis by modulating the cancer secretome and deregulated lipid metabolism.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kristy Kwan-Shuen Chan, Kwan-Yung Au, Wai-Ching Fung, Cheuk-Yan Wong, Albert Chi-Yan Chan, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
Summary: This study analyzed the miRNA profiles in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhosis in a sex-specific manner. The results showed different degrees and patterns of miRNA deregulation between males and females with cirrhosis. Several miRNAs were only observed in one sex but not the other. The study also identified differentially expressed miRNAs between cirrhosis female and cirrhosis male groups. The findings suggest the potential role of sex-specific biomarkers and molecular mechanisms in the development and progression of cirrhosis.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Anthony P. Y. Liu, Janice J. K. Ip, Alex W. K. Leung, C. W. Luk, C. H. Li, Karin K. H. Ho, Regina Lo, Edwin K. W. Chan, Albert C. Y. Chan, Patrick H. Y. Chung, Alan K. S. Chiang
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2019)