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Supplementary Figures S1-S5, Tables S1-S3. Figure S1. Silencing Endo180 disrupts normal and benign PEC acini, but not PTC spheroids. Figure S2. None of the treatment used in culture affected cell cycle and/or cell viability. Figure S3. Epitope mapping of the Mouse monoclonal anti-Endo180 39.10. Figure S4. Targeted blockade of Endo180 does not alter spheroid formation by PTCs. Figure S5. Highly glycosylated CD147 can be precipitated from normal PEC lysates using CTLD4 as bait. Supplementary Table S1. Antibodies and reagents used for Immunoblotting, Immunofluorescence and Immunohistochemistry. Supplementary Table S2. NCLPC1/4 prostate cancer tissue microarray patient characteristics, N = 157. Supplementary Table S3. NCLPC1/4 prostate cancer tissue microarray - patient deaths [censored] after three, five, seven and ten years.

Epithelial cell–cell contacts maintain normal glandular tissue homeostasis, and their breakage can trigger epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a fundamental step in the development of metastatic cancer. Despite the ability of C-type lectin domains (CTLD) to modulate cell–cell adhesion, it is not known if they modulate epithelial adhesion in EMT and tumor progression. Here, the multi-CTLD mannose receptor, Endo180 (MRC2/uPARAP), was shown using the Kaplan–Meier analysis to be predictive of survival outcome in men with early prostate cancer. A proteomic screen of novel interaction partners with the fourth CTLD (CTLD4) in Endo180 revealed that its complex with CD147 is indispensable for the stability of three-dimensional acini formed by nontransformed prostate epithelial cells (PEC). Mechanistic study using knockdown of Endo180 or CD147, and treatment with an Endo180 mAb targeting CTLD4 (clone 39.10), or a dominant-negative GST-CTLD4 chimeric protein, induced scattering of PECs associated with internalization of Endo180 into endosomes, loss of E-cadherin (CDH1/ECAD), and unzipping of cell–cell junctions. These findings are the first to demonstrate that a CTLD acts as a suppressor and regulatory switch for EMT; thus, positing that stabilization of Endo180–CD147 complex is a viable therapeutic strategy to improve rates of prostate cancer survival.Implications: This study identifies the interaction between CTLD4 in Endo180 and CD147 as an EMT suppressor and indicates that stabilization of this molecular complex improves prostate cancer survival rates.Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/13/3/538/F1.large.jpgMol Cancer Res; 13(3); 538–47. ©2014 AACR.

Aim: Face masks are an important addition to our arsenal in the fight against COVID-19. The aim of this study is to present a novel method of measuring mask performance which can simultaneously assess both fabric penetration and leakage due to poor fit. Materials & methods: A synthetic aerosol is introduced into the lung of a medical dummy. A conical laser sheet surrounds the face of the dummy where it illuminates the aerosol emitted during a simulated breath. The system is demonstrated with five mask types. Conclusions: The curved laser sheet highlights both penetration through the mask fabric and leakage around the edges of the mask. A large variation in both material penetration and leakage was observed., Graphical abstract, Tweetable abstract Face masks are an effective means of stemming the spread of COVID-19. However, mask performance varies considerably depending on the fabric from which they are made, and how they fit on the face.

In gene delivery, non-viral vectors have become the preferred carrier system for DNA delivery. They can overcome major viral issues such as immunogenicity and mutagenicity. Cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer is one of the most commonly used non-viral vectors, which have been shown to be a safe and effective carrier. However, their use in gene delivery often exhibits low transfection efficiency and stability. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of novel non-viral gene delivery systems. This study has investigated the encapsulation and transfection efficiency of cationic liposomes prepared from DOTAP and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD). The encapsulation efficiency of the CD-lipoplex complexes were also studied with and without the addition of Pluronic-F127, using both microfluidic and thin film hydration methods. In vitro transfection efficiencies of these complexes were determined in COS7 and SH-SY5Y cell lines. Formulation stability was evaluated using liposomes size, zeta potential and polydispersity index. In addition, the external morphology was studied using transmission electron microcopy (TEM). Results revealed that formulations produced by microfluidic method had smaller, more uniform and homogenious size and zeta-potential as well as higher encapsulation efficiency when compared with liposomes manufactured by thin film hydration method. Overall, the results of this study show that carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin increased lipoplexes’ encapsulation efficiency using both NanoAssemblr and rotary evaporator manufacturing processes. However, this increase was reduced slightly following the addition of Pluronic-F127. The addition of carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin to cationic liposomes resulted in an increase in transfection efficiency in mammalian cell lines. However, this increase appeared to be cell line specific, COS7 showed higher transfection efficiency compared to SH-SY5Y.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a key molecule involved in prostate cancer (PC) development and progression. Post-translational modification of the AR by co-regulator proteins can modulate its transcriptional activity. To identify which demethylases might be involved in AR regulation, an siRNA screen was performed to reveal that the demethylase, KDM4B, may be an important co-regulator protein. KDM4B enzymatic activity is required to enhance AR transcriptional activity; however, independently of this activity, KDM4B can enhance AR protein stability via inhibition of AR ubiquitination. Importantly, knockdown of KDM4B in multiple cell lines results in almost complete depletion of AR protein levels. For the first time, we have identified KDM4B to be an androgen-regulated demethylase enzyme, which can influence AR transcriptional activity not only via demethylation activity but also via modulation of ubiquitination. Together, these findings demonstrate the close functional relationship between AR and KDM4B, which work together to amplify the androgen response. Furthermore, KDM4B expression in clinical PC specimens positively correlates with increasing cancer grade (P < 0.001). Consequently, KDM4B is a viable therapeutic target in PC.

The androgen receptor (AR) is the main driver of prostate cancer (PC) development and progression, and the primary therapeutic target in PC. To date, two functional ubiquitination sites have been identified on AR, both located in its C-terminal ligand binding domain (LBD). Recent reports highlight the emergence of AR splice variants lacking the LBD that can arise during disease progression and contribute to castrate resistance. Here, we report a novel N-terminal ubiquitination site at lysine 311. Ubiquitination of this site plays a role in AR stability and is critical for its transcriptional activity. Inactivation of this site causes AR to accumulate on chromatin and inactivates its transcriptional function as a consequence of inability to bind to p300. Additionally, mutation at lysine 311 affects cellular transcriptome altering the expression of genes involved in chromatin organization, signaling, adhesion, motility, development and metabolism. Even though this site is present in clinically relevant AR-variants it can only be ubiquitinated in cells when AR retains LBD suggesting a role for AR C-terminus in E2/E3 substrate recognition. We report that as a consequence AR variants lacking the LBD cannot be ubiquitinated in the cellular environment and their protein turnover must be regulated via an alternate pathway.

Biomechanical strain imposed by age-related thickening of the basal lamina and augmented tissue stiffness in the prostate gland coincides with increased cancer risk. Here we hypothesized that the structural alterations in the basal lamina associated with age can induce mechanotransduction pathways in prostate epithelial cells (PECs) to promote invasiveness and cancer progression. To demonstrate this, we developed a 3D model of PEC acini in which thickening and stiffening of basal lamina matrix was induced by advanced glycation end-product (AGE)-dependent non-enzymatic crosslinking of its major components, collagen IV and laminin. We used this model to demonstrate that antibody targeted blockade of CTLD2, the second of eight C-type lectin-like domains in Endo180 (CD280, CLEC13E, KIAA0709, MRC2, TEM9, uPARAP) that can recognize glycosylated collagens, reversed actinomyosin-based contractility [myosin-light chain-2 (MLC2) phosphorylation], loss of cell polarity, loss of cell-cell junctions, luminal infiltration and basal invasion induced by AGE-modified basal lamina matrix in PEC acini. Our in vitro results were concordant with luminal occlusion of acini in the prostate glands of adult Endo180(Δ) (Ex2-6/) (Δ) (Ex2-6) mice, with constitutively exposed CTLD2 and decreased survival of men with early (non-invasive) prostate cancer with high epithelial Endo180 expression and levels of AGE. These findings indicate that AGE-dependent modification of the basal lamina induces invasive behaviour in non-transformed PECs via a molecular mechanism linked to cancer progression. This study provides a rationale for targeting CTLD2 in Endo180 in prostate cancer and other pathologies in which increased basal lamina thickness and tissue stiffness are driving factors. © 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF), and in particular FGF8, have been strongly implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. This study investigated the expression of Sef, a key inhibitory regulator of FGF signalling, in prostate cancer. In a panel of cell lines, hSef was detected in both androgen-dependent and independent cells but was significantly reduced in highly metastatic derivative clones. hSef expression was not influenced by androgenic stimulation. Forced downregulation of hSef by siRNA increased FGF8b induced cell migration (P=0.02) and invasion (P=0.007). Reduced hSef levels also enhanced FGF8b stimulated expression of MMP9 (P=0.005). mRNA in situ hybridization revealed hSef expression in 80% (8/10) of benign biopsies but in only 69% (23/33) of Gleason sum 4–7 and 35% (10/28) of Gleason sum 8–10 cancer biopsies (P=0.004). Quantitative PCR of microdissected glands confirmed this trend (P=0.001). hSef was expressed in 69% (27/39) of non-metastatic tumours but in only 18% (2/11) of metastatic tumours (P=0.004, n=50). hSef expression was next correlated with earlier data on FGF8b expression in a subgroup of cancers. In this cohort, 86% (19/22) of high-grade cancers expressed FGF8 but only 31% (7/22) expressed hSef. Positive FGF8 expression but a loss of hSef was observed in 88% (7/8) of metastatic tumours. In contrast, metastasis was evident in only 10% (1/10) of tumours, which co-expressed both FGF8 and hSef (P

The sexes of non-ratite birds can be determined routinely by PCR amplification of the CHD-Z and CHD-W genes. CHD -based molecular sexing of four species of auklets revealed the presence of a polymorphism in the Z chromosome. No deviation from a 1:1 sex ratio was observed among the chicks, though the analyses were of limited power. Polymorphism in the CHD-Z gene has not been reported previously in any bird, but if undetected it could lead to the incorrect assignment of sex. We discuss the potential difficulties caused by a polymorphism such as that identified in auklets and the merits of alternative CHD -based sexing protocols and primers.

The androgen receptor (AR), a member of the nuclear receptor family, is a transcription factor involved in prostate cell growth, homeostasis, and transformation. AR is a key protein in growth and development of both normal and malignant prostate, making it a common therapeutic target in prostate cancer. AR is regulated by an interplay of multiple post-translational modifications including ubiquitination. We and others have shown that the AR is ubiquitinated by a number of E3 ubiquitin ligases, including MDM2, CHIP, and NEDD4, which can result in its proteosomal degradation or enhanced transcriptional activity. As ubiquitination of AR causes a change in AR activity or stability and impacts both survival and growth of prostate cancer cells, deubiquitination of these sites has an equally important role. Hence, deubiquitinating enzymes could offer novel therapeutic targets. We performed an siRNA screen to identify deubiquitinating enzymes that regulate AR; in that screen ubiquitin-specific protease 12 (Usp12) was identified as a novel positive regulator of AR. Usp12 is a poorly characterized protein with few known functions and requires the interaction with two cofactors, Uaf-1 and WDR20, for its enzymatic activity. In this report we demonstrate that Usp12, in complex with Uaf-1 and WDR20, deubiquitinates the AR to enhance receptor stability and transcriptional activity. Our data show that Usp12 acts in a pro-proliferative manner by stabilizing AR and enhancing its cellular function.

BACKGROUND: The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) axis is an important mitogenic stimulus in prostate carcinogenesis. We have previously reported that transcript level of human similar expression to FGF (hSef), a key regulator of this pathway, is downregulated in clinical prostate cancer. In this study we further analysed the role of hSef in prostate cancer. METHODS: hSef function was studied in in vitro and in vivo prostate cancer models using stable over-expression clones. Protein expression of hSef was studied in a comprehensive tissue microarray. RESULTS: Stable over-expression of hSef resulted in reduced in vitro cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasive potential. In an in vivo xenograft model, the expression of hSef significantly retarded prostate tumour growth as compared with empty vector (P=0.03) and non-transfected (P=0.0001) controls. Histological examination further showed a less invasive tumour phenotype and reduced numbers of proliferating cells (P=0.0002). In signalling studies, hSef inhibited FGF-induced ERK phosphorylation, migration to the nucleus and activation of a reporter gene. Constitutively active Ras, however, was able to reverse these effects, suggesting that hSef exerts an effect either above or at the level of Ras in prostate cancer cells. In a large tissue microarray, we observed a significant loss of hSef protein in high-grade (P

GnRH II has important functional effects in steroid hormone-dependent tumours. Here we investigated the expression and regulation of GnRH II in prostate cancer. GnRH II protein was equally expressed in benign (73%) and malignant (78%) biopsies studied in a prostate tissue microarray (P = 0.779). There was no relationship between expression and clinical parameters in the cancer cohort. GnRH II was, however, significantly reduced in tumour biopsies following hormone ablation. This was further investigated in a prostate xenograft model where androgens increased GnRH II levels, while their withdrawal reduced it. In cell lines, we confirmed high levels of GnRH II in androgen receptor (AR)-positive LNCaP cells but low levels in AR-negative PC3 cells. In LNCaP cells, GnRH II induction by androgens was blocked by the AR inhibitor casodex, but not by cycloheximide treatment. Sequence analysis subsequently revealed a putative androgen response element in the upstream region of the GnRH II gene and direct interaction with the AR was confirmed in chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Finally, to test whether the effects of GnRH II were dependent on AR expression, LNCaP and PC3 cells were exposed to exogenous peptide. In both cell lines, GnRH II inhibited cell proliferation and migration, suggesting that its function is independent of AR status. These results provide evidence that GnRH II is widely expressed in prostate cancer and is an AR-regulated gene. Further studies are warranted to characterise the effects of GnRH II on prostate cancer cells and investigate its potential value as a novel therapy.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common male cancer in the western world. The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in PC development and remains the primary target for therapy. Androgen deprivation therapy is currently the standard treatment for PC. However, following a 2-3 year period, a more aggressive cancer usually recurs that is unresponsive to further androgen deprivation and is termed castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several AR interacting proteins are components of the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system, including Mdm2, CHIP and E6AP E3 ligases implicating proteasomal degradation/activation as a key event in AR function. In this study we have investigated the involvement of ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinase (DUB) enzymes in AR ubiquitination and examined whether altered ubiquitination levels play a critical role in AR function and the development of CRPC. Methods: In vitro ubiquitination assays were performed with AR as the substrate with multiple purified E3 ligase enzymes in conjunction with wild type or mutant ubiquitin (K7R, K48 and K63). Ubiquitinated AR fragments were excised and subjected to proteomic analysis to determine novel sites of ubiquitination within AR. Mutant recombinant AR proteins were subsequently generated that replaced the putative ubiquitination sites and the effect of residue substitution on AR ubiquitination studied. siRNA library screening, Western blotting and immunoprecipitation studies identified DUBs implicated in AR ubiquitination and downstream events. Results: In vitro ubiquitination assays utilising lysine null ubiquitin demonstrated monoubiquitination of AR in multiple domains of AR in response to four E3 ligases. K48 ubiquitin (implicated in proteasomal degradation) and K63 ubiquitin (implicated in substrate activation) incorporated into in vitro assays identified differential poly-ubiquitination chain patterns in AR, dependent on which E3 ligase was used in the assay. Proteomic analysis of ubiquitinated AR fragments revealed a novel site of ubiquitination within the N-terminal region AR. AR protein stability was greatly enhanced following mutation of the novel ubiquitination site within the AR. To examine deubiquitination of AR, a siRNA screen was performed and target DUBs identified. Over-expression or knockdown of the target DUBs revealed dramatic effects not only on AR ubiquitination levels but also on protein stability and modulation of downstream AR target genes PSA, NKX3.1, KLK2 and TMPRSS2. Conclusions: In this study mass spectroscopy revealed a novel site of ubiquitination within the AR and a siRNA screen identified DUB enzymes involved in AR deubiquitination. Modulation of ubiquitination levels of AR was observed following substitution of the novel lysine ubiquitination site or through altering DUB enzyme protein expression. Both events led to stabilisation and accumulation of AR protein levels with subsequent altered downstream gene transcription. Additional experiments are underway to examine the interplay for E3 ligases and DUBs that regulate AR ubiquitination to further elucidate the mechanisms controlling AR signalling in prostate cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4053. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4053

We used a functional complementation approach to identify tumor-suppressor genes and putative therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. Microcell-mediated transfer of chromosome 18 in the ovarian cancer cell line TOV21 G induced in vitro and in vivo neoplastic suppression. Gene expression microarray profiling in TOV21 +19 hybrids identified 14 candidate genes on chromosome 18 that were significantly overexpressed and therefore associated with neoplastic suppression. Further analysis of messenger RNA and protein expression for these genes in additional ovarian cancer cell lines indicated that EPB41L3 (erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 3, alternative names DAL-1 and 4.1 B) was a candidate ovarian cancer-suppressor gene. Immunoblot analysis showed that EPB41L3 was activated in TOV21 +18 hybrids, expressed in normal ovarian epithelial cell lines, but was absent in 15 (78%) of 19 ovarian cancer cell lines. Using immunohistochemistry, 66% of 794 invasive ovarian tumors showed no EPB41L3 expression compared with only 24% of benign ovarian tumors and 0% of normal ovarian epithelial tissues. EPB41L3 was extersively methylated it ovarian cancer cell Hires and primary ovarian tumors compared with normal tissues (P = 00004), suggesting this may be the mechanism of gene inactivation it ovarian cancers. Constitutive reexpressior of EPB41L3 it a three-dimensional multicellular spheroid model of ovarian cancer caused significant growth suppressior and induced apoptosis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated many similarities between EPB41L3-expressing cells and chromosome 18 donor-recipient hybrids, suggesting that EPB41L3 is the gene responsible for reoplastic suppression after chromosome 18 transfer. Finally, ar irducible model of EPB41L3 expression it three-dimersioral spheroids confirmed that reexpression of EPB41L3 induces extensive apoptotic cell death it ovarian cancers.

IntroductionProstate cancer (PC) is the most common male cancer in the western world. The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in PC development and remains the primary target for therapy. Androgen deprivation therapy is currently the standard treatment for PC. However, following a 2-3 year period, a more aggressive cancer usually recurs that is unresponsive to further androgen deprivation and is termed castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several AR interacting proteins are components of the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system, including Mdm2, CHIP and E6AP E3 ligases implicating proteasomal degradation/activation as a key event in AR function. In this study we have investigated which ubiquitin ligases are involved in AR ubiquitination and whether altered ubiquitination levels play a critical role and subsequent AR function in development of CRPC.MethodsIn vitro ubiquitination assays were performed with AR as the substrate with multiple purified E3 ligase enzymes in conjunction with wild type or mutant ubiquitin (K7R, K48 and K63). A panel of E2 conjugating enzymes were also employed to identify which E2/E3 heterodimers were involved in this process. Ubiquitinated AR fragments were gel excised and digested with trypsin. Fragments were then subjected to proteomic analysis to determine the sites of ubiquitination in AR.ResultsIn vitro ubiquitination assays using lysine null ubiquitin (K7R) revealed monoubiquitination of AR in multiple domains of AR in response to four E3 ligases. Screening of an E2 panel also identified multiple E2 conjugating enzymes implicated in AR ubiquitination. K48 ubiquitin (implicated in proteosomal degradation) and K63 ubiquitin (implicated in substrate activation) incorporated into in vitro assays identified differential poly-ubiquitination chain patterns in AR, dependent on which E3 ligase was used in the assay. Proteomic analysis of ubiquitinated AR fragments identified a novel site of ubiquitination within AR.ConclusionsAR was ubiquitinated by four E3 ligases evaluated in this study. Mono- and poly-ubiquitination of AR was identified. Mass spectroscopy revealed a novel site of ubiquitination in AR. Further experiments are being performed, including site directed mutagenesis to determine the importance of the novel ubiquitination site in AR protein proteosomal turnover and transcriptional activation. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3153.