Understanding the Roles of REG? in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Progression (Summary) Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most advanced and aggressive thyroid cancer and is the least likely to respond to treatment. Genetically, alteration of p53, p21Waf/Cip1 as well as other cell cycle regulators may be responsible for the transformation of well-differentiated thyroid cancer cells to ATC. In addition, oncogenic conversion of B-RAF occurs in ~44% of papillary thyroid carcinomas and 24% of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. However, the carcinogenesis of ATC is still poorly understood and novel, efficient, therapeutic approaches have yet to be developed. We have provided evidence that p21 is a direct target of REG?-proteasome and that REG? is involved in promoting cell growth and cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, we found a series of other cell cycle regulators are also targets of REG?-proteasome. Preliminary studies indicate an abnormally high expression of REG?, non-detectable p21 level in anaplastic thyroid cancer samples, and potential regulation of REG? activity by B-RAF/MAP3K mediated phosphorylation. In this proposal, we hypothesize that a high level of REG? and depletion/reduction of p21 along with other cell cycle regulators may be responsible for ATC progression and that the regulation of REG? by B-RAF/MAP3K signaling may be a novel mechanism in ATC carcinogenesis. To test our hypothesis, we propose to further characterize protein levels of REG?, p21, p53, and the other cell cycle regulators targeted by REG? in ATC tissue array. We also propose to examine the impact of REG? and its target protein on carcinogenesis and biological properties in thyroid cancer cell lines. Finally, we will investigate the molecular details of phosphorylation of REG? by B-RAF/MAP3K kinases in ATC progression. Considering the roles of B-RAF in malignant thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer and """"""""coincidental"""""""" involvement of REG? in these cancers, this proposal seeks to pioneer a novel study that may address some fundamental questions in malignant cancer progression and may provide further insight into the clinical application of cancer control.

Public Health Relevance

The proteasome activator, REG?, has been known to express highly in two malignant cancers, thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer, and may play an important role in the progression of these cancers. This project is to understand the tumorigenic role of REG? in anaplastic thyroid cancer, the most malignant thyroid cancer, and results from this study will be of direct relevance to medicine. Considering proteasome inhibitor has emerged as a truly intriguing anticancer agent, this project may provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutics for human cancers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA131914-03
Application #
7912961
Study Section
Integrative and Clinical Endocrinology and Reproduction Study Section (ICER)
Program Officer
Yassin, Rihab R,
Project Start
2008-09-03
Project End
2012-07-31
Budget Start
2010-08-09
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$233,704
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
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Ali, Amjad; Wang, Zhuo; Fu, Junjiang et al. (2013) Differential regulation of the REG?-proteasome pathway by p53/TGF-? signalling and mutant p53 in cancer cells. Nat Commun 4:2667
Dong, Shuxian; Jia, Caifeng; Zhang, Shengping et al. (2013) The REG? proteasome regulates hepatic lipid metabolism through inhibition of autophagy. Cell Metab 18:380-91
Li, Lei; Zhao, Dengpan; Wei, Haibin et al. (2013) REG? deficiency promotes premature aging via the casein kinase 1 pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:11005-10
Liu, Jiang; Wang, Ying; Li, Lei et al. (2013) Site-specific acetylation of the proteasome activator REG? directs its heptameric structure and functions. J Biol Chem 288:16567-78
He, Jing; Cui, Long; Zeng, Yu et al. (2012) REGýý is associated with multiple oncogenic pathways in human cancers. BMC Cancer 12:75
Wu, Yan; Wang, Lu; Zhou, Ping et al. (2011) Regulation of REG? cellular distribution and function by SUMO modification. Cell Res 21:807-16
Gao, Guang; Wong, Jerry; Zhang, Jingchun et al. (2010) Proteasome activator REGgamma enhances coxsackieviral infection by facilitating p53 degradation. J Virol 84:11056-66
Yu, Guowu; Zhao, Yanyan; He, Jing et al. (2010) Comparative analysis of REG{gamma} expression in mouse and human tissues. J Mol Cell Biol 2:192-8
Liu, Jian; Yu, Guowu; Zhao, Yanyan et al. (2010) REGgamma modulates p53 activity by regulating its cellular localization. J Cell Sci 123:4076-84