Journal: Cell

Article Title: A Flat BAR Protein Promotes Actin Polymerization at the Base of Clathrin-Coated Pits

doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.05.020

Figure Lengend Snippet: FCHSD2 Is Not Directly Recruited to CCPs by PI3KC2α or Its Kinase Activity, Related to Figure 2 (A) Top: Transferrin uptake assay by flow cytometry comparing wild-type and FCHSD2 KO cells silenced for PI3KC2α. Uptake of Alexa488 labeled transferrin normalized by the amount of surface transferrin receptor for each condition and against uptake for the wild-type cells in each experiment. Each value represents median fluorescence from at least 5000 cells (n = 12, mean ± SD). ∗∗∗ p > 0.001, ns = non-significant. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Bottom: Immunoblots showing PI3KC2α knockdown in wild-type and FCHSD2 KO cells. (B) Kymographs of HeLa FCHSD2-Venus stables silenced for PI3KC2α and control cells. Cells were transfected with mCherry-ClathrinLC 24 hs before imaging. Kymographs generated from 120 s movies at 1Hz. Note the elongated CCP lifetimes in PI3KC2α knockdown cells as described in Posor et al. (2013) . (C) Autoinhibition of FCHSD2. Representative images of a center slice from cells expressing different FCHSD2 truncation constructs and co-stained with phalloidin (Actin). The bar graph (upper right) shows the quantification of cellular protrusions/μm for each construct. The non-inhibited BAR domain produces many protrusions. Numbers inside bars represent number of cells measured. The line graph (bottom right) shows the fluorescence profile of sum intensity projections for cells expressing each construct. Due to the natural thinning of cells from their centers to the edge, a gradually decaying line indicates that the fluorescent protein is primarily cytosolic while a flat line with an abrupt fall on the cell edge indicates that the fluorescent protein is primarily bound to the membrane. While the presence of SH3-1 significantly reduces the generation of cellular protrusions generated by the FCHSD2 F-BAR, a significant fraction of the protein remains bound to the membrane (green line). Only the combined presence of SH3-1 and SH3-2 is capable to avoid promiscuous binding of the BAR domain to the membrane. Data is shown as mean ± SD in bar graph and as ± SEM in fluorescence profiles. ∗∗∗ p > 0.001, ns = non-significant. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc analysis. (D) Immunoblots for intersectin knockdown in FCHSD2-Venus HeLa cells.

Article Snippet: PI3KC2α siRNA pool , Origene , Cat# SR303516.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Flow Cytometry, Labeling, Fluorescence, Western Blot, Knockdown, Control, Transfection, Imaging, Generated, Expressing, Construct, Staining, Membrane, Binding Assay

Journal: Cell

Article Title: A Flat BAR Protein Promotes Actin Polymerization at the Base of Clathrin-Coated Pits

doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.05.020

Figure Lengend Snippet:

Article Snippet: PI3KC2α siRNA pool , Origene , Cat# SR303516.

Techniques: Virus, Recombinant, Labeling, Cloning, Stable Transfection, Expressing, esiRNA, Plasmid Preparation, Software

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: KLF5 protein expression and Progression-free survival curves in EOC. (A) A significant difference in expression levels was noted between normal ovary ( n = 45) and EOC tissues ( n = 425) ( p < 0.0001). (B) Immunohistochemical analysis of KLF5 and pSTAT-3 expression in EOC TMA. An EOC array spot showing overexpression of KLF5 (a) and pSTAT-3 (C) . In contrast, another EOC tissue array spots showing low expression of KLF5 (b) and pSTAT-3 (D) . 20X/0.70 objective on an Olympus BX 51 microscope. (Olympus America Inc, Center Valley, PA, USA) with the inset showing a 40X 0.85 aperture magnified view of the same TMA spot. (C) Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for the prognostic significance of KLF5 expression in EOC showed that patients with overexpression of KLF5 had reduced progression-free survival at 5 years compared to tumors showing low expression of KLF5 ( p = 0.0182). (D) EOC patients with co-expression of KLF5 and p-STAT3 had reduced progression-free survival at 5 years compared to tumors without co-expression of KLF5 and p-STAT3 ( p = 0.0034).

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: Expressing, Immunohistochemical staining, Over Expression, Microscopy

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: Clinicopathological associations of KLF5 protein expression in EOC.

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: Expressing

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: KLF5 drives STAT3-activation in EOC. (A) Basal expression of KLF5 and pSTAT3 in EOC cell lines. Proteins were isolated from six EOC cell lines and immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3 and GAPDH. (B) Silencing of KLF5 inhibits STAT3 activation. EOC cells were transfected with scrambled siRNA and KLF5 siRNA (50 and 100 nM). After 48 hours, cells were lysed and proteins were immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3 and GAPDH. (C) ML264 treatment down-regulates KLF5 expression and STAT3 activation in EOC cells. EOC cells were treated with indicated doses of ML264 for 48 h. After cell lysis, equal amounts of proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to immobilon membrane, and immuno-blotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3 and GAPDH as indicated. (D) Knockdown of STAT3 has no effect on KLF5 expression. EOC cells were transfected with scrambled siRNA and STAT3 siRNA (50 and 100 nM). After 48 h, cells were lysed and proteins were immunoblotted with antibodies against pSTAT3, STAT3, KLF5 and GAPDH. (E) Forced expression of KLF5 increases STAT3 activation. MDAH2774 cells were transfected with either empty vector or KLF5 cDNA for 48 hours. Proteins were isolated and immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3 and GAPDH for equal loading. All the experiments were repeated for at least two times with the same results.

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: Activation Assay, Expressing, Isolation, Transfection, Lysis, SDS Page, Membrane, Knockdown, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: Inhibition of KLF5 decreases invasion, migration and progression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in EOC cells. (A , B) KLF5 inhibition decreases the invasive capacity of EOC cells. EOC cells were pre-treated with universal caspase inhibitor, z-VAD/fmk (80 µM) for 3 h and subsequently treated with indicated doses of ML264 and seeded into the upper compartment of invasion chambers. The bottom chambers were filled with RPMI media. After 24 h incubation, invaded cells were fixed, stained and quantified. (C) KLF5 inhibition causes reduction in the migration capacity of EOC cells. EOC cells were pre-treated with universal caspase inhibitor, z-VAD/fmk (80 µM) for 3 h and subsequently treated with indicated doses of ML264 and seeded into the upper compartment of migration chambers. The bottom chambers were filled with RPMI media. After 24 h incubation, migrated cells were fixed, stained and quantified. (D) ML264 treatment down-regulates the expression of EMT markers in EOC cells. EOC cells were treated with indicated doses of ML264 for 48 h. After cell lysis, equal amounts of proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to immobilon membrane, and immuno-blotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Twist, MMP-2, MMP-9 and GAPDH as indicated. (E) Silencing of KLF5 down-regulates the expression of EMT markers in EOC cells. EOC cells were transfected with scrambled siRNA and KLF5 siRNA (50 and 100 nM). After 48 h, cells were lysed and proteins were immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Twist, MMP-2, MMP-9 and GAPDH. Data presented in the bar graphs are the mean ± SD of triplicates in an independent experiments which was repeated for at least two times with the same results. *Indicates a statistically significant difference compared to control with p < 0.05. Western blot experiments were repeated at least two times with the same results.

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: Inhibition, Migration, Incubation, Staining, Expressing, Lysis, SDS Page, Membrane, Transfection, Control, Western Blot

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: Downregulation of KLF5 inhibits EOC cell growth in vitro. (A) ML264 inhibits cell viability. EOC cells (10 4 ) were incubated with indicated doses of ML264 for 48 hours. Cell viability was performed using MTT. (B, C) ML264 inhibited clonogenicity. EOC cells (8 × 10 2 ) after ML264 treatment were seeded into each of two dishes (60 mm diameter), and grown for an additional 10 days, then stained with crystal violet and colonies were counted. (D, E) Knockdown of KLF5 decreases clonogenicity. EOC cells were transfected with scrambled siRNA and KLF5 siRNA (50 and 100 nM). After 48 h, cells (8 × 10 2 ) were seeded into each of two dishes (60 mm diameter), and grown for an additional 10 days, then stained with crystal violet and colonies were counted. (F-G) Forced expression of KLF5 increases clonogenicity. MDAH2774 cells were transfected with either empty vector or KLF5 cDNA. After 48 h, cells (8 × 10 2 ) were seeded into each of two dishes (60 mm diameter), and grown for an additional 10 days, then stained with crystal violet and colonies were counted. (H) ML264 induces apoptosis in EOC cell lines. EOC cells were treated with indicated doses of ML264 for 48 h and cells were stained with fluorescein-conjugated annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI) and analyzed by flow cytometry. Data presented in the bar graphs are the mean ± SD of triplicates in an independent experiments which was repeated for at least two times with the same results. *Indicates a statistically significant difference compared to control with p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: In Vitro, Incubation, Staining, Knockdown, Transfection, Expressing, Plasmid Preparation, Flow Cytometry, Control

Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology

Article Title: Krupple-Like Factor 5 is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Marker in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598880

Figure Lengend Snippet: Inhibition of KLF5 decreases spheroid growth in EOC cells. (A, B) Isolation of spheroid-forming cells from EOC cells. Sphere forming assay was performed by culturing EOC cells (5 × 10 2 cells/well) in sphere medium for 14 days in 24-well ultra-low attachment plates. Proteins were isolated from spheroid-forming cells and respective parental adherent cells and immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3, CD44, CD133, NANOG, OCT4 and GAPDH. (B, C) Silencing of KLF5 inhibits self-renewal ability of spheroids. EOC cells were transfected with KLF5 shRNA and cells were subjected to sphere forming assay. Spheroids in the entire well were counted. (D) Silencing of KLF5 inhibits stemness of spheroids as confirmed by immunoblotting using stem cell markers. EOC cells were transfected with scramble or KLF5 shRNA’s and grown in sphere medium. Proteins were isolated from spheroids and immunoblotted with antibodies against KLF5, pSTAT3, STAT3, CD44, CD133, NANOG, OCT4 and GAPDH. Data presented in the bar graphs are the mean ± SD of triplicates in an independent experiments which was repeated for at least two times with the same results. *Indicates a statistically significant difference compared to control with p < 0.05. Western blot experiments were repeated at least two times with the same results.

Article Snippet: Plasmid DNA encoding human KLF5 (RC202438) and shRNA targeting human KLF5 (TR311886) were purchased from Origene (Rockville, MD).

Techniques: Inhibition, Isolation, Transfection, shRNA, Western Blot, Control

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: RALA, but not RALB, promotes metastatic growth in spontaneous and experimental models of TNBC lung metastasis. a Representative images (top) and quantitation (bottom) of lungs harvested from mice bearing MDA-MB-231 Ctrl ( n = 5), RALA-KO ( n = 6), or RALB-KO ( n = 6) tumors. Lungs were harvested when early removal criteria (ERC) was reached for each respective cohort. Scale bar is 100μm. b Representative H&E images and quantification of lung metastases arising in mice bearing orthotopic MVT1 shCtrl ( n = 6) or shRALA ( n = 6) mammary tumors. Lung metastasis were categorized as nodules, foci, or emboli. Representative images of each category are shown. Scale bars are 50μm except for the representative foci image which is 20μm. All mice were sacrificed when the shCtrl group met ERC. c Experimental metastasis assay. Representative IVIS images and quantification of total flux in the lungs of mice following tail vein inoculation of luciferase-tagged MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 15) or shRALA ( n = 10) cells over 24 days. e Extravasation and early colonization assay. Representative IVIS images and quantification of total flux in the lungs of mice following tail vein inoculation of luciferase-tagged MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 13) or shRALA ( n = 11) cells over 96 h. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; (*), P < 0.05

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: Quantitation Assay, Luciferase

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: BQU57 blocks TNBC growth in vitro and in vivo. a Western blot and quantification of GTP-bound RALB in MDA-MB-231 cells after BQU57 (50μM) or DMSO treatment for 24 h. b Quantification of MDA-MB-231 and MVT1 cell viability upon treatment with varying doses of BQU57 for 72 h. c Quantification of MDA-MB-231 and MVT1 growth in low adhesion (GILA) conditions upon treatment with varying doses of BQU57 for 5 days. d Quantification of MDA-MB-231 orthotopic mammary tumor volume over time [ n = 9 DMSO; n = 10 BQU57 treatment (50mg/kg by i.p. injection, M-F)]. e Representative H&E images (left) and quantification (right) of spontaneous lung metastases in MDA-MB-231 tumor bearing mice following treatment (arrows point to metastatic lesions). Scale bars = 500μm. f Quantification of subcutaneous TNBC PDX tumor volume over time. [ n = 9 DMSO; n = 9 BQU57 treatment (50mg/kg, M-F)]. g Quantification of MDA-MB-231 cell viability upon treatment with BQU57 (100μM) or DMSO in combination with various doses of paclitaxel for 72 h. h RALA expression, but not RALB expression, is predictive of BC patient response to chemotherapy. Data from ROC Plotter. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; (*), P < 0.05

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: In Vitro, In Vivo, Western Blot, Injection, Expressing

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: RALA, not RALB, is pro-tumorigenic in preclinical in vivo models of TNBC utilizing CRISPR mediated knockout of RALA/B. a Western blots demonstrating RALA and RALB expression in MDA-MB-231 CRISPR control (Ctrl), RALA CRISPR knockout (RALA-KO), and RALB CRISPR knockout (RALB-KO) cells. b Quantification of RALA and RALB expression in MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cells by ImageJ analysis ( n = 3). c Representative images of RALA and RALB immunofluorescence staining in MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO and RALB-KO cells (red = RALA or RALB, blue = DAPI; scale bars = 20μm). d Quantification of MDA-MB-231 Ctrl ( n = 10), RALA-KO ( n = 8), and RALB-KO ( n = 12) orthotopic mammary tumor growth. e Representative images and H-score quantification of Ki67 immunostaining in MDA-MB-231 CRISPR Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO orthotopic mammary tumors (scale bar = 40μm). f Representative images and H-score quantification of cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) immunostaining in MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO orthotopic mammary tumors (scale bar = 20μm). Data are presented as mean ± SEM; (*), P < 0.05

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: In Vivo, CRISPR, Knock-Out, Western Blot, Expressing, Control, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Immunostaining

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: RALA, not RALB, is pro-tumorigenic in preclinical in vivo models of TNBC utilizing short hairpin knockdown of RALA/B. a Western blots demonstrating RALA and RALB expression in MDA-MB-231 shRNA control (shCtrl), shRALA, and shRALB cells. b Comparison of MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 5) and shRALA ( n = 5) orthotopic mammary tumor growth. c Comparison of MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 7) and shRALB ( n = 8) orthotopic mammary tumor growth. d Representative Ki67 immunostaining images and H-score quantification of MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 4) and shRALA ( n = 4) orthotopic mammary tumors. e Representative cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) immunostaining images and H-score quantification of MDA-MB-231 shCtrl ( n = 4) and shRALA ( n = 4) orthotopic mammary tumors. f Quantification of Rala mRNA expression in MVT1 shCtrl and shRALA cells by qRT-PCR (left) and growth of orthotopic mammary tumors (right; n =6 per group). Inset shows western blot confirmation of RALA protein expression in MVT1 shCtrl and shRALA cells. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; (*), P < 0.05; scale bars = 20μm

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: In Vivo, Knockdown, Western Blot, Expressing, shRNA, Control, Comparison, Immunostaining, Quantitative RT-PCR

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: RALA supports, while RALB opposes, in vitro measures of aggressive cancer phenotypes in TNBC cell lines. a Representative images and quantification of MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cell migration over 6 h (scale bar = 100μm). b Representative images and quantification of MDA-MB-468 siRNA control (siCtrl), siRALA, and siRALB cell migration over 6 h (scale bar = 100μm). c Representative images and quantification of MVT1 shCtrl and shRALA cell migration over 6 h (scale bar = 200μm). d Representative images and quantification of MDA-MD-231 shCtrl and shRALA scratch assay over 6 h (scale bar = 500μm). e Representative images and quantification of MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cell invasion through matrigel coated transwell inserts over 24 h (scale bar = 200μm). f Representative images and quantification of MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cell invasion as three dimensional spheroids over 5 days (scale bar = 400μm). g Quantification of viability for MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cells ± siCtrl or siRALA/B transient knockdown over 72 h. h Quantification of viability for MDA-MB-468 siCtrl, siRALA and siRALB cells over 72 h. i Quantification of BrdU incorporation for MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cells over 72 h. j Quantification of Annexin V positivity for MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cells. k Quantification of growth in low adhesion (GILA) conditions for MDA-MB-231 Ctrl, RALA-KO, and RALB-KO cells ± siCtrl or siRALA/B transient knockdown over 5 days. h Quantification of growth in low adhesion (GILA) for MDA-MB-468 siCtrl, siRALA and siRALB cells over 5 days. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; (*), P < 0.05

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: In Vitro, Migration, Control, Wound Healing Assay, Knockdown, BrdU Incorporation Assay

Journal: Breast Cancer Research : BCR

Article Title: The small G-protein RalA promotes progression and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01438-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: RALA is elevated in TNBC and is prognostic of overall survival in ER-negative disease. a Western blots demonstrating RALA and RALB expression in a panel of BC cell lines denoted by molecular subtype. b RALA and RALB mRNA expression in a panel of 46 BC cell lines categorized according to molecular subtype. Data from the Broad Institute Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), (*) P < 0.05. c Box and whisker plots of RALA and RALB expression in normal breast tissue ( n = 61), BC subtypes other than TNBC ( n = 300) , and TNBC ( n = 49). Data from TCGA Research Network. (*) P < 0.05. d Box and whisker plots of RALA and RALB expression in normal breast tissue ( n = 144), BC subtypes other than TNBC ( n = 1725), and TNBC ( n = 250). Data from METABRIC. (*) P < 0.05. e Left: Kaplan-Meier analysis segregates all BC patients by RALA (upper quartile vs lower three-quartiles) and RALB (spilt along the median) expression in METABRIC and TCGA datasets wherein high RALA is prognostic of worse disease specific survival (DSS) in the METABRIC ( P = 0.0079) and overall survival in the TCGA ( P = 0.0003) cohorts and low RALB is prognostic of worse DSS in the METABRIC cohort ( P = 0.0311), but is not prognostic in the TCGA cohort ( P = 0.9477). Right: Within the TNBC population of the METABRIC cohort, RALA (upper tenth percentile vs lower 90th percentail) is prognostic of worse DSS TNBC patients ( P = 0.0544) while RALB (spilt along the median) is not prognostic ( P = 0.9297). Significance determined by log-rank. f Top: Representative high and low RALA immunostaining of BC patient samples. Bottom: Kaplan-Meier analysis segregating all BC patients ( P = 0.0417) and TNBC patients ( P = 0.0440) by RALA H-score (upper tertile vs lower two tertiles) where high RALA is prognostic of worse overall survival (Scale bars = 60μm)

Article Snippet: Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of RALA and RALB was achieved through the transfection of MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-468 cells with 50 pMol of siRNA targeting human RALA (GCAGACAGCUAUCGGAAGA; Dharmacon, Lafayette, CO, USA), RALB (GAAAGAUGUUGCUUACUAU, Dharmacon) or simultaneously targeting both isoforms (GAGCUAAUGUUGACAAGGU; Dharmacon) or non-targeting control siRNA pool (D-001810-10-05, Dharmacon) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 72 h. Human RALA (TL309957V) and RALB (TL309956V) targeting shRNA lentiviral particles and a non-targeting control (TR30021V) were purchased from OriGene (Rockville, MD, USA).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Whisker Assay, Immunostaining

Journal: Scientific reports

Article Title: TNFα induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in monocytic cells through ACSL1/JNK/ERK/NF-kB signaling pathways.

doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-41514-6

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 3. ACSL1 siRNA transfection reduced TNFα-mediated MMP-9 production. We transfected THP-1 monocytic cells with siRNA targeting human ACSL1 gene expression or scrambled siRNA (a control siRNA). (A,B) After 36 h, we performed real-time PCR to measure ACSL1 gene expression or western blotting for protein to test the knocking down efficiency. (C) We then incubated ACSL1-deficient cells with TNFα for 24 h. We determined mRNA expression of MMP-9 by real-time PCR. (D) We determined MMP-9 protein in culture media using ELISA. (E) The effect of siRNA transfection in combination with TNFα on cell viability was evaluated by measuring cell metabolic activity (MTT assay). The cell viability is expressed as the percentage of cells compared to the condition of vehicle control. Three independent experiments were performed with similar results. All data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n ≥ 3). t test or onene way ANOVA (Dunnett’s Test) for comparing treatments vs control) were used). **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: We transfected the cells separately with siRNA against ACSL1 (30 nM; OriGene Technologies, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA), scramble siRNA (30 nM; OriGene Technologies, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA), and pmaxGFP (0.5 ug; Amaxa Nucleofector Kit V for THP-1cells, Lonza, Cologne, Germany).

Techniques: Transfection, Gene Expression, Control, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Western Blot, Incubation, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Activity Assay, MTT Assay

Journal: JCI insight

Article Title: Sclerostin inhibition alleviates breast cancer-induced bone metastases and muscle weakness.

doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.125543

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 1. Breast cancer–derived sclerostin inhibits Wnt signaling in osteoblasts. (A and B) Calvarial cells were differentiated into osteoblasts in the presence of control medium or cancer-conditioned medium (CM) collected from MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cells. Osteoblast differen- tiation was determined by quantification of Runx2 and osteocalcin (Ocn) gene expression (A) and by alizarin red S staining (B) (n = 4 independent experiments). (C) Calvarial osteoblasts were cultured in the presence of the indicated amount of MDA-MB-231–derived CM. Wnt signaling activity was determined by TOPflash reporter assay (n = 4 independent experiments). (D) Sclerostin mRNA expression was quantified in nonmetastatic MCF-7 and metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by qRT-PCR (n = 6 independent experiments). (E) SOST mRNA expression was analyzed in breast cancer tissue from 48 patients. Proportion of sclerostin-positive and sclerostin-negative tissue samples is shown for all patients and for triple-negative (ER–, PR–, HER–) and in hormone receptor–negative (ER–, PR–, HER+) patients. All, n = 48; ER–, PR–, HER-, n = 9; ER–, HER–, HER+, n = 7. (F) Wnt signaling activity in calvarial osteoblasts cultured with control medium or with CM from MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with scrambled control siRNA (si-Ctrl CM) or siRNA against sclerostin (si-Sclerostin CM) (n = 6 independent experiments). (G) Wnt signaling activity in calvarial osteoblasts isolated from mice heterozygous for the Lrp5 mutation G171V (Lrp5-G171V+/T) and from control littermates (Lrp5-G171V+/+) stimulated with control medium or cancer CM (n = 4 independent experiments). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Two-tailed Student’s t test was used to compare 2 groups (A and D), and ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc analysis was used to compare 3 or more groups (C, F, and G); *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with scrambled control siRNA or siRNA against sclerostin (Origene) using Lipofectamine 3000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Derivative Assay, Control, Gene Expression, Staining, Cell Culture, Activity Assay, Reporter Assay, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Transfection, Isolation, Mutagenesis, Two Tailed Test

Journal: JCI insight

Article Title: Sclerostin inhibition alleviates breast cancer-induced bone metastases and muscle weakness.

doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.125543

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 2. Pharmacological inhibition of sclerostin reduces bone metastatic burden in mice. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells stably expressing the lucifer- ase gene were injected into the left ventricle of 8-week-old female immune-compromised SCID mice. Micrometastases were detected 2 weeks after breast cancer cell injection by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Mice were randomized and received either vehicle (n = 8) or anti-sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab; n = 8) once a week for 4 weeks. (A and B) Tumor growth in bone was visualized after 4 weeks of treatment (A) and quantified (B) by BLI. Values are represented in a log10 scale. (C and D) Quantification of the metastasis area (C) in the tibia (D) of cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 16 tibiae) or Scl-Ab (n = 16 tibiae) using histological sections. Scale bar: 1 mm. (E and F) Quantification of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mRNA expression in the lung (E) and brain (F) by qRT-PCR (n = 8). (G) Kaplan-Meier survival curve of cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 6) or Scl-Ab (n = 6). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Two groups were compared using 2-tailed Student’s t test; *P < 0.05.

Article Snippet: MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with scrambled control siRNA or siRNA against sclerostin (Origene) using Lipofectamine 3000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Inhibition, Stable Transfection, Expressing, Injection, Imaging, Quantitative RT-PCR

Journal: JCI insight

Article Title: Sclerostin inhibition alleviates breast cancer-induced bone metastases and muscle weakness.

doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.125543

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 4. Inhibition of sclerostin prevents breast cancer–induced loss of muscle function. (A) Specific force of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle from healthy mice without treatment (n = 5), or treated with vehicle (n = 10) or anti-sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab, n = 10); and from cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). N, newtons. (B) Endurance of the EDL muscle of mice with bone metastases treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). max, maximum. (C) Succinate dehydroxygenase–stained (SDH-stained) tibialis anterior muscle sections from healthy mice without treatment or with vehicle or Scl-Ab treatment, as well as from mice with bone metastases treated with vehicle or Scl-Ab stained. Two representative muscles are shown per group. Scale bar: 50 μm. (D) Quantification of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of all muscle fibers, oxidative fibers, and nonoxida- tive fibers using SDH-stained muscle sections from healthy mice without treatment (n = 5), or with vehicle (n = 10) or Scl-Ab treatment (n = 10); and from cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Three or more groups were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc analysis; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with scrambled control siRNA or siRNA against sclerostin (Origene) using Lipofectamine 3000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Inhibition, Staining, Muscles

Journal: JCI insight

Article Title: Sclerostin inhibition alleviates breast cancer-induced bone metastases and muscle weakness.

doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.125543

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 5. Treatment with an anti-sclerostin antibody reverses breast cancer–induced activation of NF-κB signaling and increased number of Pax7-positive cells. (A) Immunoblot analysis of phosphorylated IKKα and IKKβ (p-IKKα and p-IKKβ), phosphorylated NF-κBp65 (p-NF-κBp65), phos- phorylated p38 (p-p38), and total p38 in the gastrocnemius (GAS) muscle of healthy nontreated mice (n = 5) and cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). Actin was used as loading control. Representative samples are shown. (B) Immunoblot analysis of phosphorylated NF-κBp65 (p-NF-κBp65), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) and total p38 in C2C12 myoblasts stimulated with vehicle (veh) or TGF-β1. Actin was used as loading control. Representative image of 6 independent experiments is shown. (C) Immunoblot analysis of phosphorylated NF-κBp65, p-p38, and total p38 in C2C12 cells treated with a control peptide or an NF-κB blocking peptide (NPD) and stimulated with vehicle or TGF-β1. Actin was used as loading control. Representative image of 4 independent experiments is shown. (D) Myogenin and MyoD mRNA expression was quantified by qRT-PCR in C2C12 cells after 10 days of myogenic differentiation (n = 4). (E) Pai1 mRNA expression was quantified in the GAS muscle from healthy nontreat- ed mice (n = 5) and from cancer-bearing mice treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). (F) Immunohistochemical staining of Pax7 in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle from healthy nontreated mice and from mice with bone metastases treated with vehicle or Scl-Ab. Scale bar: 50 μm (top row) and 100 μm (bottom row). (G) Quantification of Pax7-positive cells in the TA muscle from healthy nontreated mice (n = 5) and from mice with bone metastases treated with vehicle (n = 8) or Scl-Ab (n = 8). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Two-tailed Student’s t test was used to compare 2 groups (D), and ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc analysis was used to compare 3 or more groups (E and G); *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with scrambled control siRNA or siRNA against sclerostin (Origene) using Lipofectamine 3000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Western Blot, Control, Blocking Assay, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Immunohistochemical staining, Staining, Two Tailed Test