Arginine limitation causes a directed DNA sequence evolution response in colorectal cancer cells.

Utilization of specific codons varies significantly across organisms. Cancer represents a model for understanding DNA sequence evolution and could reveal causal factors underlying codon evolution. We found that across human cancer, arginine codons are frequently mutated to other codons.

Arginine limitation drives a directed codon-dependent DNA sequence evolution response in colorectal cancer cells.

Utilization of specific codons varies between organisms. Cancer represents a model for understanding DNA sequence evolution and could reveal causal factors underlying codon evolution. We found that across human cancer, arginine codons are frequently mutated to other codons.

Two isoleucyl tRNAs that decode synonymous codons divergently regulate breast cancer metastatic growth by controlling translation of proliferation-regulating genes.

The human genome contains 61 codons encoding 20 amino acids. Synonymous codons representing a given amino acid are decoded by a set of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) called isoacceptors. We report the surprising observation that two isoacceptor tRNAs that decode synonymous codons become modulated in opposing directions during breast cancer progression.

KLF5 mediates the hyper-proliferative phenotype of the intestinal epithelium in mice with intestine-specific endogenous K-Ras expression.

Oncogenic activation is a common mutational event in colorectal cancer. We previously showed that transcription factor, Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), contributes to intestinal polyposis in mice with activation. At 14 months of age, mice developed small intestinal and colonic hyperplastic polyps while had none.

Improved Swiss-rolling Technique for Intestinal Tissue Preparation for Immunohistochemical and Immunofluorescent Analyses.

Understanding the role of factors that regulate intestinal epithelial homeostasis and response to injury and regeneration is important. The current literature describes several different methodological approaches to obtain images of intestinal tissues for data validation. In this paper, we delineate a common protocol relating to the derivation and processing of mouse intestinal tissues.

Role of Krüppel-like factor 5 in the maintenance of the stem cell niche in the intestinal crypt.

The intestinal epithelium is a tissue that undergoes continuous self-renewal initiated at the bottom of the crypts, which harbor the intestinal stem cell (ISC) pool. The ISC pool is sub-divided into crypt base columnar (CBC) cells at the crypt bottom and label retention cells (LRC) at position +4 from the crypt bottom. CBC cells are marked by Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor (Lgr5) while LRC cells are identified by several markers including Bmi1, mTert, Hopx, Lrig1, and Sox9.

Krüppel-like factor 6 regulates mitochondrial function in the kidney.

Maintenance of mitochondrial structure and function is critical for preventing podocyte apoptosis and eventual glomerulosclerosis in the kidney; however, the transcription factors that regulate mitochondrial function in podocyte injury remain to be identified. Here, we identified Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), a zinc finger domain transcription factor, as an essential regulator of mitochondrial function in podocyte apoptosis. We observed that podocyte-specific deletion of Klf6 increased the susceptibility of a resistant mouse strain to adriamycin-induced (ADR-induced) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Krüppel-like factor 5 is essential for proliferation and survival of mouse intestinal epithelial stem cells.

Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a pro-proliferative transcription factor that is expressed in dividing epithelial cells of the intestinal crypt. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) has been identified as a stem cell marker in both small intestinal and colonic epithelial cells. To determine whether KLF5 regulates proliferation of intestinal stem cells, we investigated the effects of Klf5 deletion specifically from the intestinal stem cells in adult mice.

Krüppel-like factor 4 is a radioprotective factor for the intestine following γ-radiation-induced gut injury in mice.

Gut radiation-induced injury is a concern during treatment of patients with cancer. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is expressed in differentiated villous epithelial cells of the small intestine. We previously showed that KLF4 protects cells from apoptosis following γ-irradiation in vitro.

Inducible intestine-specific deletion of Krüppel-like factor 5 is characterized by a regenerative response in adult mouse colon.

Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a pro-proliferative transcriptional regulator primarily expressed in the intestinal crypt epithelial cells. Constitutive intestine-specific deletion of Klf5 is neonatal lethal suggesting a crucial role for KLF5 in intestinal development and homeostasis. We have previously shown Klf5 to play an active role regulating intestinal tumorigenesis.

A colon cancer-derived mutant of Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is resistant to degradation by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7α (FBW7α).

Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a zinc finger transcription factor that is highly expressed in the crypt epithelial cells of the intestine and plays a critical role in regulating proliferation of both normal intestinal epithelial cells and colorectal cancer cells. Stability of the KLF5 is mediated by proteasomal degradation via phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and recognition by F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) of a phosphodegron sequence surrounding serine 303 in KLF5. A genomic analysis of colorectal cancer tissues identified a somatic mutation (P301S) in KLF5 within the phosphodegron sequence.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 negatively regulates Krüppel-like factor 5 protein.

The zinc finger transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is regulated posttranslationally. We identified SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (SMURF2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as an interacting protein of KLF5 by yeast two-hybrid screen, coimmunoprecipitation, and indirect immunofluorescence studies. The SMURF2-interacting domains in KLF5 were mapped to its carboxyl terminus, including the PY motif of KLF5 and its zinc finger DNA-binding domain.

An Update on the Biology of RAS/RAF Mutations in Colorectal Cancer.

Deaths caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in the United States and around the world. Approximately 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with CRC each year and around 50,000 will die from it. Mutations in many key genes have been identified that are important to the pathogenesis of CRC.

Expression of the tumor suppressor Krüppel-like factor 4 as a prognostic predictor for colon cancer.

Background: The zinc finger transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) regulates numerous physiologic processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and development. Studies also showed that KLF4 is involved in tumorigenesis and somatic cell reprogramming. Here, we aimed to assess whether KLF4 is a prognostic indicator for colon cancer.

Genetic and Chemical Models of Colorectal Cancer in Mice.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health concern because of its associated mortality. Most CRCs exhibit dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, caused by mutational inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor gene (APC) or mutational activation of β-catenin. Disease progression is accompanied by additional mutations in the KRAS oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor gene.

Krüppel-like factor 5 is a crucial mediator of intestinal tumorigenesis in mice harboring combined ApcMin and KRASV12 mutations.

Background: Both mutational inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene and activation of the KRAS oncogene are implicated in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Mice harboring a germline ApcMin mutation or intestine-specific expression of the KRASV12 gene have been developed. Both mouse strains develop spontaneous intestinal tumors, including adenoma and carcinoma, though at a different age.

The role of Krüppel-like factors in the reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells.

The potential for clinical application of pluripotent embryonic stem cells is immense but hampered by moral and ethical complications. Recent advances in the reprogramming of somatic cells by defined factors to a state that resemble embryonic stem cells have created tremendous excitement in the field. Four factors, Sox2, Oct4, Klf4 and c-Myc, when exogenously introduced into somatic cells, can lead to the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that have the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into tissues of all three germ layers.

Haploinsufficiency of Krüppel-like factor 5 rescues the tumor-initiating effect of the Apc(Min) mutation in the intestine.

Inactivation of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli, with the resultant activation of beta-catenin, is the initiating event in the development of a majority of colorectal cancers. Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), a proproliferative transcription factor, is highly expressed in the proliferating intestinal crypt epithelial cells. To determine whether KLF5 contributes to intestinal adenoma formation, we examined tumor burdens in Apc(Min/+) mice and Apc(Min/+)/Klf5(+/-) mice.

Notch inhibits expression of the Krüppel-like factor 4 tumor suppressor in the intestinal epithelium.

The zinc finger-containing transcription factor, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), inhibits cell proliferation. An in vivo tumor-suppressive role for KLF4 is shown by the recent finding that Klf4 haploinsufficiency in Apc(Min/+) mice promotes intestinal tumorigenesis. Studies also show that KLF4 is required for the terminal differentiation of goblet cells in the mouse intestine.

Krüppel-like factor 5 mediates transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia caused by Citrobacter rodentium infection.

Background & Aims: Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a transcription factor that is highly expressed in proliferating crypt cells of the intestinal epithelium. KLF5 has a pro-proliferative effect in vitro and is induced by mitogenic and stress stimuli. To determine whether KLF5 is involved in mediating proliferative responses to intestinal stressors in vivo, we examined its function in a mouse model of transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia triggered by colonization of the mouse colon by the bacteria Citrobacter rodentium.

Human cancer cells commonly acquire DNA damage during mitotic arrest.

The mitotic checkpoint is a mechanism that arrests the progression to anaphase until all chromosomes have achieved proper attachment to mitotic spindles. In cancer cells, satisfaction of this checkpoint is frequently delayed or prevented by various defects, some of which have been causally implicated in tumorigenesis. At the same time, deliberate induction of mitotic arrest has proved clinically useful, as antimitotic drugs that interfere with proper chromosome-spindle interactions are effective anticancer agents.

Krüppel-like factor 5 mediates cellular transformation during oncogenic KRAS-induced intestinal tumorigenesis.

Background & Aims: Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a zinc finger-transcription factor that regulates cell proliferation. Oncogenic KRAS mutations are commonly found in colorectal cancers. We aimed to determine whether KLF5 mediates KRAS functions during intestinal tumorigenesis.

Haploinsufficiency of Krüppel-like factor 4 promotes adenomatous polyposis coli dependent intestinal tumorigenesis.

The zinc finger transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is frequently down-regulated in colorectal cancer. Previous studies showed that the expression of KLF4 was activated by the colorectal cancer tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and that KLF4 repressed the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Here, we examined whether KLF4 plays a role in modulating intestinal tumorigenesis by comparing the tumor burdens in mice heterozygous for the Apc(Min) allele (Apc(Min/+)) and those heterozygous for both the Apc(Min) and Klf4 alleles (Klf4(+/-)/Apc(Min/+)).

The diverse functions of Krüppel-like factors 4 and 5 in epithelial biology and pathobiology.

The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) comprise a family of evolutionarily conserved zinc finger transcription factors that regulate numerous biological processes including proliferation, differentiation, development and apoptosis. KLF4 and KLF5 are two closely related members of this family and are both highly expressed in epithelial tissues. In the intestinal epithelium, KLF4 is expressed in terminally differentiated epithelial cells at the villus borders of the mucosa and inhibits cell growth, while KLF5 is expressed in proliferating epithelial cells at the base of the intestinal crypts and promotes cell growth.

Kruppel-like factor 5 is an important mediator for lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterially-derived endotoxin that elicits a strong proinflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. It is well established that LPS activates this response through NF-kappaB. In addition, LPS signals through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.