Background/aims: Wilms' tumour protein, Wt1, is a zinc finger molecule, which is required for normal embryonic development. Mutations of the WT1 gene can give rise to childhood cancer of the kidneys. Different Wt1 isoforms exist, which function either as transcription factors or have a presumed role in mRNA processing. Previous studies suggested that Wt1 undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, and cytoplasmic Wt1 was higher in malignant than in normal cells. The aim of this study was to analyse the molecular pathways along which Wt1 shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus.
Methods: Interaction of Wt1 protein with various importin α subtypes and importin β was assessed in pull-down assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Nuclear localisation signals (NLS) were identified by combining site-directed mutagenesis with subcellular immunodetection of the transfected Wt1 variants.
Results: Wt1(+/-KTS) proteins were found to interact with importin α1 and importin β in vitro and in living cells in vivo. A NLS that was necessary and sufficient for nuclear import could be mapped to the third Wt1 zinc finger. Mutation of this NLS strongly weakened binding of Wt1 to importins.
Conclusion: Nuclear translocation of Wilms' tumour protein involves importins α and β, and a NLS in the third zinc finger.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000337603 | DOI Listing |
Lancet Child Adolesc Health
February 2025
Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address:
Background: International variation in childhood cancer survival might be explained by differences in stage at diagnosis, among other factors. As part of the BENCHISTA project, we aimed to assess geographical variation in tumour stage at diagnosis through the application, by population-based cancer registries working with clinicians, of the international consensus Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines.
Methods: This population-based, retrospective cohort study involved 67 cancer registries from 23 European countries, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Canada.
Neurobiol Dis
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address:
Central nervous system (CNS) repair after injury is a challenging process limited by inflammation and neuronal apoptosis. This study identifies Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) as a pivotal regulator of neuronal protection and repair through m6A methylation of STAT3 mRNA. By employing spinal cord injury (SCI) as a representative model of CNS injury, transcriptomic analyses reveal WTAP as a key mediator of pathways related to neuronal autophagy and inflammation regulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hematol Oncol
January 2025
Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine (CCRG), Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium.
Cell therapies, including tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells used as therapeutic cancer vaccines, offer treatment options for patients with malignancies. We evaluated the feasibility, safety, immunogenicity, and clinical activity of adjuvant vaccination with Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) mRNA-electroporated autologous dendritic cells (WT1-mRNA/DC) in a single-arm phase I/II clinical study of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving standard therapy. Disease status and immune reactivity were evaluated after 8 weeks and 6 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
January 2025
Metabolic and Immune Diseases Department, Biomedical Research Institute Sols-Morreale (IIBM), National Research Council (CSIC), Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain (T.A.-G., S.M.-T., R.C.-M., S.U.-B., S.M.-P.).
Background: Hypoxia is associated with the onset of cardiovascular diseases including cardiac hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension. HIF2 (hypoxia-inducible factor 2) signaling in the endothelium mediates pulmonary arterial remodeling and subsequent elevation of the right ventricular systolic pressure during chronic hypoxia. Thus, novel therapeutic opportunities for pulmonary hypertension based on specific HIF2 inhibitors have been proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pediatr
January 2025
Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Purpose: Comprehension of the anatomical characteristics of pediatric kidney tumors is crucial for making surgical decisions. Previous kidney tumor nephrometry systems failed to incorporate two significant factors: tumor thrombus and multifocality. We develop a refined nephrometry system based on a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics exhibited by pediatric kidney tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!