Journal

Epigenomics

Papers (21)

Epigenetic silencing of JAM3 promoted progression in serous ovarian carcinoma through PI3K/AKT pathway

Junctional adhesion molecule 3 (JAM3) is frequently epigenetically silenced in various cancers, but its role in serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) was unclear. This study evaluated JAM3 expression and methylation in SOC using immunohistochemistry (IHC), bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), and quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were examined using CCK8, flow cytometry, scratch-wound, and transwell assays. Pathways downstream of JAM3 were explored through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western Blot analysis, with rescue experiments using AKT inhibitor (MK2206) to validate pathway dependency. Findings revealed that JAM3 expression is significantly reduced in SOC, correlating with advanced clinical stages and poor prognosis. Methylation levels of the JAM3 promoter were higher in SOC samples compared to normal tissues and were linked to increased Ki67 expression and clinical stages. Functionally, overexpressing JAM3 in SOC cells triggered apoptosis and hindered proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas JAM3 knockdown produced opposite effects. Mechanism analysis demonstrated that JAM3 affects SOC cell proliferation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusively, JAM3 acts as a tumor suppressor in SOC by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. These insights present JAM3 as a promising therapeutic target for SOC diagnosis and treatment.

Targeting TET enzymes in ovarian cancer: epigenetic regulation, chemoresistance, and therapeutic opportunities

The intrinsic and acquired resistance of ovarian cancer to conventional platinum/taxane chemotherapy is approximately 80-85%, with a high recurrence rate, making it one of the most lethal gynecological cancers. Epigenetic dysregulation, a key factor in tumor growth and chemoresistance, includes abnormal DNA methylation and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) loss. The ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases (TET1/TET2/TET3) mediates DNA demethylation, causing oxidation of 5-methylcytosine to 5hmC, potentially altering gene expression due to cancer cell plasticity and impacting treatment responses. This review discusses the multiple effects of TETs in ovarian cancer, highlighting the regulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs), and the Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling pathways by TET enzymes. TET1 plays a dual role, promoting chemoresistance via CSC enrichment and suppressing tumors by replenishing Wnt antagonists. TET2, primarily a tumor suppressor, reduces 5hmC; TET2 loss is associated with poor therapeutic results. Elevated expression of TET3, which controls EMT and miRNA expression, is linked to a worse prognosis. In addition, we reviewed the potential resensitization of resistant tumors to multiple modalities of treatment by reactivating/modulating TET activity and function via cofactors and epigenetic treatment. Regulation of the TET-5hmc axis appears promising to overcome chemoresistance and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

ISSN

1750-1911