Valentina Pozzi, Elisa Molinelli, Roberto Campagna, Emma N Serritelli, Monia Cecati, Edoardo De Simoni, Davide Sartini, Gaia Goteri, Nathaniel I Martin, Matthijs J van Haren, Eleonora Salvolini, Oriana Simonetti, Annamaria Offidani, Monica Emanuelli
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer, with a propensity for early metastasis. Therefore, early diagnosis and the identification of novel targets become fundamental. The enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the reaction of N-methylation of nicotinamide and other analogous compounds. Although NNMT overexpression was reported in many malignancies, the significance of its dysregulation in cancer cell phenotype was partly clarified. Several works demonstrated that NNMT promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated the possible involvement of this enzyme in MCC. Preliminary immunohistochemical analyses were performed to evaluate NNMT expression in MCC tissue specimens. To explore the enzyme function in tumor cell metabolism, MCC cell lines have been transfected with plasmids encoding for short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting NNMT mRNA. Preliminary immunohistochemical analyses showed elevated NNMT expression in MCC tissue specimens. The effect of enzyme downregulation on cell proliferation, migration, and chemosensitivity was then evaluated through MTT, trypan blue, and wound healing assays. Data obtained clearly demonstrated that NNMT knockdown is associated with a decrease of cell proliferation, viability, and migration, as well as with enhanced sensitivity to treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Taken together, these results suggest that NNMT could represent an interesting MCC biomarker and a promising target for targeted anti-cancer therapy.
期刊介绍:
Human Cell is the official English-language journal of the Japan Human Cell Society. The journal serves as a forum for international research on all aspects of the human cell, encompassing not only cell biology but also pathology, cytology, and oncology, including clinical oncology. Embryonic stem cells derived from animals, regenerative medicine using animal cells, and experimental animal models with implications for human diseases are covered as well.
Submissions in any of the following categories will be considered: Research Articles, Cell Lines, Rapid Communications, Reviews, and Letters to the Editor. A brief clinical case report focusing on cellular responses to pathological insults in human studies may also be submitted as a Letter to the Editor in a concise and short format.
Not only basic scientists but also gynecologists, oncologists, and other clinical scientists are welcome to submit work expressing new ideas or research using human cells.