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  1. HLA and nasopharyngeal cancer
    Simons MJ, Chan SH, Day NE, Wee GB, Shanmugaratnam K
    Prog. Clin. Biol. Res., 1977;16:145-8.
    PMID: 905319
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  2. Fulltext The uS8, uS4, eS31, and uL14 Ribosomal Protein Genes Are Dysregulated in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Lines
    Sim EU, Ng KL, Lee CW, Narayanan K
    Biomed Res Int, 2017;2017:4876954.
    PMID: 28791303 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4876954
    The association of ribosomal proteins with carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been established in a limited subset of ribosomal protein genes. To date, three ribosomal protein genes, eL27 (L27), eL41 (L41), and eL43 (L37a), have been found to be differentially expressed in cell lines derived from NPC tumors. This raises the possibility of more ribosomal protein genes that could be associated with NPC. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of eight ribosomal protein genes, uS8 (S8), uS4 (S9), eS31 (S27a), eL6 (L6), eL18 (L18), uL14 (L23), eL24 (L24), and eL30 (L30), in six NPC-derived cell lines (HONE-1, SUNE1, HK1, TW01, TW04, and C666-1). Their expression levels were compared with that of a nonmalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line (NP69) using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Of the eight genes studied, the expressions of four ribosomal protein genes uS8 (S8), uS4 (S9), eS31 (S27a), and uL14 (L23) were found to be significantly downregulated in NPC cell lines relative to NP69. Our findings provide novel empirical evidence of these four ribosomal protein genes as NPC-associated genetic factors and reinforce the relevance of ribosomal proteins in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  3. Fulltext HLA-A SNPs and amino acid variants are associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese
    Chin YM, Mushiroda T, Takahashi A, Kubo M, Krishnan G, Yap LF, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2015 Feb 1;136(3):678-87.
    PMID: 24947555 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29035
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) arises from the mucosal epithelium of the nasopharynx and is constantly associated with Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) infection. We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 575,247 autosomal SNPs in 184 NPC patients and 236 healthy controls of Malaysian Chinese ethnicity. Potential association signals were replicated in a separate cohort of 260 NPC patients and 245 healthy controls. We confirmed the association of HLA-A to NPC with the strongest signal detected in rs3869062 (p = 1.73 × 10(-9)). HLA-A fine mapping revealed associations in the amino acid variants as well as its corresponding SNPs in the antigen peptide binding groove (p(HLA-A-aa-site-99) = 3.79 × 10(-8), p(rs1136697) = 3.79 × 10(-8)) and T-cell receptor binding site (p(HLA-A-aa-site-145) = 1.41 × 10(-4), p(rs1059520) = 1.41 × 10(-4)) of the HLA-A. We also detected strong association signals in the 5'-UTR region with predicted active promoter states (p(rs41545520) = 7.91 × 10(-8)). SNP rs41545520 is a potential binding site for repressor ATF3, with increased binding affinity for rs41545520-G correlated with reduced HLA-A expression. Multivariate logistic regression diminished the effects of HLA-A amino acid variants and SNPs, indicating a correlation with the effects of HLA-A*11:01, and to a lesser extent HLA-A*02:07. We report the strong genetic influence of HLA-A on NPC susceptibility in the Malaysian Chinese.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  4. Chromosomal alterations in Malaysian patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization
    Natasya Naili MN, Hasnita CH, Shamim AK, Hasnan J, Fauziah MI, Narazah MY, et al.
    Cancer Genet. Cytogenet., 2010 Dec;203(2):309-12.
    PMID: 21156250 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2010.07.136
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common cancers in Malaysia, mainly occurring among the Chinese population. To detect common genetic alterations in NPC, we screened seven cases of NPC using the comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) technique. Before proceeding to the CGH technique, the tumors were first confirmed to consist of 75% tumor cells or more. In brief, the technique consists of binding tumor DNA with normal DNA and human Cot-1 DNA, which is then hybridized to normal metaphase spreads. The slides were then counterstained with 4,6 diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI II) for detection. Analyses were performed using CGH software (Cytovision). We found genetic alterations in all seven NPC samples. The common chromosomal gains (57%, four cases) were found on chromosome arms 1q, 4p, 5, 7q, 11, 14p, 15q, 18p, and 21p, and common chromosomal losses (43%, three cases) were found on chromosome arm 16p. Our results showed chromosomal alterations in all seven NPC cases in the Malaysian population. This result provides the platform for further investigations to locate tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes at specific chromosomal regions in Malaysian NPC patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  5. Differential expression of a subset of ribosomal protein genes in cell lines derived from human nasopharyngeal epithelium
    Sim EU, Ang CH, Ng CC, Lee CW, Narayanan K
    J Hum Genet, 2010 Feb;55(2):118-20.
    PMID: 19927161 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2009.124
    Extraribosomal functions of human ribosomal proteins (RPs) include the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation, and are inferred from studies that linked congenital disorders and cancer to the deregulated expression of RP genes. We have previously shown the upregulation and downregulation of RP genes in tumors of colorectal and nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs), respectively. Herein, we show that a subset of RP genes for the large ribosomal subunit is differentially expressed among cell lines derived from the human nasopharyngeal epithelium. Three such genes (RPL27, RPL37a and RPL41) were found to be significantly downregulated in all cell lines derived from NPC tissues compared with a nonmalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line. The expression of RPL37a and RPL41 genes in human nasopharyngeal tissues has not been reported previously. Our findings support earlier suspicions on the existence of NPC-associated RP genes, and indicate their importance in human nasopharyngeal organogenesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  6. Fulltext Lack of Rb2/p130 genetic alteration in Malaysian nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Hoe SL, Lee ES, Khoo AS, Peh SC
    Malays J Pathol, 2009 Jun;31(1):53-6.
    PMID: 19694314 MyJurnal
    The retinoblastoma-related gene Rb2/p130 has been reported to be mutated in several malignancies such as lung cancer and Burkitt's lymphoma. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer in Malaysia especially amongst the ethnic Chinese. We screened for Rb2/p130 gene (exons 19 to 21) mutations in 53 archival NPC samples via PCR-SSCP-direct sequencing approach. Only one sample had a base change which involved a serine to glycine substitution at codon 995 (S995G). We conclude that Rb2/p130 genetic alterations are infrequent in NPC and may not be essential for the pathogenesis of the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  7. PIK3CA gene mutations in breast carcinoma in Malaysian patients
    Ching-Shian Leong V, Jabal MF, Leong PP, Abdullah MA, Gul YA, Seow HF
    Cancer Genet. Cytogenet., 2008 Dec;187(2):74-9.
    PMID: 19027487 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2008.07.005
    Somatic mutations of phosphoinositide-3-kinase, catalytic, alpha; PIK3CA gene have been reported in several types of human cancers. The majority of the PIK3CA mutations map to the three "hot spots" - E542 K and E545 K in the helical (exon 9) and H1047R in the kinase (exon 20) domains of the p110alpha. These hot spot mutations lead to a gain of function in PI3 K signaling. We aimed to determine the frequency of PIK3CA mutations in the three most common Malaysian cancers. In this study, we assessed the genetic alterations in the PIK3CA gene in a series of 20 breast carcinomas, 24 colorectal carcinomas, 27 nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC), and 5 NPC cell lines. We performed mutation analysis of the PIK3CA gene by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and followed by DNA direct sequencing in exons 9 and 20. No mutations were detected in any of the 24 colorectal and 27 NPC samples, but one hot spot mutation located at exon 20 was found in a NPC cell line, SUNE1. Interestingly, PIK3CA somatic mutations were present in 6/20 (30%) breast carcinomas. Two of the six mutations, H1047R, have been reported previously as a hot spot mutation. Only one out of three hot spot mutations were identified in breast tumor samples. The remaining four mutations were novel. Our data showed that a higher incidence rate of PIK3CA mutations was present in Malaysian breast cancers as compared to colorectal and nasopharyngeal tumor tissues. Our findings also indicate that PIK3CA mutations play a pivotal role in activation of the PI3 K signaling pathway in breast cancer, and specific inhibitors of PIK3CA could be useful for breast cancer treatment in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  8. Fulltext Mutational analysis of p53 and RB2/p130 genes in Malaysian nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples: a preliminary report
    Hoe SL, Sam CK
    Malays J Pathol, 2006 Jun;28(1):35-9.
    PMID: 17694957 MyJurnal
    This study reports the results of mutation detection of tumour suppressor genes, p53 and RB2/p130 genes in Malaysian nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) studied by PCR-CSGE analysis and direct DNA sequencing method. Frequent sites of mutation in both genes (exons 5-8 of p53 and exons 19-21 of RB2/p130) were examined. Thirty-six NPC blood samples and three NPC cell lines were investigated for the presence of mutations. No mutation of p53 and RB2/p130 genes was identified in any of the blood samples. Nonetheless, there was an identical G-->4 C nucleotide change at codon 280 of p53 gene in all the cell lines. A larger study that includes biopsy tissues should be carried out to provide a more in-depth look into the pathogenesis of NPC in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  9. Immunogenetic aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: I. Differences in HL-A antigen profiles between patients and control groups
    Simons MJ, Wee GB, Day NE, Morris PJ, Shanmugaratnam K, De-Thé GB
    Int J Cancer, 1974 Jan 15;13(1):122-34.
    PMID: 4131857
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  10. MicroRNAs serving as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A critical review
    Lee KT, Tan JK, Lam AK, Gan SY
    Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 2016 Jul;103:1-9.
    PMID: 27179594 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.04.006
    Despite significant medical advancement, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat where it continues to prevail especially among the Asian population. miRNAs could act as tumour suppressor genes or oncogenes in NPC. They play important roles in the pathogenesis of NPC by regulating specific target genes which are involved in various cellular processes and pathways. In particular, studies on miRNAs related to the Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein one (LMP1) and EBVmiRNA- BART miRNA confirmed the link between EBV and NPC. Both miRNA and its target genes could potentially be exploited for prognostic and therapeutic strategies. They are also important in predicting the sensitivity of NPC to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The detection of stable circulating miRNAs in plasma of NPC patients has raised the potential of miRNAs as novel diagnostic markers. To conclude, understanding the roles of miRNA in NPC will identify ways to improve the management of patients with NPC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  11. Fulltext Human Ribosomal Proteins RPeL27, RPeL43, and RPeL41 Are Upregulated in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Lines
    Sim EU, Chan SL, Ng KL, Lee CW, Narayanan K
    Dis Markers, 2016;2016:5179594.
    PMID: 28018022 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5179594
    Apart from their canonical role in ribosome biogenesis, there is increasing evidence of ribosomal protein genes' involvement in various cancers. A previous study by us revealed significant differential expression of three ribosomal protein genes (RPeL27, RPeL41, and RPeL43) between cell lines derived from tumor and normal nasopharyngeal epithelium. However, the results therein were based on a semiquantitative assay, thus preliminary in nature. Herein, we provide findings of a deeper analysis of these three genes in the context to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumorigenesis. Their expression patterns were analyzed in a more quantitative manner at transcript level. Their protein expression levels were also investigated. We showed results that are contrary to previous report. Rather than downregulation, these genes were significantly overexpressed in NPC cell lines compared to normal control at both transcript and protein levels. Nevertheless, their association with NPC has been established. Immunoprecipitation pulldown assays indicate the plausible interaction of either RPeL27 or RPeL43 with POTEE/TUBA1A and ACTB/ACTBL2 complexes. In addition, RPeL43 is shown to bind with MRAS and EIF2S1 proteins in a NPC cell line (HK1). Our findings support RPeL27, RPeL41, and RPeL43 as potential markers of NPC and provide insights into the interaction targets of RPeL27 and RPeL43 proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  12. Fulltext Exome Sequencing Identifies Potentially Druggable Mutations in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
    Chow YP, Tan LP, Chai SJ, Abdul Aziz N, Choo SW, Lim PV, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2017 03 03;7:42980.
    PMID: 28256603 DOI: 10.1038/srep42980
    In this study, we first performed whole exome sequencing of DNA from 10 untreated and clinically annotated fresh frozen nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) biopsies and matched bloods to identify somatically mutated genes that may be amenable to targeted therapeutic strategies. We identified a total of 323 mutations which were either non-synonymous (n = 238) or synonymous (n = 85). Furthermore, our analysis revealed genes in key cancer pathways (DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, immune response, lipid signaling) were mutated, of which those in the lipid-signaling pathway were the most enriched. We next extended our analysis on a prioritized sub-set of 37 mutated genes plus top 5 mutated cancer genes listed in COSMIC using a custom designed HaloPlex target enrichment panel with an additional 88 NPC samples. Our analysis identified 160 additional non-synonymous mutations in 37/42 genes in 66/88 samples. Of these, 99/160 mutations within potentially druggable pathways were further selected for validation. Sanger sequencing revealed that 77/99 variants were true positives, giving an accuracy of 78%. Taken together, our study indicated that ~72% (n = 71/98) of NPC samples harbored mutations in one of the four cancer pathways (EGFR-PI3K-Akt-mTOR, NOTCH, NF-κB, DNA repair) which may be potentially useful as predictive biomarkers of response to matched targeted therapies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  13. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and histocompatibility antigens
    Simons MJ, Chan SH, Wee GB, Shanmugaratnam K, Goh EH, Ho JH, et al.
    IARC Sci Publ, 1978.
    PMID: 730194
    New data are presented concerning the relationship between NPC and HLA antigens among Chinese. When attention is confined to newly diagnosed cases, it can be shown that, apart from the increased risk associated with the joint occurrence of A2 and B-Sin 2, there is also an increased risk associated with BW17 and a decrease in risk associated with A11. Among long-term survivors, however, BW17 is appreciably decreased, whereas A2 in the absence of B-Sin 2 or BW17 is increased. Among Malays, a non-Chinese group, there is an excess among NPC patients of a locus A blank, a blank which is probably associated with the AW19 complex.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  14. Immunogenetic aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. V. Confirmation of a Chinese-related HLA profile (A2, Singapore 2) associated with an increased risk in Chinese for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Simons MJ, Wee GB, Singh D, Dharmalingham S, Yong NK, Chau JC, et al.
    Natl Cancer Inst Monogr, 1977 Dec;47:147-51.
    PMID: 613233
    Histocompatibility locus A typing of 43 Malaysian Chinese and 51 Hong Kong Chinese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) confirmed the association between the occurrence of A2-Sin 2 and the increased risk for NPC that was previously demonstrated in Singapore Chinese. The results support the previous interpretation that the histocompatibility locus A genotype of importance in NPC predisposition is the A2-Sin 2 haplotype. The histocompatibility locus A-linked, genetically determined NPC risk is common to Asian Chinese from at least three geographic locations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  15. Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen patterns and nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Simons MJ, Day NE
    Natl Cancer Inst Monogr, 1977 Dec;47:143-6.
    PMID: 613232
    Incidence patterns indicated the prominent role of genetic factors in this type of cancer. A histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile of A2 and B-locus antigen, Singapore 2 (Sin 2), was identified. An association between these genes and increased risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), was confirmed. The risk was restricted to the "co-occurrence" of A2, B-Sin 2, suggesting that the genotype predisposing to the development of NPC was the A, B-Sin 2 haplotype. Similar associations were found to exist in Malaysian and Hong Kong Chinese so the A2, B-Sin 2 phenotype is a feature common to Asian Chinese in at least three locations. Preliminary HLA studies of medium NPC incidence in Tunisians and Malays indicated that patients with NPC of both ethnic types have altered HLA antigen profiles. If the findings of a locus-B antigen deficit in Tunisians and the role of A9 with B-locus antigens in Malays can be confirmed and clarified, the histocompatibility genetic hypothesis of NPC predisposition would be substantially strengthened.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  16. Fulltext Pathogenic Role of Exosomes in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Cancers
    Teow SY, Liew K, Khoo AS, Peh SC
    Int J Biol Sci, 2017;13(10):1276-1286.
    PMID: 29104494 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.19531
    Exosomes are 40- to 100-nm membrane-bound small vesicles that carry a great variety of cellular cargoes including proteins, DNA, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs). These nanovesicles are detected in various biological fluids such as serum, urine, saliva, and seminal fluids. Exosomes serve as key mediators in intercellular communication by facilitating the transfer and exchange of cellular components from cells to cells. They contain various pathogenic factors whereby their adverse effects have been implicated in multiple viral infections and cancers. Interestingly, accumulating evidences showed that exosomes derived from tumour viruses or oncoviruses, exacerbate virus-associated cancers by remodelling the tumour microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the contributing factors of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) products-containing exosomes in viral pathogenesis and their potential implications in EBV-driven malignancies. Understanding the biological role of these exosomes in the disease would undoubtedly boost the development of a more comprehensive strategy to combat EBV-associated cancers and to better predict the therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, we also highlight the potentials and challenges of EBV products-containing exosomes being employed as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for EBV-related cancers. Since these aspects are rather underexplored, we attempt to underline interesting areas that warrant further investigations in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  17. Distribution and haplotype associations of XPD Lys751Gln, XRCC1 Arg280His and XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Malaysian population
    Visuvanathan S, Chong PP, Yap YY, Lim CC, Tan MK, Lye MS
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(6):2747-51.
    PMID: 24761895
    BACKGROUND: DNA repair pathways play a crucial role in maintaining the human genome. Previous studies associated DNA repair gene polymorphisms (XPD Lys751Gln, XRCC1 Arg280His and XRCC1 Arg399Gln) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These non-synonymous polymorphisms may alter DNA repair capacity and thus increase or decrease susceptibility. The present study aimed to determine the genotype distribution of XPD codon 751, XRCC1 codon 280 and codon 399 polymorphisms and haplotype associations among NPC cases and controls in the Malaysian population.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 157 NPC cases and 136 controls from two hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for this study. The polymorphisms studied were genotyped by PCR-RFLP assay and allele and genotype frequencies, haplotype and linkage disequilibrium were determined using SNPstat software.

    RESULTS: For the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism, the frequency of the Lys allele was higher in cases than in controls (94.5% versus 85.0%). For the XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism, the frequency of Arg allele was 90.0% and 89.0% in cases and controls, respectively and for XRCC1 Arg399Gln the frequency of the Arg allele was 72.0% and 72.8% in cases and controls respectively. All three polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. The odds ratio from haplotype analysis for these three polymorphisms and their association with NPC was 1.93 (95%CI: 0.90-4.16) for haplotype CGC vs AGC allele combinations. The global haplotype association with NPC gave a p-value of 0.054.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an estimate of allele and genotype frequencies of XRCC1Arg280His, XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms in the Malaysian population and showed no association with nasopharyngeal cancer.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  18. Fulltext Integrated pathway analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma implicates the axonemal dynein complex in the Malaysian cohort
    Chin YM, Tan LP, Abdul Aziz N, Mushiroda T, Kubo M, Mohd Kornain NK, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2016 10 15;139(8):1731-9.
    PMID: 27236004 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30207
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial squamous cell carcinoma on the mucosal lining of the nasopharynx. The etiology of NPC remains elusive despite many reported studies. Most studies employ a single platform approach, neglecting the cumulative influence of both the genome and transcriptome toward NPC development. We aim to employ an integrated pathway approach to identify dysregulated pathways linked to NPC. Our approach combines imputation NPC GWAS data from a Malaysian cohort as well as published expression data GSE12452 from both NPC and non-NPC nasopharynx tissues. Pathway association for GWAS data was performed using MAGENTA while for expression data, GSA-SNP was used with gene p values derived from differential expression values from GEO2R. Our study identified NPC association in the gene ontology (GO) axonemal dynein complex pathway (pGWAS-GSEA  = 1.98 × 10(-2) ; pExpr-GSEA  = 1.27 × 10(-24) ; pBonf-Combined  = 4.15 × 10(-21) ). This association was replicated in a separate cohort using gene expression data from NPC and non-NPC nasopharynx tissues (pAmpliSeq-GSEA  = 6.56 × 10(-4) ). Loss of function in the axonemal dynein complex causes impaired cilia function, leading to poor mucociliary clearance and subsequently upper or lower respiratory tract infection, the former of which includes the nasopharynx. Our approach illustrates the potential use of integrated pathway analysis in detecting gene sets involved in the development of NPC in the Malaysian cohort.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
  19. Fulltext Monoamine oxidase A is down-regulated in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Lee HM, Sia APE, Li L, Sathasivam HP, Chan MSA, Rajadurai P, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 09;10(1):6115.
    PMID: 32273550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63150-0
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic cancer that is consistently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. In this study, we identify for the first time a role for monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) in NPC. MAOA is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes oxidative deamination of neurotransmitters and dietary amines. Depending on the cancer type, MAOA can either have a tumour-promoting or tumour-suppressive role. We show that MAOA is down-regulated in primary NPC tissues and its down-regulation enhances the migration of NPC cells. In addition, we found that EBV infection can down-regulate MAOA expression in both pre-malignant and malignant nasopharyngeal epithelial (NPE) cells. We further demonstrate that MAOA is down-regulated as a result of IL-6/IL-6R/STAT3 signalling and epigenetic mechanisms, effects that might be attributed to EBV infection in NPE cells. Taken together, our data point to a central role for EBV in mediating the tumour suppressive effects of MAOA and that loss of MAOA could be an important step in the pathogenesis of NPC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
  20. Fulltext An Oncogenic Role for Four-Jointed Box 1 (FJX1) in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
    Chai SJ, Ahmad Zabidi MM, Gan SP, Rajadurai P, Lim PVH, Ng CC, et al.
    Dis Markers, 2019;2019:3857853.
    PMID: 31236144 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3857853
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic cancer prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. The current knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of NPC is still inadequate to improve disease management. Using gene expression microarrays, we have identified the four-jointed box 1 (FJX1) gene to be upregulated in primary NPC tissues relative to nonmalignant tissues. An orthologue of human FJX1, the four-jointed (fj) gene in Drosophila and Fjx1 in mouse, has reported to be associated with cancer progression pathways. However, the exact function of FJX1 in human is not well characterized. The overexpression of FJX1 mRNA was validated in primary NPC tissue samples, and the level of FJX1 protein was significantly higher in a subset of NPC tissues (42%) compared to the normal epithelium, where no expression of FJX1 was observed (p = 0.01). FJX1 is also found to be overexpressed in microarray datasets and TCGA datasets of other cancers including head and neck cancer, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. Both siRNA knockdown and overexpression experiments in NPC cell lines showed that FJX1 promotes cell proliferation, anchorage-dependent growth, and cellular invasion. Cyclin D1 and E1 mRNA levels were increased following FJX1 expression indicating that FJX1 enhances proliferation by regulating key proteins governing the cell cycle. Our data suggest that the overexpression of FJX1 contributes to a more aggressive phenotype of NPC cells and further investigations into FJX1 as a potential therapeutic target for NPC are warranted. The evaluation of FJX1 as an immunotherapy target for NPC and other cancers is currently ongoing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*
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