INTESTINAL CANCERS & DISEASES PKLR Promotes Colorectal Cancer Liver Colonization through Induction of Glutathione Synthesis Using a large-scale in vivo RNAi screen, investigators identified liver and red blood cell pyruvate kinase (PKLR) as a driver of metastatic liver colonization. PKLR expression was increased in liver metastases as well as in primary colorectal tumors of patients with metastatic disease. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Long Noncoding RNA UPAT Promotes Colon Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting Degradation of UHRF1 The authors showed that a long noncoding RNAs termed UPAT [ubiquitin-like plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domain-containing protein 1 Protein Associated Transcript] is required for the survival and tumorigenicity of colorectal cancer cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Small Molecule Prodigiosin Restores p53 Tumor Suppressor Activity in Chemoresistant Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells via C-Jun-Mediated ΔNp73 Inhibition and p73 Activation Researchers investigated the effects of the small molecule prodigiosin, which restores the p53 pathway in tumor cells via p73 activation, on colorectal cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Res] Abstract The Gut Epithelial Receptor LRRC19 Promotes the Recruitment of Immune Cells and Gut Inflammation Scientists found that the gut immune receptor leucine-rich repeat (LRR) C19 is involved in host-microbiota interactions. LRRC19 deficiency not only impairs the gut immune system but also reduces inflammatory responses in gut tissues. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Bmp Signaling in Colonic Mesenchyme Regulates Stromal Microenvironment and Protects from Polyposis Initiation Researchers showed that loss of Bmp exclusively in the gastrointestinal epithelium resulted in increased epithelial proliferation without polyposis initiation, thus suggesting a key role for mesenchymal Bmp signaling in polyposis initiation. [Int J Cancer] Abstact Porcine Lactoferrin-Derived Peptide LFP-20 Protects Intestinal Barrier by Maintaining Tight Junction Complex and Modulating Inflammatory Response Investigators assessed the protective effects of LFP-20 on LPS-induced intestinal damage in a LPS-induced mouse model and in vitro, using intestinal porcine epithelial cell line 1 cells. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract The PI3K/Akt Pathway Is Involved in Procyanidin-Mediated Suppression of Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth Researchers investigated the capacity of procyanidins (PCA) with different degrees of polymerization to reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth, characterizing the underlying mechanisms. They showed that large PCA can inhibit CRC cell growth via the Akt kinase pathway. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract Exploiting the CRISPR/Cas9 PAM Constraint for Single-Nucleotide Resolution Interventions The authors targeted the heterozygous G13A activating mutation of KRAS in colorectal cancer cells and they showed reversal of drug resistance to a MEK small-molecule inhibitor. [PLoS One] Full Article |