Oncogene-induced senescence provides a barrier against malignant transformation. However, it can also promote cancer through the secretion of a plethora of factors released by senescent cells, called the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We have previously shown that in proliferating cells, nuclear lncRNA MIR31HG inhibits p16/CDKN2A expression through interaction with polycomb repressor complexes and that during BRAF-induced senescence, MIR31HG is overexpressed and translocates to the cytoplasm. Here, we show that MIR31HG regulates the expression and secretion of a subset of SASP components during BRAF-induced senescence. The SASP secreted from senescent cells depleted for MIR31HG fails to induce paracrine invasion without affecting the growth inhibitory effect. Mechanistically, MIR31HG interacts with YBX1 facilitating its phosphorylation at serine 102 (p-YBX1S102) by the kinase RSK. p-YBX1S102 induces IL1A translation which activates the transcription of the other SASP mRNAs. Our results suggest a dual role for MIR31HG in senescence depending on its localization and points to the lncRNA as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of senescence-related pathologies.

Concern has been raised over chemical-induced disruption of ovary development during fetal life resulting in long-lasting consequences only manifesting themselves much later during adulthood. A growing body of evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to the mild analgesic acetaminophen/paracetamol can cause such a scenario. Therefore, in this review, we discuss three recent reports that collectively indicate that prenatal exposure in a period of 13.5 days post coitum in both rats and mouse can result in reduced female reproductive health. The combined data show that the exposure results in the reduction of primordial follicles, irregular menstrual cycle, premature absence of corpus luteum, as well as reduced fertility, resembling premature ovarian insufficiency syndrome in humans that is linked to premature menopause. This could especially affect the Western parts of the world, where the age for childbirth is continuously being increased and acetaminophen is recommended during pregnancy for pain and fever. We therefore highlight an urgent need for more studies to verify these data including both experimental and epidemiological approaches.

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Twenty new compounds, targeting CYP17A1, were synthesized, based on our previous work on a benzimidazole scaffold, and their biological activity evaluated. Inhibition of CYP17A1 is an important modality in the treatment of prostate cancer, which remains the most abundant cancer type in men. The biological assessment included CYP17A1 hydroxylase and lyase inhibition, CYP3A4 and P450 oxidoreductase (POR) inhibition, as well as antiproliferative activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells. The most potent compounds were selected for further analyses including in silico modeling. This combined effort resulted in a compound (comp 2, IC50 1.2 µM, in CYP17A1) with a potency comparable to abiraterone and selectivity towards the other targets tested. In addition, the data provided an understanding of the structure–activity relationship of this novel non-steroidal compound class.