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Buel GR, Chen X, Chari R, O'Neill MJ, Ebelle DL, Jenkins C, Sridharan V, Tarasov SG, Tarasova NI, Andresson T, Walters KJ. Structure of E3 ligase E6AP with a proteasome-binding site provided by substrate receptor hRpn10. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1291. [PMID: 32157086 PMCID: PMC7064531 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15073-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulated proteolysis by proteasomes involves ~800 enzymes for substrate modification with ubiquitin, including ~600 E3 ligases. We report here that E6AP/UBE3A is distinguished from other E3 ligases by having a 12 nM binding site at the proteasome contributed by substrate receptor hRpn10/PSMD4/S5a. Intrinsically disordered by itself, and previously uncharacterized, the E6AP-binding domain in hRpn10 locks into a well-defined helical structure to form an intermolecular 4-helix bundle with the E6AP AZUL, which is unique to this E3. We thus name the hRpn10 AZUL-binding domain RAZUL. We further find in human cells that loss of RAZUL by CRISPR-based gene editing leads to loss of E6AP at proteasomes. Moreover, proteasome-associated ubiquitin is reduced following E6AP knockdown or displacement from proteasomes, suggesting that E6AP ubiquitinates substrates at or for the proteasome. Altogether, our findings indicate E6AP to be a privileged E3 for the proteasome, with a dedicated, high affinity binding site contributed by hRpn10.
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Rathkey D, Khanal M, Murai J, Zhang J, Sengupta M, Jiang Q, Morrow B, Evans CN, Chari R, Fetsch P, Chung HJ, Xi L, Roth M, Filie A, Raffeld M, Thomas A, Pommier Y, Hassan R. Sensitivity of Mesothelioma Cells to PARP Inhibitors Is Not Dependent on BAP1 but Is Enhanced by Temozolomide in Cells With High-Schlafen 11 and Low-O6-methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Expression. J Thorac Oncol 2020; 15:843-859. [PMID: 32004714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1), a nuclear deubiquitinase thought to be involved in DNA double-strand break repair, is frequently mutated in mesothelioma. Because poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPIs) induce synthetic lethality in BRCA1/2 mutant cancers, we evaluated whether BAP1 inactivating mutations confer sensitivity to PARPIs in mesothelioma and if combination therapy with temozolomide (TMZ) would be beneficial. METHODS A total of 10 patient-derived mesothelioma cell lines were generated and characterized for BAP1 mutation status, protein expression, nuclear localization, and sensitivity to the PARPIs, olaparib, and talazoparib, alone or in combination with TMZ. BAP1 deubiquitinase (DUB) activity was evaluated by ubiquitin with 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin assay. BAP1 knockout mesothelioma cell lines were generated by CRISPR-Cas9. Because Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase also drive response to TMZ and PARPIs, we tested their expression and relationship with drug response. RESULTS BAP1 mutations or copy-number alterations, or both were present in all 10 cell lines. Nonetheless, four cell lines exhibited intact DUB activity and two had nuclear BAP1 localization. Half maximal-inhibitory concentrations of olaparib and talazoparib ranged from 4.8 μM to greater than 50 μM and 0.039 μM to greater than 5 μM, respectively, classifying them into sensitive (two) or resistant (seven) cells, independent of their BAP1 status. Cell lines with BAP1 knockout resulted in the loss of BAP1 DUB activity but did not increase sensitivity to talazoparib. Response to PARPI tended to be associated with high SLFN11 expression, and combination with temozolomide increased sensitivity of cells with low or no MGMT expression. CONCLUSIONS BAP1 status does not determine sensitivity to PARPIs in patient-derived mesothelioma cell lines. Combination of PARPI with TMZ may be beneficial for patients whose tumors have high SLFN11 and low or no MGMT expression.
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Rathkey D, Khanal M, Murai J, Zhang J, Jiang Q, Morrow B, Evans C, Chari R, Sengupta M, Thomas A, Pommier Y, Hassan R. MA12.03 PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity Does Not Depend on BAP1 but Is Enhanced by Temozolomide in MGMT Deficient Human Mesothelioma Cells. J Thorac Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Enfield KS, Marshall EA, Anderson C, Ng KW, Rahmati S, Xu Z, MacAulay CE, Lam S, Lockwood WW, Chari R, Karsan A, Jurisica I, Lam WL. Abstract A26: Identification of a novel therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3265.aacriaslc18-a26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The reactivation of biologic signaling events that occur throughout fetal development has been observed during malignant cell transformation and tumor progression. Transcription factors are typically at the hub of these signaling events, such as NKX2-1 and several ETS transcription factors. ELF3 is an uncharacterized ETS family member that is highly expressed during fetal lung development and could play a biologic role in lung cancer based on its location within the recurrently gained chromosome 1q. We hypothesize that ELF3 is a novel oncogenic transcription factor and a therapeutic target.
Multiple independent datasets encompassing 1,685 clinical samples of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), small cell lung cancer, and nonmalignant lung tissues were analyzed to establish the frequency of ELF3 overexpression and underlying genetic mechanisms of selection. ELF3 overexpression was validated by immunohistochemistry. Associations with patient survival were tested using the log-rank method. Isogenic cell lines were established to assess oncogenic phenotypes including tumor growth in a xenograft model. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed around ELF3, and integrated pathway analysis was performed to decipher the signaling network disruptions resulting from ELF3 overexpression.
ELF3 overexpression was frequently observed in LUAD (>2-fold: BCCA 73% TCGA 40%), but was not observed in other lung cancer subtypes. Similarly, high ELF3 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival of LUAD patients (p<0.0001), but not LUSC patients. These clinical associations prompted further examination of ELF3 in the LUAD subtype of lung cancer. ELF3 knockdown in LUAD cell lines resulted in significantly reduced proliferation, viability, and anchorage-independent growth, demonstrating that ELF3 regulates oncogenic phenotypes. Loss of ELF3 abolished the ability of LUAD cells to establish tumors in xenograft mouse models, demonstrating the requirement of ELF3 expression for tumor growth. ELF3 overexpression is associated with remodeling of 23 direct PPI networks, resulting in loss of interaction with proteins such as NFKB1 and MYC, while forming new interactions with NKX2-1, HOXA5 and ERBB3. Pathway analysis suggests a transcriptional reprogramming from inflammatory and MAPK signallng in nonmalignant and ELF3-low tissues, to adhesion and motility pathways in transformed tissues displaying high ELF3 expression. Core pathways included cell cycle, apoptosis, WNT, and NOTCH signaling, agreeing with our cell models. While mutations in ELF3 were rare, up to 80% of LUAD patients harbored focal amplification, DNA gain, and/or promoter hypomethylation at the ELF3 locus, which resulted in transcript overexpression.
We have deciphered the oncogenic role of ELF3 in LUAD. Its requirement for tumor growth in our model indicates that therapeutic targeting of ELF3 could benefit the 73% of patients who display ELF3 overexpression.
Citation Format: Katey S.S. Enfield, Erin A. Marshall, Christine Anderson, Kevin W. Ng, Sara Rahmati, Zhaolin Xu, Calum E. MacAulay, Stephen Lam, William W. Lockwood, Raj Chari, Aly Karsan, Igor Jurisica, Wan L. Lam. Identification of a novel therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic; Jan 8-11, 2018; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(17_Suppl):Abstract nr A26.
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Abstract
Recent exponential advances in genome sequencing and engineering technologies have enabled an unprecedented level of interrogation into the impact of DNA variation (genotype) on cellular function (phenotype). Furthermore, these advances have also prompted realistic discussion of writing and radically re-writing complex genomes. In this Perspective, we detail the motivation for large-scale engineering, discuss the progress made from such projects in bacteria and yeast and describe how various genome-engineering technologies will contribute to this effort. Finally, we describe the features of an ideal platform and provide a roadmap to facilitate the efficient writing of large genomes.
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Chari R, Lockwood WW, Lam WL. Computational Methods for the Analysis of Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization. Cancer Inform 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117693510600200007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is a technique for assaying the copy number status of cancer genomes. The widespread use of this technology has lead to a rapid accumulation of high throughput data, which in turn has prompted the development of computational strategies for the analysis of array CGH data. Here we explain the principles behind array image processing, data visualization and genomic profile analysis, review currently available software packages, and raise considerations for future software development.
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Tsui IF, Chari R, Buys TP, Lam WL. Public Databases and Software for the Pathway Analysis of Cancer Genomes. Cancer Inform 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117693510700300027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of pathway disruption is key to understanding cancer biology. Advances in high throughput technologies have led to the rapid accumulation of genomic data. The explosion in available data has generated opportunities for investigation of concerted changes that disrupt biological functions, this in turns created a need for computational tools for pathway analysis. In this review, we discuss approaches to the analysis of genomic data and describe the publicly available resources for studying biological pathways.
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Chari R, Yeo NC, Chavez A, Church GM. sgRNA Scorer 2.0: A Species-Independent Model To Predict CRISPR/Cas9 Activity. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:902-904. [PMID: 28146356 PMCID: PMC5793212 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It has been possible to create tools to predict single guide RNA (sgRNA) activity in the CRISPR/Cas9 system derived from Streptococcus pyogenes due to the large amount of data that has been generated in sgRNA library screens. However, with the discovery of additional CRISPR systems from different bacteria, which show potent activity in eukaryotic cells, the approach of generating large data sets for each of these systems to predict their activity is not tractable. Here, we present a new guide RNA tool that can predict sgRNA activity across multiple CRISPR systems. In addition to predicting activity for Cas9 from S. pyogenes and Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR1, we experimentally demonstrate that our algorithm can predict activity for Cas9 from Staphylococcus aureus and S. thermophilus CRISPR3. We also have made available a new version of our software, sgRNA Scorer 2.0, which will allow users to identify sgRNA sites for any PAM sequence of interest.
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Marshall E, Pikor L, Chari R, Kennett J, Lam S, Lam W. P1.02-052 Signal Regulatory Protein a (SIRPA): A Key Regulator of the EGFR Pathway Demonstrates Both Tumor Suppressive and Oncogenic Properties. J Thorac Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.11.636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Enfield K, Rahmati S, Rowbotham D, Fuller M, Anderson C, Kennett J, Marshall E, Chari R, Becker-Santos D, Ng K, Macaulay C, Lam S, Politi K, Lockwood W, Karsan A, Jurisica I, Lam W. P3.01-049 ELF3 Overexpression Leads to Oncogenic Reprogramming of Protein Interactions Exposing Therapeutically Actionable Targets. J Thorac Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.11.1615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Enfield KS, Anderson C, Marshall E, Ng KW, de Carvalho Minatel B, Rowbotham DA, Chari R, Fuller M, Milne K, Becker-Santos DD, MacAulay C, Karsan A, Lam S, Lam WL. ELF3 amplification at 1q32.1 promotes SMAD4-independent tumorigenesis. J Thorac Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2015.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Feng J, Jester BW, Tinberg CE, Mandell DJ, Antunes MS, Chari R, Morey KJ, Rios X, Medford JI, Church GM, Fields S, Baker D. A general strategy to construct small molecule biosensors in eukaryotes. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26714111 PMCID: PMC4739774 DOI: 10.7554/elife.10606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosensors for small molecules can be used in applications that range from metabolic engineering to orthogonal control of transcription. Here, we produce biosensors based on a ligand-binding domain (LBD) by using a method that, in principle, can be applied to any target molecule. The LBD is fused to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator and is destabilized by mutation such that the fusion accumulates only in cells containing the target ligand. We illustrate the power of this method by developing biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. Addition of ligand to yeast, mammalian, or plant cells expressing a biosensor activates transcription with a dynamic range of up to ~100-fold. We use the biosensors to improve the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. This work provides a general methodology to develop biosensors for a broad range of molecules in eukaryotes. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10606.001 Small molecules play essential roles in organisms, and so methods to sense these molecules within living cells could have wide-ranging uses in both biology and biotechnology. However, current methods for making new “biosensors” are limited and only a narrow range of small molecules can be detected. One approach to biosensor design in yeast and other eukaryotic organisms uses proteins called ligand-binding domains, which bind to small molecules. Here, Feng, Jester, Tinberg, Mandell et al. have developed a new method to make biosensors from ligand-binding domains that could, in principle, be applied to any target small molecule. The new method involves taking a ligand-binding domain that is either engineered or occurs in nature and linking it to something that can be readily detected, such as a protein that fluoresces or that controls gene expression. This combined biosensor protein is then engineered, via mutations, such that it is unstable unless it binds to the small molecule. This means that, in the absence of the small molecule, these proteins are destroyed inside living cells. However, the binding of a target molecule to one of these proteins protects it from degradation, which allows the signal to be detected. Feng, Jester, Tinberg, Mandell et al. use this method to create biosensors for a human hormone called progesterone and a drug called digoxin, which is used to treat heart disease. Further experiments used the biosensors to optimize the production of progesterone in yeast and to regulate the activity of a gene editing protein called Cas9 in human cells. The biosensors can be also used to produce long-term environmental sensors in plant cells. This approach makes it possible to produce a wide variety of biosensors for different organisms. The next step is to continue to explore the ability of various proteins to be converted into biosensors, and to find out how easy it is to transfer a biosensor produced in one species to another. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10606.002
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Tsioris K, Gupta NT, Ogunniyi AO, Zimnisky RM, Qian F, Yao Y, Wang X, Stern JNH, Chari R, Briggs AW, Clouser CR, Vigneault F, Church GM, Garcia MN, Murray KO, Montgomery RR, Kleinstein SH, Love JC. Neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus identified directly from human B cells by single-cell analysis and next generation sequencing. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 7:1587-97. [PMID: 26481611 PMCID: PMC4754972 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00169b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) infection is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that can lead to severe neurological illness and currently has no available treatment or vaccine. Using microengraving, an integrated single-cell analysis method, we analyzed a cohort of subjects infected with WNV - recently infected and post-convalescent subjects - and efficiently identified four novel WNV neutralizing antibodies. We also assessed the humoral response to WNV on a single-cell and repertoire level by integrating next generation sequencing (NGS) into our analysis. The results from single-cell analysis indicate persistence of WNV-specific memory B cells and antibody-secreting cells in post-convalescent subjects. These cells exhibited class-switched antibody isotypes. Furthermore, the results suggest that the antibody response itself does not predict the clinical severity of the disease (asymptomatic or symptomatic). Using the nucleotide coding sequences for WNV-specific antibodies derived from single cells, we revealed the ontogeny of expanded WNV-specific clones in the repertoires of recently infected subjects through NGS and bioinformatic analysis. This analysis also indicated that the humoral response to WNV did not depend on an anamnestic response, due to an unlikely previous exposure to the virus. The innovative and integrative approach presented here to analyze the evolution of neutralizing antibodies from natural infection on a single-cell and repertoire level can also be applied to vaccine studies, and could potentially aid the development of therapeutic antibodies and our basic understanding of other infectious diseases.
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Kiani S, Chavez A, Tuttle M, Hall RN, Chari R, Ter-Ovanesyan D, Qian J, Pruitt BW, Beal J, Vora S, Buchthal J, Kowal EJK, Ebrahimkhani MR, Collins JJ, Weiss R, Church G. Cas9 gRNA engineering for genome editing, activation and repression. Nat Methods 2015; 12:1051-4. [PMID: 26344044 PMCID: PMC4666719 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.3580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that by altering the length of Cas9-associated guide RNA (gRNA) we were able to control Cas9 nuclease activity and simultaneously perform genome editing and transcriptional regulation with a single Cas9 protein. We exploited these principles to engineer mammalian synthetic circuits with combined transcriptional regulation and kill functions governed by a single multifunctional Cas9 protein.
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Chari R, Mali P, Moosburner M, Church GM. Unraveling CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering parameters via a library-on-library approach. Nat Methods 2015; 12:823-6. [PMID: 26167643 PMCID: PMC5292764 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.3473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We developed an in vivo library-on-library methodology to simultaneously assess single guide RNA (sgRNA) activity across ∼1,400 genomic loci. Assaying across multiple human cell types and end-processing enzymes as well as two Cas9 orthologs, we unraveled underlying nucleotide sequence and epigenetic parameters. Our results and software (http://crispr.med.harvard.edu/sgRNAScorer) enable improved design of reagents, shed light on mechanisms of genome targeting, and provide a generalizable framework to study nucleic acid-nucleic acid interactions and biochemistry in high throughput.
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Vucic EA, Chari R, Thu KL, Wilson IM, Cotton AM, Kennett JY, Zhang M, Lonergan KM, Steiling K, Brown CJ, McWilliams A, Ohtani K, Lenburg ME, Sin DD, Spira A, MacAulay CE, Lam S, Lam WL. DNA methylation is globally disrupted and associated with expression changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease small airways. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 50:912-22. [PMID: 24298892 PMCID: PMC4068945 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0304oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that is highly disrupted in response to cigarette smoke and involved in a wide spectrum of malignant and nonmalignant diseases, but surprisingly not previously assessed in small airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Small airways are the primary sites of airflow obstruction in COPD. We sought to determine whether DNA methylation patterns are disrupted in small airway epithelia of patients with COPD, and evaluate whether changes in gene expression are associated with these disruptions. Genome-wide methylation and gene expression analysis were performed on small airway epithelial DNA and RNA obtained from the same patient during bronchoscopy, using Illumina's Infinium HM27 and Affymetrix's Genechip Human Gene 1.0 ST arrays. To control for known effects of cigarette smoking on DNA methylation, methylation and gene expression profiles were compared between former smokers with and without COPD matched for age, pack-years, and years of smoking cessation. Our results indicate that aberrant DNA methylation is (1) a genome-wide phenomenon in small airways of patients with COPD, and (2) associated with altered expression of genes and pathways important to COPD, such as the NF-E2-related factor 2 oxidative response pathway. DNA methylation is likely an important mechanism contributing to modulation of genes important to COPD pathology. Because these methylation events may underlie disease-specific gene expression changes, their characterization is a critical first step toward the development of epigenetic markers and an opportunity for developing novel epigenetic therapeutic interventions for COPD.
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Pikor LA, Lockwood WW, Thu KL, Vucic EA, Chari R, Gazdar AF, Lam S, Lam WL. YEATS4 is a novel oncogene amplified in non-small cell lung cancer that regulates the p53 pathway. Cancer Res 2013; 73:7301-12. [PMID: 24170126 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of lung cancer have helped found new treatments in this disease. We conducted an integrative analysis of gene expression and copy number in 261 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) relative to matched normal tissues to define novel candidate oncogenes, identifying 12q13-15 and more specifically the YEATS4 gene as amplified and overexpressed in ~20% of the NSCLC cases examined. Overexpression of YEATS4 abrogated senescence in human bronchial epithelial cells. Conversely, RNAi-mediated attenuation of YEATS4 in human lung cancer cells reduced their proliferation and tumor growth, impairing colony formation and inducing cellular senescence. These effects were associated with increased levels of p21WAF1 and p53 and cleavage of PARP, implicating YEATS4 as a negative regulator of the p21-p53 pathway. We also found that YEATS4 expression affected cellular responses to cisplastin, with increased levels associated with resistance and decreased levels with sensitivity. Taken together, our findings reveal YEATS4 as a candidate oncogene amplified in NSCLC, and a novel mechanism contributing to NSCLC pathogenesis.
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Wilson IM, Vucic EA, Enfield KSS, Thu KL, Zhang YA, Chari R, Lockwood WW, Radulovich N, Starczynowski DT, Banáth JP, Zhang M, Pusic A, Fuller M, Lonergan KM, Rowbotham D, Yee J, English JC, Buys TPH, Selamat SA, Laird-Offringa IA, Liu P, Anderson M, You M, Tsao MS, Brown CJ, Bennewith KL, MacAulay CE, Karsan A, Gazdar AF, Lam S, Lam WL. EYA4 is inactivated biallelically at a high frequency in sporadic lung cancer and is associated with familial lung cancer risk. Oncogene 2013; 33:4464-73. [PMID: 24096489 PMCID: PMC4527534 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In an effort to identify novel biallelically inactivated tumor suppressor genes (TSG) in sporadic invasive and pre-invasive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) genomes, we applied a comprehensive integrated multi-‘omics approach to investigate patient matched, paired NSCLC tumor and non-malignant parenchymal tissues. By surveying lung tumor genomes for genes concomitantly inactivated within individual tumors by multiple mechanisms, and by the frequency of disruption in tumors across multiple cohorts, we have identified a putative lung cancer TSG, Eyes Absent 4 (EYA4). EYA4 is frequently and concomitantly deleted, hypermethylated and underexpressed in multiple independent lung tumor data sets, in both major NSCLC subtypes, and in the earliest stages of lung cancer. We find not only that decreased EYA4 expression is associated with poor survival in sporadic lung cancers, but EYA4 SNPs are associated with increased familial cancer risk, consistent with EYA4’s proximity to the previously reported lung cancer susceptibility locus on 6q. Functionally, we find that EYA4 displays TSG-like properties with a role in modulating apoptosis and DNA repair. Cross examination of EYA4 expression across multiple tumor types suggests a cell type-specific tumorigenic role for EYA4, consistent with a tumor suppressor function in cancers of epithelial origin. This work shows a clear role for EYA4 as a putative TSG in NSCLC.
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Briggs AW, Rios X, Chari R, Yang L, Zhang F, Mali P, Church GM. Iterative capped assembly: rapid and scalable synthesis of repeat-module DNA such as TAL effectors from individual monomers. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:e117. [PMID: 22740649 PMCID: PMC3424587 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA built from modular repeats presents a challenge for gene synthesis. We present a solid surface-based sequential ligation approach, which we refer to as iterative capped assembly (ICA), that adds DNA repeat monomers individually to a growing chain while using hairpin 'capping' oligonucleotides to block incompletely extended chains, greatly increasing the frequency of full-length final products. Applying ICA to a model problem, construction of custom transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) for genome engineering, we demonstrate efficient synthesis of TALE DNA-binding domains up to 21 monomers long and their ligation into a nuclease-carrying backbone vector all within 3 h. We used ICA to synthesize 20 TALENs of varying DNA target site length and tested their ability to stimulate gene editing by a donor oligonucleotide in human cells. All the TALENS show activity, with the ones >15 monomers long tending to work best. Since ICA builds full-length constructs from individual monomers rather than large exhaustive libraries of pre-fabricated oligomers, it will be trivial to incorporate future modified TALE monomers with improved or expanded function or to synthesize other types of repeat-modular DNA where the diversity of possible monomers makes exhaustive oligomer libraries impractical.
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Vucic EA, Thu KL, Robison K, Rybaczyk LA, Chari R, Alvarez CE, Lam WL. Translating cancer 'omics' to improved outcomes. Genome Res 2012; 22:188-95. [PMID: 22301133 DOI: 10.1101/gr.124354.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The genomics era has yielded great advances in the understanding of cancer biology. At the same time, the immense complexity of the cancer genome has been revealed, as well as a striking heterogeneity at the whole-genome (or omics) level that exists between even histologically similar tumors. The vast accrual and public availability of multi-omics databases with associated clinical annotation including tumor histology, patient response, and outcome are a rich resource that has the potential to lead to rapid translation of high-throughput omics to improved overall survival. We focus on the unique advantages of a multidimensional approach to genomic analysis in this new high-throughput omics age and discuss the implications of the changing cancer demographic to translational omics research.
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Lockwood WW, Wilson IM, Coe BP, Chari R, Pikor LA, Thu KL, Solis LM, Nunez MI, Behrens C, Yee J, English J, Murray N, Tsao MS, Minna JD, Gazdar AF, Wistuba II, MacAulay CE, Lam S, Lam WL. Divergent genomic and epigenomic landscapes of lung cancer subtypes underscore the selection of different oncogenic pathways during tumor development. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37775. [PMID: 22629454 PMCID: PMC3357406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
For therapeutic purposes, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has traditionally been regarded as a single disease. However, recent evidence suggest that the two major subtypes of NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) respond differently to both molecular targeted and new generation chemotherapies. Therefore, identifying the molecular differences between these tumor types may impact novel treatment strategy. We performed the first large-scale analysis of 261 primary NSCLC tumors (169 AC and 92 SqCC), integrating genome-wide DNA copy number, methylation and gene expression profiles to identify subtype-specific molecular alterations relevant to new agent design and choice of therapy. Comparison of AC and SqCC genomic and epigenomic landscapes revealed 778 altered genes with corresponding expression changes that are selected during tumor development in a subtype-specific manner. Analysis of >200 additional NSCLCs confirmed that these genes are responsible for driving the differential development and resulting phenotypes of AC and SqCC. Importantly, we identified key oncogenic pathways disrupted in each subtype that likely serve as the basis for their differential tumor biology and clinical outcomes. Downregulation of HNF4α target genes was the most common pathway specific to AC, while SqCC demonstrated disruption of numerous histone modifying enzymes as well as the transcription factor E2F1. In silico screening of candidate therapeutic compounds using subtype-specific pathway components identified HDAC and PI3K inhibitors as potential treatments tailored to lung SqCC. Together, our findings suggest that AC and SqCC develop through distinct pathogenetic pathways that have significant implication in our approach to the clinical management of NSCLC.
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Thu KL, Vucic EA, Chari R, Zhang W, Lockwood WW, English JC, Fu R, Wang P, Feng Z, MacAulay CE, Gazdar AF, Lam S, Lam WL. Lung adenocarcinoma of never smokers and smokers harbor differential regions of genetic alteration and exhibit different levels of genomic instability. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33003. [PMID: 22412972 PMCID: PMC3296775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that the observed clinical distinctions between lung tumors in smokers and never smokers (NS) extend beyond specific gene mutations, such as EGFR, EML4-ALK, and KRAS, some of which have been translated into targeted therapies. However, the molecular alterations identified thus far cannot explain all of the clinical and biological disparities observed in lung tumors of NS and smokers. To this end, we performed an unbiased genome-wide, comparative study to identify novel genomic aberrations that differ between smokers and NS. High resolution whole genome DNA copy number profiling of 69 lung adenocarcinomas from smokers (n = 39) and NS (n = 30) revealed both global and regional disparities in the tumor genomes of these two groups. We found that NS lung tumors had a greater proportion of their genomes altered than those of smokers. Moreover, copy number gains on chromosomes 5q, 7p, and 16p occurred more frequently in NS. We validated our findings in two independently generated public datasets. Our findings provide a novel line of evidence distinguishing genetic differences between smoker and NS lung tumors, namely, that the extent of segmental genomic alterations is greater in NS tumors. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that these lung tumors are globally and genetically different, which implies they are likely driven by distinct molecular mechanisms.
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Lockwood WW, Thu KL, Lin L, Pikor LA, Chari R, Lam WL, Beer DG. Integrative genomics identified RFC3 as an amplified candidate oncogene in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:1936-46. [PMID: 22328562 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a lethal malignancy that can develop from the premalignant condition, Barrett's esophagus (BE). Currently, there are no validated simple methods to predict which patients will progress to EAC. A better understanding of the genetic mechanisms driving EAC tumorigenesis is needed to identify new therapeutic targets and develop biomarkers capable of identifying high-risk patients that would benefit from aggressive neoadjuvant therapy. We employed an integrative genomics approach to identify novel genes involved in EAC biology that may serve as useful clinical markers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Whole genome tiling-path array comparative genomic hybridization was used to identify significant regions of copy number alteration in 20 EACs and 10 matching BE tissues. Copy number and gene expression data were integrated to identify candidate oncogenes within regions of amplification and multiple additional sample cohorts were assessed to validate candidate genes. RESULTS We identified RFC3 as a novel, candidate oncogene activated by amplification in approximately 25% of EAC samples. RFC3 was also amplified in BE from a patient whose EAC harbored amplification and was differentially expressed between nonmalignant and EAC tissues. Copy number gains were detected in other cancer types and RFC3 knockdown inhibited proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of cancer cells with increased copy number but had little effect on those without. Moreover, high RFC3 expression was associated with poor patient outcome in multiple cancer types. CONCLUSIONS RFC3 is a candidate oncogene amplified in EAC. RFC3 DNA amplification is also prevalent in other epithelial cancer types and RFC3 expression could serve as a prognostic marker.
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Pikor L, Lockwood WW, Vucic E, Chari R, Lam S, Lam WL. Abstract B27: Integrative analysis identifies GAS41 as a novel oncogene in NSCLC, localizing to the 12q15 amplicon. Clin Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.12aacriaslc-b27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The application of a multidimensional integrated analysis of recurring genomic and expression alterations can identify new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. Distinguishing the key mechanisms and causal events driving tumorigenesis will lead not only to a better understanding of lung cancer phenotypes and biology, but also new molecular markers and therapeutic targets. Using this approach, we identified the chromosomal region at 12q13-15, and more specifically Glioma amplified sequence 41 (GAS41) to be frequently amplified and overexpressed in NSCLC. A putative transcription factor, amplification of GAS41 has been reported in dedifferentiated liposarcomas and in the earliest stages of glioma and astrocytoma. While the oncogene MDM2 has long been believed to be the driver of this amplicon, we hypothesize GAS41 is an oncogene capable of driving selection of the 12q15 amplicon, and not merely a passenger event.
Methods: An integrative genomics approach, examining 261 NSCLC tumors (169 adenocarcinomas (AC) and 92 squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC)) profiled for copy number and gene expression alterations was used to identify novel candidate oncogenes in NSCLC. Recurrent DNA amplifications were identified using the GISTIC algorithm and integrated with gene expression data to identify genes frequently amplified and overexpressed. Genes were classified as overexpressed if the fold change between tumor and matched non-malignant tissues was greater than 2 fold. The functional significance of GAS41 was assessed by lentiviral knockdown and ectopic overexpression in lung cancer cell lines with and without GAS41 amplification, and human bronchial epithelial cells respectively. In vitro assays measuring proliferation, anchorage independent growth, senescence and apoptosis were used to assess the phenotypic effect of gene dosage manipulation. Survival analysis was performed using the Cox regression model for multiple independent cohorts.
Results: GAS41 is gained or amplified in over 20% of NSCLC tumors, with similar frequencies of amplification in both AC (26%) and SqCC (24%). Although frequently co-amplified with MDM2, amplification of GAS41 was observed to occur in the absence of MDM2 amplification. Overexpression of GAS41 in human bronchial epithelial cells abrogated senescence, whereas knockdown reduced cell proliferation, impaired colony formation and induced cellular senescence only in lung cancer cell lines with amplification. Western blotting revealed increased p21, cleaved PARP and reduced levels of phospho-p53 in knockdown lines as compared to empty vector controls, suggesting GAS41 is implicated in the regulation of the p21-p53 pathway. Consistent with in vitro results, patients expressing high levels of GAS41 displayed poorer outcomes compared to those with lower levels of GAS41.
Conclusions: Our findings reveal GAS41 as a candidate oncogene frequently amplified and overexpressed in NSCLC, both in the presence and absence of MDM2 amplification. Gene dosage manipulation resulted in distinct phenotypic changes characteristic of oncogenes, and thus implicate amplification of GAS41 as a novel mechanism of NSCLC tumorigenesis.
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Gibb EA, Enfield KSS, Stewart GL, Lonergan KM, Chari R, Ng RT, Zhang L, MacAulay CE, Rosin MP, Lam WL. Long non-coding RNAs are expressed in oral mucosa and altered in oral premalignant lesions. Oral Oncol 2011; 47:1055-61. [PMID: 21835683 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Oral epithelial dysplasias are believed to progress through a series of histopathological stages; from mild to severe dysplasia, to carcinoma in situ, and finally to invasive OSCC. Underlying this change in histopathological grade are gross chromosome alterations and changes in gene expression of both protein-coding genes and non-coding RNAs. Recent papers have described associations of aberrant expression of microRNAs, one class of non-coding RNAs, with oral cancer. However, expression profiling of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has not been reported. Long non-coding RNAs are a novel class of mRNA-like transcripts with no protein coding capacity, but with a variety of functions including roles in epigenetics and gene regulation. In recent reports, the aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been associated with human cancers, suggesting a critical role in tumorigenesis. Here, we present the first long non-coding RNA expression map for the human oral mucosa. We describe the expression of 325 long non-coding RNAs, suggesting lncRNA expression contributes significantly to the oral transcriptome. Intriguingly, ∼60% of the detected lncRNAs show aberrant expression in oral premalignant lesions. A number of these lncRNAs have been previously associated with other human cancers.
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