1
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Edrei Y, Levy R, Kaye D, Marom A, Radlwimmer B, Hellman A. Methylation-directed regulatory networks determine enhancing and silencing of mutation disease driver genes and explain inter-patient expression variation. Genome Biol 2023; 24:264. [PMID: 38012713 PMCID: PMC10683314 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03094-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common diseases manifest differentially between patients, but the genetic origin of this variation remains unclear. To explore possible involvement of gene transcriptional-variation, we produce a DNA methylation-oriented, driver-gene-wide dataset of regulatory elements in human glioblastomas and study their effect on inter-patient gene expression variation. RESULTS In 175 of 177 analyzed gene regulatory domains, transcriptional enhancers and silencers are intermixed. Under experimental conditions, DNA methylation induces enhancers to alter their enhancing effects or convert into silencers, while silencers are affected inversely. High-resolution mapping of the association between DNA methylation and gene expression in intact genomes reveals methylation-related regulatory units (average size = 915.1 base-pairs). Upon increased methylation of these units, their target-genes either increased or decreased in expression. Gene-enhancing and silencing units constitute cis-regulatory networks of genes. Mathematical modeling of the networks highlights indicative methylation sites, which signified the effect of key regulatory units, and add up to make the overall transcriptional effect of the network. Methylation variation in these sites effectively describe inter-patient expression variation and, compared with DNA sequence-alterations, appears as a major contributor of gene-expression variation among glioblastoma patients. CONCLUSIONS We describe complex cis-regulatory networks, which determine gene expression by summing the effects of positive and negative transcriptional inputs. In these networks, DNA methylation induces both enhancing and silencing effects, depending on the context. The revealed mechanism sheds light on the regulatory role of DNA methylation, explains inter-individual gene-expression variation, and opens the way for monitoring the driving forces behind deferential courses of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifat Edrei
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Revital Levy
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel Kaye
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anat Marom
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bernhard Radlwimmer
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Asaf Hellman
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel.
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2
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Jha RK, Kouzine F, Levens D. MYC function and regulation in physiological perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1268275. [PMID: 37941901 PMCID: PMC10627926 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1268275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC, a key member of the Myc-proto-oncogene family, is a universal transcription amplifier that regulates almost every physiological process in a cell including cell cycle, proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYC interacts with several cofactors, chromatin modifiers, and regulators to direct gene expression. MYC levels are tightly regulated, and deregulation of MYC has been associated with numerous diseases including cancer. Understanding the comprehensive biology of MYC under physiological conditions is an utmost necessity to demark biological functions of MYC from its pathological functions. Here we review the recent advances in biological mechanisms, functions, and regulation of MYC. We also emphasize the role of MYC as a global transcription amplifier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Levens
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, United States
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3
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Sodir NM, Pellegrinet L, Kortlever RM, Campos T, Kwon YW, Kim S, Garcia D, Perfetto A, Anastasiou P, Swigart LB, Arends MJ, Littlewood TD, Evan GI. Reversible Myc hypomorphism identifies a key Myc-dependency in early cancer evolution. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6782. [PMID: 36351945 PMCID: PMC9646778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ-line hypomorphism of the pleiotropic transcription factor Myc in mice, either through Myc gene haploinsufficiency or deletion of Myc enhancers, delays onset of various cancers while mice remain viable and exhibit only relatively mild pathologies. Using a genetically engineered mouse model in which Myc expression may be systemically and reversibly hypomorphed at will, we asked whether this resistance to tumour progression is also emplaced when Myc hypomorphism is acutely imposed in adult mice. Indeed, adult Myc hypomorphism profoundly blocked KRasG12D-driven lung and pancreatic cancers, arresting their evolution at the early transition from indolent pre-tumour to invasive cancer. We show that such arrest is due to the incapacity of hypomorphic levels of Myc to drive release of signals that instruct the microenvironmental remodelling necessary to support invasive cancer. The cancer protection afforded by long-term adult imposition of Myc hypomorphism is accompanied by only mild collateral side effects, principally in haematopoiesis, but even these are circumvented if Myc hypomorphism is imposed metronomically whereas potent cancer protection is retained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Sodir
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.
- Genentech, Department of Translational Oncology, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
| | - Luca Pellegrinet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | | | - Tania Campos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | | | - Shinseog Kim
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Daniel Garcia
- Oncogenesis Thematic Research Center at Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | | | | | - Lamorna Brown Swigart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Mark J Arends
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Gerard I Evan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT, London, UK.
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4
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Zhang QX, Zhao DBJ, Gu RY, Zhao XH, Zhao HX, Valenzuela RK, Xi MM, Zhang R, Ma J. Study of a functional SNP rs13423388 in a novel enhancer element of schizophrenia-associated ZNF804A. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 74:103191. [PMID: 35728455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Xia Zhang
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Dong-Bu-Jia Zhao
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Rui-Ying Gu
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xiu-Hua Zhao
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Hua-Xiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Robert K Valenzuela
- Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA
| | - Miao-Miao Xi
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China.
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Electron Microscope, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China; Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China.
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5
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Upregulation of ribosome biogenesis via canonical E-boxes is required for Myc-driven proliferation. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1024-1036.e5. [PMID: 35472319 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Myc drives cell growth across animal phyla and is activated in most forms of human cancer. However, it is unclear which Myc target genes need to be regulated to induce growth and whether multiple targets act additively or if induction of each target is individually necessary. Here, we identified Myc target genes whose regulation is conserved between humans and flies and deleted Myc-binding sites (E-boxes) in the promoters of fourteen of these genes in Drosophila. E-box mutants of essential genes were homozygous viable, indicating that the E-boxes are not required for basal expression. Eight E-box mutations led to Myc-like phenotypes; the strongest mutant, ppanEbox-/-, also made the flies resistant to Myc-induced cell growth without affecting Myc-induced apoptosis. The ppanEbox-/- flies are healthy and display only a minor developmental delay, suggesting that it may be possible to treat or prevent tumorigenesis by targeting individual downstream targets of Myc.
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6
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Li X, Sun B, Qian H, Ma J, Paolino M, Zhang Z. A high-efficiency and versatile CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HDR-based biallelic editing system. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:141-152. [PMID: 35187887 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 nuclease (Cas9), the third-generation genome editing tool, has been favored because of its high efficiency and clear system composition. In this technology, the introduced double-strand breaks (DSBs) are mainly repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) pathways. The high-fidelity HDR pathway is used for genome modification, which can introduce artificially controllable insertions, deletions, or substitutions carried by the donor templates. Although high-level knock-out can be easily achieved by NHEJ, accurate HDR-mediated knock-in remains a technical challenge. In most circumstances, although both alleles are broken by endonucleases, only one can be repaired by HDR, and the other one is usually recombined by NHEJ. For gene function studies or disease model establishment, biallelic editing to generate homozygous cell lines and homozygotes is needed to ensure consistent phenotypes. Thus, there is an urgent need for an efficient biallelic editing system. Here, we developed three pairs of integrated selection systems, where each of the two selection cassettes contained one drug-screening gene and one fluorescent marker. Flanked by homologous arms containing the mutated sequences, the selection cassettes were integrated into the target site, mediated by CRISPR/Cas9-induced HDR. Positively targeted cell clones were massively enriched by fluorescent microscopy after screening for drug resistance. We tested this novel method on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PSEN1) loci and demonstrated up to 82.0% biallelic editing efficiency after optimization. Our results indicate that this strategy can provide a new efficient approach for biallelic editing and lay a foundation for establishment of an easier and more efficient disease model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.,Karolinska Institute, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bing Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Hongrun Qian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jinrong Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Magdalena Paolino
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhiying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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7
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Ribeiro-Dos-Santos AM, Hogan MS, Luther RD, Brosh R, Maurano MT. Genomic context sensitivity of insulator function. Genome Res 2022; 32:425-436. [PMID: 35082140 PMCID: PMC8896466 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276449.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The specificity of interactions between genomic regulatory elements and potential target genes is influenced by the binding of insulator proteins such as CTCF, which can act as potent enhancer blockers when interposed between an enhancer and a promoter in a reporter assay. But not all CTCF sites genome-wide function as insulator elements, depending on cellular and genomic context. To dissect the influence of genomic context on enhancer blocker activity, we integrated reporter constructs with promoter-only, promoter and enhancer, and enhancer blocker configurations at hundreds of thousands of genomic sites using the Sleeping Beauty transposase. Deconvolution of reporter activity by genomic position reveals distinct expression patterns subject to genomic context, including a compartment of enhancer blocker reporter integrations with robust expression. The high density of integration sites permits quantitative delineation of characteristic genomic context sensitivity profiles and their decomposition into sensitivity to both local and distant DNase I hypersensitive sites. Furthermore, using a single-cell expression approach to test the effect of integrated reporters for differential expression of nearby endogenous genes reveals that CTCF insulator elements do not completely abrogate reporter effects on endogenous gene expression. Collectively, our results lend new insight into genomic regulatory compartmentalization and its influence on the determinants of promoter–enhancer specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan S Hogan
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Raven D Luther
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Ran Brosh
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
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8
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Giambartolomei C, Seo JH, Schwarz T, Freund MK, Johnson RD, Spisak S, Baca SC, Gusev A, Mancuso N, Pasaniuc B, Freedman ML. H3K27ac HiChIP in prostate cell lines identifies risk genes for prostate cancer susceptibility. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:2284-2300. [PMID: 34822763 PMCID: PMC8715276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified more than 200 prostate cancer (PrCa) risk regions, which provide potential insights into causal mechanisms. Multiple lines of evidence show that a significant proportion of PrCa risk can be explained by germline causal variants that dysregulate nearby target genes in prostate-relevant tissues, thus altering disease risk. The traditional approach to explore this hypothesis has been correlating GWAS variants with steady-state transcript levels, referred to as expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). In this work, we assess the utility of chromosome conformation capture (3C) coupled with immunoprecipitation (HiChIP) to identify target genes for PrCa GWAS risk loci. We find that interactome data confirm previously reported PrCa target genes identified through GWAS/eQTL overlap (e.g., MLPH). Interestingly, HiChIP identifies links between PrCa GWAS variants and genes well-known to play a role in prostate cancer biology (e.g., AR) that are not detected by eQTL-based methods. HiChIP predicted enhancer elements at the AR and NKX3-1 prostate cancer risk loci, and both were experimentally confirmed to regulate expression of the corresponding genes through CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) perturbation in LNCaP cells. Our results demonstrate that looping data harbor additional information beyond eQTLs and expand the number of PrCa GWAS loci that can be linked to candidate susceptibility genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Giambartolomei
- Central RNA Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ji-Heui Seo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Tommer Schwarz
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Malika Kumar Freund
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ruth Dolly Johnson
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sandor Spisak
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sylvan C Baca
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Alexander Gusev
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nicholas Mancuso
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Bogdan Pasaniuc
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Computational Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Matthew L Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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9
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Heino S, Fang S, Lähde M, Högström J, Nassiri S, Campbell A, Flanagan D, Raven A, Hodder M, Nasreddin N, Xue HH, Delorenzi M, Leedham S, Petrova TV, Sansom O, Alitalo K. Lef1 restricts ectopic crypt formation and tumor cell growth in intestinal adenomas. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj0512. [PMID: 34788095 PMCID: PMC8598008 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj0512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Somatic mutations in APC or CTNNB1 genes lead to aberrant Wnt signaling and colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and progression via-catenin–T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor TCF/LEF transcription factors. We found that Lef1 was expressed exclusively in Apc-mutant, Wnt ligand–independent tumors, but not in ligand-dependent, serrated tumors. To analyze Lef1 function in tumor development, we conditionally deleted Lef1 in intestinal stem cells of Apcfl/fl mice or broadly from the entire intestinal epithelium of Apcfl/fl or ApcMin/+ mice. Loss of Lef1 markedly increased tumor initiation and tumor cell proliferation, reduced the expression of several Wnt antagonists, and increased Myc proto-oncogene expression and formation of ectopic crypts in Apc-mutant adenomas. Our results uncover a previously unknown negative feedback mechanism in CRC, in which ectopic Lef1 expression suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis by restricting adenoma cell dedifferentiation to a crypt-progenitor phenotype and by reducing the formation of cancer stem cell niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarika Heino
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program (CAN-PRO), iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship and Wihuri Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shentong Fang
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program (CAN-PRO), iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship and Wihuri Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Marianne Lähde
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program (CAN-PRO), iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship and Wihuri Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenny Högström
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program (CAN-PRO), iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship and Wihuri Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sina Nassiri
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Dustin Flanagan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alexander Raven
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Michael Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Nadia Nasreddin
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Mauro Delorenzi
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne and CHUV, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Simon Leedham
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Tatiana V. Petrova
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne and CHUV, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Owen Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, Garscube Estate, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program (CAN-PRO), iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship and Wihuri Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Winkler L, Dimitrova N. A mechanistic view of long noncoding RNAs in cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2021; 13:e1699. [PMID: 34668345 PMCID: PMC9016092 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important modulators of a wide range of biological processes in normal and disease states. In particular, lncRNAs have garnered significant interest as novel players in the molecular pathology of cancer, spurring efforts to define the functions, and elucidate the mechanisms through which cancer‐associated lncRNAs operate. In this review, we discuss the prevalent mechanisms employed by lncRNAs, with a critical assessment of the methodologies used to determine each molecular function. We survey the abilities of cancer‐associated lncRNAs to enact diverse trans functions throughout the nucleus and in the cytoplasm and examine the local roles of cis‐acting lncRNAs in modulating the expression of neighboring genes. In linking lncRNA functions and mechanisms to their roles in cancer biology, we contend that a detailed molecular understanding of lncRNA functionality is key to elucidating their contributions to tumorigenesis and to unlocking their therapeutic potential. This article is categorized under:Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Winkler
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nadya Dimitrova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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11
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Maurya SS. Role of Enhancers in Development and Diseases. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5040021. [PMID: 34968246 PMCID: PMC8715447 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5040021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancers are cis-regulatory elements containing short DNA sequences that serve as binding sites for pioneer/regulatory transcription factors, thus orchestrating the regulation of genes critical for lineage determination. The activity of enhancer elements is believed to be determined by transcription factor binding, thus determining the cell state identity during development. Precise spatio-temporal control of the transcriptome during lineage specification requires the coordinated binding of lineage-specific transcription factors to enhancers. Thus, enhancers are the primary determinants of cell identity. Numerous studies have explored the role and mechanism of enhancers during development and disease, and various basic questions related to the functions and mechanisms of enhancers have not yet been fully answered. In this review, we discuss the recently published literature regarding the roles of enhancers, which are critical for various biological processes governing development. Furthermore, we also highlight that altered enhancer landscapes provide an essential context to understand the etiologies and mechanisms behind numerous complex human diseases, providing new avenues for effective enhancer-based therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra S Maurya
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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12
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The roles of epigenetics in cancer progression and metastasis. Biochem J 2021; 478:3373-3393. [PMID: 34520519 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis remains a major clinical challenge for cancer treatment. It is therefore crucial to understand how cancer cells establish and maintain their metastatic traits. However, metastasis-specific genetic mutations have not been identified in most exome or genome sequencing studies. Emerging evidence suggests that key steps of metastasis are controlled by reversible epigenetic mechanisms, which can be targeted to prevent and treat the metastatic disease. A variety of epigenetic mechanisms were identified to regulate metastasis, including the well-studied DNA methylation and histone modifications. In the past few years, large scale chromatin structure alterations including reprogramming of the enhancers and chromatin accessibility to the transcription factors were shown to be potential driving force of cancer metastasis. To dissect the molecular mechanisms and functional output of these epigenetic changes, it is critical to use advanced techniques and alternative animal models for interdisciplinary and translational research on this topic. Here we summarize our current understanding of epigenetic aberrations in cancer progression and metastasis, and their implications in developing new effective metastasis-specific therapies.
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13
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Olesiński T, Lutkowska A, Balcerek A, Sowińska A, Piotrowski P, Trzeciak T, Maj T, Hevelke P, Jagodziński PP. Long noncoding RNA CCAT1 rs67085638 SNP contribution to the progression of gastric cancer in a Polish population. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15369. [PMID: 34321511 PMCID: PMC8319342 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94576-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the long noncoding RNA CCAT1 NC_000008.10:g.128220661C > T (rs67085638) in the development of colon cancer has been reported. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of rs67085638 in patients with gastric cancer (GC). We also evaluated the effect of rs67085638 on B-cell-specific Moloney leukaemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI1) transcripts in primary GC and counterpart histopathologically confirmed disease-free margin tissue. Using high-resolution melting analysis, we evaluated rs67085638 frequency in patients with the GC genotype (n = 214) and controls (n = 502) in a Polish Caucasian population. qRT-PCR was used to determine BMI1 transcripts. We observed the trend of rs67085638 association in all patients with GC (ptrend = 0.028), a strong risk of the GC genotype in male (ptrend = 0.035) but not female (ptrend = 0.747) patients, and the association with non-cardia GC (ptrend = 0.041), tumour stages T3 (ptrend = 0.014) and T4 (ptrend = 0.032), differentiation grading G3 (ptrend = 0.009), lymph node metastasis stage N3 (ptrend = 0.0005) and metastasis stage M0 (ptrend = 0.027). We found that significantly increased BMI1 transcripts were associated with the primary GC genotype classified as grade G3 (p = 0.011) and as lymph node metastasis N3 (p = 0.010) and counterpart marginal tissues (p = 0.026, p = 0.040, respectively) from carriers of the T/T versus C/C genotypes. rs67085638 may contribute to increased BMI1 transcripts and the progression and rapid growth of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Olesiński
- Department of Oncological Gastroenterology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Lutkowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego St., 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Adam Balcerek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego St., 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Sowińska
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - P Piotrowski
- Molecular Biology Department, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Trzeciak
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Maj
- Department of Oncological Gastroenterology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Hevelke
- Department of Oncological Gastroenterology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel P Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego St., 60-781, Poznan, Poland.
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Niu X, Deng K, Liu L, Yang K, Hu X. A statistical framework for predicting critical regions of p53-dependent enhancers. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbaa053. [PMID: 32392580 PMCID: PMC8138796 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
P53 is the 'guardian of the genome' and is responsible for regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. The genomic p53 binding regions, where activating transcriptional factors and cofactors like p300 simultaneously bind, are called 'p53-dependent enhancers', which play an important role in tumorigenesis. Current experimental assays generally provide a broad peak of each enhancer element, leaving our knowledge about critical enhancer regions (CERs) limited. Under the inspiration of enhancer dissection by CRISPR-Cas9 screen library on genome-wide p53 binding sites, here we introduce a statistical framework called 'Computational CRISPR Strategy' (CCS), to predict whether a given DNA fragment will be a p53-dependent CER by employing 7-mer as feature extractions along with random forest as the regressor. When training on a p53 CRISPR enhancer dataset, CCS not only accurately fitted the top-ranked enriched single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) but also successfully reproduced two known CERs that were validated by experiments. When applying it to an independent testing dataset on a tilling of a 2K-b genomic region of CRISPR-deCDKN1A-Lib, the trained model shows great generalizability by identifying a CER containing five top-ranked sgRNAs. A feature importance analysis further indicates that top-ranked 7-mers are mapped onto informative TF motifs including POU5F1 and SOX5, which are differentially enriched in p53-dependent CERs and are potential factors to make a general p53 binding site to form a p53-dependent CER, providing the interpretability of the trained model. Our results demonstrate that CCS is an alternative way of the CRISPR experiment to screen the genome for mapping p53-dependent CERs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xuehai Hu
- Corresponding author: Xuehai Hu, College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, P.R. China. Tel.: +86-18171282783; Fax: +86-27-87288509; E-mail:
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15
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Abstract
Shadow enhancers are seemingly redundant transcriptional cis-regulatory elements that regulate the same gene and drive overlapping expression patterns. Recent studies have shown that shadow enhancers are remarkably abundant and control most developmental gene expression in both invertebrates and vertebrates, including mammals. Shadow enhancers might provide an important mechanism for buffering gene expression against mutations in non-coding regulatory regions of genes implicated in human disease. Technological advances in genome editing and live imaging have shed light on how shadow enhancers establish precise gene expression patterns and confer phenotypic robustness. Shadow enhancers can interact in complex ways and may also help to drive the formation of transcriptional hubs within the nucleus. Despite their apparent redundancy, the prevalence and evolutionary conservation of shadow enhancers underscore their key role in emerging metazoan gene regulatory networks.
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Yadav VK, Kumar A, Tripathi PP, Gupta J. Long noncoding RNAs in intestinal homeostasis, regeneration, and cancer. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7801-7813. [PMID: 33899236 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Signaling pathways that regulate homeostasis and regeneration are found to be deregulated in various human malignancies. Accordingly, attempts have been made to target them at the protein level with little success. However, studies using high-throughput sequencing technologies suggest that only about 2% of the genome translates into proteins, whereas about 75% of the genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs. Among noncoding RNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have received tremendous attention in recent years as a crucial player in the regulation of almost all cellular processes involved in tissue homeostasis as well as in the development of various malignancies, including intestinal cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that lncRNAs play an instrumental role in the regulation of intestinal stem cells, injury-induced regeneration, and initiation and progression of intestinal tumors. Here, we summarize the recently discovered lncRNAs during intestinal homeostasis, regeneration, and tumorigenesis. We further present lncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic markers in intestinal pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin K Yadav
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, India
| | - Prem P Tripathi
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), Kolkata, India.,IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence (IICB-TRUE), Kolkata, India
| | - Jalaj Gupta
- Department of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Center, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, India
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17
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WNT-Regulated Transcriptional Enhancers and Stem Cell Plasticity. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:525-528. [PMID: 33775538 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Enhancer reprogramming lies at the heart of dynamic cellular processes such as differentiation and tumorigenesis. WNT signaling is an evolutionary conserved pathway that exploits transcriptional enhancers to control the state-specific transcriptional program. Recent evidences suggest several mechanisms that govern this state-specific enhancer regulation in stem cells and cancer.
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Rannikmae H, Peel S, Barry S, Senda T, de la Roche M. Mutational inactivation of Apc in the intestinal epithelia compromises cellular organisation. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs.250019. [PMID: 33335067 PMCID: PMC7860127 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.250019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) protein regulates diverse effector pathways essential for tissue homeostasis. Truncating oncogenic mutations in Apc removing its Wnt pathway and microtubule regulatory domains drives intestinal epithelia tumorigenesis. Exuberant cell proliferation is one well-established consequence of oncogenic Wnt pathway activity; however, the contribution of other deregulated molecular circuits to tumorigenesis has not been fully examined. Using in vivo and organoid models of intestinal epithelial tumorigenesis we found that Wnt pathway activity controls intestinal epithelial villi and crypt structure, morphological features lost upon Apc inactivation. Although the Wnt pathway target gene c-Myc (also known as Myc) has critical roles in regulating cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, Apc specification of intestinal epithelial morphology is independent of the Wnt-responsive Myc-335 (also known as Rr21) regulatory element. We further demonstrate that Apc inactivation disrupts the microtubule cytoskeleton and consequently localisation of organelles without affecting the distribution of the actin cytoskeleton and associated components. Our data indicates the direct control over microtubule dynamics by Apc through an independent molecular circuit. Our study stratifies three independent Apc effector pathways in the intestinal epithelial controlling: (1) proliferation, (2) microtubule dynamics and (3) epithelial morphology.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Rannikmae
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Samantha Peel
- Discovery Science, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Simon Barry
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Takao Senda
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Marc de la Roche
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
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19
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Pan Q, Liu YJ, Bai XF, Han XL, Jiang Y, Ai B, Shi SS, Wang F, Xu MC, Wang YZ, Zhao J, Chen JX, Zhang J, Li XC, Zhu J, Zhang GR, Wang QY, Li CQ. VARAdb: a comprehensive variation annotation database for human. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:D1431-D1444. [PMID: 33095866 PMCID: PMC7779011 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
With the study of human diseases and biological processes increasing, a large number of non-coding variants have been identified and facilitated. The rapid accumulation of genetic and epigenomic information has resulted in an urgent need to collect and process data to explore the regulation of non-coding variants. Here, we developed a comprehensive variation annotation database for human (VARAdb, http://www.licpathway.net/VARAdb/), which specifically considers non-coding variants. VARAdb provides annotation information for 577,283,813 variations and novel variants, prioritizes variations based on scores using nine annotation categories, and supports pathway downstream analysis. Importantly, VARAdb integrates a large amount of genetic and epigenomic data into five annotation sections, which include ‘Variation information’, ‘Regulatory information’, ‘Related genes’, ‘Chromatin accessibility’ and ‘Chromatin interaction’. The detailed annotation information consists of motif changes, risk SNPs, LD SNPs, eQTLs, clinical variant-drug-gene pairs, sequence conservation, somatic mutations, enhancers, super enhancers, promoters, transcription factors, chromatin states, histone modifications, chromatin accessibility regions and chromatin interactions. This database is a user-friendly interface to query, browse and visualize variations and related annotation information. VARAdb is a useful resource for selecting potential functional variations and interpreting their effects on human diseases and biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Pan
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yue-Juan Liu
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Xue-Feng Bai
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Xiao-Le Han
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Bo Ai
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Shan-Shan Shi
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Fan Wang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Ming-Cong Xu
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yue-Zhu Wang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Jia-Xin Chen
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Xue-Cang Li
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Guo-Rui Zhang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Qiu-Yu Wang
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
| | - Chun-Quan Li
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University. Daqing 163319, China
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20
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Schwarzmueller L, Bril O, Vermeulen L, Léveillé N. Emerging Role and Therapeutic Potential of lncRNAs in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3843. [PMID: 33352769 PMCID: PMC7767007 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of the intestinal epithelium is dependent on the control of stem cell (SC) proliferation and differentiation. The fine regulation of these cellular processes requires a complex dynamic interplay between several signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch, Hippo, EGF, Ephrin, and BMP/TGF-β. During the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), key events, such as oncogenic mutations, influence these signaling pathways, and tilt the homeostatic balance towards proliferation and dedifferentiation. Therapeutic strategies to specifically target these deregulated signaling pathways are of particular interest. However, systemic blocking or activation of these pathways poses major risks for normal stem cell function and tissue homeostasis. Interestingly, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as potent regulators of key cellular processes often deregulated in cancer. Because of their exceptional tissue and tumor specificity, these regulatory RNAs represent attractive targets for cancer therapy. Here, we discuss how lncRNAs participate in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and how they can contribute to the deregulation of each signaling pathway in CRC. Finally, we describe currently available molecular tools to develop lncRNA-targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schwarzmueller
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.); (O.B.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar Bril
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.); (O.B.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.); (O.B.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Léveillé
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.); (O.B.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Tottone L, Lancho O, Loh JW, Singh A, Kimura S, Roels J, Kuchmiy A, Strubbe S, Lawlor MA, da Silva-Diz V, Luo S, Gachet S, García-Prieto CA, Hagelaar R, Esteller M, Meijerink JPP, Soulier J, Taghon T, Van Vlierberghe P, Mullighan CG, Khiabanian H, Rocha PP, Herranz D. A Tumor Suppressor Enhancer of PTEN in T-cell development and leukemia. Blood Cancer Discov 2020; 2:92-109. [PMID: 33458694 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-20-0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-range oncogenic enhancers play an important role in cancer. Yet, whether similar regulation of tumor suppressor genes is relevant remains unclear. Loss of expression of PTEN is associated with the pathogenesis of various cancers, including T-cell leukemia (T-ALL). Here, we identify a highly conserved distal enhancer (PE) that interacts with the PTEN promoter in multiple hematopoietic populations, including T-cells, and acts as a hub of relevant transcription factors in T-ALL. Consistently, loss of PE leads to reduced PTEN levels in T-ALL cells. Moreover, PE-null mice show reduced Pten levels in thymocytes and accelerated development of NOTCH1-induced T-ALL. Furthermore, secondary loss of PE in established leukemias leads to accelerated progression and a gene expression signature driven by Pten loss. Finally, we uncovered recurrent deletions encompassing PE in T-ALL, which are associated with decreased PTEN levels. Altogether, our results identify PE as the first long-range tumor suppressor enhancer directly implicated in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tottone
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Olga Lancho
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Jui-Wan Loh
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Center for Systems and Computational Biology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Amartya Singh
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Center for Systems and Computational Biology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Shunsuke Kimura
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Juliette Roels
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna Kuchmiy
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Strubbe
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthew A Lawlor
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Victoria da Silva-Diz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Shirley Luo
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Stéphanie Gachet
- INSERM U944 and University de Paris, Hopital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Carlos A García-Prieto
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rico Hagelaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Jean Soulier
- INSERM U944 and University de Paris, Hopital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Tom Taghon
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Hossein Khiabanian
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Center for Systems and Computational Biology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Pedro P Rocha
- Unit on Genome Structure and Regulation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daniel Herranz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
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22
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Vasquez CA, Cowan QT, Komor AC. Base Editing in Human Cells to Produce Single-Nucleotide-Variant Clonal Cell Lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 133:e129. [PMID: 33151638 DOI: 10.1002/cpmb.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Base-editing technologies enable the introduction of point mutations at targeted genomic sites in mammalian cells, with higher efficiency and precision than traditional genome-editing methods that use DNA double-strand breaks, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription-activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system. This allows the generation of single-nucleotide-variant isogenic cell lines (i.e., cell lines whose genomic sequences differ from each other only at a single, edited nucleotide) in a more time- and resource-effective manner. These single-nucleotide-variant clonal cell lines represent a powerful tool with which to assess the functional role of genetic variants in a native cellular context. Base editing can therefore facilitate genotype-to-phenotype studies in a controlled laboratory setting, with applications in both basic research and clinical applications. Here, we provide optimized protocols (including experimental design, methods, and analyses) to design base-editing constructs, transfect adherent cells, quantify base-editing efficiencies in bulk, and generate single-nucleotide-variant clonal cell lines. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Design and production of plasmids for base-editing experiments Basic Protocol 2: Transfection of adherent cells and harvesting of genomic DNA Basic Protocol 3: Genotyping of harvested cells using Sanger sequencing Alternate Protocol 1: Next-generation sequencing to quantify base editing Basic Protocol 4: Single-cell isolation of base-edited cells using FACS Alternate Protocol 2: Single-cell isolation of base-edited cells using dilution plating Basic Protocol 5: Clonal expansion to generate isogenic cell lines and genotyping of clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Vasquez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Quinn T Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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23
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Zhang X, Meyerson M. Illuminating the noncoding genome in cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 1:864-872. [DOI: 10.1038/s43018-020-00114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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24
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Zou H, Wu LX, Tan L, Shang FF, Zhou HH. Significance of Single-Nucleotide Variants in Long Intergenic Non-protein Coding RNAs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:347. [PMID: 32523949 PMCID: PMC7261909 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) are the most common genetic variants and universally present in the human genome. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified a great number of disease or trait-associated variants, many of which are located in non-coding regions. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are the major subtype of long non-coding RNAs; lincRNAs play crucial roles in various disorders and cellular models via multiple mechanisms. With rapid growth in the number of the identified lincRNAs and genetic variants, there is great demand for an investigation of SNVs in lincRNAs. Hence, in this article, we mainly summarize the significant role of SNVs within human lincRNA regions. Some pivotal variants may serve as risk factors for the development of various disorders, especially cancer. They may also act as important regulatory signatures involved in the modulation of lincRNAs in a tissue- or disorder-specific manner. An increasing number of researches indicate that lincRNA variants would potentially provide additional options for genetic testing and disease risk assessment in the personalized medicine era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hecun Zou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lan-Xiang Wu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lihong Tan
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China.,Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei-Fei Shang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Hao Zhou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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25
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Wang X, Cairns MJ, Yan J. Super-enhancers in transcriptional regulation and genome organization. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:11481-11496. [PMID: 31724731 PMCID: PMC7145697 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is precisely controlled in a stage and cell-type-specific manner, largely through the interaction between cis-regulatory elements and their associated trans-acting factors. Where these components aggregate in promoters and enhancers, they are able to cooperate to modulate chromatin structure and support the engagement in long-range 3D superstructures that shape the dynamics of a cell's genomic architecture. Recently, the term 'super-enhancer' has been introduced to describe a hyper-active regulatory domain comprising a complex array of sequence elements that work together to control the key gene networks involved in cell identity. Here, we survey the unique characteristics of super-enhancers compared to other enhancer types and summarize the recent advances in our understanding of their biological role in gene regulation. In particular, we discuss their capacity to attract the formation of phase-separated condensates, and capacity to generate three-dimensional genome structures that precisely activate their target genes. We also propose a multi-stage transition model to explain the evolutionary pressure driving the development of super-enhancers in complex organisms, and highlight the potential for involvement in tumorigenesis. Finally, we discuss more broadly the role of super-enhancers in human health disorders and related potential in therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education / School of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.,Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, Germany Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69115, Germany.,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Murray J Cairns
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; and Hunter Medical Research Institute
| | - Jian Yan
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education / School of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
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26
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Tsujimura T, Takase O, Yoshikawa M, Sano E, Hayashi M, Hoshi K, Takato T, Toyoda A, Okano H, Hishikawa K. Controlling gene activation by enhancers through a drug-inducible topological insulator. eLife 2020; 9:47980. [PMID: 32369019 PMCID: PMC7200164 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While regulation of gene-enhancer interaction is intensively studied, its application remains limited. Here, we reconstituted arrays of CTCF-binding sites and devised a synthetic topological insulator with tetO for chromatin-engineering (STITCH). By coupling STITCH with tetR linked to the KRAB domain to induce heterochromatin and disable the insulation, we developed a drug-inducible system to control gene activation by enhancers. In human induced pluripotent stem cells, STITCH inserted between MYC and the enhancer down-regulated MYC. Progressive mutagenesis of STITCH led to a preferential escalation of the gene-enhancer interaction, corroborating the strong insulation ability of STITCH. STITCH also altered epigenetic states around MYC. Time-course analysis by drug induction uncovered deposition and removal of H3K27me3 repressive marks follows and reflects, but does not precede and determine, the expression change. Finally, STITCH inserted near NEUROG2 impaired the gene activation in differentiating neural progenitor cells. Thus, STITCH should be broadly useful for functional genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Tsujimura
- Department of iPS Cell Research & Epigenetic Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Takase
- Department of iPS Cell Research & Epigenetic Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yoshikawa
- Department of iPS Cell Research & Epigenetic Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Sano
- Department of iPS Cell Research & Epigenetic Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Matsuhiko Hayashi
- Apheresis and Dialysis Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuto Hoshi
- Division of Tissue Engineering, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Takato
- Division of Tissue Engineering, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Hishikawa
- Department of iPS Cell Research & Epigenetic Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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27
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Gu Y, Lin X, Kapoor A, Chow MJ, Jiang Y, Zhao K, Tang D. The Oncogenic Potential of the Centromeric Border Protein FAM84B of the 8q24.21 Gene Desert. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11030312. [PMID: 32183428 PMCID: PMC7140883 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FAM84B is a risk gene in breast and prostate cancers. Its upregulation is associated with poor prognosis of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. FAM84B facilitates cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, and xenograft growth in vivo. The FAM84B and Myc genes border a 1.2 Mb gene desert at 8q24.21. Co-amplification of both occurs in 20 cancer types. Mice deficient of a 430 Kb fragment within the 1.2 Mb gene desert have downregulated FAM84B and Myc expressions concurrent with reduced breast cancer growth. Intriguingly, Myc works in partnership with other oncogenes, including Ras. FAM84B shares similarities with the H-Ras-like suppressor (HRASLS) family over their typical LRAT (lecithin:retinal acyltransferase) domain. This domain contains a catalytic triad, H23, H35, and C113, which constitutes the phospholipase A1/2 and O-acyltransferase activities of HRASLS1-5. These enzymatic activities underlie their suppression of Ras. FAM84B conserves H23 and H35 but not C113 with both histidine residues residing within a highly conserved motif that FAM84B shares with HRASLS1-5. Deletion of this motif abolishes FAM84B oncogenic activities. These properties suggest a collaboration of FAM84B with Myc, consistent with the role of the gene desert in strengthening Myc functions. Here, we will discuss recent research on FAM84B-derived oncogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gu
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Xiaozeng Lin
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Anil Kapoor
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Mathilda Jing Chow
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Yanzhi Jiang
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Kuncheng Zhao
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Damu Tang
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +(905)-522-1155 (ext. 35168)
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Chromatin interaction analyses elucidate the roles of PRC2-bound silencers in mouse development. Nat Genet 2020; 52:264-272. [PMID: 32094912 PMCID: PMC7869692 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-020-0581-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In metazoan development, lineage specific gene expression is modulated by the delicate balance between transcription activation and repression. Despite much of our knowledge in the enhancer-centered transcription activation, silencers and their roles in normal development are poorly understood. Here, we performed chromatin interaction analyses of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a key regulator inducing transcriptional gene silencing, to uncover silencers, their molecular identity and associated chromatin connectivity. Systematic analysis of the cis-regulatory silencer elements reveals their chromatin features and gene targeting specificity. Deletion of these PRC2-bound silencers in mice results in transcriptional derepression of their interacting genes and pleiotropic developmental phenotypes, including embryonic lethality. While functioning as PRC2-bound silencers in pluripotent cells, they can transition into active tissue-specific enhancers during development, suggesting their regulatory versatility. Our study characterizes the molecular nature of silencers, their associated chromatin architectures, and offers the exciting possibility of targeted re-activation of epigenetically silenced genes.
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29
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Ke J, Tian J, Mei S, Ying P, Yang N, Wang X, Zou D, Peng X, Yang Y, Zhu Y, Gong Y, Wang Z, Gong J, Zhong R, Chang J, Miao X. Genetic Predisposition to Colon and Rectal Adenocarcinoma Is Mediated by a Super-enhancer Polymorphism Coactivating CD9 and PLEKHG6. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020; 29:850-859. [PMID: 31988071 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-19-1116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of loci associated with colon and rectal adenocarcinoma risk. As tissue-specific super-enhancers (SE) play important roles in tumorigenesis, we systematically investigate SEs and inner variants in established GWAS loci to decipher the underlying biological mechanisms. METHODS Through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on multi-omics data, we screen potential single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cancer-specific SEs, and then subject them to a two-stage case-control study containing 4,929 cases and 7,083 controls from the Chinese population. A series of functional assays, including reporter gene assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, chromosome conformation capture (3C) assays, and cell proliferation experiments, are performed to characterize the variant's molecular consequence and target genes. RESULTS The SNP rs11064124 in 12p13.31 is found significantly associated with the risk of colon and rectal adenocarcinoma with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-0.92, P = 8.67E-06]. The protective rs11064124-G weakens the binding affinity with vitamin D receptor (VDR) and increases the enhancer's activity and interactions with two target genes' promoters, thus coactivating the transcription of CD9 and PLEKHG6, which are both putative tumor suppressor genes for colon and rectal adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Our integrative study highlights an SE polymorphism rs11064124 and two susceptibility genes CD9 and PLEKHG6 in 12p13.31 for colon and rectal adenocarcinoma. IMPACT These findings suggest a novel insight for genetic pathogenesis of colon and rectal adenocarcinoma, involving transcriptional coactivation of diverse susceptibility genes via the SE element as a gene regulation hub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianbo Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shufang Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pingting Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Danyi Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiating Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajie Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiang Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment & Health (Ministry of Education), Ministry of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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30
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Lyra PCM, Rangel LB, Monteiro ANA. Functional Landscape of Common Variants Associated with Susceptibility to Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40471-020-00227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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31
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Niu X, Yang K, Zhang G, Yang Z, Hu X. A Pretraining-Retraining Strategy of Deep Learning Improves Cell-Specific Enhancer Predictions. Front Genet 2020; 10:1305. [PMID: 31969903 PMCID: PMC6960260 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the code of cis-regulatory element (CRE) is one of the core issues of today’s biology. Enhancers are distal CREs and play significant roles in gene transcriptional regulation. Although identifications of enhancer locations across the whole genome [discriminative enhancer predictions (DEP)] is necessary, it is more important to predict in which specific cell or tissue types, they will be activated and functional [tissue-specific enhancer predictions (TSEP)]. Although existing deep learning models achieved great successes in DEP, they cannot be directly employed in TSEP because a specific cell or tissue type only has a limited number of available enhancer samples for training. Here, we first adopted a reported deep learning architecture and then developed a novel training strategy named “pretraining-retraining strategy” (PRS) for TSEP by decomposing the whole training process into two successive stages: a pretraining stage is designed to train with the whole enhancer data for performing DEP, and a retraining strategy is then designed to train with tissue-specific enhancer samples based on the trained pretraining model for making TSEP. As a result, PRS is found to be valid for DEP with an AUC of 0.922 and a GM (geometric mean) of 0.696, when testing on a larger-scale FANTOM5 enhancer dataset via a five-fold cross-validation. Interestingly, based on the trained pretraining model, a new finding is that only additional twenty epochs are needed to complete the retraining process on testing 23 specific tissues or cell lines. For TSEP tasks, PRS achieved a mean GM of 0.806 which is significantly higher than 0.528 of gkm-SVM, an existing mainstream method for CRE predictions. Notably, PRS is further proven superior to other two state-of-the-art methods: DEEP and BiRen. In summary, PRS has employed useful ideas from the domain of transfer learning and is a reliable method for TSEPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Niu
- College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Yang
- College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiquan Yang
- College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuehai Hu
- College of Informatics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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32
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Scholz BA, Sumida N, de Lima CDM, Chachoua I, Martino M, Tzelepis I, Nikoshkov A, Zhao H, Mehmood R, Sifakis EG, Bhartiya D, Göndör A, Ohlsson R. WNT signaling and AHCTF1 promote oncogenic MYC expression through super-enhancer-mediated gene gating. Nat Genet 2019; 51:1723-1731. [DOI: 10.1038/s41588-019-0535-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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33
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Yang T, Li X, Montazeri Z, Little J, Farrington SM, Ioannidis JP, Dunlop MG, Campbell H, Timofeeva M, Theodoratou E. Gene-environment interactions and colorectal cancer risk: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:2315-2329. [PMID: 30536881 PMCID: PMC6767750 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) is multifactorial, involving both genetic variants and environmental risk factors. We systematically searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases from inception to December 2016, to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies that investigated gene-environment (G×E) interactions in CRC risk. Then, we critically evaluated the cumulative evidence for the G×E interactions using an extension of the Human Genome Epidemiology Network's Venice criteria. Overall, 15 articles reporting systematic reviews of observational studies on 89 G×E interactions, 20 articles reporting meta-analyses of candidate gene- or single-nucleotide polymorphism-based studies on 521 G×E interactions, and 8 articles reporting 33 genome-wide G×E interaction analyses were identified. On the basis of prior and observed scores, only the interaction between rs6983267 (8q24) and aspirin use was found to have a moderate overall credibility score as well as main genetic and environmental effects. Though 5 other interactions were also found to have moderate evidence, these interaction effects were tenuous due to the lack of main genetic effects and/or environmental effects. We did not find highly convincing evidence for any interactions, but several associations were found to have moderate strength of evidence. Our conclusions are based on application of the Venice criteria which were designed to provide a conservative assessment of G×E interactions and thus do not include an evaluation of biological plausibility of an observed joint effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yang
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and InformaticsThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Xue Li
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and InformaticsThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Zahra Montazeri
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Julian Little
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Susan M. Farrington
- Colon Cancer Genetics Group, Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - John P.A. Ioannidis
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Departments of Medicine, of Health Research and Policy, and of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Department of StatisticsStanford University School of Humanities and SciencesStanfordCaliforniaUSA
- Meta‐Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS)Stanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Malcolm G. Dunlop
- Colon Cancer Genetics Group, Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Harry Campbell
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and InformaticsThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Maria Timofeeva
- Colon Cancer Genetics Group, Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Evropi Theodoratou
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and InformaticsThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineWestern General Hospital, The University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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Associations among dietary seaweed intake, c-MYC rs6983267 polymorphism, and risk of colorectal cancer in a Korean population: a case-control study. Eur J Nutr 2019; 59:1963-1974. [PMID: 31300834 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-02046-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The effects of seaweed compounds have been studied in relation to colorectal cancer (CRC) based on their ability to modulate carcinogen metabolism in vivo and in vitro. However, no epidemiological studies on the interaction between edible seaweed and genetic variants relevant to CRC have been reported. This study examined the associations among dietary seaweed intake (gim, miyeok, and dashima), single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs6983267, rs7014346, and rs719725), and CRC risk in a Korean population. METHODS The participants comprised 923 CRC patients and 1846 controls who visited the National Cancer Center Korea. We used a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and genotyped SNPs using genomic DNA samples. RESULTS The intake of total seaweed, miyeok, and dashima showed a significant inverse association with CRC risk after adjusting for potential confounding factors (total seaweed odds ratio (OR) [95% CI] = 0.65 [0.50-0.85], P for trend < 0.001; miyeok = 0.82 [0.62-1.09], P for trend < 0.05; dashima = 0.58 [0.44-0.76], P for trend < 0.001, highest vs. lowest tertile). We confirmed that the homozygous T/T allele of rs6983267 c-MYC indicated an interaction between dietary seaweed intake and both overall CRC and rectal cancer (CRC OR [95% CI] = 0.52 [0.34-0.81], P for interaction = 0.015; rectal cancer = 0.45 [0.25-0.79], P for interaction = 0.007, T/T carriers with high total seaweed intake vs. T/T carriers with low total seaweed intake). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence of the effect of dietary seaweed intake on CRC risk with respect to c-MYC gene variants.
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Wu C, Chen J, Liu Y, Hu X. Improved Prediction of Regulatory Element Using Hybrid Abelian Complexity Features with DNA Sequences. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071704. [PMID: 30959806 PMCID: PMC6480087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the code of cis-regulatory element (CRE) is one of the core issues of current biology. As an important category of CRE, enhancers play crucial roles in gene transcriptional regulations in a distant manner. Further, the disruption of an enhancer can cause abnormal transcription and, thus, trigger human diseases, which means that its accurate identification is currently of broad interest. Here, we introduce an innovative concept, i.e., abelian complexity function (ACF), which is a more complex extension of the classic subword complexity function, for a new coding of DNA sequences. After feature selection by an upper bound estimation and integration with DNA composition features, we developed an enhancer prediction model with hybrid abelian complexity features (HACF). Compared with existing methods, HACF shows consistently superior performance on three sources of enhancer datasets. We tested the generalization ability of HACF by scanning human chromosome 22 to validate previously reported super-enhancers. Meanwhile, we identified novel candidate enhancers which have supports from enhancer-related ENCODE ChIP-seq signals. In summary, HACF improves current enhancer prediction and may be beneficial for further prioritization of functional noncoding variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchao Wu
- College of Informatics, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Jin Chen
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Yunxia Liu
- College of Informatics, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Xuehai Hu
- College of Informatics, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Abstract
Cancer is fueled by the aberrant activity of oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. Transcriptional dysregulation of these pathways play a major role both in the genesis and development of cancer. Dysregulation of transcriptional programs can be mediated by genetic and epigenetic alterations targeting both protein coding genes and non-coding regulatory elements like enhancers and super-enhancers. Super-enhancers, characterized as large clusters of enhancers in close proximity, have been identified as essential oncogenic drivers required for the maintenance of cancer cell identity. As a result, cancer cells are often addicted to the super-enhancer driven transcriptional programs. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors targeting key components of super-enhancer assembly and activation have shown great promise in reducing tumor growth and proliferation in several pre-clinical tumor models. This article reviews the current understanding of super-enhancer assembly and activation, the different mechanisms by which cancer cells acquire oncogenic super-enhancers and, finally, the potential of targeting super-enhancers as future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palaniraja Thandapani
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Farashi S, Kryza T, Clements J, Batra J. Post-GWAS in prostate cancer: from genetic association to biological contribution. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:46-59. [PMID: 30538273 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-018-0087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in deciphering the genetic component of predisposition to many human complex diseases including prostate cancer. Germline variants identified by GWAS progressively unravelled the substantial knowledge gap concerning prostate cancer heritability. With the beginning of the post-GWAS era, more and more studies reveal that, in addition to their value as risk markers, germline variants can exert active roles in prostate oncogenesis. Consequently, current research efforts focus on exploring the biological mechanisms underlying specific susceptibility loci known as causal variants by applying novel and precise analytical methods to available GWAS data. Results obtained from these post-GWAS analyses have highlighted the potential of exploiting prostate cancer risk-associated germline variants to identify new gene networks and signalling pathways involved in prostate tumorigenesis. In this Review, we describe the molecular basis of several important prostate cancer-causal variants with an emphasis on using post-GWAS analysis to gain insight into cancer aetiology. In addition to discussing the current status of post-GWAS studies, we also summarize the main molecular mechanisms of potential causal variants at prostate cancer risk loci and explore the major challenges in moving from association to functional studies and their implication in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Farashi
- Cancer Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Kryza
- Cancer Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Judith Clements
- Cancer Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- Cancer Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
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Corces MR, Granja JM, Shams S, Louie BH, Seoane JA, Zhou W, Silva TC, Groeneveld C, Wong CK, Cho SW, Satpathy AT, Mumbach MR, Hoadley KA, Robertson AG, Sheffield NC, Felau I, Castro MAA, Berman BP, Staudt LM, Zenklusen JC, Laird PW, Curtis C, Greenleaf WJ, Chang HY. The chromatin accessibility landscape of primary human cancers. Science 2018; 362:362/6413/eaav1898. [PMID: 30361341 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav1898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 631] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We present the genome-wide chromatin accessibility profiles of 410 tumor samples spanning 23 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We identify 562,709 transposase-accessible DNA elements that substantially extend the compendium of known cis-regulatory elements. Integration of ATAC-seq (the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing) with TCGA multi-omic data identifies a large number of putative distal enhancers that distinguish molecular subtypes of cancers, uncovers specific driving transcription factors via protein-DNA footprints, and nominates long-range gene-regulatory interactions in cancer. These data reveal genetic risk loci of cancer predisposition as active DNA regulatory elements in cancer, identify gene-regulatory interactions underlying cancer immune evasion, and pinpoint noncoding mutations that drive enhancer activation and may affect patient survival. These results suggest a systematic approach to understanding the noncoding genome in cancer to advance diagnosis and therapy.
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Cimmino F, Avitabile M, Diskin SJ, Vaksman Z, Pignataro P, Formicola D, Cardinale A, Testori A, Koster J, de Torres C, Devoto M, Maris JM, Iolascon A, Capasso M. Fine mapping of 2q35 high-risk neuroblastoma locus reveals independent functional risk variants and suggests full-length BARD1 as tumor-suppressor. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:2828-2837. [PMID: 30132831 PMCID: PMC6258207 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified common variation at the BARD1 locus as being highly associated with susceptibility to high-risk neuroblastoma, but the mechanisms underlying this association have been not extensively investigated. Here, we performed a fine mapping analysis of BARD1 locus (2q35) using GWAS data from 556 high-risk neuroblastoma patients and 2,575 controls of European-American ancestry, and identified two independent genome-wide neuroblastoma-associated loci. Functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) prioritization identified two causative variants that independently contributed to neuroblastoma risk, and each replicated robustly in multiple independent cohorts comprising 445 high-risk cases and 3,170 controls (rs17489363: combined p = 1.07 × 10-31 , OR:1.79, 95% CI:1.62-1.98 and rs1048108: combined p = 7.27 × 10-14 , OR:0.65, 95% CI:0.58-0.73). Particularly, the T risk allele of rs17489363 in the canonical promoter region of full-length BARD1 altered binding site of the transcription factor HSF1 and correlated with low expression of full-length BARD1 mRNA and protein. Low-level expression of full-length BARD1 associated with advanced neuroblastoma. In human neuroblastoma cells, attenuating full-length BARD1 increased proliferation and invasion capacity. In conclusion, we have identified two potentially causative SNPs at the BARD1 locus associated with predisposition to high-risk neuroblastoma, and have shown that full-length BARD1 may act as tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Cimmino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Marianna Avitabile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Sharon J Diskin
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Zalman Vaksman
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Piero Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Cardinale
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Alessandro Testori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam, 1011, The Netherlands
| | - Carmen de Torres
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory and Department of Oncology, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcella Devoto
- Division of Genetics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, 80136, Italy
- IRCCS SDN, Napoli, 80133, Italy
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Zou H, Zhou HH. WITHDRAWN: Single nucleotide polymorphism, a putative driver for the role of long intergeneric non-coding RNA. Cancer Lett 2018:S0304-3835(18)30691-8. [PMID: 30503557 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hecun Zou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong-Hao Zhou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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41
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Lancho O, Herranz D. The MYC Enhancer-ome: Long-Range Transcriptional Regulation of MYC in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:810-822. [PMID: 30470303 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
MYC is one of the most important oncogenes in cancer. Indeed, MYC is upregulated in 50-60% of all tumors. MYC overexpression can be achieved through a variety of mechanisms, including gene duplications, chromosomal translocations, or somatic mutations leading to increased MYC stability. However, recent studies have identified numerous tissue-specific noncoding enhancers of MYC that play major roles in cancer, highlighting long-range transcriptional regulation of MYC as a critical novel mechanism leading to MYC hyperactivation and as a potential target for new therapeutic strategies in the near future. Here we summarize the regions and mechanisms involved in the long-range transcriptional regulation of MYC, underscoring the relevance of MYC enhancers both in normal physiological development and in MYC-driven cancer initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Lancho
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel Herranz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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42
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Liang Y, Xu P, Zou Q, Luo H, Yu W. An epigenetic perspective on tumorigenesis: Loss of cell identity, enhancer switching, and NamiRNA network. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 57:1-9. [PMID: 30213688 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Various tumorigenic theories have been proposed in the past century, which contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms of the initiation of cancer, drug resistance, neoplasm relapse, and metastasis are still challenging to be panoramically addressed. Based on the abundant evidence provided by others and us, we postulate that Tumor Initiated by Loss of Cell Identity (LOCI), which is an inevitable initiating event of tumorigenesis. As a result, normal cells are transformed into the cancerous cell. In this process, epigenetic regulatory program, especially NamiRNA (Nuclear activating miRNA)-enhancer-gene activation network, is vital for the cell identity. The disorganization of NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network is a causal predisposition to the cell identity loss, and the altered cell identity is stabilized by genetic variations of the NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network. Furthermore, the additional genetic or epigenetic abnormities confer those cells to carcinogenic characteristics, such as growth advantage over normal cells, and finally yield cancer. In this review, we literally explain our tumor initiation hypothesis based on the corresponding evidence, which will not only help to refresh our understanding of tumorigenesis but also bring benefits to developing "cell identity reversing" based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qingping Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huaibing Luo
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Liang Y, Xu P, Zou Q, Luo H, Yu W. An epigenetic perspective on tumorigenesis: Loss of cell identity, enhancer switching, and NamiRNA network. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 83:596-604. [PMID: 30208341 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Various tumorigenic theories have been proposed in the past century, which contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms of the initiation of cancer, drug resistance, neoplasm relapse, and metastasis are still challenging to be panoramically addressed. Based on the abundant evidence provided by others and us, we postulate that Tumor Initiated by Loss of Cell Identity (LOCI), which is an inevitable initiating event of tumorigenesis. As a result, normal cells are transformed into the cancerous cell. In this process, epigenetic regulatory program, especially NamiRNA (Nuclear activating miRNA)-enhancer-gene activation network, is vital for the cell identity. The disorganization of NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network is a causal predisposition to the cell identity loss, and the altered cell identity is stabilized by genetic variations of the NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network. Furthermore, the additional genetic or epigenetic abnormities confer those cells to carcinogenic characteristics, such as growth advantage over normal cells, and finally yield cancer. In this review, we literally explain our tumor imitation hypothesis based on the corresponding evidence, which will not only help to refresh our understanding of tumorigenesis but also bring benefits to developing "cell identity reversing" based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qingping Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huaibing Luo
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Ap4 is rate limiting for intestinal tumor formation by controlling the homeostasis of intestinal stem cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3573. [PMID: 30177706 PMCID: PMC6120921 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding the transcription factor TFAP4/AP4 represents a direct target of the c-MYC oncoprotein. Here, we deleted Ap4 in ApcMin mice, a preclinical model of inherited colorectal cancer. Ap4 deficiency extends their average survival by 110 days and decreases the formation of intestinal adenomas and tumor-derived organoids. The effects of Ap4 deletion are presumably due to the reduced number of functional intestinal stem cells (ISCs) amenable to adenoma-initiating mutational events. Deletion of Ap4 also decreases the number of colonic stem cells and increases the number of Paneth cells. Expression profiling revealed that ISC signatures, as well as the Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathways are downregulated in Ap4-deficient adenomas and intestinal organoids. AP4-associated signatures are conserved between murine adenomas and human colorectal cancer samples. Our results establish Ap4 as rate-limiting mediator of adenoma initiation, as well as regulator of intestinal and colonic stem cell and Paneth cell homeostasis.
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45
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Swinstead EE, Paakinaho V, Hager GL. Chromatin reprogramming in breast cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R385-R404. [PMID: 29692347 PMCID: PMC6029727 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reprogramming of the chromatin landscape is a critical component to the transcriptional response in breast cancer. Effects of sex hormones such as estrogens and progesterone have been well described to have a critical impact on breast cancer proliferation. However, the complex network of the chromatin landscape, enhancer regions and mode of function of steroid receptors (SRs) and other transcription factors (TFs), is an intricate web of signaling and functional processes that is still largely misunderstood at the mechanistic level. In this review, we describe what is currently known about the dynamic interplay between TFs with chromatin and the reprogramming of enhancer elements. Emphasis has been placed on characterizing the different modes of action of TFs in regulating enhancer activity, specifically, how different SRs target enhancer regions to reprogram chromatin in breast cancer cells. In addition, we discuss current techniques employed to study enhancer function at a genome-wide level. Further, we have noted recent advances in live cell imaging technology. These single-cell approaches enable the coupling of population-based assays with real-time studies to address many unsolved questions about SRs and chromatin dynamics in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Swinstead
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene ExpressionNational Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ville Paakinaho
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene ExpressionNational Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Institute of BiomedicineUniversity of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Gordon L Hager
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene ExpressionNational Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Rodrigues P, Patel SA, Harewood L, Olan I, Vojtasova E, Syafruddin SE, Zaini MN, Richardson EK, Burge J, Warren AY, Stewart GD, Saeb-Parsy K, Samarajiwa SA, Vanharanta S. NF-κB-Dependent Lymphoid Enhancer Co-option Promotes Renal Carcinoma Metastasis. Cancer Discov 2018; 8:850-865. [PMID: 29875134 PMCID: PMC6031301 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-17-1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Metastases, the spread of cancer cells to distant organs, cause the majority of cancer-related deaths. Few metastasis-specific driver mutations have been identified, suggesting aberrant gene regulation as a source of metastatic traits. However, how metastatic gene expression programs arise is poorly understood. Here, using human-derived metastasis models of renal cancer, we identify transcriptional enhancers that promote metastatic carcinoma progression. Specific enhancers and enhancer clusters are activated in metastatic cancer cell populations, and the associated gene expression patterns are predictive of poor patient outcome in clinical samples. We find that the renal cancer metastasis-associated enhancer complement consists of multiple coactivated tissue-specific enhancer modules. Specifically, we identify and functionally characterize a coregulatory enhancer cluster, activated by the renal cancer driver HIF2A and an NF-κB-driven lymphoid element, as a mediator of metastasis in vivo We conclude that oncogenic pathways can acquire metastatic phenotypes through cross-lineage co-option of physiologic epigenetic enhancer states.Significance: Renal cancer is associated with significant mortality due to metastasis. We show that in metastatic renal cancer, functionally important metastasis genes are activated via co-option of gene regulatory enhancer modules from distant developmental lineages, thus providing clues to the origins of metastatic cancer. Cancer Discov; 8(7); 850-65. ©2018 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 781.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Rodrigues
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Saroor A Patel
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Harewood
- Cancer Research UK/Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ioana Olan
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Vojtasova
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Saiful E Syafruddin
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaa'cob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - M Nazhif Zaini
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emma K Richardson
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna Burge
- Academic Urology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Y Warren
- Department of Histopathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Grant D Stewart
- Academic Urology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Shamith A Samarajiwa
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sakari Vanharanta
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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47
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Schoenfelder S, Javierre BM, Furlan-Magaril M, Wingett SW, Fraser P. Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30010637 PMCID: PMC6102006 DOI: 10.3791/57320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The three-dimensional organization of the genome is linked to its function. For example, regulatory elements such as transcriptional enhancers control the spatio-temporal expression of their target genes through physical contact, often bridging considerable (in some cases hundreds of kilobases) genomic distances and bypassing nearby genes. The human genome harbors an estimated one million enhancers, the vast majority of which have unknown gene targets. Assigning distal regulatory regions to their target genes is thus crucial to understand gene expression control. We developed Promoter Capture Hi-C (PCHi-C) to enable the genome-wide detection of distal promoter-interacting regions (PIRs), for all promoters in a single experiment. In PCHi-C, highly complex Hi-C libraries are specifically enriched for promoter sequences through in-solution hybrid selection with thousands of biotinylated RNA baits complementary to the ends of all promoter-containing restriction fragments. The aim is to then pull-down promoter sequences and their frequent interaction partners such as enhancers and other potential regulatory elements. After high-throughput paired-end sequencing, a statistical test is applied to each promoter-ligated restriction fragment to identify significant PIRs at the restriction fragment level. We have used PCHi-C to generate an atlas of long-range promoter interactions in dozens of human and mouse cell types. These promoter interactome maps have contributed to a greater understanding of mammalian gene expression control by assigning putative regulatory regions to their target genes and revealing preferential spatial promoter-promoter interaction networks. This information also has high relevance to understanding human genetic disease and the identification of potential disease genes, by linking non-coding disease-associated sequence variants in or near control sequences to their target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schoenfelder
- Nuclear Dynamics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus;
| | - Biola-Maria Javierre
- Nuclear Dynamics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus; IJC Building, Campus ICO-Germans Trias i Pujol, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute;
| | - Mayra Furlan-Magaril
- Nuclear Dynamics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus; Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
| | - Steven W Wingett
- Nuclear Dynamics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus; Bioinformatics Group, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus
| | - Peter Fraser
- Nuclear Dynamics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus; Department of Biological Science, Florida State University;
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48
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Hua H, Zhang H, Kong Q, Wang J, Jiang Y. Complex roles of the old drug aspirin in cancer chemoprevention and therapy. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:114-145. [PMID: 29855050 DOI: 10.1002/med.21514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent aspirin is widely used for preventing and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, epidemiologic evidences reveal that aspirin may prevent a variety of human cancers, while data on the association between aspirin and some kinds of cancer are conflicting. Preclinical studies and clinical trials also reveal the therapeutic effect of aspirin on cancer. Although cyclooxygenase is a well-known target of aspirin, recent studies uncover other targets of aspirin and its metabolites, such as AMP-activated protein kinase, cyclin-dependent kinase, heparanase, and histone. Accumulating evidence demonstrate that aspirin may act in different cell types, such as epithelial cell, tumor cell, endothelial cell, platelet, and immune cell. Therefore, aspirin acts on diverse hallmarks of cancer, such as sustained tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune evasion. In this review, we focus on recent progress in the use of aspirin for cancer chemoprevention and therapy, and integratively analyze the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of aspirin and its metabolites. We also discuss mechanisms of aspirin resistance and describe some derivatives of aspirin, which aim to overcome the adverse effects of aspirin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hua
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingbin Kong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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49
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Cho SW, Xu J, Sun R, Mumbach MR, Carter AC, Chen YG, Yost KE, Kim J, He J, Nevins SA, Chin SF, Caldas C, Liu SJ, Horlbeck MA, Lim DA, Weissman JS, Curtis C, Chang HY. Promoter of lncRNA Gene PVT1 Is a Tumor-Suppressor DNA Boundary Element. Cell 2018; 173:1398-1412.e22. [PMID: 29731168 PMCID: PMC5984165 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding mutations in cancer genomes are frequent but challenging to interpret. PVT1 encodes an oncogenic lncRNA, but recurrent translocations and deletions in human cancers suggest alternative mechanisms. Here, we show that the PVT1 promoter has a tumor-suppressor function that is independent of PVT1 lncRNA. CRISPR interference of PVT1 promoter enhances breast cancer cell competition and growth in vivo. The promoters of the PVT1 and the MYC oncogenes, located 55 kb apart on chromosome 8q24, compete for engagement with four intragenic enhancers in the PVT1 locus, thereby allowing the PVT1 promoter to regulate pause release of MYC transcription. PVT1 undergoes developmentally regulated monoallelic expression, and the PVT1 promoter inhibits MYC expression only from the same chromosome via promoter competition. Cancer genome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations encompassing the human PVT1 promoter, and genome editing verified that PVT1 promoter mutation promotes cancer cell growth. These results highlight regulatory sequences of lncRNA genes as potential disease-associated DNA elements.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
- Chromatin
- DNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, myc
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Woo Cho
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ruping Sun
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maxwell R Mumbach
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ava C Carter
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Y Grace Chen
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kathryn E Yost
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeewon Kim
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jing He
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Stephanie A Nevins
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Suet-Feung Chin
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; Breast Cancer Program, CRUK Cambridge Cancer Centre, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - S John Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Max A Horlbeck
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Daniel A Lim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Christina Curtis
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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50
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Depletion of Mediator Kinase Module Subunits Represses Superenhancer-Associated Genes in Colon Cancer Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2018; 38:MCB.00573-17. [PMID: 29507187 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00573-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In cancer, oncogene activation is partly mediated by acquired superenhancers, which therefore represent potential targets for inhibition. Superenhancers are enriched for BRD4 and Mediator, and both BRD4 and the Mediator MED12 subunit are disproportionally required for expression of superenhancer-associated genes in stem cells. Here we show that depletion of Mediator kinase module subunit MED12 or MED13 together with MED13L can be used to reduce expression of cancer-acquired superenhancer genes, such as the MYC gene, in colon cancer cells, with a concomitant decrease in proliferation. Whereas depletion of MED12 or MED13/MED13L caused a disproportional decrease of superenhancer gene expression, this was not seen with depletion of the kinases cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK8) and CDK19. MED12-MED13/MED13L-dependent superenhancer genes were coregulated by β-catenin, which has previously been shown to associate with MED12. Importantly, β-catenin depletion caused reduced binding of MED12 at the MYC superenhancer. The effect of MED12 or MED13/MED13L depletion on cancer-acquired superenhancer gene expression was more specific than and partially distinct from that of BRD4 depletion, with the most efficient inhibition seen with combined targeting. These results identify a requirement of MED12 and MED13/MED13L for expression of acquired superenhancer genes in colon cancer, implicating these Mediator subunits as potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer, alone or together with BRD4.
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