51
|
Research progress of zebrafish as a model system for hematological neoplasms. YI CHUAN = HEREDITAS 2009; 31:889-95. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1005.2009.00889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
52
|
Kim SY, Hur W, Choi JE, Kim D, Wang JS, Yoon HY, Piao LS, Yoon SK. Functional characterization of human oncoprotein gankyrin in Zebrafish. Exp Mol Med 2009; 41:8-16. [PMID: 19287195 DOI: 10.3858/emm.2009.41.1.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Gankyrin is an oncoprotein containing seven ankyrin repeats that is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gankyrin binds to Mdm2, which results in accelerated ubiquitylation via degradation of p53, and it also plays an important role in cell proliferation. However, little is known about the relationships between p53 levels, cell proliferation, and gankyrin over-expression. In order to investigate the influence of gankyrin protein on p53 and Mdm2 in a zebrafish model, we injected human gankyrin (hgankyrin) containing expression vectors (pCS2-hgankyrin, pCS2- hgankyrin-EGFP) into zebrafish embryos. To measure p53 and Mdm2 expression in hgankyrin-injected embryos, RT-PCR, Northern blot and in-situ hybridization and BrdU immunostaining were used. In addition, to know the effect of hgankyrin on cell proliferation in vitro, cell viability assays such as MTT, trypan blue staining and RT-PCR following transfection of hgankyrin-containing vector into HEK 293 cell line were performed. In vivo results indicated that p53 mRNA levels decreased but those of Mdm2 were not decreased in the presence of hgankyrin. These results suggest that gankyrin downregulates p53 expression and not Mdm2 expression. In the study of cell proliferation, BrdU-positive cells were predominantly increased in the head and tail regions in hgankyrin-injected zebrafish. Additional in vitro studies using trypan blue staining and MTT assay showed that gankyrin-expressing HEK 293 cells proliferated at a faster rate, indicating that gankyrin promotes cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that hgankyrin overexpression downregulates p53 expression and promotes cell proliferation in zebrafish. Gankyrin may play an important role in tumorigenesis via its effects on p53 and cell proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- So Yeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and WHO Collaborating Center of Viral Hepatitis, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
53
|
Exdpf is a key regulator of exocrine pancreas development controlled by retinoic acid and ptf1a in zebrafish. PLoS Biol 2009; 6:e293. [PMID: 19067490 PMCID: PMC2586380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0060293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2008] [Accepted: 10/14/2008] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic cells arise from pancreatic-duodenal homeobox 1 (pdx1)-positive progenitors. The molecular mechanisms controlling cell fate determination and subsequent proliferation, however, are poorly understood. Unlike endocrine cells, less is known about exocrine cell specification. We report here the identification and characterization of a novel exocrine cell determinant gene, exocrine differentiation and proliferation factor (exdpf), which is highly expressed in the exocrine cell progenitors and differentiated cells of the developing pancreas in zebrafish. Knockdown of exdpf by antisense morpholino caused loss or significant reduction of exocrine cells due to lineage-specific cell cycle arrest but not apoptosis, whereas the endocrine cell mass appeared normal. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that the cell cycle arrest is mediated by up-regulation of cell cycle inhibitor genes p21(Cip), p27(Kip), and cyclin G1 in the exdpf morphants. Conversely, overexpression of exdpf resulted in an overgrowth of the exocrine pancreas and a severe reduction of the endocrine cell mass, suggesting an inhibitory role for exdpf in endocrine cell progenitors. We show that exdpf is a direct target gene of pancreas-specific transcription factor 1a (Ptf1a), a transcription factor critical for exocrine formation. Three consensus Ptf1a binding sites have been identified in the exdpf promoter region. Luciferase assay demonstrated that Ptf1a promotes transcription of the exdpf promoter. Furthermore, exdpf expression in the exocrine pancreas was lost in ptf1a morphants, and overexpression of exdpf successfully rescued exocrine formation in ptf1a-deficient embryos. Genetic evidence places expdf downstream of retinoic acid (RA), an instructive signal for pancreas development. Knocking down exdpf by morpholino abolished ectopic carboxypeptidase A (cpa) expression induced by RA. On the other hand, exdpf mRNA injection rescued endogenous cpa expression in embryos treated with diethylaminobenzaldehyde, an inhibitor of RA signaling. Moreover, exogenous RA treatment induced anterior ectopic expression of exdpf and trypsin in a similar pattern. Our study provides a new understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling exocrine cell specification and proliferation by a novel gene, exdpf. Highly conserved in mammals, the expression level of exdpf appears elevated in several human tumors, suggesting a possible role in tumor pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
54
|
|
55
|
Langenau DM, Keefe MD, Storer NY, Jette CA, Smith ACH, Ceol CJ, Bourque C, Look AT, Zon LI. Co-injection strategies to modify radiation sensitivity and tumor initiation in transgenic Zebrafish. Oncogene 2008; 27:4242-8. [PMID: 18345029 PMCID: PMC2680704 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2008.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2007] [Revised: 01/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful genetic model of cancer, but has been limited by the use of stable transgenic approaches to induce disease. Here, a co-injection strategy is described that capitalizes on both the numbers of embryos that can be microinjected and the ability of transgenes to segregate together and exert synergistic effects in forming tumors. Using this mosaic transgenic approach, gene pathways involved in tumor initiation and radiation sensitivity have been identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D M Langenau
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 2115, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
56
|
Sidi S, Sanda T, Kennedy RD, Hagen AT, Jette CA, Hoffmans R, Pascual J, Imamura S, Kishi S, Amatruda JF, Kanki JP, Green DR, D'Andrea AA, Look AT. Chk1 suppresses a caspase-2 apoptotic response to DNA damage that bypasses p53, Bcl-2, and caspase-3. Cell 2008; 133:864-77. [PMID: 18510930 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2007] [Revised: 01/25/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Evasion of DNA damage-induced cell death, via mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor or overexpression of prosurvival Bcl-2 family proteins, is a key step toward malignant transformation and therapeutic resistance. We report that depletion or acute inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is sufficient to restore gamma-radiation-induced apoptosis in p53 mutant zebrafish embryos. Surprisingly, caspase-3 is not activated prior to DNA fragmentation, in contrast to classical intrinsic or extrinsic apoptosis. Rather, an alternative apoptotic program is engaged that cell autonomously requires atm (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), atr (ATM and Rad3-related) and caspase-2, and is not affected by p53 loss or overexpression of bcl-2/xl. Similarly, Chk1 inhibitor-treated human tumor cells hyperactivate ATM, ATR, and caspase-2 after gamma-radiation and trigger a caspase-2-dependent apoptotic program that bypasses p53 deficiency and excess Bcl-2. The evolutionarily conserved "Chk1-suppressed" pathway defines a novel apoptotic process, whose responsiveness to Chk1 inhibitors and insensitivity to p53 and BCL2 alterations have important implications for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Sidi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
57
|
Park SW, Davison JM, Rhee J, Hruban RH, Maitra A, Leach SD. Oncogenic KRAS induces progenitor cell expansion and malignant transformation in zebrafish exocrine pancreas. Gastroenterology 2008; 134:2080-90. [PMID: 18549880 PMCID: PMC2654247 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.02.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2007] [Revised: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although the cell of origin for pancreatic cancer remains unknown, prior studies have suggested that pancreatic neoplasia may be initiated in progenitor-like cells. To examine the effects of oncogene activation within the pancreatic progenitor pool, we devised a system for real-time visualization of both normal and oncogenic KRAS-expressing pancreatic progenitor cells in living zebrafish embryos. METHODS By using BAC transgenes under the regulation of ptf1a regulatory elements, we expressed either extended green fluorescent protein (eGFP) alone or eGFP fused to oncogenic KRAS in developing zebrafish pancreas. RESULTS After their initial specification, normal eGFP-labeled pancreatic progenitor cells were observed to actively migrate away from the forming endodermal gut tube, and subsequently underwent characteristic exocrine differentiation. In contrast, pancreatic progenitor cells expressing oncogenic KRAS underwent normal specification and migration, but failed to differentiate. This block in differentiation resulted in the abnormal persistence of an undifferentiated progenitor pool, and was associated with the subsequent formation of invasive pancreatic cancer. These tumors showed several features in common with the human disease, including evidence of abnormal Hedgehog pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a unique view of the tumor-initiating effects of oncogenic KRAS in a living vertebrate organism, and suggest that zebrafish models of pancreatic cancer may prove useful in advancing our understanding of the human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Woo Park
- Department of Surgery, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jon M Davison
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jerry Rhee
- Department of Surgery, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ralph H. Hruban
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205,Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205,Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Steven D Leach
- Department of Surgery, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205,Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205,Department of Cell Biology, The Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Abstract
The zebrafish has developed into an important model organism for biomedical research over the last decades. Although the main focus of zebrafish research has traditionally been on developmental biology, keeping and observing zebrafish in the lab led to the identification of diseases similar to humans, such as cancer, which subsequently became a subject for study. As a result, about 50 articles have been published since 2000 in which zebrafish were used as a cancer model. Strategies used include carcinogenic treatments, transplantation of mammalian cancer cells, forward genetic screens for proliferation or genomic instability, reverse genetic target-selected mutagenesis to inactivate known tumor suppressor genes, and the generation of transgenics to express human oncogenes. Zebrafish have been found to develop almost any tumor type known from human, with similar morphology and, according to gene expression array studies, comparable signaling pathways. However, tumor incidences are relatively low, albeit highly comparable between different mutants, and tumors develop late in life. In addition, tumor spectra are sometimes different when compared with mice and humans. Nevertheless, the zebrafish model has created its own niche in cancer research, complementing existing models with its specific experimental advantages and characteristics. Examples of these are imaging of tumor progression in living fish by fluorescence, treatment with chemical compounds, and screening possibilities not only for chemical modifiers but also for genetic enhancers and suppressors. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of zebrafish as a model in cancer research. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(5):685-94).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harma Feitsma
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
59
|
|
60
|
Look AT. Investigator profile. An interview with A. Thomas Look, M.D. Interview by Vicki Glaser. Zebrafish 2008; 2:231-6. [PMID: 18248181 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2005.2.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dr. Look received his M.D. degree and postgraduate training in Pediatrics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and completed his fellowship training in Pediatric Oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He then accepted a faculty position at St. Jude and remained there for 20 years, ultimately becoming the Chair of the Experimental Oncology Department. In June 1999, he joined the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, as Vice-Chair for Research in Pediatric Oncology and Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Work in Dr. Look's laboratory focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of leukemia. His group has been credited with the identification and functional analysis of several chimeric oncogenes activated by chromosomal translocations, including the E2A-HLF transcription factor, which was shown to act through an evolutionarily conserved genetic pathway to promote leukemia cell survival. Their efforts in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia have revealed key multistep mutational pathways that drive the pathogenesis of this disease and demonstrated that NOTCH1 receptors are mutationally activated in a majority of these cases. More recently, Dr. Look's laboratory developed the first transgenic model of leukemia in the zebrafish, opening the way for chemical and genome-wide genetic modifier screens in a vertebrate disease model.
Collapse
|
61
|
Recent papers on zebrafish and other aquarium fish models. Zebrafish 2008; 1:305-11. [PMID: 18248239 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2004.1.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
62
|
Modlin IM, Oberg K, Chung DC, Jensen RT, de Herder WW, Thakker RV, Caplin M, Delle Fave G, Kaltsas GA, Krenning EP, Moss SF, Nilsson O, Rindi G, Salazar R, Ruszniewski P, Sundin A. Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Lancet Oncol 2008; 9:61-72. [PMID: 18177818 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(07)70410-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1122] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are fairly rare neoplasms that present many clinical challenges. They secrete peptides and neuroamines that cause distinct clinical syndromes, including carcinoid syndrome. However, many are clinically silent until late presentation with mass effects. Investigation and management should be highly individualised for a patient, taking into consideration the likely natural history of the tumour and general health of the patient. Management strategies include surgery for cure (which is achieved rarely) or for cytoreduction, radiological intervention (by chemoembolisation and radiofrequency ablation), chemotherapy, and somatostatin analogues to control symptoms that result from release of peptides and neuroamines. New biological agents and somatostatin-tagged radionuclides are under investigation. The complexity, heterogeneity, and rarity of GEP NETs have contributed to a paucity of relevant randomised trials and little or no survival increase over the past 30 years. To improve outcome from GEP NETs, a better understanding of their biology is needed, with emphasis on molecular genetics and disease modeling. More-reliable serum markers, better tumour localisation and identification of small lesions, and histological grading systems and classifications with prognostic application are needed. Comparison between treatments is currently very difficult. Progress is unlikely to occur without development of centers of excellence, with dedicated combined clinical teams to coordinate multicentre studies, maintain clinical and tissue databases, and refine molecularly targeted therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irvin M Modlin
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8062, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
63
|
Amatruda JF, Patton EE. Chapter 1 Genetic Models of Cancer in Zebrafish. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 271:1-34. [DOI: 10.1016/s1937-6448(08)01201-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
64
|
Ochi H, Hans S, Westerfield M. Smarcd3 regulates the timing of zebrafish myogenesis onset. J Biol Chem 2007; 283:3529-3536. [PMID: 18056260 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m708594200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A cascade of signaling events triggers myogenesis in vertebrates. Although studies of zebrafish indicate that fibroblast growth factor (Fgf), Hedgehog (Hh), and the T-box transcription factors, No tail (Ntl) and T-box gene 16 (Tbx16), regulate myogenesis, the hierarchy of these factors has not been determined. Recently, another transcriptional cofactor, Smarcd3, a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, has been shown to be required for heart muscle formation in mouse. In zebrafish, fgf8 and ntl expression commences during blastula stages, whereas myogenesis, as indicated by myod expression, does not begin until much later during mid-gastrula stages. smarcd3b expression, on the other hand, becomes enriched in the marginal zone just prior to the beginning of myod expression. Overexpression of smarcd3 shifts the onset of myod and myf5 expression earlier, and myod and myf5 expression in adaxial cells, the earliest muscle precursors, requires Smarcd3, indicating that Smarcd3 is the limiting factor that regulates the onset of myogenesis. Smarcd3 physically interacts with Ntl, and Smarcd3 overexpression fails to rescue myod expression in ntl mutants, demonstrating that function of Smarcd3 depends on Ntl activity. We propose a model in which cooperative activity of Fgf, Ntl, and Smarcd3 is required for the onset of myogenesis, with Smarcd3b serving as the primary regulator of the timing of myogenesis onset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Ochi
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1254
| | - Stefan Hans
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1254
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1254.
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Goessling
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
66
|
Le X, Langenau DM, Keefe MD, Kutok JL, Neuberg DS, Zon LI. Heat shock-inducible Cre/Lox approaches to induce diverse types of tumors and hyperplasia in transgenic zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:9410-5. [PMID: 17517602 PMCID: PMC1890508 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0611302104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS family members are among the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancers. Given the utility of zebrafish in both chemical and genetic screens, developing RAS-induced cancer models will make large-scale screens possible to understand further the molecular mechanisms underlying malignancy. We developed a heat shock-inducible Cre/Lox-mediated transgenic approach in which activated human kRASG12D can be conditionally induced within transgenic animals by heat shock treatment. Specifically, double transgenic fish Tg(B-actin-LoxP-EGFP-LoxP-kRASG12D; hsp70-Cre) developed four types of tumors and hyperplasia after heat shock of whole zebrafish embryos, including rhabdomyosarcoma, myeloproliferative disorder, intestinal hyperplasia, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Using ex vivo heat shock and transplantation of whole kidney marrow cells from double transgenic animals, we were able to generate specifically kRASG12D-induced myeloproliferative disorder in recipient fish. This heat shock-inducible recombination approach allowed for the generation of multiple types of RAS-induced tumors and hyperplasia without characterizing tissue-specific promoters. Moreover, these tumors and hyperplasia closely resemble human diseases at both the morphologic and molecular levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuning Le
- *Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; and
| | - David M. Langenau
- *Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; and
| | - Matthew D. Keefe
- *Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; and
| | - Jeffery L. Kutok
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | - Leonard I. Zon
- *Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; and
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at:
HHMI/Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Karp 7, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Tota B, Quintieri AM, Di Felice V, Cerra MC. New biological aspects of Chromogranin A-derived peptides: Focus on vasostatins. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2007; 147:11-8. [PMID: 17306579 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2005] [Revised: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 05/20/2006] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chromogranin A (CgA), one component of the granin family, represents the major soluble protein co-stored and co-released with catecholamines, within chromaffin cells secretory granules. It is considered a diagnostic and prognostic marker of several diseases, including a variety of tumours and cardiac heart failure. It also represents a precursor of biologically active fragments, generated after proteolytic cleavage at the level of the multiple pairs of dibasic sites which enrich its sequence. CgA, and its derived fragments show an old evolutionary history being ubiquitously present throughout the animal word, from mammals to invertebrates. Their biological functions include control of hormone production, and several paracrine and autocrine actions mainly attributed to its derived peptides. Two N-terminal fragments, named vasostatins 1 (VS-1: CgA(1-76)) and vasostatin 2 (VS-2: CgA(1-113)) due to their ability to dilate pre-constricted vessels, exert a large spectrum of homeostatic actions, including antifungal and antimicrobial effect, modulation of cell adhesion, and inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion. Recently, on isolated heart preparations from eel, frog and rat they were shown to act as negative inotropic agents able to counteract the effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation. This short note introduces the abstracts of the contributions at the "International Workshop on Vasostatins and Chromogranin A-derived peptides" (Island of Capri, Italy; September 2005). The Workshop was focused on recent findings on the role of vasostatins (VSs) in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, extracellular fluids composition, and innate immunity. Particular attention has been given to the still elusive mechanism of action of these peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Tota
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, 87030 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
68
|
Haldi M, Ton C, Seng WL, McGrath P. Human melanoma cells transplanted into zebrafish proliferate, migrate, produce melanin, form masses and stimulate angiogenesis in zebrafish. Angiogenesis 2006; 9:139-51. [PMID: 17051341 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-006-9040-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2006] [Accepted: 07/07/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this research, we optimized parameters for xenotransplanting WM-266-4, a metastatic melanoma cell line, including zebrafish site and stage for transplantation, number of cells, injection method, and zebrafish incubation temperature. Melanoma cells proliferated, migrated and formed masses in vivo. We transplanted two additional cancer cell lines, SW620, a colorectal cancer cell line, and FG CAS/Crk, a pancreatic cancer cell line and these human cancers also formed masses in zebrafish. We also transplanted CCD-1092Sk, a human fibroblast cell line established from normal foreskin and this cell line migrated, but did not proliferate or form masses. We quantified the number of proliferating melanoma and normal skin fibroblasts by dissociating xenotransplant zebrafish, dispensing an aliquot of CM-DiI labeled human cells from each zebrafish onto a hemocytometer slide and then visually counting the number of fluorescently labeled cancer cells. Since zebrafish are transparent until approximately 30 dpf, the interaction of labeled melanoma cells and zebrafish endothelial cells (EC) can be visualized by whole-mount immunochemical staining. After staining with Phy-V, a mouse anti-zebrafish monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically labels activated EC and angioblasts, using immunohistology and 2-photon microscopy, we observed activated zebrafish EC embedded in human melanoma cell masses. The zebrafish model offers a rapid efficient approach for assessing human cancer cells at various stages of tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryann Haldi
- Phylonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 100 Inman Street, suite 300, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
69
|
Abstract
Transplantable zebrafish tumors are a novel and very promising model in cancer research. However, further progress in this field has been contained by a lack of true inbred lines in zebrafish. To overcome this problem, we generated two lines of homozygous diploid clonal zebrafish lines (i.e., CB1 and CW1), which allowed us to carry out transplantation of any tissue, including tumors, from one fish to another within a line without rejection of the graft. The primary tumors in CB1 fish were induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN). The histologic analysis of these tumors revealed different types of hepatocellular carcinomas, hepatoblastomas, hepatoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma. Four spontaneous acinar cell carcinomas of pancreas were also found in 10- to 18-month-old CB1 fish. Small pieces of tissue or cell suspensions of either DEN-induced or spontaneous tumors were serially transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of syngeneic fish at different stages of development from 5-day-old larvae to adult fish. The development of grossly visible tumors occurred from 2 weeks to 3 months after tumor grafting and grew either as solitary smooth nodules or as an amorphous jelly-like mass infiltrating abdominal organs. The majority of tumors were also successfully transplanted to isogeneic (F1 generation from crossing CB1 x CW1) fish. At the present time, 19 transplantable zebrafish tumor lines have been generated and maintained for as long as 3 to 25 passages. This model provides a novel tool for studying experimental tumor biology and therapy and will become a cost effective system for high throughput screening of anticancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor V Mizgireuv
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, N.N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
70
|
Haramis APG, Hurlstone A, van der Velden Y, Begthel H, van den Born M, Offerhaus GJA, Clevers HC. Adenomatous polyposis coli-deficient zebrafish are susceptible to digestive tract neoplasia. EMBO Rep 2006; 7:444-9. [PMID: 16439994 PMCID: PMC1456916 DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2005] [Revised: 12/19/2005] [Accepted: 12/22/2005] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Truncation of the tumour suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) constitutively activates the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway. This event constitutes the primary transforming event in sporadic colorectal cancer in humans. Moreover, humans or mice carrying germline truncating mutations in APC develop large numbers of intestinal adenomas. Here, we report that zebrafish that are heterozygous for a truncating APC mutation spontaneously develop intestinal, hepatic and pancreatic neoplasias that are highly proliferative, accumulate beta-catenin and express Wnt target genes. Treatment with the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene accelerates the induction of these lesions. These observations establish apc-mutant zebrafish as a bona fide model for the study of digestive tract cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Pavlina G Haramis
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Present address: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Tel: +31 20 512 2054; Fax: +31 20 512 2011; E-mail:
| | - Adam Hurlstone
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yme van der Velden
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Present address: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Begthel
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike van den Born
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G Johan A Offerhaus
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans C Clevers
- Hubrecht Laboratorium, NIOB/KNAW, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Berghmans S, Jette C, Langenau D, Hsu K, Stewart R, Look T, Kanki JP. Making waves in cancer research: new models in the zebrafish. Biotechniques 2005; 39:227-37. [PMID: 16116796 DOI: 10.2144/05392rv02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has proven to be a powerful vertebrate model system for the genetic analysis of developmental pathways and is only beginning to be exploited as a model for human disease and clinical research. The attributes that have led to the emergence of the zebrafish as a preeminent embryological model, including its capacity for forward and reverse genetic analyses, provides a unique opportunity to uncover novel insights into the molecular genetics of cancer. Some of the advantages of the zebrafish animal model system include fecundity, with each female capable of laying 200-300 eggs per week, external fertilization that permits manipulation of embryos ex utero, and rapid development of optically clear embryos, which allows the direct observation of developing internal organs and tissues in vivo. The zebrafish is amenable to transgenic and both forward and reverse genetic strategies that can be used to identify or generate zebrafish models of different types of cancer and may also present significant advantages for the discovery of tumor suppressor genes that promote tumorigenesis when mutationally inactivated. Importantly, the transparency and accessibility of the zebrafish embryo allows the unprecedented direct analysis of pathologic processes in vivo, including neoplastic cell transformation and tumorigenic progression. Ultimately, high-throughput modifier screens based on zebrafish cancer models can lead to the identification of chemicals or genes involved in the suppression or prevention of the malignant phenotype. The identification of small molecules or gene products through such screens will serve as ideal entry points for novel drug development for the treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the current technology that takes advantage of the zebrafish model system to further our understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and its treatment.
Collapse
|
72
|
|