51
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Zhuang HH, Qu Q, Teng XQ, Dai YH, Qu J. Superenhancers as master gene regulators and novel therapeutic targets in brain tumors. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:290-303. [PMID: 36720920 PMCID: PMC9981748 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00934-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional deregulation, a cancer cell hallmark, is driven by epigenetic abnormalities in the majority of brain tumors, including adult glioblastoma and pediatric brain tumors. Epigenetic abnormalities can activate epigenetic regulatory elements to regulate the expression of oncogenes. Superenhancers (SEs), identified as novel epigenetic regulatory elements, are clusters of enhancers with cell-type specificity that can drive the aberrant transcription of oncogenes and promote tumor initiation and progression. As gene regulators, SEs are involved in tumorigenesis in a variety of tumors, including brain tumors. SEs are susceptible to inhibition by their key components, such as bromodomain protein 4 and cyclin-dependent kinase 7, providing new opportunities for antitumor therapy. In this review, we summarized the characteristics and identification, unique organizational structures, and activation mechanisms of SEs in tumors, as well as the clinical applications related to SEs in tumor therapy and prognostication. Based on a review of the literature, we discussed the relationship between SEs and different brain tumors and potential therapeutic targets, focusing on glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Hui Zhuang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Qiang Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410007, PR China
- Institute for Rational and Safe Medication Practices, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410007, PR China
| | - Xin-Qi Teng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Ying-Huan Dai
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Jian Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China.
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52
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Li W, Jiang H. Analysis of Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates in Cancer. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2660:345-356. [PMID: 37191808 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3163-8_23] [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: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Phase-separated biomolecular condensates play important roles in virtually all cellular processes, and their dysregulation is associated with many pathological processes including cancer. Here we concisely review some basic methodologies and strategies to analyze the phase-separated biomolecular condensates in cancer, including physical characterization of phase separation for the protein of interest, functional demonstration of this property in cancer regulation, as well as mechanistic studies on how phase separation regulates the protein's function in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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53
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Huai Y, Mao W, Wang X, Lin X, Li Y, Chen Z, Qian A. How do RNA binding proteins trigger liquid-liquid phase separation in human health and diseases? Biosci Trends 2022; 16:389-404. [PMID: 36464283 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01449] [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: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) lie at the center of post-transcriptional regulation and protein synthesis, adding complexity to RNA life cycle. RBPs also participate in the formation of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) via undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which underlies the formation of MLOs in eukaryotic cells. RBPs-triggered LLPS mainly relies on the interaction between their RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and capped mRNA transcripts and the heterotypic multivalent interactions between their intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) or prion-like domains (PLDs). In turn, the aggregations of RBPs are also dependent on the process of LLPS. RBPs-driven LLPS is involved in many intracellular processes (regulation of translation, mRNA storage and stabilization and cell signaling) and serves as the heart of cellular physiology and pathology. Thus, it is essential to comprehend the potential roles and investigate the internal mechanism of RPBs-triggered LLPS. In this review, we primarily expound on our current understanding of RBPs and they-triggered LLPS and summarize their physiological and pathological functions. Furthermore, we also summarize the potential roles of RBPs-triggered LLPS as novel therapeutic mechanism for human diseases. This review will help understand the mechanisms underlying LLPS and downstream regulation of RBPs and provide insights into the pathogenesis and therapy of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huai
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjing Mao
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Li
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Airong Qian
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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54
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Zhang F, Biswas M, Massah S, Lee J, Lingadahalli S, Wong S, Wells C, Foo J, Khan N, Morin H, Saxena N, Kung SY, Sun B, Parra Nuñez A, Sanchez C, Chan N, Ung L, Altıntaş U, Bui J, Wang Y, Fazli L, Oo H, Rennie P, Lack N, Cherkasov A, Gleave M, Gsponer J, Lallous N. Dynamic phase separation of the androgen receptor and its coactivators key to regulate gene expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:99-116. [PMID: 36535377 PMCID: PMC9841400 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa), are addicted to transcription programs driven by specific genomic regions known as super-enhancers (SEs). The robust transcription of genes at such SEs is enabled by the formation of phase-separated condensates by transcription factors and coactivators with intrinsically disordered regions. The androgen receptor (AR), the main oncogenic driver in PCa, contains large disordered regions and is co-recruited with the transcriptional coactivator mediator complex subunit 1 (MED1) to SEs in androgen-dependent PCa cells, thereby promoting oncogenic transcriptional programs. In this work, we reveal that full-length AR forms foci with liquid-like properties in different PCa models. We demonstrate that foci formation correlates with AR transcriptional activity, as this activity can be modulated by changing cellular foci content chemically or by silencing MED1. AR ability to phase separate was also validated in vitro by using recombinant full-length AR protein. We also demonstrate that AR antagonists, which suppress transcriptional activity by targeting key regions for homotypic or heterotypic interactions of this receptor, hinder foci formation in PCa cells and phase separation in vitro. Our results suggest that enhanced compartmentalization of AR and coactivators may play an important role in the activation of oncogenic transcription programs in androgen-dependent PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | | | | | - Joseph Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Shreyas Lingadahalli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Samantha Wong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Christopher Wells
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Jane Foo
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Nabeel Khan
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Helene Morin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Neetu Saxena
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Sonia H Y Kung
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Bei Sun
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Ana Karla Parra Nuñez
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Christophe Sanchez
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Novia Chan
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Lauren Ung
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Umut Berkay Altıntaş
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Istanbul 34450, Turkey,Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Jennifer M Bui
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Htoo Zarni Oo
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Paul S Rennie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Nathan A Lack
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada,School of Medicine, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Istanbul 34450, Turkey,Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Martin E Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Jörg Gsponer
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Jörg Gsponer.
| | - Nada Lallous
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 604 875 4111; Fax: +1 604 875 5654;
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55
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Luo Y, Xiang S, Feng J. Protein Phase Separation: New Insights into Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235971. [PMID: 36497453 PMCID: PMC9740862 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235971] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phase separation is now acknowledged as an essential biologic mechanism wherein distinct activated molecules assemble into a different phase from the surrounding constituents of a cell. Condensates formed by phase separation play an essential role in the life activities of various organisms under normal physiological conditions, including the advanced structure and regulation of chromatin, autophagic degradation of incorrectly folded or unneeded proteins, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. During malignant transformation, abnormally altered condensate assemblies are often associated with the abnormal activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressors, resulting in the promotion of the carcinogenic process. Thus, understanding the role of phase separation in various biological evolutionary processes will provide new ideas for the development of drugs targeting specific condensates, which is expected to be an effective cancer therapy strategy. However, the relationship between phase separation and cancer has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we mainly summarize the main processes and characteristics of phase separation and the main methods for detecting phase separation. In addition, we summarize the cancer proteins and signaling pathways involved in phase separation and discuss their promising future applications in addressing the unmet clinical therapeutic needs of people with cancer. Finally, we explain the means of targeted phase separation and cancer treatment.
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56
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Song L, Yao X, Li H, Peng B, Boka AP, Liu Y, Chen G, Liu Z, Mathias KM, Xia L, Li Q, Mir M, Li Y, Li H, Wan L. Hotspot mutations in the structured ENL YEATS domain link aberrant transcriptional condensates and cancer. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4080-4098.e12. [PMID: 36272410 PMCID: PMC10071517 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests prevalence of transcriptional condensates on chromatin, yet their mechanisms of formation and functional significance remain largely unclear. In human cancer, a series of mutations in the histone acetylation reader ENL create gain-of-function mutants with increased transcriptional activation ability. Here, we show that these mutations, clustered in ENL's structured acetyl-reading YEATS domain, trigger aberrant condensates at native genomic targets through multivalent homotypic and heterotypic interactions. Mechanistically, mutation-induced structural changes in the YEATS domain, ENL's two disordered regions of opposing charges, and the incorporation of extrinsic elongation factors are all required for ENL condensate formation. Extensive mutagenesis establishes condensate formation as a driver of oncogenic gene activation. Furthermore, expression of ENL mutants beyond the endogenous level leads to non-functional condensates. Our findings provide new mechanistic and functional insights into cancer-associated condensates and support condensate dysregulation as an oncogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xinyi Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hangpeng Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bo Peng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Alan P Boka
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yiman Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guochao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhenyang Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kaeli M Mathias
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lingbo Xia
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Qinglan Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mustafa Mir
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Haitao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Liling Wan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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57
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Mitrea DM, Mittasch M, Gomes BF, Klein IA, Murcko MA. Modulating biomolecular condensates: a novel approach to drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:841-862. [PMID: 35974095 PMCID: PMC9380678 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, membraneless assemblies known as biomolecular condensates have been reported to play key roles in many cellular functions by compartmentalizing specific proteins and nucleic acids in subcellular environments with distinct properties. Furthermore, growing evidence supports the view that biomolecular condensates often form by phase separation, in which a single-phase system demixes into a two-phase system consisting of a condensed phase and a dilute phase of particular biomolecules. Emerging understanding of condensate function in normal and aberrant cellular states, and of the mechanisms of condensate formation, is providing new insights into human disease and revealing novel therapeutic opportunities. In this Perspective, we propose that such insights could enable a previously unexplored drug discovery approach based on identifying condensate-modifying therapeutics (c-mods), and we discuss the strategies, techniques and challenges involved.
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58
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Zhu X, Qi C, Wang R, Lee JH, Shao J, Bei L, Xiong F, Nguyen PT, Li G, Krakowiak J, Koh SP, Simon LM, Han L, Moore TI, Li W. Acute depletion of human core nucleoporin reveals direct roles in transcription control but dispensability for 3D genome organization. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111576. [PMID: 36323253 PMCID: PMC9744245 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) comprises more than 30 nucleoporins (NUPs) and is a hallmark of eukaryotes. NUPs have been suggested to be important in regulating gene transcription and 3D genome organization. However, evidence in support of their direct roles remains limited. Here, by Cut&Run, we find that core NUPs display broad but also cell-type-specific association with active promoters and enhancers in human cells. Auxin-mediated rapid depletion of two NUPs demonstrates that NUP93, but not NUP35, directly and specifically controls gene transcription. NUP93 directly activates genes with high levels of RNA polymerase II loading and transcriptional elongation by facilitating full BRD4 recruitment to their active enhancers. dCas9-based tethering confirms a direct and causal role of NUP93 in gene transcriptional activation. Unexpectedly, in situ Hi-C and H3K27ac or H3K4me1 HiChIP results upon acute NUP93 depletion show negligible changesS2211-1247(22)01437-1 of 3D genome organization ranging from A/B compartments and topologically associating domains (TADs) to enhancer-promoter contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Chuangye Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Joo-Hyung Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jiaofang Shao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lanxin Bei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feng Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Phuoc T. Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guojie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joanna Krakowiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Su-Pin Koh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lukas M. Simon
- Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leng Han
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Travis I. Moore
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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59
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Bremer A, Posey AE, Borgia MB, Borcherds WM, Farag M, Pappu RV, Mittag T. Quantifying Coexistence Concentrations in Multi-Component Phase-Separating Systems Using Analytical HPLC. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101480. [PMID: 36291688 PMCID: PMC9599810 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, evidence has accumulated to suggest that numerous instances of cellular compartmentalization can be explained by the phenomenon of phase separation. This is a process by which a macromolecular solution separates spontaneously into dense and dilute coexisting phases. Semi-quantitative, in vitro approaches for measuring phase boundaries have proven very useful in determining some key features of biomolecular condensates, but these methods often lack the precision necessary for generating quantitative models. Therefore, there is a clear need for techniques that allow quantitation of coexisting dilute and dense phase concentrations of phase-separating biomolecules, especially in systems with more than one type of macromolecule. Here, we report the design and deployment of analytical High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for in vitro separation and quantification of distinct biomolecules that allows us to measure dilute and dense phase concentrations needed to reconstruct coexistence curves in multicomponent mixtures. This approach is label-free, detects lower amounts of material than is accessible with classic UV-spectrophotometers, is applicable to a broad range of macromolecules of interest, is a semi-high-throughput technique, and if needed, the macromolecules can be recovered for further use. The approach promises to provide quantitative insights into the balance of homotypic and heterotypic interactions in multicomponent phase-separating systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bremer
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ammon E. Posey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), James McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Madeleine B. Borgia
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Wade M. Borcherds
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mina Farag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), James McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Rohit V. Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), James McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Correspondence: (R.V.P.); (T.M.)
| | - Tanja Mittag
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Correspondence: (R.V.P.); (T.M.)
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Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Promotes Protein Aggregation and Its Implications in Ferroptosis in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7165387. [PMID: 36246407 PMCID: PMC9560807 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7165387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The pathological features of PDD are represented by dopaminergic neuronal death and intracellular α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation. The interaction of iron accumulation with α-syn and tau was further explored as an essential pathological mechanism of PDD. However, the links and mechanisms between these factors remain unclear. Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases such as PDD are closely related to the separation of abnormal phases. Substances such as proteins can form droplets through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) under normal physiological conditions and even undergo further liquid-solid phase transitions to form solid aggregates under disease or regulatory disorders, leading to pathological phenomena. By analyzing the existing literature, we propose that LLPS is the crucial mechanism causing abnormal accumulation of α-syn, tau, and other proteins in PDD, and its interaction with iron metabolism disorder is the key factor driving ferroptosis in PDD. Therefore, we believe that LLPS can serve as one of the means to explain the pathological mechanism of PDD. Determining the significance of LLPS in neurodegenerative diseases such as PDD will stimulate interest in research into treatments based on interference with abnormal LLPS.
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61
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Ibáñez de Opakua A, Geraets JA, Frieg B, Dienemann C, Savastano A, Rankovic M, Cima-Omori MS, Schröder GF, Zweckstetter M. Molecular interactions of FG nucleoporin repeats at high resolution. Nat Chem 2022; 14:1278-1285. [PMID: 36138110 PMCID: PMC9630130 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that contain repeat phenylalanine-glycine (FG) residues phase separate into oncogenic transcription factor condensates in malignant leukaemias, form the permeability barrier of the nuclear pore complex and mislocalize in neurodegenerative diseases. Insights into the molecular interactions of FG-repeat nucleoporins have, however, remained largely elusive. Using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and cryoelectron microscopy, we have identified uniformly spaced segments of transient β-structure and a stable preformed α-helix recognized by messenger RNA export factors in the FG-repeat domain of human nucleoporin 98 (Nup98). In addition, we have determined at high resolution the molecular organization of reversible FG–FG interactions in amyloid fibrils formed by a highly aggregation-prone segment in Nup98. We have further demonstrated that amyloid-like aggregates of the FG-repeat domain of Nup98 have low stability and are reversible. Our results provide critical insights into the molecular interactions underlying the self-association and phase separation of FG-repeat nucleoporins in physiological and pathological cell activities. ![]()
Proteins rich in phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats can phase separate through FG–FG interactions. The molecular interactions of an important FG-repeat protein, nucleoporin 98, have now been studied in liquid-like transient and amyloid-like cohesive states. These interactions underlie the behaviour of FG-repeat proteins and their function in physiological and pathological cell activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James A Geraets
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Frieg
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christian Dienemann
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Marija Rankovic
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Gunnar F Schröder
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany. .,Physics Department, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Göttingen, Germany.
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62
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Huang N, Dong H, Shao B. Phase separation in immune regulation and immune-related diseases. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1427-1440. [PMID: 36085373 PMCID: PMC9462646 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02253-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Phase separation is an emerging paradigm for understanding the biochemical interactions between proteins, DNA, and RNA. Research over the past decade has provided mounting evidence that phase separation modulates a great variety of cellular activities. Particularly, phase separation is directly relevant to immune signaling, immune cells, and immune-related diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and even SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we summarized current knowledge of phase separation in immunology and emerging findings related to immune responses as they enable possible treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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63
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Chakravarty AK, McGrail DJ, Lozanoski TM, Dunn BS, Shih DJ, Cirillo KM, Cetinkaya SH, Zheng WJ, Mills GB, Yi SS, Jarosz DF, Sahni N. Biomolecular Condensation: A New Phase in Cancer Research. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:2031-2043. [PMID: 35852417 PMCID: PMC9437557 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Multicellularity was a watershed development in evolution. However, it also meant that individual cells could escape regulatory mechanisms that restrict proliferation at a severe cost to the organism: cancer. From the standpoint of cellular organization, evolutionary complexity scales to organize different molecules within the intracellular milieu. The recent realization that many biomolecules can "phase-separate" into membraneless organelles, reorganizing cellular biochemistry in space and time, has led to an explosion of research activity in this area. In this review, we explore mechanistic connections between phase separation and cancer-associated processes and emerging examples of how these become deranged in malignancy. SIGNIFICANCE One of the fundamental functions of phase separation is to rapidly and dynamically respond to environmental perturbations. Importantly, these changes often lead to alterations in cancer-relevant pathways and processes. This review covers recent advances in the field, including emerging principles and mechanisms of phase separation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam K. Chakravarty
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel J. McGrail
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Brandon S. Dunn
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David J.H. Shih
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Kara M. Cirillo
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sueda H. Cetinkaya
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Wenjin Jim Zheng
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
| | - S. Stephen Yi
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs (ILSGP) and Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Daniel F. Jarosz
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (QCB), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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64
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Conti BA, Oppikofer M. Biomolecular condensates: new opportunities for drug discovery and RNA therapeutics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:820-837. [PMID: 36028355 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates organize cellular functions in the absence of membranes. These membraneless organelles can form through liquid-liquid phase separation coalescing RNA and proteins into well-defined, yet dynamic, structures distinct from the surrounding cellular milieu. Numerous physiological and disease-causing processes link to biomolecular condensates, which could impact drug discovery in several ways. First, disruption of pathological condensates seeded by mutated proteins or RNAs may provide new opportunities to treat disease. Second, condensates may be leveraged to tackle difficult-to-drug targets lacking binding pockets whose function depends on phase separation. Third, condensate-resident small molecules and RNA therapeutics may display unexpected pharmacology. We discuss the potential impact of phase separation on drug discovery and RNA therapeutics, leveraging concrete examples, towards novel clinical opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A Conti
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariano Oppikofer
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA.
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65
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Davis RB, Moosa MM, Banerjee PR. Ectopic biomolecular phase transitions: fusion proteins in cancer pathologies. Trends Cell Biol 2022; 32:681-695. [PMID: 35484036 PMCID: PMC9288518 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles (MLOs) that are enriched in specific proteins and nucleic acids, compartmentalized to perform biochemical functions. Such condensates are formed by phase separation (PS) enabled by protein domains that allow multivalent interactions. Chromosomal translocation-derived in-frame gene fusions often generate proteins with non-native domain combinations that rewire protein-protein interaction networks. Several recent studies have shown that, for a subset of these fusion proteins, pathogenesis can be driven by the ability of the fusion protein to undergo phase transitions at non-physiological cellular locations to form ectopic condensates. We highlight how such ectopic phase transitions can alter biological processes and posit that dysfunction via protein PS at non-physiological locations represents a generic route to oncogenic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richoo B Davis
- Department of Physics, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Mahdi Muhammad Moosa
- Department of Physics, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Priya R Banerjee
- Department of Physics, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
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66
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Banani SF, Afeyan LK, Hawken SW, Henninger JE, Dall'Agnese A, Clark VE, Platt JM, Oksuz O, Hannett NM, Sagi I, Lee TI, Young RA. Genetic variation associated with condensate dysregulation in disease. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1776-1788.e8. [PMID: 35809564 PMCID: PMC9339523 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A multitude of cellular processes involve biomolecular condensates, which has led to the suggestion that diverse pathogenic mutations may dysregulate condensates. Although proof-of-concept studies have identified specific mutations that cause condensate dysregulation, the full scope of the pathological genetic variation that affects condensates is not yet known. Here, we comprehensively map pathogenic mutations to condensate-promoting protein features in putative condensate-forming proteins and find over 36,000 pathogenic mutations that plausibly contribute to condensate dysregulation in over 1,200 Mendelian diseases and 550 cancers. This resource captures mutations presently known to dysregulate condensates, and experimental tests confirm that additional pathological mutations do indeed affect condensate properties in cells. These findings suggest that condensate dysregulation may be a pervasive pathogenic mechanism underlying a broad spectrum of human diseases, provide a strategy to identify proteins and mutations involved in pathologically altered condensates, and serve as a foundation for mechanistic insights into disease and therapeutic hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman F Banani
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lena K Afeyan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Susana W Hawken
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Program of Computational & Systems Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Victoria E Clark
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jesse M Platt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ozgur Oksuz
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nancy M Hannett
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ido Sagi
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tong Ihn Lee
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Richard A Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Diverse Functions of KDM5 in Cancer: Transcriptional Repressor or Activator? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133270. [PMID: 35805040 PMCID: PMC9265395 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are crucial for chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. Post-translational modifications of histones are epigenetic processes that are fine-tuned by writer and eraser enzymes, and the disorganization of these enzymes alters the cellular state, resulting in human diseases. The KDM5 family is an enzymatic family that removes di- and tri-methyl groups (me2 and me3) from lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4), and its dysregulation has been implicated in cancer. Although H3K4me3 is an active chromatin marker, KDM5 proteins serve as not only transcriptional repressors but also transcriptional activators in a demethylase-dependent or -independent manner in different contexts. Notably, KDM5 proteins regulate the H3K4 methylation cycle required for active transcription. Here, we review the recent findings regarding the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation mediated by KDM5 in various contexts, with a focus on cancer, and further shed light on the potential of targeting KDM5 for cancer therapy.
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68
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Mittag T, Pappu RV. A conceptual framework for understanding phase separation and addressing open questions and challenges. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2201-2214. [PMID: 35675815 PMCID: PMC9233049 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 125.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Macromolecular phase separation is being recognized for its potential importance and relevance as a driver of spatial organization within cells. Here, we describe a framework based on synergies between networking (percolation or gelation) and density (phase separation) transitions. Accordingly, the phase transitions in question are referred to as phase separation coupled to percolation (PSCP). The condensates that result from PSCP are viscoelastic network fluids. Such systems have sequence-, composition-, and topology-specific internal network structures that give rise to time-dependent interplays between viscous and elastic properties. Unlike pure phase separation, the process of PSCP gives rise to sequence-, chemistry-, and structure-specific distributions of clusters that can form at concentrations that lie well below the threshold concentration for phase separation. PSCP, influenced by specific versus solubility-determining interactions, also provides a bridge between different observations and helps answer questions and address challenges that have arisen regarding the role of macromolecular phase separation in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Mittag
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Rohit V Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Science & Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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Baggett DW, Medyukhina A, Tripathi S, Shirnekhi HK, Wu H, Pounds SB, Khairy K, Kriwacki R. An Image Analysis Pipeline for Quantifying the Features of Fluorescently-Labeled Biomolecular Condensates in Cells. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 2:897238. [PMID: 36304323 PMCID: PMC9580871 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.897238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are cellular organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that play critical roles in cellular functions including signaling, transcription, translation, and stress response. Importantly, condensate misregulation is associated with human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer among others. When condensate-forming biomolecules are fluorescently-labeled and examined with fluorescence microscopy they appear as illuminated foci, or puncta, in cells. Puncta features such as number, volume, shape, location, and concentration of biomolecular species within them are influenced by the thermodynamics of biomolecular interactions that underlie LLPS. Quantification of puncta features enables evaluation of the thermodynamic driving force for LLPS and facilitates quantitative comparisons of puncta formed under different cellular conditions or by different biomolecules. Our work on nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) fusion oncoproteins (FOs) associated with pediatric leukemia inspired us to develop an objective and reliable computational approach for such analyses. The NUP98-HOXA9 FO forms hundreds of punctate transcriptional condensates in cells, leading to hematopoietic cell transformation and leukemogenesis. To quantify the features of these puncta and derive the associated thermodynamic parameters, we developed a live-cell fluorescence microscopy image processing pipeline based on existing methodologies and open-source tools. The pipeline quantifies the numbers and volumes of puncta and fluorescence intensities of the fluorescently-labeled biomolecule(s) within them and generates reports of their features for hundreds of cells. Using a standard curve of fluorescence intensity versus protein concentration, the pipeline determines the apparent molar concentration of fluorescently-labeled biomolecules within and outside of puncta and calculates the partition coefficient (Kp) and Gibbs free energy of transfer (ΔGTr), which quantify the favorability of a labeled biomolecule partitioning into puncta. In addition, we provide a library of R functions for statistical analysis of the extracted measurements for certain experimental designs. The source code, analysis notebooks, and test data for the Punctatools pipeline are available on GitHub: https://github.com/stjude/punctatools. Here, we provide a protocol for applying our Punctatools pipeline to extract puncta features from fluorescence microscopy images of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Baggett
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Anna Medyukhina
- Center for Bioimage Informatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Swarnendu Tripathi
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Hazheen K. Shirnekhi
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Huiyun Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stanley B. Pounds
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Khaled Khairy
- Center for Bioimage Informatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Richard Kriwacki
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, The University of Tennessee Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Jevtic Z, Matafora V, Casagrande F, Santoro F, Minucci S, Garre’ M, Rasouli M, Heidenreich O, Musco G, Schwaller J, Bachi A. SMARCA5 interacts with NUP98-NSD1 oncofusion protein and sustains hematopoietic cells transformation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:34. [PMID: 35073946 PMCID: PMC8785526 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02248-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by accumulation of aberrantly differentiated hematopoietic myeloid progenitor cells. The karyotyping-silent NUP98-NSD1 fusion is a molecular hallmark of pediatric AML and is associated with the activating FLT3-ITD mutation in > 70% of the cases. NUP98-NSD1 fusion protein promotes myeloid progenitor self-renewal in mice via unknown molecular mechanism requiring both the NUP98 and the NSD1 moieties. Methods We used affinity purification coupled to label-free mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to examine the effect of NUP98-NSD1 structural domain deletions on nuclear interactome binding. We determined their functional relevance in NUP98-NSD1 immortalized primary murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) by inducible knockdown, pharmacological targeting, methylcellulose assay, RT-qPCR analysis and/or proximity ligation assays (PLA). Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and b-isoxazole assay were performed to examine the phase transition capacity of NUP98-NSD1 in vitro and in vivo. Results We show that NUP98-NSD1 core interactome binding is largely dependent on the NUP98 phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat domains which mediate formation of liquid-like phase-separated NUP98-NSD1 nuclear condensates. We identified condensate constituents including imitation switch (ISWI) family member SMARCA5 and BPTF (bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor), both members of the nucleosome remodeling factor complex (NURF). We validated the interaction with SMARCA5 in NUP98-NSD1+ patient cells and demonstrated its functional role in NUP98-NSD1/FLT3-ITD immortalized primary murine hematopoietic cells by genetic and pharmacological targeting. Notably, SMARCA5 inhibition did not affect NUP98-NSD1 condensates suggesting that functional activity rather than condensate formation per se is crucial to maintain the transformed phenotype. Conclusions NUP98-NSD1 interacts and colocalizes on the genome with SMARCA5 which is an essential mediator of the NUP98-NSD1 transformation in hematopoietic cells. Formation of NUP98-NSD1 phase-separated nuclear condensates is not sufficient for the maintenance of transformed phenotype, which suggests that selective targeting of condensate constituents might represent a new therapeutic strategy for NUP98-NSD1 driven AML. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02248-x.
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