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Meirovitz A, Goldberg R, Binder A, Rubinstein AM, Hermano E, Elkin M. Heparanase in inflammation and inflammation-associated cancer. FEBS J 2013; 280:2307-19. [PMID: 23398975 PMCID: PMC3651782 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a growing body of evidence that enzymatic remodeling of heparan sulfate proteoglycans profoundly affects a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation, neovascularization, and tumor development. Heparanase is the sole mammalian endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate. Extensively studied in cancer progression and aggressiveness, heparanase was recently implicated in several inflammatory disorders as well. Although the precise mode of heparanase action in inflammatory reactions is still not completely understood, the fact that heparanase activity is mechanistically important both in malignancy and in inflammation argues that this enzyme is a candidate molecule linking inflammation and tumorigenesis in inflammation-associated cancers. Elucidation of the specific effects of heparanase in cancer development, particularly when inflammation is a causal factor, will accelerate the development of novel therapeutic/chemopreventive interventions and help to better define target patient populations in which heparanase-targeting therapies could be particularly beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amichay Meirovitz
- Sharett Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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52
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Hussain Z, Khan MI, Shahid M, Almajhdi FN. S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl donor, up regulates tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in colorectal cancer. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2013; 12:1106-18. [PMID: 23661436 DOI: 10.4238/2013.april.10.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism in regulating the expression of genes controlling crucial cell functions in cancer development. Gene silencing via CpG island methylation/demethylation in the promoter region is one of the mechanisms by which different genes are inactivated/activated in human cancers. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) is known to antagonize matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and to suppress tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. TIMP-2 expression has been found to be both upregulated and downregulated in various cancers. The inconsistent TIMP-2 expression and unclear epigenetic regulation lead us to investigate its role in colorectal cancer in the presence of a methylating agent. Highly invasive human colorectal cells SW-620 were treated with the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and its effect was evaluated by cell proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and migration assay. The ability of SAM to down regulate a panel of activated prometastatic, angiogenesis and growth- and cell cycle-regulatory genes was evaluated using end-point and real-time PCR. Treatment of SW-620 with SAM diminished cell proliferation and altered cell cycle kinetic G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. An in vitro matrigel invasion assay of SAM-treated cells showed a significant reduction in the invasive potential compared to untreated SW-620 cells. Treatment of SW-620 cells with SAM resulted in activation of TIMP-2 and inhibition of the expression of genes such as MMP (MMP-2, MT1-MMP), urokinase plasminogen activator, and vascular endothelial growth factors. The level of expression of tumor suppressor and apoptotic genes was not significantly higher compared to the untreated control. No changes in the levels of expression of genes (growth and cell cycle regulator), such as TGF-β, Smad2, Smad4, and p21 were observed. Our data support the hypothesis that TIMP-2, along with other prometastatic genes, is hypomethylated and expressed differently in colorectal cancer. Further in-depth analysis is warranted to confirm the promoter region CpG methylation pattern of the TIMP-2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Hussain
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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53
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Goldberg R, Meirovitz A, Hirshoren N, Bulvik R, Binder A, Rubinstein AM, Elkin M. Versatile role of heparanase in inflammation. Matrix Biol 2013; 32:234-240. [PMID: 23499528 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Revised: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Heparanase is the only known mammalian endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan, both in extracellular space and within the cells. It is tightly implicated in cancer progression and over the past few decades significant progress has been made in elucidating the multiple functions of heparanase in malignant tumor development, neovascularization and aggressive behavior. Notably, current data show that in addition to its well characterized role in cancer, heparanase activity may represent an important determinant in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic colitis. Nevertheless, the precise mode of heparanase action in inflammatory reactions remains largely unclear and recent observations suggest that heparanase can either facilitate or limit inflammatory responses, when tissue/cell-specific contextual cues may dictate an outcome of heparanase action in inflammation. In this review the involvement of heparanase in modulation of inflammatory reactions is discussed through a few illustrative examples, including neuroinflammation, sepsis-associated lung injury and inflammatory bowel disease. We also discuss possible action of the enzyme in coupling inflammation and tumorigenesis in the setting of inflammation-triggered cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Goldberg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Amichay Meirovitz
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Nir Hirshoren
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Raanan Bulvik
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Adi Binder
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ariel M Rubinstein
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Michael Elkin
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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54
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Link A, Balaguer F, Shen Y, Lozano JJ, Leung HCE, Boland CR, Goel A. Curcumin modulates DNA methylation in colorectal cancer cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57709. [PMID: 23460897 PMCID: PMC3584082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Recent evidence suggests that several dietary polyphenols may exert their chemopreventive effect through epigenetic modifications. Curcumin is one of the most widely studied dietary chemopreventive agents for colon cancer prevention, however, its effects on epigenetic alterations, particularly DNA methylation, remain unclear. Using systematic genome-wide approaches, we aimed to elucidate the effect of curcumin on DNA methylation alterations in colorectal cancer cells. Materials and Methods To evaluate the effect of curcumin on DNA methylation, three CRC cell lines, HCT116, HT29 and RKO, were treated with curcumin. 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) and trichostatin A treated cells were used as positive and negative controls for DNA methylation changes, respectively. Methylation status of LINE-1 repeat elements, DNA promoter methylation microarrays and gene expression arrays were used to assess global methylation and gene expression changes. Validation was performed using independent microarrays, quantitative bisulfite pyrosequencing, and qPCR. Results As expected, genome-wide methylation microarrays revealed significant DNA hypomethylation in 5-aza-CdR-treated cells (mean β-values of 0.12), however, non-significant changes in mean β-values were observed in curcumin-treated cells. In comparison to mock-treated cells, curcumin-induced DNA methylation alterations occurred in a time-dependent manner. In contrast to the generalized, non-specific global hypomethylation observed with 5-aza-CdR, curcumin treatment resulted in methylation changes at selected, partially-methylated loci, instead of fully-methylated CpG sites. DNA methylation alterations were supported by corresponding changes in gene expression at both up- and down-regulated genes in various CRC cell lines. Conclusions Our data provide previously unrecognized evidence for curcumin-mediated DNA methylation alterations as a potential mechanism of colon cancer chemoprevention. In contrast to non-specific global hypomethylation induced by 5-aza-CdR, curcumin-induced methylation changes occurred only in a subset of partially-methylated genes, which provides additional mechanistic insights into the potent chemopreventive effect of this dietary nutraceutical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Link
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Francesc Balaguer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yan Shen
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juan Jose Lozano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hon-Chiu E. Leung
- Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - C. Richard Boland
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ajay Goel
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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55
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Muñoz P, Iliou MS, Esteller M. Epigenetic alterations involved in cancer stem cell reprogramming. Mol Oncol 2012; 6:620-36. [PMID: 23141800 PMCID: PMC5528346 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current hypotheses suggest that tumors originate from cells that carry out a process of "malignant reprogramming" driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Multiples studies reported the existence of stem-cell-like cells that acquire the ability to self-renew and are able to generate the bulk of more differentiated cells that form the tumor. This population of cancer cells, called cancer stem cells (CSC), is responsible for sustaining the tumor growth and, under determined conditions, can disseminate and migrate to give rise to secondary tumors or metastases to distant organs. Furthermore, CSCs have shown to be more resistant to anti-tumor treatments than the non-stem cancer cells, suggesting that surviving CSCs could be responsible for tumor relapse after therapy. These important properties have raised the interest in understanding the mechanisms that govern the generation and maintenance of this special population of cells, considered to lie behind the on/off switches of gene expression patterns. In this review, we summarize the most relevant epigenetic alterations, from DNA methylation and histone modifications to the recently discovered miRNAs that contribute to the regulation of cancer stem cell features in tumor progression, metastasis and response to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purificación Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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56
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Hermano E, Lerner I, Elkin M. Heparanase enzyme in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:2501-13. [PMID: 22331282 PMCID: PMC11114524 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-0930-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Heparanase is the sole mammalian endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate, the key polysaccharide of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes. Enzymatic cleavage of heparan sulfate profoundly affects a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including morphogenesis, neovascularization, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. Critical involvement of heparanase in colorectal tumor progression and metastatic spread is widely documented; however, until recently a role for heparanase in the initiation of colon carcinoma remained underappreciated. Interestingly, the emerging data that link heparanase to chronic inflammatory bowel conditions, also suggest contribution of the enzyme to colonic tumor initiation, at least in the setting of colitis-associated cancer. Highly coordinated interplay between intestinal heparanase and immune cells (i.e., macrophages) preserves chronic inflammatory conditions and creates a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Here we review the action of heparanase in colon tumorigenesis and discuss recent findings, pointing to a role for heparanase in sustaining immune cell-epithelial crosstalk that underlies intestinal inflammation and the associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Hermano
- Tumor Biology Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Sharett Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Immanuel Lerner
- Tumor Biology Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Sharett Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Elkin
- Tumor Biology Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Sharett Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
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57
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Wang Y, Shang Y. Epigenetic control of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer metastasis. Exp Cell Res 2012; 319:160-9. [PMID: 22935683 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is vital for morphogenesis during embryonic development and is also critical for the conversion of early stage tumors into invasive malignancies. Several key inducers of EMT are transcription factors that repress the expression of E-cadherin, whose loss is a hallmark of EMT. Epigenetic regulation encompasses three types of changes: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, each of which has been shown to play a key role in controlling epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer metastasis. As we gain deeper understanding of epigenetic mechanisms controlling EMT processes and orchestrating all the metastatic steps, we broaden the therapeutic potentials of epigenetic drugs, such as DNA demethylating drugs and histone deacetylase/demethylase inhibitors, which can act upon metastasis-related genes, restoring their expression and biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
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58
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De novo DNA methyltransferases: oncogenes, tumor suppressors, or both? Trends Genet 2012; 28:474-9. [PMID: 22704242 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant promoter DNA hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a hallmark of cancer. This alteration is largely dependent on the action of de novo DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) early during tumor progression, which supports the oncogenic role for these enzymes. However, recent research has identified several inactivating mutations of de novo DNMTs in various types of tumor. In addition, it has been shown that loss of de novo DNA methylation activity at advanced tumor stages leads to the promoter DNA demethylation-dependent expression of specific oncogenes. These new data support the notion that de novo DNMTs also have an important role in the maintenance of DNA methylation and suggest that, in addition to acting as oncogenes, they also behave as tumor suppressors. This potential dual role might have clinical implications, as DNMTs are currently considered bona fide targets in cancer therapy.
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59
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Gil EY, Jo UH, Jeong H, Whang YM, Woo OH, Cho KR, Seo JH, Kim A, Lee ES, Koh I, Kim YH, Park KH. Promoter methylation of RASSF1A modulates the effect of the microtubule-targeting agent docetaxel in breast cancer. Int J Oncol 2012; 41:611-20. [PMID: 22581300 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Docetaxel is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer. To avert from significant toxicities with no clinical benefit, identification of predictive markers for response is one of the most important unsolved clinical needs. Therefore, the potential associations of RASSF1A hypermethylation and response to docetaxel-based chemotherapy were evaluated, and the underlying mechanism was studied. The expression of RASSF1A in breast cancer cell lines and tissues of normal breast, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and breast cancer (n=45) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of RASSF1A was frequently lost in primary breast cancers and human breast cancer cell lines, while normal breast tissues or DCIS displayed moderate to strong expression. Furthermore, quantitative methylation analysis of the RASSF1A promoter region in 45 primary breast cancers revealed that RASSF1A was frequently methylated in primary breast cancers (≥20% methylation in 53% of the patients), and prospective analysis in patients with locally advanced or recurrent breast cancer showed that the mean level of methylation of RASSF1A was significantly higher in patients who did not respond to docetaxel-based chemotherapy (30.6±8.5%) than patients with partial or complete response (20.1±11.2%, p=0.042). Finally, in vitro studies showed that RASSF1A had cooperative activity in suppression of cancer cell growth and proliferation by enhancing docetaxel-induced cell cycle arrest. Our results suggest that hypermethylated RASSF1A is an important modulating factor for the efficacy of docetaxel-based chemotherapy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Gil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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60
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Wang Y, Chen Z, Xiao L, Du Z, Han X, Yu X, Lu Y. Evaluating cell migration in vitro by the method based on cell patterning within microfluidic channels. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:773-9. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Zhenling Chen
- CAS Key Lab for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety; National Center for NanoScience & Technology; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Le Xiao
- CAS Key Lab for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety; National Center for NanoScience & Technology; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Zhiyan Du
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxi Han
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Yu
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Yinglin Lu
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
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61
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Abstract
DNA hypomethylation was the initial epigenetic abnormality recognized in human tumors. However, for several decades after its independent discovery by two laboratories in 1983, it was often ignored as an unwelcome complication, with almost all of the attention on the hypermethylation of promoters of genes that are silenced in cancers (e.g., tumor-suppressor genes). Because it was subsequently shown that global hypomethylation of DNA in cancer was most closely associated with repeated DNA elements, cancer linked-DNA hypomethylation continued to receive rather little attention. DNA hypomethylation in cancer can no longer be considered an oddity, because recent high-resolution genome-wide studies confirm that DNA hypomethylation is the almost constant companion to hypermethylation of the genome in cancer, just usually (but not always) in different sequences. Methylation changes at individual CpG dyads in cancer can have a high degree of dependence not only on the regional context, but also on neighboring sites. DNA demethylation during carcinogenesis may involve hemimethylated dyads as intermediates, followed by spreading of the loss of methylation on both strands. In this review, active demethylation of DNA and the relationship of cancer-associated DNA hypomethylation to cancer stem cells are discussed. Evidence is accumulating for the biological significance and clinical relevance of DNA hypomethylation in cancer, and for cancer-linked demethylation and de novo methylation being highly dynamic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Ehrlich
- Hayward Genetics Program, Department of Biochemistry, Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane Medical School, 1430 TulaneAvenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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62
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Abstract
Changes in gene expression that reset a cell program from a normal to a diseased state involve multiple genetic circuitries, creating a characteristic signature of gene expression that defines the cell's unique identity. Such signatures have been demonstrated to classify subtypes of breast cancers. Because DNA methylation is critical in programming gene expression, a change in methylation from a normal to diseased state should be similarly reflected in a signature of DNA methylation that involves multiple gene pathways. Whole-genome approaches have recently been used with different levels of success to delineate breast-cancer-specific DNA methylation signatures, and to test whether they can classify breast cancer and whether they could be associated with specific clinical outcomes. Recent work suggests that DNA methylation signatures will extend our ability to classify breast cancer and predict outcome beyond what is currently possible. DNA methylation is a robust biomarker, vastly more stable than RNA or proteins, and is therefore a promising target for the development of new approaches for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer and other diseases. Here, I review the scientific basis for using DNA methylation signatures in breast cancer classification and prognosis. I discuss the role of DNA methylation in normal gene regulation, the aberrations in DNA methylation in cancer, and candidate-gene and whole-genome approaches to classify breast cancer subtypes using DNA methylation markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Sackler Program in Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, 3,655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Montreal H3G1Y6, Canada
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63
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Role of epigenetics in cancer initiation and progression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 720:91-104. [PMID: 21901621 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0254-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The epigenome which comprises DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin structures and non-coding RNAs controls gene expression patterns. In cancer cells, there are aberrant changes in the epigenome. The question in cancer epigenetics is that whether these changes are the cause of cell transformation, or rather the consequence of it. We will discuss the epigenetic phenomenon in cancer, as well as the recent interests in the epigenetic reprogramming events, and their implications in the cancer stem cell theory. We will also look at the progression of cancers as they become more aggressive, with focus on the role of epigenetics in tumor metastases exemplified with the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system. Last but not least, with therapeutics intervention in mind, we will highlight the importance of balance in the design of epigenetic based anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
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64
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Wang Y, Chen Z, Xiao L, Du Z, Han X, Yu X, Lu Y. Evaluating cell migration in vitro by the method based on cell patterning within microfluidic channels. Electrophoresis 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.4129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Zhenling Chen
- CAS Key Lab for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety; National Center for NanoScience & Technology; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Le Xiao
- CAS Key Lab for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety; National Center for NanoScience & Technology; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Zhiyan Du
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxi Han
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Yu
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
| | - Yinglin Lu
- Department of Pathobiology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Beijing; P. R. China
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Yi TZ, Li J, Han X, Guo J, Qu Q, Guo L, Sun HD, Tan WH. DNMT inhibitors and HDAC inhibitors regulate E-cadherin and Bcl-2 expression in endometrial carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Chemotherapy 2012; 58:19-29. [PMID: 22343305 DOI: 10.1159/000333077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTIs) on proliferation of endometrial cancer (EC) cells in vitro and in vivo was investigated. METHODS Changes in methylation of the CDH1 promoter in HDACI- and DNMTI-treated HEC-1-B and RL-952 EC cells were detected. Nude mice with xenografted implants of human EC HEC-1-B cells were treated with valproic acid (VPA) and decitabine (DAC) and evaluated for tumor growth, CDH1 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels. RESULTS DAC, VPA and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) inhibited proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and enhanced the apoptotic index in both cell lines, DAC, VPA and SAHA upregulated E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels and downregulated Bcl-2 mRNA levels in vitro. DAC and VPA inhibited tumor growth, upregulated CDH1 mRNA and downregulated Bcl-2 mRNA levels in vivo. CONCLUSIONS A combination of HDACIs and DNMTIs suppresses the growth of EC, which is likely mediated by upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie-Zhong Yi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Wulfänger J, Schneider H, Wild P, Ikenberg K, Rodolfo M, Rivoltini L, Meyer S, Riemann D, Seliger B. Promoter methylation of aminopeptidase N/CD13 in malignant melanoma. Carcinogenesis 2012; 33:781-90. [DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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67
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DesRochers TM, Shamis Y, Alt-Holland A, Kudo Y, Takata T, Wang G, Jackson-Grusby L, Garlick JA. The 3D tissue microenvironment modulates DNA methylation and E-cadherin expression in squamous cell carcinoma. Epigenetics 2012; 7:34-46. [PMID: 22207358 DOI: 10.4161/epi.7.1.18546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment plays a significant role in human cancer progression. However, the role of the tumor microenvironment in the epigenetic control of genes critical to cancer progression remains unclear. As transient E-cadherin expression is central to many stages of neoplasia and is sensitive to regulation by the microenvironment, we have studied if microenvironmental control of E-cadherin expression is linked to transient epigenetic regulation of its promoter, contributing to the unstable and reversible expression of E-cadherin seen during tumor progression. We used 3D, bioengineered human tissue constructs that mimic the complexity of their in vivo counterparts, to show that the tumor microenvironment can direct the re-expression of E-cadherin through the reversal of methylation-mediated silencing of its promoter. This loss of DNA methylation results from the induction of homotypic cell-cell interactions as cells undergo tissue organization. E-cadherin re-expression is associated with multiple epigenetic changes including altered methylation of a small number of CpGs, specific histone modifications, and control of miR-148a expression. These epigenetic changes may drive the plasticity of E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in different tissue microenvironments during tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Thus, we suggest that epigenetic regulation is a mechanism through which tumor cell colonization of metastatic sites occurs as E-cadherin-expressing cells arise from E-cadherin-deficient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M DesRochers
- Department of Anatomy, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
The ways in which epigenetic modifications fix the effects of early environmental events, ensuring sustained responses to transient stimuli that result in modified gene expression patterns and phenotypes later in life, are a topic of considerable interest. This article focuses on recently discovered mechanisms and calls into question prevailing views about the dynamics, positions, and functions of epigenetic marks. Most epigenetic studies have addressed the long-term effects of environmental stressors on a small number of epigenetic marks, at the global or individual gene level, in humans and in animal models. In parallel, increasing numbers of studies based on high-throughput technologies are revealing additional complexity in epigenetic processes by highlighting the importance of crosstalk between different epigenetic marks in humans and mice. A number of studies focusing on metabolic programming and the developmental origin of health and disease have identified links between early nutrition, epigenetic processes, and long-term illness. The existence of a self-propagating epigenetic cycle has been shown. Moreover, recent studies have shown an obvious sexual dimorphism both for programming trajectories and in response to the same environmental insult. Despite recent progress, however, we are still far from understanding how, when, and where environmental stressors disturb key epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, the need to identify original key marks and monitor the changes they undergo throughout development, during an individual's lifetime, or over several generations remains a challenging issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gabory
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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69
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Gabory A, Attig L, Junien C. Epigenetic mechanisms involved in developmental nutritional programming. World J Diabetes 2011; 2:164-75. [PMID: 22010058 PMCID: PMC3196195 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i10.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The ways in which epigenetic modifications fix the effects of early environmental events, ensuring sustained responses to transient stimuli, which result in modified gene expression patterns and phenotypes later in life, is a topic of considerable interest. This review focuses on recently discovered mechanisms and calls into question prevailing views about the dynamics, position and functions of epigenetic marks. Most epigenetic studies have addressed the long-term effects on a small number of epigenetic marks, at the global or individual gene level, of environmental stressors in humans and animal models. In parallel, increasing numbers of studies based on high-throughput technologies and focusing on humans and mice have revealed additional complexity in epigenetic processes, by highlighting the importance of crosstalk between the different epigenetic marks. A number of studies focusing on the developmental origin of health and disease and metabolic programming have identified links between early nutrition, epigenetic processes and long-term illness. The existence of a self-propagating epigenetic cycle has been demonstrated. Moreover, recent studies demonstrate an obvious sexual dimorphism both for programming trajectories and in response to the same environmental insult. Despite recent progress, we are still far from understanding how, when and where environmental stressors disturb key epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, identifying the original key marks and their changes throughout development during an individual’s lifetime or over several generations remains a challenging issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gabory
- Anne Gabory, Linda Attig, Claudine Junien, Developmental Biology and Reproduction, National Institute for Agronomic Research, National Veterinary school, National Center For Scientific Research, Jouy en Josas, France
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70
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Ari F, Napieralski R, Ulukaya E, Dere E, Colling C, Honert K, Krüger A, Kiechle M, Schmitt M. Modulation of protein expression levels and DNA methylation status of breast cancer metastasis genes by anthracycline-based chemotherapy and the demethylating agent decitabine. Cell Biochem Funct 2011; 29:651-9. [DOI: 10.1002/cbf.1801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferda Ari
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science and Art; Uludag University; Bursa; Turkey
| | - Rudolf Napieralski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
| | - Engin Ulukaya
- Department of Medical Biochemistry; Medical School of Uludag University; Bursa; Turkey
| | - Egemen Dere
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science and Art; Uludag University; Bursa; Turkey
| | - Christoph Colling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
| | - Katja Honert
- Institute for Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
| | - Achim Krüger
- Institute for Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
| | - Marion Kiechle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
| | - Manfred Schmitt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich; Germany
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71
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Frequent S100A4 Expression with Unique Splicing Pattern in Gastric Cancers: A Hypomethylation Event Paralleled with E-cadherin Reduction and Wnt Activation. Transl Oncol 2011; 1:165-76. [PMID: 19043527 DOI: 10.1593/tlo.08148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 08/12/2008] [Accepted: 08/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
S100A4 promotes cancer metastasis, but its overall status and splicing manner during gastrocarcinogenesis remains less known. We therefore examined S100A4 frequencies, splicing pattern(s) and the underlying reason(s) for S100A4 expression in gastric cancers. Immunohistochemistry revealed frequent S100A4 expression in intestinal gastric cancers (37/45; 82%) and diffuse gastric cancers (12/20; 60%), but uncommon in noncancerous epithelia (0/12), chronic gastritis (2/24; 8%), and intestinal metaplasia (3/15; 20%). Of 65 primary tumors, 18 were found with focal S100A4 expression, while their LN metastases showed homogenous distribution. S100A4-oriented reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction yielded a transcript containing exons 1, 3, and 4 (AS1) in 20% of noncancerous, 84% premalignant, and 92% tumor tissues and a transcript harboring exons 1 to 4 (AS2) in 65% of gastric cancers (GCs), 26% premalignant but none in noncancerous tissues. Further analyses found AS1 expression in stromal but not epithelial cells of premalignant tissues, absence of AS2 in endoscopic inflammatory mucosa, and the coexistence of AS1/AS2 in the cultured fibroblasts. Methylation DNA sequencing revealed hypermethylation of four critical CpG sites within S100A4 intron first among S100A4-negative gastric tissues and hypomethylation in S100A4-expressing GC tissues/cell lines. E-cadherin reduction and Wnt activation were common in gastric cancers, which were closely correlated but unnecessarily overlapped with S100A4 expression. Our findings suggest that S100A4 expression is closely related with GC formation, which, as a hypomethylation event, is accompanied with E-cadherin reduction and Wnt activation. The preferential S100A4 AS2 expression in GC cells would have potential values in GC surveillance and prognostic assessment.
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72
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss recent advances in the field of DNA methylation and their impact on our understanding of the role of this epigenetic mechanism in cancer development, as well as their implications for biomarker discovery and therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Epigenetics is a new frontier in cancer research with tremendous impact on our thinking and understanding of biological phenomena and complex diseases, notably cancer. Over the past decade there has been remarkable progress in our knowledge of the importance of epigenetic events in the control of both normal cellular processes and abnormal events associated with tumor development and progression. DNA methylation is a major epigenetic mechanism that is most intensively studied in the context of gene regulation and unscheduled silencing in cancer cells. Although hypermethylation of gene promoters is in turn associated with gene inactivation, the precise consequences of genome-wide hypomethylation are still debated. Recent studies have shed new light on the mechanisms underlying both promoter-specific hypermethylation and global hypomethylation in cancer cells and identified potential targets for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention. SUMMARY Recent conceptual advances in the field of DNA methylation and the advent and rapid development of new technologies in epigenomics have started to unravel the mechanisms underlying aberrant DNA methylation in cancer cells and identify novel targets for diagnosis, risk assessment and therapy.
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73
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Dinosaurs and ancient civilizations: reflections on the treatment of cancer. Neoplasia 2011; 12:957-68. [PMID: 21170260 DOI: 10.1593/neo.101588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Revised: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Research efforts in the area of palaeopathology have been seen as an avenue to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancer. Answers to questions of whether dinosaurs had cancer, or if cancer plagued ancient civilizations, have captured the imagination as well as the popular media. Evidence for dinosaurian cancer may indicate that cancer may have been with us from the dawn of time. Ancient recorded history suggests that past civilizations attempted to fight cancer with a variety of interventions. When contemplating the issue why a generalized cure for cancer has not been found, it might prove useful to reflect on the relatively limited time that this issue has been an agenda item of governmental attention as well as continued introduction of an every evolving myriad of manmade carcinogens relative to the total time cancer has been present on planet Earth. This article reflects on the history of cancer and the progress made following the initiation of the "era of cancer chemotherapy."
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74
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Chik F, Szyf M. Effects of specific DNMT gene depletion on cancer cell transformation and breast cancer cell invasion; toward selective DNMT inhibitors. Carcinogenesis 2011; 32:224-32. [PMID: 20980350 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgq221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is aberrant DNA methylation, consisting of global hypomethylation and regional hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have been recognized as promising candidate anticancer drugs. Drug development has focused on DNA methylation inhibitors with the goal of activating tumor suppressor genes silenced by DNA methylation. 5-azacytidine (5-AC; Vidaza), a global DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, was Food and Drug Administration approved to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and is clinically tested for solid tumors. In this paper, it was demonstrated that 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azaCdR) activated both silenced tumor suppressor genes and pro-metastatic genes by demethylation, raising the concern that it would promote metastasis. 5-AzaCdR treatment increased the invasiveness of non-invasive breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 cells and ZR-75-1 and dramatically induced pro-metastatic genes; Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), metastasis-associated gene (H-MTS1; S100A4) and C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The hypothesis that the blocking of cellular transformation activity of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor could be separated from the pro-metastatic activity was tested using short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to the different DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) genes. Although depletion of DNMT1 had the strongest effect on colony growth suppression in cellular transformation assays, it did not result in demethylation and activation of uPA, S100A4, MMP2 and CXCR4 in MCF-7 cells. Depletion of DNMT1 did not induce cellular invasion in MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 non-invasive breast cancer cell lines. These data have implications on the design of new DNA methyltransferase inhibitor and on the proper utilization of current inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Chik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Medical School, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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75
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Tsai KW, Hu LY, Wu CW, Li SC, Lai CH, Kao HW, Fang WL, Lin WC. Epigenetic regulation of miR-196b expression in gastric cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2011; 49:969-80. [PMID: 20662076 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that play important roles in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis via the control of specific targeted gene expression. The miR-196s miRNA is encoded at three paralogous loci in three HOX clusters and acts as an oncogenic miRNA in cancer progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that the expression of miR-196b increases cell proliferation and survival in leukemic cells. Here, we used a sequential methylation analysis to reveal that the methylation status correlated well with miR-196b expression in different cell lines. Treatment with the demethylating drug 5-Aza-dC reactivated miR-196b transcription in methylation-silenced cells. Using in vitro methylation approach, we further provide evidences that promoter hypermethylation represses miR-196b transcriptional activation tightly in human cancer cell lines. We also demonstrate that the expression of miR-196b is significantly elevated in gastric cancer and that hypomethylation status of miR-196b CpG islands frequently is observed in primary gastric tumors. Our results provide important information on miR-196s regulation and demonstrate that abnormal DNA hypomethylation induces overexpression of miR-196b in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Wang Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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76
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Luo J, Li YN, Wang F, Zhang WM, Geng X. S-adenosylmethionine inhibits the growth of cancer cells by reversing the hypomethylation status of c-myc and H-ras in human gastric cancer and colon cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2010; 6:784-95. [PMID: 21152119 PMCID: PMC2999854 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6.784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A global DNA hypomethylation might activate oncogene transcription, thus promoting carcinogenesis and tumor development. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) serves as a major methyl donor in biological transmethylation events. The object of this study is to explore the influence of SAM on the status of methylation at the promoter of the oncogenes c-myc, H-ras and tumor-suppressor gene p16 (INK4a), as well as its inhibitory effect on cancer cells. The results indicated that SAM treatment inhibited cell growth in gastric cancer cells and colon cancer cells, and the inhibition efficiency was significantly higher than that in the normal cells. Under standard growth conditions, C-myc and H-ras promoters were hypomethylated in gastric cancer cells and colon cancer cells. SAM treatment resulted in a heavy methylation of these promoters, which consequently downregulated mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, there was no significant difference in mRNA and protein levels of p16 (INK4a) with and without SAM treatment. SAM can effectively inhibit the tumor cells growth by reversing the DNA hypomethylation on promoters of oncogenes, thus down-regulating their expression. With no influence on the expression of the tumor suppressor genes, such as P16, SAM could be used as a potential drug for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Luo
- Department of biochemistry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070 China
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77
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Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest the involvement of disturbance in epigenetic processes in autoimmune disease. Most noteworthy is the global DNA hypomethylation seen in lupus. Epigenetic states in difference from genetic lesions are potentially reversible and hence candidates for pharmacological intervention. Potential targets for drug development are histone modification and DNA methylating and demethylating enzymes. The most advanced set of drugs in clinical development are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. However, the prevalence of DNA hypomethylation in lupus suggests that we should shift our attention from HDAC inhibitors to DNA demethylation inhibitors. MBD2 was recently proposed to be involved in demethylation in T cells in lupus and is, therefore, a candidate target. Although this field is at its infancy, it carries great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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78
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Yu Y, Zeng P, Xiong J, Liu Z, Berger SL, Merlino G. Epigenetic drugs can stimulate metastasis through enhanced expression of the pro-metastatic Ezrin gene. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12710. [PMID: 20856924 PMCID: PMC2938331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin has been reported to be upregulated in many tumors and to participate in metastatic progression. No study has addressed epigenetic modification in the regulation of Ezrin gene expression, the importance of which is unknown. Here, we report that highly metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells with high levels of Ezrin have elevated acetyl-H3-K9 and tri-methyl-H3-K4 as well as reduced DNA methylation at the Ezrin gene promoter. Conversely, poorly metastatic RMS cells with low levels of Ezrin have reduced acetyl-H3-K9 and elevated methylation. Thus epigenetic covalent modifications to histones within nucleosomes of the Ezrin gene promoter are linked to Ezrin expression, which in fact can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors or DNA demethylating agents could restore Ezrin expression and stimulate the metastatic potential of poorly metastatic RMS cells characterized by low Ezrin levels. However, the ability of epigenetic drugs to stimulate metastasis in RMS cells was inhibited by expression of an Ezrin-specific shRNA. Our data demonstrate the potential risk associated with clinical application of broadly acting covalent epigenetic modifiers, and highlight the value of combination therapies that include agents specifically targeting potent pro-metastatic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
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79
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Hazra A, Fuchs CS, Kawasaki T, Kirkner GJ, Hunter DJ, Ogino S. Germline polymorphisms in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and DNA methylation in colorectal cancer. Cancer Causes Control 2010; 21:331-45. [PMID: 19936946 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-009-9464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dietary intake of one-carbon nutrients (methyl donors) and germline variants in the one-carbon metabolism genes may influence global DNA methylation level and methylation in promoter CpG islands. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and DNA methylation status in colorectal cancer. Utilizing 182 colorectal cancers cases in two prospective cohort studies, we determined the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) status on eight CIMP-specific promoters and measured LINE-1 methylation level that correlates well with genome-wide DNA methylation level. We genotyped 23 nonsynonymous SNPs in the one-carbon metabolism genes using buffy coat DNA. Most of the 23 SNPs in the one-carbon metabolism pathway were not significantly associated with CIMP-high status (> or = 6/8 methylated promoters). However, the MTHFR 429 Ala/Ala variant (rs1801131) and the TCN2 259 Arg/Arg variant (rs1801198) were associated with CIMP-high status (MTHFR 429 multivariate odds ratio (MV OR) = 7.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-43.3; p trend = 0.10; TCN2 259 Arg/Arg variant MV OR = 3.82; 95% CI, 1.02-14.4; p trend = 0.06). The one-carbon metabolism genotypes were not significantly associated with LINE-1 methylation, although there were modest differences in mean LINE-1 methylation levels between certain genotypes. Collectively, these exploratory data provide suggestive evidence for the association of MTHFR 429 Ala/ Ala and TCN2 259 Arg/Arg and CIMP status in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Hazra
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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80
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Jawaid K, Crane SR, Nowers JL, Lacey M, Whitehead SA. Long-term genistein treatment of MCF-7 cells decreases acetylated histone 3 expression and alters growth responses to mitogens and histone deacetylase inhibitors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 120:164-71. [PMID: 20399854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 04/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in epigenetic regulation of gene transcription play an important role in carcinogenesis of the breast and other tissues. The two most widely studied epigenetic changes are DNA methylation and acetylation of histone proteins and inhibition of these processes inhibits growth in breast cancer cell lines. These data coupled with the evidence that fetal and neonatal exposure to oestrogenic substances may lead to epigenetic changes that predispose or protect against the development of breast cancer in later life formed the basis for this study. Three histone deacetylases, valproic acid (VPA), trichostatin A (TCA) and apicidin dose-dependently inhibited basal growth in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 as well as the growth promoting effects of oestradiol (E(2)) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in MCF-7 cells. The growth inhibitory responses to the DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (decitabine) were weak. HDACi's reduced the protein levels of pro-caspase 9 and cyclin D1, whereas decitabine had no effect. Long-term genistein treatment (LTGT) of MCF-7 cells markedly reduced the basal expression of acetylated histone 3 (H3) and the effects of HDACi's on increasing the levels of acetylated H3 protein. However, this was not correlated with a reduced expression of total H3 except after a high dose of VPA. LTGT inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells and the mitogenic responses to E(2) and EGF. The growth inhibitory responses to HDACI's in the presence of E(2) and EGF was significantly reduced in LTGT cells compared to control MCF-7 cells and there was evidence that LTGT maintained the protein levels of pro-caspase 9 in the presence of HDACi's. This study provides further evidence that oestrogenic substances can induce significant epigenetic changes to alter the dynamics of growth in breast cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Jawaid
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 ORE, United Kingdom
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81
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The ways in which epigenetic modifications fix the effects of early environmental events, ensuring sustained responses to transient stimuli, which result into modified gene expression patterns and phenotypes later in life, is a topic of considerable interest. This review focuses on recently discovered mechanisms and calls into question prevailing views about the dynamics, positions and functions of relevant epigenetic marks. RECENT FINDINGS Animal models, including mice, rats, sheep, pigs and rabbits, remain a vital tool for studying the influence of early nutritional events on adult health and disease. Most epigenetic studies have addressed the long-term effects on a small number of epigenetic marks, at the global or individual gene level, of environmental stressors in humans and animal models. They have demonstrated the existence of a self-propagating epigenetic cycle. In parallel, an increasing number of studies based on high-throughput technologies and focusing on humans and mice have revealed additional complexity in epigenetic processes, by highlighting the importance of crosstalk between the different epigenetic marks. In recent months, a number of studies focusing on the developmental origin of health and disease and metabolic programming have identified links between early nutrition, epigenetic processes and long-term illness. SUMMARY Despite recent progress, we are still far from understanding how, when and where environmental stressors disturb key epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, identifying the original key marks and their changes throughout development, during an individual's lifetime or over several generations, remains a challenging issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Attig
- BDR Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Developmental Biology and Reproduction, UMR INRA-ENVA-CNRS 1198, Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy en Josas, France
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82
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The War on Cancer rages on. Neoplasia 2010; 11:1252-63. [PMID: 20019833 DOI: 10.1593/neo.91866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1971, the "War on Cancer" was launched by the US government to cure cancer by the 200-year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, 1976. This article briefly looks back at the progress that has been made in cancer research and compares progress made in other areas of human affliction. While progress has indeed been made, the battle continues to rage on.
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83
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Osteoblasts modulate Ca2+ signaling in bone-metastatic prostate and breast cancer cells. Clin Exp Metastasis 2009; 26:955-64. [PMID: 19768662 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-009-9286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2009] [Accepted: 09/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic prostate and breast cancers display a predilection for the skeleton. The high incidence of skeletal metastasis may be a reflection of favorable reciprocal interactions between the bone microenvironment and disseminated cancer cells. Here we show that bone-metastatic PC3-ML prostate cancer cells and MDA-231 breast cancer cells-when co-cultured with human osteoblasts-down-regulate the increase in cytosolic free calcium (Ca(2+)) induced by agonist stimulation. This osteoblast promoted alteration of Ca(2+) signaling develops and reverts in a time-dependent manner. Most importantly, the Ca(2+) responses of cancer cells lacking bone metastatic potential are not affected by osteoblasts. The limited increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) observed in bone-metastatic cells does not result from depleted intracellular Ca(2+) stores but rather a decreased entry of Ca(2+) from the extracellular space. Interestingly, the inhibition of histone deacetylase in cancer cells replicates the changes in Ca(2+) signaling induced by osteoblasts, suggesting the participation of epigenetic mechanisms. Finally, cancer cells harvested from skeletal metastases induced in mice showed Ca(2+) responses identical to cells co-cultured with osteoblasts. However, Ca(2+) signaling in cancer cells recovered from metastases to soft-tissues was not affected, emphasizing the role of the bone microenvironment in regulating the functional behavior of bone-metastatic cells. We propose that osteoblasts protect selected malignant phenotypes from cell death caused by an excessive increase in cytosolic Ca(2+), thereby facilitating their progression into macroscopic skeletal metastases.
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84
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Hervouet E, Debien E, Campion L, Charbord J, Menanteau J, Vallette FM, Cartron PF. Folate supplementation limits the aggressiveness of glioma via the remethylation of DNA repeats element and genes governing apoptosis and proliferation. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:3519-29. [PMID: 19451595 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-2062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have investigated whether the folate supplementation could be used to limit the aggressiveness of glioma through the DNA remethylation because (a) the cancer genome is characterized by a low level of DNA methylation (or 5-methylcytosine, 5 mC); and (b) folate is the main generator of S-adenosyl-methionine, the methyl donor molecule in the DNA methylation reaction catalyzed by the DNA methyltranferases. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of folate supplementations were analyzed on the global DNA methylation status, the methylation status of DNA repeat element, the sensitivity of temozolomide-induced apoptosis, and the proliferation index of glioma cells. Finally, we analyzed whether the DNA methylation level could be used as a prognostic factor and/or a biomarker in an antiglioma therapy using folate supplementation as an adjuvant. RESULTS Our data show that gliomagenesis is accompanied by a reduction in 5 mC levels and that this low level of 5 mC is a poor prognostic factor in Glioblastoma Multiforme patients. We also show that folate supplementation enhanced the DNA remethylation through the Sp1/Sp3-mediated transcriptional up-regulation of genes coding for Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b proteins, two de novo methyltranferases. Finally, we show that the folate-induced DNA methylation limits proliferation and increases the sensitivity to temozolomide-induced apoptosis in glioma cells through methylation of the genes implicated in these processes (PDGF-B, MGMT, survivin, and bcl-w). CONCLUSION This study suggests that folate supplementation could be a promising adjuvant for the future design of antiglioma therapies in preclinical and/or clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Hervouet
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale U892, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie, Equipe Apoptose et Progression Tumorale, Nantes, France
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85
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Abstract
Evidence is emerging that several diseases and behavioral pathologies result from defects in gene function. The best-studied example is cancer, but other diseases such as autoimmune disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and autism display aberrant gene expression. Gene function may be altered by either a change in the sequence of the DNA or a change in epigenetic programming of a gene in the absence of a sequence change. With epigenetic drugs, it is possible to reverse aberrant gene expression profiles associated with different disease states. Several epigenetic drugs targeting DNA methylation and histone deacetylation enzymes have been tested in clinical trials. Understanding the epigenetic machinery and the differential roles of its components in specific disease states is essential for developing targeted epigenetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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Neoplasia: the second decade. Neoplasia 2009; 10:1314-24. [PMID: 19048110 DOI: 10.1593/neo.81372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2008] [Revised: 10/27/2008] [Accepted: 10/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This issue marks the end of the 10-year anniversary of Neoplasia where we have seen exciting growth in both number of submitted and published articles in Neoplasia. Neoplasia was first published in 1999. During the past 10 years, Neoplasia has dynamically adapted to the needs of the cancer research community as technologies have advanced. Neoplasia is currently providing access to articles through PubMed Central to continue to facilitate rapid broad-based dissemination of published findings to the scientific community through an Open Access model. This has in part helped Neoplasia to achieve an improved impact factor this past year, demonstrating that the manuscripts published by Neoplasia are of great interest to the overall cancer research community. This past year, Neoplasia received a record number of articles for review and has had a 21% increase in the number of published articles.
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87
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Polyak K, Weinberg RA. Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states: acquisition of malignant and stem cell traits. Nat Rev Cancer 2009; 9:265-73. [PMID: 19262571 DOI: 10.1038/nrc2620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2521] [Impact Index Per Article: 168.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states have crucial roles in embryonic development. Emerging data suggest a role for these processes in regulating cellular plasticity in normal adult tissues and in tumours, where they can generate multiple, distinct cellular subpopulations contributing to intratumoural heterogeneity. Some of these subpopulations may exhibit more differentiated features, whereas others have characteristics of stem cells. Owing to the importance of these tumour-associated phenotypes in metastasis and cancer-related mortality, targeting the products of such cellular plasticity is an attractive but challenging approach that is likely to lead to improved clinical management of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Jun HJ, Woolfenden S, Coven S, Lane K, Bronson R, Housman D, Charest A. Epigenetic regulation of c-ROS receptor tyrosine kinase expression in malignant gliomas. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2180-4. [PMID: 19276365 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase c-ROS is an orphan receptor whose normal expression pattern is tightly spatio-temporally restricted during development. In glioma, c-ROS mRNA expression is frequently ectopically up-regulated. In this study, we determined by immunohistochemical means that c-ROS receptor protein is present in 25% of low-grade and 30% of malignant glioma tumor samples from tissue microarrays. We then explored the molecular basis for the up-regulation of c-ROS expression in these tumors. We identified and characterized the c-ROS gene promoter region and report that the ectopic expression of c-ROS in tumors is tied to hypomethylation of a CpG island in the c-ROS promoter. Bisulfite sequencing analysis in glioma tumor samples revealed that demethylation of the CpG island (-384 to -132 bp) correlated with c-ROS expression. Moreover, c-ROS expression could be activated by treatment of c-ROS-negative cells with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. These results establish a strong link between c-ROS promoter demethylation and gain of c-ROS expression and function in glioma. Our data suggest that epigenetic activation of c-ROS represents an important oncogenic mechanism for glioma initiation and progression and suggest that cautionary measures in the clinical use of 5-aza-dC for the treatment of glioma be taken into consideration. [Cancer Res 2009;69(6):2180-4].
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jung Jun
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute and Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Deng T, Zhang Y. Possible involvement of activation of P53/P21 and demethylation of RUNX 3 in the cytotoxicity against Lovo cells induced by 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine. Life Sci 2009; 84:311-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2008.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Revised: 12/06/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of secreted phospholipase A2 expressions in Jurkat leukemia cells. Neoplasia 2008; 10:1195-203. [PMID: 18953428 DOI: 10.1593/neo.08640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2008] [Revised: 08/12/2008] [Accepted: 08/12/2008] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes provide a frequent mechanism for transcriptional silencing of genes in cancer cells. We previously established that epigenetic mechanisms are important for control of group IIA phospholipase A(2) (PLA2G2A) gene transcription in human DU-145 prostate cells. In this study, we analyzed the involvement of such mechanisms in the regulation of five sPLA(2) isozymes and the M-type receptor of sPLA(2) (sPLA(2)-R) in human leukemic Jurkat cells. These cells constitutively expressed sPLA(2)-IB, sPLA(2)-III, sPLA(2)-X, and sPLA(2)-R but not sPLA(2)-IIA and sPLA(2)-V. Transcription of sPLA(2)-IIA and sPLA(2)-V was, however, detected after exposure of cells to the DNA demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). Expression of sPLA(2)-IIA was further enhanced by additional exposure to interferon-gamma and blocked by inhibitors of specificity protein 1, nuclear factor kappaB, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription-dependent pathways. Sequence analysis and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction of bisulfite-modified genomic DNA revealed two 5'-CpG sites (-111 and -82) in the sPLA(2)-IIA proximal promoter that were demethylated after 5-aza-dC treatment. These sites may be involved in the DNA binding of specificity protein 1 and other transcription factors. Similar findings after treatment of human U937 leukemia cells with 5-aza-dC indicate that this mechanism of PLA2G2A gene silencing is not restricted to Jurkat and DU-145 cells. These data establish that regulation of sPLA(2)-IIA and sPLA(2)-V in Jurkat and other cells involves epigenetic silencing by DNA hypermethylation.
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