101
|
Ivanov M, Barragan I, Ingelman-Sundberg M. Epigenetic mechanisms of importance for drug treatment. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 35:384-96. [PMID: 24993164 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are pronounced interindividual variations in drug metabolism, drug responses, and the incidence of adverse drug reactions. To a certain extent such variability can be explained by genetic factors, but epigenetic modifications, which are relatively scarcely described so far, also contribute. It is known that a novel class of drugs termed epidrugs intervene in the epigenetic control of gene expression, and many of these are now in clinical trials for disease treatment. In addition, disease prognosis and drug treatment success can be monitored using epigenetic biomarkers. Here we review these novel aspects in pharmacology and address intriguing future opportunities for gene-specific epigenetic editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Ivanov
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Isabel Barragan
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Hahn S, Hermeking H. ZNF281/ZBP-99: a new player in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and cancer. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 92:571-81. [PMID: 24838609 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents an important mechanism during development and wound healing, and its deregulation has been implicated in metastasis. Recently, the Krüppel-type zinc-finger transcription factor ZNF281 has been characterized as an EMT-inducing transcription factor (EMT-TF). Expression of ZNF281 is induced by the EMT-TF SNAIL and inhibited by the tumor suppressive microRNA miR-34a, which mediates repression of ZNF281 by the p53 tumor suppressor. Therefore, SNAIL, miR-34a and ZNF281 form a feed-forward regulatory loop, which controls EMT. Deregulation of this circuitry by mutational and epigenetic alterations in the p53/miR-34a axis promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis formation. As ZNF281 physically interacts with the transcription factors NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, and c-MYC, it has been implicated in the regulation of pluripotency, stemness, and cancer. Accordingly, ectopic ZNF281 expression in CRC lines induces the stemness markers LGR5 and CD133 and promotes sphere formation, suggesting that the elevated expression of ZNF281 detected in cancer may enhance tumor stem cell formation and/or function. Here, we review the functional and organismal studies of ZNF281/ZBP-99 and its close relative ZBP-89/ZFP148 reported so far. Taken together, ZNF281 related biology has the potential to be translated into cancer diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hahn
- Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Thalkirchner Strasse 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
103
|
Ji Q, Fischer AL, Brown CR, Eastlund ER, Dvash T, Zhong B, Gerber MA, Lyons I, Knight SW, Kreader CA. Engineered zinc-finger transcription factors activate OCT4 (POU5F1), SOX2, KLF4, c-MYC (MYC) and miR302/367. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:6158-67. [PMID: 24792165 PMCID: PMC4041418 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial transcription factors are powerful tools for regulating gene expression. Here we report results with engineered zinc-finger transcription factors (ZF-TFs) targeting four protein-coding genes, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC, and one noncoding ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene, the microRNA (miRNA) miR302/367 cluster. We designed over 300 ZF-TFs whose targets lie within 1 kb of the transcriptional start sites (TSSs), screened them for increased messenger RNA or miRNA levels in transfected cells, and identified potent ZF-TF activators for each gene. Furthermore, we demonstrate that selected ZF-TFs function with alternative activation domains and in multiple cell lines. For OCT4, we expanded the target range to −2.5 kb and +500 bp relative to the TSS and identified additional active ZF-TFs, including three highly active ZF-TFs targeting distal enhancer, proximal enhancer and downstream from the proximal promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (FLAG-ChIP) results indicate that several inactive ZF-TFs targeting within the same regulatory region bind as well as the most active ZF-TFs, suggesting that efficient binding within one of these regulatory regions may be necessary but not sufficient for activation. These results further our understanding of ZF-TF design principles and corroborate the use of ZF-TFs targeting enhancers and downstream from the TSS for transcriptional activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhou Ji
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | | | - Clyde R Brown
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | | | - Tamar Dvash
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Bonan Zhong
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Mark A Gerber
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Ian Lyons
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
104
|
Yang N, Hui L, Wang Y, Yang H, Jiang X. SOX2 promotes the migration and invasion of laryngeal cancer cells by induction of MMP-2 via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Oncol Rep 2014; 31:2651-9. [PMID: 24700142 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a high mobility group box containing transcription factor that has been reported to be aberrantly overexpressed in various human malignancies, including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, the potential role of SOX2 in LSCC migration and invasion remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we generated stable transformants of human LSCC cells constitutively overexpressing SOX2 and investigated the effects of SOX2 overexpression on migration and invasion in LSCC cells as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that ectopic overexpression of SOX2 in LSCC cells enhanced their migratory and invasive ability in vitro, accompanied by increased expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2. Meanwhile, SOX2-induced cell migration and invasion were significantly abrogated by a neutralizing anti-MMP-2 antibody or small interfering RNA targeting MMP-2. Furthermore, overexpression of SOX2 induced phosphorylation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which are downstream effectors of the PI3K pathway. Finally, LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, also markedly abolished SOX2-induced activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and increased cell invasion and MMP-2 expression. Taken together, we conclude that SOX2 promotes migration and invasion of laryngeal cancer cells by inducing MMP-2 via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our findings suggest that SOX2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for LSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China
| | - Lian Hui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
Santini R, Pietrobono S, Pandolfi S, Montagnani V, D'Amico M, Penachioni JY, Vinci MC, Borgognoni L, Stecca B. SOX2 regulates self-renewal and tumorigenicity of human melanoma-initiating cells. Oncogene 2014; 33:4697-708. [PMID: 24681955 PMCID: PMC4180644 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of human cancer, characterized by enhanced heterogeneity and resistance to conventional therapy at advanced stages. We and others have previously shown that HEDGEHOG-GLI (HH-GLI) signaling is required for melanoma growth and for survival and expansion of melanoma-initiating cells (MICs). Recent reports indicate that HH-GLI signaling regulates a set of genes typically expressed in embryonic stem cells, including SOX2 (sex-determining region Y (SRY)-Box2). Here we address the function of SOX2 in human melanomas and MICs and its interaction with HH-GLI signaling. We find that SOX2 is highly expressed in melanoma stem cells. Knockdown of SOX2 sharply decreases self-renewal in melanoma spheres and in putative melanoma stem cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH(high)). Conversely, ectopic expression of SOX2 in melanoma cells enhances their self-renewal in vitro. SOX2 silencing also inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in melanoma cells. In addition, depletion of SOX2 progressively abrogates tumor growth and leads to a significant decrease in tumor-initiating capability of ALDH(high) MICs upon xenotransplantation, suggesting that SOX2 is required for tumor initiation and for continuous tumor growth. We show that SOX2 is regulated by HH signaling and that the transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2, the downstream effectors of HH-GLI signaling, bind to the proximal promoter region of SOX2 in primary melanoma cells. In functional studies, we find that SOX2 function is required for HH-induced melanoma cell growth and MIC self-renewal in vitro. Thus SOX2 is a critical factor for self-renewal and tumorigenicity of MICs and an important mediator of HH-GLI signaling in melanoma. These findings could provide the basis for novel therapeutic strategies based on the inhibition of SOX2 for the treatment of a subset of human melanomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Santini
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - S Pietrobono
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - S Pandolfi
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - V Montagnani
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - M D'Amico
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - J Y Penachioni
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - M C Vinci
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| | - L Borgognoni
- Plastic Surgery Unit, S.M. Annunziata Hospital-Regional Melanoma Referral Center, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy
| | - B Stecca
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Core Research Laboratory-Istituto Toscano Tumori (CRL-ITT), Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Nunna S, Reinhardt R, Ragozin S, Jeltsch A. Targeted methylation of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) promoter to silence its expression in ovarian cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87703. [PMID: 24489952 PMCID: PMC3906225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in many cancers including ovarian cancer and EpCAM overexpression correlates with decreased survival of patients. It was the aim of this study to achieve a targeted methylation of the EpCAM promoter and silence EpCAM gene expression using an engineered zinc finger protein that specifically binds the EpCAM promoter fused to the catalytic domain of the Dnmt3a DNA methyltransferase. We show that transient transfection of this construct increased the methylation of the EpCAM promoter in SKOV3 cells from 4–8% in untreated cells to 30%. Up to 48% methylation was observed in stable cell lines which express the chimeric methyltransferase. Control experiments confirmed that the methylation was dependent on the fusion of the Zinc finger and the methyltransferase domains and specific for the target region. The stable cell lines with methylated EpCAM promoter showed a 60–80% reduction of EpCAM expression as determined at mRNA and protein level and exhibited a significantly reduced cell proliferation. Our data indicate that targeted methylation of the EpCAM promoter could be an approach in the therapy of EpCAM overexpressing cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneetha Nunna
- Institute of Biochemistry, Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Sergey Ragozin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Eini R, Stoop H, Gillis AJM, Biermann K, Dorssers LCJ, Looijenga LHJ. Role of SOX2 in the etiology of embryonal carcinoma, based on analysis of the NCCIT and NT2 cell lines. PLoS One 2014; 9:e83585. [PMID: 24404135 PMCID: PMC3880257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX2, associated with amongst others OCT3/4, is essential for maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. SOX2 is highly expressed in embryonal carcinoma (EC), the stem cell component of malignant nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, referred to as germ cell cancer (GCC). In fact, OCT3/4 together with SOX2 is an informative diagnostic tool for EC in a clinical setting. Several studies support the hypothesis that SOX2 is a relevant oncogenic factor in various cancers and recently, SOX2 has been suggested as a putative therapeutic target for early stage EC. We demonstrate the presence of genomic amplification of SOX2 in an EC cell line, NCCIT, using array comparative genome hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Down-regulation of SOX2 by targeted siRNA provokes NCCIT cells towards apoptosis, while inhibition of OCT3/4 expression induced differentiation, with retained SOX2 levels. Mice pluripotent xenografts from NCCIT (N-NCCIT and N2-NCCIT) show a consistent SOX2 expression, in spite of loss of the expression of OCT3/4, and differentiation, with retained presence of genomic amplification. No SOX2 amplification has been identified in primary pure and mixed EC in vivo patient samples so far. The data presented in this study are based on a single EC cell line with a SOX2 amplification, with NT2 as control EC cell line, showing no profound induction of apoptosis upon SOX2 downregulation. The findings are of relevance to identify mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of EC tumors, and support the model of SOX2-oncogene dependency of EC, which however, does not exclude induction of differentiation. This finding is likely related to the presence of wild type p53 in GCC, resulting in expression of downstream target genes, amongst others miR-34a, miR-145 and SOX2, associated to the unique sensitivity of GCC to DNA damaging agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronak Eini
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Stoop
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ad J. M. Gillis
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina Biermann
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert C. J. Dorssers
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert H. J. Looijenga
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pathology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Wasik AM, Grabarek J, Pantovic A, Cieślar-Pobuda A, Asgari HR, Bundgaard-Nielsen C, Rafat M, Dixon IMC, Ghavami S, Łos MJ. Reprogramming and carcinogenesis--parallels and distinctions. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 308:167-203. [PMID: 24411172 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800097-7.00005-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Rapid progress made in various areas of regenerative medicine in recent years occurred both at the cellular level, with the Nobel prize-winning discovery of reprogramming (generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells) and also at the biomaterial level. The use of four transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4 (called commonly "Yamanaka factors") for the conversion of differentiated cells, back to the pluripotent/embryonic stage, has opened virtually endless and ethically acceptable source of stem cells for medical use. Various types of stem cells are becoming increasingly popular as starting components for the development of replacement tissues, or artificial organs. Interestingly, many of the transcription factors, key to the maintenance of stemness phenotype in various cells, are also overexpressed in cancer (stem) cells, and some of them may find the use as prognostic factors. In this review, we describe various methods of iPS creation, followed by overview of factors known to interfere with the efficiency of reprogramming. Next, we discuss similarities between cancer stem cells and various stem cell types. Final paragraphs are dedicated to interaction of biomaterials with tissues, various adverse reactions generated as a result of such interactions, and measures available, that allow for mitigation of such negative effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata M Wasik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jerzy Grabarek
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aleksandar Pantovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, and Clinic of Neurology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Artur Cieślar-Pobuda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Biosystems Group, Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | - Caspar Bundgaard-Nielsen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Laboratory for Stem Cell Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mehrdad Rafat
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Engineering (IMT), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ian M C Dixon
- Department of Physiology, St. Boniface Research Centre, and Manitoba Institute of Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Physiology, St. Boniface Research Centre, and Manitoba Institute of Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Marek J Łos
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Division of Cell Biology, and Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; BioApplications Enterprises, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Mahabir R, Tanino M, Elmansuri A, Wang L, Kimura T, Itoh T, Ohba Y, Nishihara H, Shirato H, Tsuda M, Tanaka S. Sustained elevation of Snail promotes glial-mesenchymal transition after irradiation in malignant glioma. Neuro Oncol 2013; 16:671-85. [PMID: 24357458 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/not239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionizing irradiation is an effective treatment for malignant glioma (MG); however, a higher rate of recurrence with more aggressive phenotypes is a vital issue. Although epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in irradiation-induced cancer progression, the role for such phenotypic transition in MG remains unknown. METHODS To investigate the mechanism of irradiation-dependent tumor progression in MG, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR using primary and recurrent MG specimens, MG cell lines, and primary culture cells of MG. siRNA technique was used for MG cell lines. RESULTS In 22 cases of clinically recurrent MG, the expression of the mesenchymal markers vimentin and CD44 was found to be increased by IHC. In paired identical MG of 7 patients, the expression of collagen, MMPs, and YKL-40 were also elevated in the recurrent MGs, suggesting the The Cancer Genome Atlas-based mesenchymal subtype. Among EMT regulators, sustained elevation of Snail was observed in MG cells at 21 days after irradiation. Cells exhibited an upregulation of migration, invasion, numbers of focal adhesion, and MMP-2 production, and all of these mesenchymal features were abrogated by Snail knockdown. Intriguingly, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GSK-3β were increased after irradiation in a Snail-dependent manner, and TGF-β was elevated in both fibroblasts and macrophages but not in MG cells after irradiation. It was noteworthy that irradiated cells also expressed stemness features such as SOX2 expression and tumor-forming potential in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We here propose a novel concept of glial-mesenchymal transition after irradiation in which the sustained Snail expression plays an essential role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Mahabir
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan (R.M., M.T., A.E., T.K., M.T., S.T.); Department of Translational Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan (L.W., H.N., S.T.); Department of Cell Physiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan (Y.O.); Department of Radiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan (H.S.); Department of Neurosurgery, Nakamura Memorial Hospital, Sapporo, Japan (T.I)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
110
|
Zhang B, Xiang S, Yin Y, Gu L, Deng D. C-terminal in Sp1-like artificial zinc-finger proteins plays crucial roles in determining their DNA binding affinity. BMC Biotechnol 2013; 13:106. [PMID: 24289163 PMCID: PMC4219604 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-13-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is well known that the C-terminal zinc-finger-3 in transcription factor Sp1 contributes more than the N-terminal zinc-finger-1 in determining Sp1’s DNA binding capacity. Sp1-like artificial poly-zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs) are powerful biotechnological tools for gene-specific recognization and manipulation. It is important to understand whether the C-terminal fingers in the Sp1-like artificial ZFPs remain crucial for their DNA binding ability. Recently, a set of p16 promoter-specific seven-ZFPs (7ZFPs) has been constructed to reactivate the expression of methylation-silenced p16. These 7ZFPs contain one N-terminal three-zinc-finger domain of Sp1 (3ZF), two Sp1-like two-zinc-finger domains derived from the Sp1 finger-2 and finger-3 (2ZF) in the middle and C-terminal regions. Results In the present study, sets of variants for several representative 7ZFPs with the p16-binding affinity were further constructed. This was accomplished through finger replacements and key amino acid mutations in the N-terminal fingers, C-terminal fingers, and linker peptide, respectively. Their p16-binding activity was analysed using gel mobility shift assays. Results showed that the motif replacement or a key amino acid mutation (S > R) at position +2 of the α-helix in the C-terminal 2ZF domain completely abolished their p16-binding affinity. Deletion of three amino acids in a consensus linker (TGEKP > TG) between finger-7 and the 6 × Histidine-tag in the C-terminal also dramatically abolished their binding affinity. In contrast, the replacement of the finger-3 in the N-terminal 3ZF domain did not affect their binding affinity, but decreased their binding stability. Conclusions Altogether, the present study show that the C-terminal region may play crucial roles in determining the DNA binding affinity of Sp1-like artificial ZFPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dajun Deng
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China.
| |
Collapse
|
111
|
Chen H, Kazemier HG, de Groote ML, Ruiters MHJ, Xu GL, Rots MG. Induced DNA demethylation by targeting Ten-Eleven Translocation 2 to the human ICAM-1 promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:1563-74. [PMID: 24194590 PMCID: PMC3919596 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that active DNA demethylation is involved in several processes in mammals, resulting in developmental stage-specificity and cell lineage-specificity. The recently discovered Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) dioxygenases are accepted to be involved in DNA demethylation by initiating 5-mC oxidation. Aberrant DNA methylation profiles are associated with many diseases. For example in cancer, hypermethylation results in silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Such silenced genes can be re-expressed by epigenetic drugs, but this approach has genome-wide effects. In this study, fusions of designer DNA binding domains to TET dioxygenase family members (TET1, -2 or -3) were engineered to target epigenetically silenced genes (ICAM-1, EpCAM). The effects on targeted CpGs’ methylation and on expression levels of the target genes were assessed. The results indicated demethylation of targeted CpG sites in both promoters for targeted TET2 and to a lesser extent for TET1, but not for TET3. Interestingly, we observed re-activation of transcription of ICAM-1. Thus, our work suggests that we provided a mechanism to induce targeted DNA demethylation, which facilitates re-activation of expression of the target genes. Furthermore, this Epigenetic Editing approach is a powerful tool to investigate functions of epigenetic writers and erasers and to elucidate consequences of epigenetic marks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Epigenetic Editing, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands, The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China and Synvolux Therapeutics Inc., LJ. Zielstraweg 1, 9713 GX Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
112
|
Vazquez-Martin A, Cufí S, López-Bonet E, Corominas-Faja B, Cuyàs E, Vellon L, Iglesias JM, Leis O, Martín AG, Menendez JA. Reprogramming of non-genomic estrogen signaling by the stemness factor SOX2 enhances the tumor-initiating capacity of breast cancer cells. Cell Cycle 2013; 12:3471-7. [PMID: 24107627 DOI: 10.4161/cc.26692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The restoration of pluripotency circuits by the reactivation of endogenous stemness factors, such as SOX2, may provide a new paradigm in cancer development. The tumoral stem cell reprogramming hypothesis, i.e., the ability of stemness factors to redirect normal and differentiated tumor cells toward a less-differentiated and stem-like state, adds new layers of complexity to cancer biology, because the effects of such reprogramming may remain dormant until engaged later in response to (epi)genetic and/or (micro)environmental events. To test this hypothesis, we utilized an in vitro model of a SOX2-overexpressing cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cellular state that was recently developed in our laboratory by employing Yamanaka's nuclear reprogramming technology in the estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Despite the acquisition of distinct molecular features that were compatible with a breast CSC-like cellular state, such as strong aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, as detected by ALDEFLUOR, and overexpression of the SSEA-4 and CD44 breast CSC markers, the tumor growth-initiating ability of SOX2-overexpressing CSC-like MCF-7 cells solely occurred in female nude mice supplemented with estradiol when compared with MCF-7 parental cells. Ser118 phosphorylation of estrogen receptor α (ERα), which is a pivotal integrator of the genomic and nongenomic E 2/ERα signaling pathways, drastically accumulated in nuclear speckles in the interphase nuclei of SOX2-driven CSC-like cell populations. Moreover, SOX2-positive CSC-like cells accumulated significantly higher numbers of actively dividing cells, and the highest levels of phospho-Ser118-ERα occurred when chromosomes lined up on a metaphase plate. The previously unrecognized link between E 2/ERα signaling and SOX2-driven stem cell circuitry may significantly impact our current understanding of breast cancer initiation and progression, i.e., SOX2 can promote non-genomic E 2 signaling that leads to nuclear phospho-Ser118-ERα, which ultimately exacerbates genomic ER signaling in response to E 2. Because E 2 stimulation has been recently shown to enhance breast tumor-initiating cell survival by downregulating miR-140, which targets SOX2, the establishment of a bidirectional cross-talk interaction between the stem cell self-renewal regulator, SOX2, and the local and systemic ability of E 2 to increase breast CSC activity may have profound implications for the development of new CSC-directed strategies for breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Vazquez-Martin
- Metabolism & Cancer Group; Translational Research Laboratory; Catalan Institute of Oncology-Girona (ICO-Girona); Girona, Spain; Molecular Oncology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI); Girona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
113
|
Falahi F, Huisman C, Kazemier HG, van der Vlies P, Kok K, Hospers GAP, Rots MG. Towards sustained silencing of HER2/neu in cancer by epigenetic editing. Mol Cancer Res 2013; 11:1029-39. [PMID: 23814024 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-12-0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu/ERBB2) is overexpressed in several cancer types. Although therapies targeting the HER2/neu protein result in inhibition of cell proliferation, the anticancer effect might be further optimized by limiting HER2/neu expression at the DNA level. Towards this aim, epigenetic editing was performed to suppress HER2/neu expression by inducing epigenetic silencing marks on the HER2/neu promoter.HER2/neu expression and HER2/neu promoter epigenetic modification status were determined in a panel of ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. HER2/neu-overexpressing cancer cells were transduced to express a zinc finger protein (ZFP), targeting the HER2/neugene, fused to histone methyltransferases (G9a, SUV39-H1)/super KRAB domain (SKD). Epigenetic assessment of the HER2/neu promoter showed that HER2/neu-ZFP fused to G9a efficiently induced the intended silencing histone methylation mark (H3K9me2). Importantly, H3K9me2 induction was associated with a dramatic downregulation of HER2/neu expression in HER2/neu- overexpressing cells. Downregulation by SKD, traditionally considered transient in nature, was associated with removal of the histone acetylation mark (H3ac). The downregulation of HER2/neu by induced H3K9 methylation and/or reduced H3 acetylation was sufficient to effectively inhibit cellular metabolic activity and clonogenicity. Furthermore, genome-wide analysis indicated preferential binding of the ZFP to its target sequence. These results not only show that H3K9 methylation can be induced but also that this epigenetic mark was instructive in promoting downregulation of HER2/neu expression. IMPLICATIONS Epigenetic editing provides a novel (synergistic) approach to modulate expression of oncogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Falahi
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, 9713 GZ, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
114
|
de Groote ML, Kazemier HG, Huisman C, van der Gun BT, Faas MM, Rots MG. Upregulation of endogenous ICAM-1 reduces ovarian cancer cell growth in the absence of immune cells. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:280-90. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marloes L. de Groote
- Epigenetic Editing; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Hinke G. Kazemier
- Epigenetic Editing; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Christian Huisman
- Epigenetic Editing; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Bernardina T.F. van der Gun
- Epigenetic Editing; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Marijke M. Faas
- Immunoendocrinology; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Marianne G. Rots
- Epigenetic Editing; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
115
|
Lou X, Han X, Jin C, Tian W, Yu W, Ding D, Cheng L, Huang B, Jiang H, Lin B. SOX2 targets fibronectin 1 to promote cell migration and invasion in ovarian cancer: new molecular leads for therapeutic intervention. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2013; 17:510-8. [PMID: 23895273 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2013.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Ovarian cancer ranks as the second most common tumor of the female reproductive system, with a large burden on global public health. Therefore, the identification of novel molecular targets and diagnostics is an urgent need for many women affected by this disease. To this end, the human transcription factor SOX2 is involved in a wide range of pathophysiological roles, such as the maintenance of stem cell characteristics and carcinogenesis. To date, in most studies, SOX2 has been shown to promote the development of cancer, although its inhibitory roles in cancer have also been reported. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of SOX2, specifically in ovarian cancer cells, has not been examined in detail. In this article, we report, for the first time, that SOX2 promotes migration, invasion, and clonal formation of ovarian cancer cells. We further observed that SOX2 targeted FN1, a key gene that regulates cell migration in ovarian cancer. Our findings collectively suggest that the SOX2-FN1 axis is a key pathway in mediating the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. This pathway offers crucial molecular insights and promises to develop putative candidate therapeutic interventions in women with ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Lou
- 1 Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
116
|
Transcriptional control of cancer metastasis. Trends Cell Biol 2013; 23:603-11. [PMID: 23838335 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is an essential component of tumor progression and metastasis. During cancer progression, dysregulation of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive transcription factors (TFs), as well as master cell fate regulators and tumor microenvironment-induced factors, collectively influence multiple steps of the metastasis cascade, including local invasion, dissemination, and eventual colonization of the tumor to distant organs. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations in tumor cells, including DNA methylation, as well as activation or suppression of histone deacetylases (HDACs), histone acetyltransferases (HATs), and other chromatin-modifying enzymes, can further distort the transcriptional network to influence metastasis. We focus here on recent research advances in transcriptional control of metastasis and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting such transcriptional regulatory networks.
Collapse
|
117
|
Liang S, Furuhashi M, Nakane R, Nakazawa S, Goudarzi H, Hamada JI, Iizasa H. Isolation and characterization of human breast cancer cells with SOX2 promoter activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 437:205-11. [PMID: 23796710 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is well known as one of the "stemness" factors and is often expressed in cancers including breast cancer. In this study, we developed a reporter system using fluorescent protein driven by the promoter for SOX2 gene to detect and isolate living SOX2-positive cells. Using this system, we determined that SOX2 promoter activities were well correlated with SOX2 mRNA expression levels in 5 breast cancer cell lines, and that the cell population with positive SOX2 promoter activity (pSp-T(+)) isolated from one of the 5 cell lines, MCF-7 cells, showed a high SOX2 protein expression and high sphere-forming activity compared with very low promoter activity (pSp-T(low/-)). The pSp-T(+) population expressed higher mRNA levels of several stemness-related genes such as CD44, ABCB1, NANOG and TWIST1 than the pSp-T(low/-) population whereas the two populations expressed CD24 at similar levels. These results suggest that the cell population with SOX2 promoter activity contains cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells which show different expression profiles from those of CSC-marker genes previously recognized in human breast cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Liang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
118
|
Huisman C, Wisman GBA, Kazemier HG, van Vugt MATM, van der Zee AGJ, Schuuring E, Rots MG. Functional validation of putative tumor suppressor gene C13ORF18 in cervical cancer by Artificial Transcription Factors. Mol Oncol 2013; 7:669-79. [PMID: 23522960 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Revised: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
C13ORF18 is frequently hypermethylated in cervical cancer but not in normal cervix and might serve as a biomarker for the early detection of cervical cancer in scrapings. As hypermethylation is often observed for silenced tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), hypermethylated biomarker genes might exhibit tumor suppressive activities upon re-expression. Epigenetic drugs are successfully exploited to reverse TSG silencing, but act genome-wide. Artificial Transcription Factors (ATFs) provide a gene-specific approach for re-expression of silenced genes. Here, we investigated the potential tumor suppressive role of C13ORF18 in cervical cancer by ATF-induced re-expression. Five zinc finger proteins were engineered to bind the C13ORF18 promoter and fused to a strong transcriptional activator. C13ORF18 expression could be induced in cervical cell lines: ranging from >40-fold in positive (C13ORF18-unmethylated) cells to >110-fold in negative (C13ORF18-methylated) cells. Re-activation of C13ORF18 resulted in significant cell growth inhibition and/or induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment of cell lines with ATFs and epigenetic drugs further enhanced the ATF-induced effects. Interestingly, re-activation of C13ORF18 led to partial demethylation of the C13ORF18 promoter and decreased repressive histone methylation. These data demonstrate the potency of ATFs to re-express and potentially demethylate hypermethylated silenced genes. Concluding, we show that C13ORF18 has a TSG function in cervical cancer and may serve as a therapeutic anti-cancer target. As the amount of epimutations in cancer exceeds the number of gene mutations, ATFs provide promising tools to validate hypermethylated marker genes as therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huisman
- Dept. of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
119
|
Liu K, Lin B, Zhao M, Yang X, Chen M, Gao A, Liu F, Que J, Lan X. The multiple roles for Sox2 in stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis. Cell Signal 2013; 25:1264-71. [PMID: 23416461 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Sry-containing protein Sox2 initially was known to regulate the self-renewal of the mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). It is also important for the maintenance of stem cells in multiple adult tissues including the brain and trachea, and it is one of the key transcription factors for establishing induced pluripotent stem cells. Recently, overexpression and gene amplification of Sox2 have been associated with the development of squamous cell carcinoma in multiple tissues such as the lung and esophagus. These different roles for Sox2 involve a complicated regulatory networks consisting of microRNAs, kinases and signaling molecules. While the levels of Sox2 are modulated transcriptionally and translationally, post-translational modification is also important for the various functions of Sox2. In clinics, high levels of Sox2 are correlated with poor prognosis and increased proliferation of cancer stem cells. Therefore targeting Sox2 can be potentially explored for a new therapeutic avenue to treat cancers. This review will focus on the different roles for Sox2 in stem cell maintenance and its oncogenic roles in the context of signal transcription and microRNA regulation. We will also review the main upstream and downstream targets of Sox2, which can be potentially used as therapeutic measures to treat cancer with abnormal levels of Sox2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuancan Liu
- Institute for laboratory medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, PLA, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350025, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
120
|
Bidirectional modulation of endogenous EpCAM expression to unravel its function in ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer 2013; 108:881-6. [PMID: 23403823 PMCID: PMC3590680 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed on most carcinomas. Dependent on the tumour type, its overexpression is either associated with improved or worse patient survival. For ovarian cancer, however, the role of EpCAM remains unclear. Methods: Cell survival of ovarian cancer cell lines was studied after induction or repression of endogenous EpCAM expression using siRNA/cDNA or artificial transcription factors (ATF) consisting of engineered zinc-fingers fused to either a transcriptional activator or repressor domain. Results: Two ATFs were selected as the most potent down- and upregulator, showing at least a two-fold alteration of EpCAM protein expression compared with control. Downregulation of EpCAM expression resulted in growth inhibition in breast cancer, but showed no effect on cell growth in ovarian cancer. Induction or further upregulation of EpCAM expression decreased ovarian cancer cell survival. Conclusion: The bidirectional ATF-based approach is uniquely suited to study cell-type-specific biological effects of EpCAM expression. Using this approach, the oncogenic function of EpCAM in breast cancer was confirmed. Despite its value as a diagnostic marker and for immunotherapy, EpCAM does not seem to represent a therapeutic target for gene expression silencing in ovarian cancer.
Collapse
|
121
|
Kregel S, Kiriluk KJ, Rosen AM, Cai Y, Reyes EE, Otto KB, Tom W, Paner GP, Szmulewitz RZ, Vander Griend DJ. Sox2 is an androgen receptor-repressed gene that promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53701. [PMID: 23326489 PMCID: PMC3543364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in detection and therapy, castration-resistant prostate cancer continues to be a major clinical problem. The aberrant activity of stem cell pathways, and their regulation by the Androgen Receptor (AR), has the potential to provide insight into novel mechanisms and pathways to prevent and treat advanced, castrate-resistant prostate cancers. To this end, we investigated the role of the embryonic stem cell regulator Sox2 [SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2] in normal and malignant prostate epithelial cells. In the normal prostate, Sox2 is expressed in a portion of basal epithelial cells. Prostate tumors were either Sox2-positive or Sox2-negative, with the percentage of Sox2-positive tumors increasing with Gleason Score and metastases. In the castration-resistant prostate cancer cell line CWR-R1, endogenous expression of Sox2 was repressed by AR signaling, and AR chromatin-IP shows that AR binds the enhancer element within the Sox2 promoter. Likewise, in normal prostate epithelial cells and human embryonic stem cells, increased AR signaling also decreases Sox2 expression. Resistance to the anti-androgen MDV3100 results in a marked increase in Sox2 expression within three prostate cancer cell lines, and in the castration-sensitive LAPC-4 prostate cancer cell line ectopic expression of Sox2 was sufficient to promote castration-resistant tumor formation. Loss of Sox2 expression in the castration-resistant CWR-R1 prostate cancer cell line inhibited cell growth. Up-regulation of Sox2 was not associated with increased CD133 expression but was associated with increased FGF5 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 5) expression. These data propose a model of elevated Sox2 expression due to loss of AR-mediated repression during castration, and consequent castration-resistance via mechanisms not involving induction of canonical embryonic stem cell pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Kregel
- Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kyle J. Kiriluk
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Alex M. Rosen
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yi Cai
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Edwin E. Reyes
- Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kristen B. Otto
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Westin Tom
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Gladell P. Paner
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Russell Z. Szmulewitz
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Donald J. Vander Griend
- Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
122
|
Juárez-Moreno K, Erices R, Beltran AS, Stolzenburg S, Cuello-Fredes M, Owen GI, Qian H, Blancafort P. Breaking through an epigenetic wall: re-activation of Oct4 by KRAB-containing designer zinc finger transcription factors. Epigenetics 2013; 8:164-76. [PMID: 23314702 DOI: 10.4161/epi.23503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene Oct4 encodes a transcription factor critical for the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cells. In addition, improper re-activation of Oct4 contributes to oncogenic processes. Herein, we describe a novel designer zinc finger protein (ZFP) capable of upregulating the endogenous Oct4 promoter in a panel of breast and ovarian cell lines carrying a silenced gene. In some ovarian tumor lines, the ZFP triggered a strong reactivation of Oct4, with levels of expression comparable with exogenous Oct4 cDNA delivery. Surprisingly, the reactivation of Oct4 required a KRAB domain for effective upregulation of the endogenous gene. While KRAB-containing ZFPs are traditionally described as transcriptional repressors, our results suggest that these proteins could, in certain genomic contexts, function as potent activators and, thus, outline an emerging novel function of KRAB-ZFPs. In addition, we document a novel ZFP that could be used for the epigenetic reprograming of cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla Juárez-Moreno
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
123
|
Adammek M, Greve B, Kässens N, Schneider C, Brüggemann K, Schüring AN, Starzinski-Powitz A, Kiesel L, Götte M. MicroRNA miR-145 inhibits proliferation, invasiveness, and stem cell phenotype of an in vitro endometriosis model by targeting multiple cytoskeletal elements and pluripotency factors. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:1346-1355.e5. [PMID: 23312222 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the function of miR-145, known to be dysregulated in endometriosis, and to identify its target genes in an in vitro endometriosis model. DESIGN Experimental laboratory study. SETTING University medical centers. PATIENT(S) Primary endometrial stroma cells were derived from eutopic endometrium of three American Society for Reproductive Medicine stage III endometriosis patients and from ectopic lesions of four patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S) The human endometriotic cell line 12Z and primary eutopic and ectopic endometrial stroma cells were transiently transfected with miR-145 precursors or anti-miR-145 inhibitors and investigated for posttranscriptional regulation of predicted target genes and changes in cell behavior. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Predicted target expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, and altered cell behavior was monitored by cell proliferation assays. The 12Z cells were additionally investigated by Matrigel invasion assays, cell cycle analysis, side population analysis, and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity assays. RESULT(S) In all cells investigated, miR-145 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and induced down-regulation of FASCIN-1, SOX2, and MSI2. In 12Z cells miR-145 upregulation increased Matrigel invasiveness and reduced side population and aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 activity. Additional down-regulated targets in 12Z cells included OCT4, KLF4, PODXL, JAM-A, and SERPINE1/PAI-1. ACTG2 and TAGLN were up-regulated upon pre-miR-145 transfection. JAM-A, FASCIN-1, and PAI-I down-regulation in 12Z cells were confirmed by Western blotting. CONCLUSION(S) miR-145 inhibits endometriotic cell proliferation, invasiveness, and stemness by targeting multiple pluripotency factors, cytoskeletal elements, and protease inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Adammek
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
124
|
de Groote ML, Verschure PJ, Rots MG. Epigenetic Editing: targeted rewriting of epigenetic marks to modulate expression of selected target genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:10596-613. [PMID: 23002135 PMCID: PMC3510492 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances made in epigenetic research in recent decades, many questions remain unresolved, especially concerning cause and consequence of epigenetic marks with respect to gene expression modulation (GEM). Technologies allowing the targeting of epigenetic enzymes to predetermined DNA sequences are uniquely suited to answer such questions and could provide potent (bio)medical tools. Toward the goal of gene-specific GEM by overwriting epigenetic marks (Epigenetic Editing, EGE), instructive epigenetic marks need to be identified and their writers/erasers should then be fused to gene-specific DNA binding domains. The appropriate epigenetic mark(s) to change in order to efficiently modulate gene expression might have to be validated for any given chromatin context and should be (mitotically) stable. Various insights in such issues have been obtained by sequence-specific targeting of epigenetic enzymes, as is presented in this review. Features of such studies provide critical aspects for further improving EGE. An example of this is the direct effect of the edited mark versus the indirect effect of recruited secondary proteins by targeting epigenetic enzymes (or their domains). Proof-of-concept of expression modulation of an endogenous target gene is emerging from the few EGE studies reported. Apart from its promise in correcting disease-associated epi-mutations, EGE represents a powerful tool to address fundamental epigenetic questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marloes L de Groote
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 EA11, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
125
|
Hsu PD, Zhang F. Dissecting neural function using targeted genome engineering technologies. ACS Chem Neurosci 2012; 3:603-10. [PMID: 22896804 DOI: 10.1021/cn300089k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Designer DNA-binding proteins based on transcriptional activator-like effectors (TALEs) and zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are easily tailored to recognize specific DNA sequences in a modular manner. They can be engineered to generate tools for targeted genome perturbation. Here, we review recent advances in these versatile technologies with a focus on designer nucleases for highly precise, efficient, and scarless gene modification. By generating double stranded breaks and stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways, TALE and ZF nucleases have the ability to modify the endogenous genome. We also discuss current applications of designer DNA-binding proteins in synthetic biology and disease modeling, novel effector domains for genetic and epigenetic regulation, and finally perspectives on using customizable DNA-binding proteins for interrogating neural function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D. Hsu
- Department of Molecular and
Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard,
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research,
MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United
States
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard,
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research,
MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United
States
| |
Collapse
|