151
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Ma H, Mallampati S, Lu Y, Sun B, Wang E, Leng X, Gong Y, Shen H, Yin CC, Jones D, Amin HM, You MJ, Zweidler-McKay P, Ma Y, Kantarjian HM, Arlinghaus RB, Glassman A, Sun X. The Sox4/Tcf7l1 axis promotes progression of BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2014; 99:1591-8. [PMID: 24997151 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2014.104695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Sox4 plays an indispensable role in the development of early progenitor B cells from hematopoietic stem cells. However, its role in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a malignant counterpart of normal progenitor B cells, is not fully understood. Here we show that SOX4 is highly expressed in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. To systematically study the function of Sox4 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we established a genetically defined mouse leukemia model by transforming progenitor B cells carrying a floxed Sox4 allele and inducing deletion of the allele by the self-excising Cre recombinase. This model allowed us to work with two groups of leukemic cells that had either one copy or both copies of Sox4 deleted. We found that depletion of Sox4 in transformed cells in vitro reduced cell growth in vitro and the progression of leukemia in vivo. Moreover, depletion of Sox4 in leukemic cells in vivo prolonged the survival of the mice, suggesting that it could be a potential target in acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy. Our microarray and bioChIP studies revealed that Tcf7l1 was the key gene directly regulated by Sox4. Knockdown of Tcf7l1 reduced cell proliferation, just as did knockout of Sox4, and ectopic expression of Tcf7l1 could reverse the effect of Sox4 knockout on cell proliferation. These data suggest that Sox4 and Tcf7l1 form a functional axis that promotes the progression of BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, TX, USA Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Saradhi Mallampati
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Baohua Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Enze Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaohong Leng
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yun Gong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Haifa Shen
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Cameron Yin
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dan Jones
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hesham M Amin
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M James You
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Yupo Ma
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Ralph B Arlinghaus
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MDACC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Armand Glassman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoping Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Houston, TX, USA
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152
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Thu KL, Becker-Santos DD, Radulovich N, Pikor LA, Lam WL, Tsao MS. SOX15 and other SOX family members are important mediators of tumorigenesis in multiple cancer types. Oncoscience 2014; 1:326-35. [PMID: 25594027 PMCID: PMC4278306 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX genes are transcription factors with important roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. The SOX family of 20 genes is responsible for regulating lineage and tissue specific gene expression patterns, controlling numerous developmental processes including cell differentiation, sex determination, and organogenesis. As is the case with many genes involved in regulating development, SOX genes are frequently deregulated in cancer. In this perspective we provide a brief overview of how SOX proteins can promote or suppress cancer growth. We also present a pan-cancer analysis of aberrant SOX gene expression and highlight potential molecular mechanisms responsible for their disruption in cancer. Our analyses indicate the prominence of SOX deregulation in different cancer types and reveal potential roles for SOX genes not previously described in cancer. Finally, we summarize our recent identification of SOX15 as a candidate tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer and propose several research avenues to pursue to further delineate the emerging role of SOX15 in development and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie L Thu
- BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
| | | | | | | | - Wan L Lam
- BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network at the University of Toronto
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153
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Huang YW, Kuo CT, Chen JH, Goodfellow PJ, Huang THM, Rader JS, Uyar DS. Hypermethylation of miR-203 in endometrial carcinomas. Gynecol Oncol 2014; 133:340-5. [PMID: 24530564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aberrant expression of SOX4 in endometrial cancer has been identified and partially was contributed to hypermethylation of miR-129-2. Other miRNAs are suspected to influence SOX 4 as well. The current study seeks to identify other hypermethylated miRNAs that regulate SOX4 in endometrial carcinomas. METHODS Methylation levels of miRNA promoter regions were measured by combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) and pyrosequencing assays. Gene expression was determined by RT-qPCR. Methylation level of a miRNA locus was corrected with clinicopathologic factors for 252 gynecological specimens. RESULTS In silico analysis identified 13 miRNA loci bound on the 3'-UTR of SOX4. Using COBRA assays, increased methylation of miR-203, miR-219-2, miR-596, and miR-618 was detected in endometrial cancer cells relative to those seen in a normal cell line and in normal endometrium. Transfection of a miR-203 mimic decreased SOX4 gene expression. Hypermethylation of miR-203 was detected in 52% of type I endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (n=131) but was not seen in any of 10 uninvolved normal endometria (P<0.001). Methylation status of miR-203 was significantly associated with microsatellite instability and MLH1 methylation in endometrial tumors (P<0.001). Furthermore, hypermethylation of miR-203 was found in endometrioid and clear endometrial subtype tumors, but not in cervical squamous cell and ovarian carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Hypermethylation of miR-203 is a frequent event in endometrial carcinomas and is strongly associated with microsatellite instability and MLH1 methylation status. Thus, miR-203 methylation level might represent a marker for patients with endometrioid and clear endometrial sub-cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wen Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| | - Chieh-Ti Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jo-Hsin Chen
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Paul J Goodfellow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tim H-M Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapy & Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Janet S Rader
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Denise S Uyar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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154
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Stovall DB, Cao P, Sui G. SOX7: from a developmental regulator to an emerging tumor suppressor. Histol Histopathol 2013; 29:439-45. [PMID: 24288056 DOI: 10.14670/hh-29.10.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
SOX7 belongs to the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) family of transcription factors that have been shown to regulate multiple biological processes, such as hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis and cardiogenesis during embryonic development. Recent studies indicate that several SOX family members play important roles in tumorigenesis. In this review, we introduce SOX7 gene and protein structures, and discuss its expression and functional role in cancer development and progression. SOX7 is frequently downregulated in many human cancers and its reduced expression correlates with poor prognoses of several cancers. Functional studies reveal many tumor suppressive properties of SOX7 in prostate, colon, lung, and breast cancers. To date, although a few target genes of SOX7 have been identified, SOX7-mediated gene expression has not been investigated in a cancer-relevant context. Our recent studies not only for the first time demonstrate a tumor suppressive role of SOX7 in a xenograft mouse model, but also unravel that many genes regulating cell death, growth and apoptosis are affected by SOX7, strongly supporting a pivotal role of SOX7 in tumorigenesis. Thus, currently available data clearly indicate a tumor suppressive role of SOX7, but the mechanisms underlying its gene expression and tumor suppressive activity remain undetermined. The research of SOX7 in cancers remains a fertile area to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Stovall
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Center for Cancer Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Paul Cao
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Center for Cancer Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Guangchao Sui
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Center for Cancer Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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155
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Growth inhibitory effects of three miR-129 family members on gastric cancer. Gene 2013; 532:87-93. [PMID: 24055727 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Reduced expression of microRNA-129 (miR-129) has been reported in several types of tumor cell lines as well as in primary tumor tissues. However, little is known about how miR-129 affects cell proliferation in gastric cancer. Here, we show that all miR-129 family members, miR-129-1-3p, miR-129-2-3p, and miR-129-5p, are down-regulated in gastric cancer cell lines compared with normal gastric epithelial cells. Furthermore, using the real-time cell analyzer assay to observe the growth effects of miR-129 on gastric cancer cells, we found that all three mature products of miR-129 showed tumor suppressor activities. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying down-regulation of miR-129 in gastric cancer, we analyzed the effects of miR-129 mimics on the cell cycle. We found that increased miR-129 levels in gastric cancer cells resulted in significant G0/G1 phase arrest. Interestingly, we showed that cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), a cell cycle-associated protein involved in G1-S transition, was a target of miR-129. We also found that expression of the sex determining region Y-box 4 (SOX4) was inversely associated with that of miR-129-2-3p and miR-129-5p but not of miR-129-1-3p. Together, our data indicate that all miR-129 family members, not only miR-129-5p, as previously thought, play an important role in regulating cell proliferation in gastric cancer.
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156
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Vervoort SJ, Lourenço AR, van Boxtel R, Coffer PJ. SOX4 mediates TGF-β-induced expression of mesenchymal markers during mammary cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53238. [PMID: 23301048 PMCID: PMC3536747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mensenchymal transition program regulates various aspects of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis, but aberrant activation of this pathway in cancer contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. TGF-β potently induces an epithelial to mensenchymal transition in cancers of epithelial origin by inducing transcriptional changes mediated by several key transcription factors. Here, we identify the developmental transcription factor SOX4 as a transcriptional target of TGF-β in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells. SOX4 expression and activity are rapidly induced in the early stages of the TGF-β-induced epithelial to mensenchymal transition. We demonstrate that conditional activation of Sox4 is sufficient to induce the expression of N-cadherin and additional mesenchymal markers including vimentin and fibronectin, but fails to induce complete EMT as no changes are observed in the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin. Moreover, shRNA-mediated knockdown of SOX4 significantly delays TGF-β-induced mRNA and protein expression of mesenchymal markers. Taken together, these data suggest that TGF-β-mediated increased expression of SOX4 is required for the induction of a mesenchymal phenotype during EMT in human mammary epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephin J. Vervoort
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Rita Lourenço
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben van Boxtel
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Coffer
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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