201
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Bennett DC. Genetics of melanoma progression: the rise and fall of cell senescence. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 29:122-40. [PMID: 26386262 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There are many links between cell senescence and the genetics of melanoma, meaning both familial susceptibility and somatic-genetic changes in sporadic melanoma. For example, CDKN2A, the best-known melanoma susceptibility gene, encodes two effectors of cell senescence, while other familial melanoma genes are related to telomeres and their maintenance. This article aimed to analyze our current knowledge of the genetic or epigenetic driver changes necessary to generate a cutaneous metastatic melanoma, the commonest order in which these occur, and the relation of these changes to the biology and pathology of melanoma progression. Emphasis is laid on the role of cell senescence and the escape from senescence leading to cellular immortality, the ability to divide indefinitely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy C Bennett
- Molecular Cell Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
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202
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Chou CM, Chen YC, Su S, Chen GD, Huang KY, Lien HW, Huang CJ, Cheng CH. Activation of MEK2 is sufficient to induce skin papilloma formation in transgenic zebrafish. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:102. [PMID: 26572230 PMCID: PMC4647631 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0207-2] [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: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1 (MEK1) that occur during cell proliferation and tumor formation are well described. Information on the roles of MEK2 in these effects is still limited. We established a constitutive MEK2 transgenic zebrafish, Tg(krt14:MEK2S219D-GFP), to elucidate the role of MEK2 in skin tumor formation. Results We found that both constitutive MEK2 and MEK1 are able to phosphorylate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) protein. Transient expression of constitutive MEK2 and MEK1 in the zebrafish epidermis induced papillary formation at 48 h post-fertilization, but no effects were observed due to the expression of MEK1, MEK2, or the dominant negative form of MEK2. The transgenic zebrafish, Tg(krt14:MEK2S219D-GFP), developed skin papillomas in the epidermis within 6 days post-fertilization (dpf). The phospho-ERK signal was detected in section of skin papillomas in an immunohistochemical experiment. Treatment with 50 μM of the MEK inhibitor, U0126, had significantly decreased the skin papilloma formation in Tg(krt14:MEK2S219D-GFP) zebrafish by 6 dpf. In vitro and in vivo proliferation assay in COS-1 cells and in Tg(krt14:MEK2S219D-GFP) transgenic fish show significantly increased cell number and Ki-67 signaling. Conclusion Our data indicate that MEK2 is sufficient to induce epidermal papilloma formation through MAPK signaling in zebrafish, and this transgenic model can be used as a new platform for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ming Chou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Chung Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - San Su
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Gen-Der Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Kai-Yun Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Huang-Wei Lien
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Chang-Jen Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Hsiung Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250, Wuxing Street, Taipei, 11013, Taiwan.
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203
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van der Weyden L, Patton EE, Wood GA, Foote AK, Brenn T, Arends MJ, Adams DJ. Cross-species models of human melanoma. J Pathol 2015; 238:152-65. [PMID: 26354726 PMCID: PMC4832391 DOI: 10.1002/path.4632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Although transformation of melanocytes to melanoma is rare, the rapid growth, systemic spread, as well as the chemoresistance of melanoma present significant challenges for patient care. Here we review animal models of melanoma, including murine, canine, equine, and zebrafish models, and detail the immense contribution these models have made to our knowledge of human melanoma development, and to melanocyte biology. We also highlight the opportunities for cross-species comparative genomic studies of melanoma to identify the key molecular events that drive this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise van der Weyden
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, The MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Geoffrey A Wood
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alastair K Foote
- Rossdales Equine Hospital, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7NN, UK
| | - Thomas Brenn
- Pathology Department, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Mark J Arends
- Centre for Comparative Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK
| | - David J Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
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204
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Heilmann S, Ratnakumar K, Langdon E, Kansler E, Kim I, Campbell NR, Perry E, McMahon A, Kaufman C, van Rooijen E, Lee W, Iacobuzio-Donahue C, Hynes R, Zon L, Xavier J, White R. A Quantitative System for Studying Metastasis Using Transparent Zebrafish. Cancer Res 2015; 75:4272-4282. [PMID: 26282170 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-3319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the defining feature of advanced malignancy, yet remains challenging to study in laboratory environments. Here, we describe a high-throughput zebrafish system for comprehensive, in vivo assessment of metastatic biology. First, we generated several stable cell lines from melanomas of transgenic mitfa-BRAF(V600E);p53(-/-) fish. We then transplanted the melanoma cells into the transparent casper strain to enable highly quantitative measurement of the metastatic process at single-cell resolution. Using computational image analysis of the resulting metastases, we generated a metastasis score, μ, that can be applied to quantitative comparison of metastatic capacity between experimental conditions. Furthermore, image analysis also provided estimates of the frequency of metastasis-initiating cells (∼1/120,000 cells). Finally, we determined that the degree of pigmentation is a key feature defining cells with metastatic capability. The small size and rapid generation of progeny combined with superior imaging tools make zebrafish ideal for unbiased high-throughput investigations of cell-intrinsic or microenvironmental modifiers of metastasis. The approaches described here are readily applicable to other tumor types and thus serve to complement studies also employing murine and human cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja Heilmann
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Computational Biology
| | - Kajan Ratnakumar
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics
| | - Erin Langdon
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics
| | - Emily Kansler
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics
| | - Isabella Kim
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics
| | | | - Elizabeth Perry
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics
| | - Amy McMahon
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, David Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Biology.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Charles Kaufman
- Children's Hospital Boston.,Harvard Medical School.,Dana Farber Cancer Institute.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Ellen van Rooijen
- Children's Hospital Boston.,Harvard Medical School.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - William Lee
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Computational Biology
| | | | - Richard Hynes
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, David Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Biology.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Leonard Zon
- Children's Hospital Boston.,Harvard Medical School.,Dana Farber Cancer Institute.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Joao Xavier
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Computational Biology
| | - Richard White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics.,Weill Cornell Medical College
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205
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Palmieri G, Ombra M, Colombino M, Casula M, Sini M, Manca A, Paliogiannis P, Ascierto PA, Cossu A. Multiple Molecular Pathways in Melanomagenesis: Characterization of Therapeutic Targets. Front Oncol 2015; 5:183. [PMID: 26322273 PMCID: PMC4530319 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of malignant melanoma have been widely studied and novel therapeutic treatments developed in recent past years. Molecular targets for therapy have mostly been recognized in the RAS–RAF–MEK–ERK and PI3K–AKT signaling pathways; small-molecule inhibitors were drawn to specifically target key kinases. Unfortunately, these targeted drugs may display intrinsic or acquired resistance and various evidences suggest that inhibition of a single effector of the signal transduction cascades involved in melanoma pathogenesis may be ineffective in blocking the tumor growth. In this sense, a wider comprehension of the multiple molecular alterations accounting for either response or resistance to treatments with targeted inhibitors may be helpful in assessing, which is the most effective combination of such therapies. In the present review, we summarize the known molecular mechanisms underlying either intrinsic and acquired drug resistance either alternative roads to melanoma pathogenesis, which may become targets for innovative anticancer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Palmieri
- Unità di Genetica dei Tumori, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Sassari , Italy
| | - MariaNeve Ombra
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Avellino , Italy
| | - Maria Colombino
- Unità di Genetica dei Tumori, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Sassari , Italy
| | - Milena Casula
- Unità di Genetica dei Tumori, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Sassari , Italy
| | - MariaCristina Sini
- Unità di Genetica dei Tumori, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Sassari , Italy
| | - Antonella Manca
- Unità di Genetica dei Tumori, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Sassari , Italy
| | - Panagiotis Paliogiannis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Microchirurgiche e Mediche, Università di Sassari , Sassari , Italy
| | | | - Antonio Cossu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Microchirurgiche e Mediche, Università di Sassari , Sassari , Italy
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206
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Jelcic M, Niethammer P. Do not scratch that mole! Trends Immunol 2015; 36:503-4. [PMID: 26254146 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nevi harbor some of the same oncogene mutations that also drive malign melanoma. Further tumor promoting events are required to unleash their carcinogenic potential. Using zebrafish whose melanocytes overexpress an HRAS-oncogene, a new study reports that injury induces melanoma, possibly through recruitment of neutrophils that trigger proliferation of preneoplastic melanocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Jelcic
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 411 E 67th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Philipp Niethammer
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 411 E 67th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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207
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208
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The promise of zebrafish as a chemical screening tool in cancer therapy. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:1395-405. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression in zebrafish recapitulates many aspects of human cancer and as a result, zebrafish have been gaining popularity for their potential use in basic and translational cancer research. Human cancer can be modeled in zebrafish by induction using chemical mutagens, xenotransplantation or by genetic manipulation. Chemical screens based on zebrafish cancer models offer a rapid, powerful and inexpensive means of evaluating the potential of suppression or prevention on cancer. The identification of small molecules through such screens will serve as ideal entry points for novel chemical therapies for cancer treatment. This article outlines advances that have been made within the growing field of zebrafish cancer models and presents their advantages for chemical drug screening.
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209
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Wellbrock C, Arozarena I. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma development and MAP-kinase pathway targeted therapy. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 28:390-406. [PMID: 25818589 PMCID: PMC4692100 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes, and the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is essential for the existence of melanocytes. MITF's relevance for this cell lineage is maintained in melanoma, where it is an important regulator of survival and balances melanoma cell proliferation with terminal differentiation (pigmentation). The MITF gene is amplified in ~20% of melanomas and MITF mutation can predispose to melanoma development. Furthermore, the regulation of MITF expression and function is strongly linked to the BRAF/MEK/ERK/MAP-kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is deregulated in >90% of melanomas and central target of current therapies. MITF expression in melanoma is heterogeneous, and recent findings highlight the relevance of this heterogeneity for the response of melanoma to MAPK pathway targeting drugs, as well as for MITF's role in melanoma progression. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the regulation of MITF function and plasticity in melanoma with a focus on its link to MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research CentreWellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix ResearchFaculty of Life SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Imanol Arozarena
- Manchester Cancer Research CentreWellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix ResearchFaculty of Life SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
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210
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Abstract
RAF family kinases were among the first oncoproteins to be described more than 30 years ago. They primarily act as signalling relays downstream of RAS, and their close ties to cancer have fuelled a large number of studies. However, we still lack a systems-level understanding of their regulation and mode of action. The recent discovery that the catalytic activity of RAF depends on an allosteric mechanism driven by kinase domain dimerization is providing a vital new piece of information towards a comprehensive model of RAF function. The fact that current RAF inhibitors unexpectedly induce ERK signalling by stimulating RAF dimerization also calls for a deeper structural characterization of this family of kinases.
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211
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Cross-species oncogenomics using zebrafish models of cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 30:73-9. [PMID: 26070506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is a relatively recent addition to cancer modeling. These models have now been extensively used in cross-species oncogenomic analyses at both the DNA and RNA levels. The goal of such studies is to identify conserved events that occur in both human and fish tumors which may act as central drivers of tumor phenotypes. Numerous comparisons of somatic DNA changes, using array CGH and exome sequencing, have demonstrated a relatively small set of conserved changes across species. In contrast, striking conservation of RNA expression patterns have been observed between the two species in models such as melanoma, leukemia, and rhabdomyosarcoma. In the future, the zebrafish will increasingly be used to model epigenetic and noncoding aspects of cancer biology.
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212
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Ung CY, Guo F, Zhang X, Zhu Z, Zhu S. Mosaic zebrafish transgenesis for functional genomic analysis of candidate cooperative genes in tumor pathogenesis. J Vis Exp 2015:52567. [PMID: 25867597 PMCID: PMC4401404 DOI: 10.3791/52567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive genomic analysis has uncovered surprisingly large numbers of genetic alterations in various types of cancers. To robustly and efficiently identify oncogenic "drivers" among these tumors and define their complex relationships with concurrent genetic alterations during tumor pathogenesis remains a daunting task. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as an important animal model for studying human diseases, largely because of their ease of maintenance, high fecundity, obvious advantages for in vivo imaging, high conservation of oncogenes and their molecular pathways, susceptibility to tumorigenesis and, most importantly, the availability of transgenic techniques suitable for use in the fish. Transgenic zebrafish models of cancer have been widely used to dissect oncogenic pathways in diverse tumor types. However, developing a stable transgenic fish model is both tedious and time-consuming, and it is even more difficult and more time-consuming to dissect the cooperation of multiple genes in disease pathogenesis using this approach, which requires the generation of multiple transgenic lines with overexpression of the individual genes of interest followed by complicated breeding of these stable transgenic lines. Hence, use of a mosaic transient transgenic approach in zebrafish offers unique advantages for functional genomic analysis in vivo. Briefly, candidate transgenes can be coinjected into one-cell-stage wild-type or transgenic zebrafish embryos and allowed to integrate together into each somatic cell in a mosaic pattern that leads to mixed genotypes in the same primarily injected animal. This permits one to investigate in a faster and less expensive manner whether and how the candidate genes can collaborate with each other to drive tumorigenesis. By transient overexpression of activated ALK in the transgenic fish overexpressing MYCN, we demonstrate here the cooperation of these two oncogenes in the pathogenesis of a pediatric cancer, neuroblastoma that has resisted most forms of contemporary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong Yong Ung
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Center for Individualized Medicine
| | - Feng Guo
- Tufts University School of Medicine
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic
| | - Zhihui Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Center for Individualized Medicine; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic;
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213
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Ablain J, Durand EM, Yang S, Zhou Y, Zon LI. A CRISPR/Cas9 vector system for tissue-specific gene disruption in zebrafish. Dev Cell 2015; 32:756-64. [PMID: 25752963 PMCID: PMC4379706 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology of genome editing has greatly facilitated the targeted inactivation of genes in vitro and in vivo in a wide range of organisms. In zebrafish, it allows the rapid generation of knockout lines by simply injecting a guide RNA (gRNA) and Cas9 mRNA into one-cell stage embryos. Here, we report a simple and scalable CRISPR-based vector system for tissue-specific gene inactivation in zebrafish. As proof of principle, we used our vector with the gata1 promoter driving Cas9 expression to silence the urod gene, implicated in heme biosynthesis, specifically in the erythrocytic lineage. Urod targeting yielded red fluorescent erythrocytes in zebrafish embryos, recapitulating the phenotype observed in the yquem mutant. While F0 embryos displayed mosaic gene disruption, the phenotype appeared very penetrant in stable F1 fish. This vector system constitutes a unique tool to spatially control gene knockout and greatly broadens the scope of loss-of-function studies in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Ablain
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ellen M Durand
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Song Yang
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yi Zhou
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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214
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Oyama S, Funasaka Y, Watanabe A, Takizawa T, Kawana S, Saeki H. BRAF,KITandNRASmutations and expression of c-KIT, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphorylated AKT in Japanese melanoma patients. J Dermatol 2015; 42:477-84. [DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Oyama
- Department of Dermatology; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoko Funasaka
- Department of Dermatology; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Atsushi Watanabe
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Toshihiro Takizawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Anatomy; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Seiji Kawana
- Department of Dermatology; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
| | - Hidehisa Saeki
- Department of Dermatology; Graduate School of Medicine; Nippon Medical School; Tokyo Japan
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215
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Diniz MG, Gomes CC, Guimarães BVA, Castro WH, Lacerda JCT, Cardoso SV, de Faria PR, Dias FL, Eisenberg ALA, Loyola AM, Gomez RS. Assessment of BRAFV600E and SMOF412E mutations in epithelial odontogenic tumours. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:5649-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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216
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Ju B, Chen W, Orr BA, Spitsbergen JM, Jia S, Eden CJ, Henson HE, Taylor MR. Oncogenic KRAS promotes malignant brain tumors in zebrafish. Mol Cancer 2015; 14:18. [PMID: 25644510 PMCID: PMC4320811 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-015-0288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zebrafish have been used as a vertebrate model to study human cancers such as melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liver cancer, and leukemia as well as for high-throughput screening of small molecules of therapeutic value. However, they are just emerging as a model for human brain tumors, which are among the most devastating and difficult to treat. In this study, we evaluated zebrafish as a brain tumor model by overexpressing a human version of oncogenic KRAS (KRASG12V). Methods Using zebrafish cytokeratin 5 (krt5) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (gfap) gene promoters, we activated Ras signaling in the zebrafish central nervous system (CNS) through transient and stable transgenic overexpression. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to identify activated pathways in the resulting brain tumors. The effects of the MEK inhibitor U0126 on oncogenic KRAS were evaluated. Results We demonstrated that transient transgenic expression of KRASG12V in putative neural stem and/or progenitor cells induced brain tumorigenesis. When expressed under the control of the krt5 gene promoter, KRASG12V induced brain tumors in ventricular zones (VZ) at low frequency. The majority of other tumors were composed mostly of spindle and epithelioid cells, reminiscent of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). In contrast, when expressed under the control of the gfap gene promoter, KRASG12V induced brain tumors in both VZs and brain parenchyma at higher frequency. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated prominent activation of the canonical RAS-RAF-ERK pathway, variable activation of the mTOR pathway, but no activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway. In a krt5-derived stable and inducible transgenic line, expression of oncogenic KRAS resulted in skin hyperplasia, and the MEK inhibitor U0126 effectively suppressed this pro-proliferative effects. In a gfap-derived stable and inducible line, expression of oncogenic KRAS led to significantly increased mitotic index in the spinal cord. Conclusions Our studies demonstrate that zebrafish could be explored to study cellular origins and molecular mechanisms of brain tumorigenesis and could also be used as a platform for studying human oncogene function and for discovering oncogenic RAS inhibitors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0288-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bensheng Ju
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Wenbiao Chen
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Brent A Orr
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Jan M Spitsbergen
- Fish Disease Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Sujuan Jia
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Christopher J Eden
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Hannah E Henson
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. .,Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
| | - Michael R Taylor
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. .,Current address: Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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217
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BRAF inhibitor resistance mediated by the AKT pathway in an oncogenic BRAF mouse melanoma model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E536-45. [PMID: 25624498 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1418163112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B) inhibitors elicit a transient anti-tumor response in ∼ 80% of BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma patients that almost uniformly precedes the emergence of resistance. Here we used a mouse model of melanoma in which melanocyte-specific expression of Braf(V618E) (analogous to the human BRAF(V600E) mutation) led to the development of skin hyperpigmentation and nevi, as well as melanoma formation with incomplete penetrance. Sleeping Beauty insertional mutagenesis in this model led to accelerated and fully penetrant melanomagenesis and synchronous tumor formation. Treatment of Braf(V618E) transposon mice with the BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 resulted in tumor regression followed by relapse. Analysis of transposon insertions identified eight genes including Braf, Mitf, and ERas (ES-cell expressed Ras) as candidate resistance genes. Expression of ERAS in human melanoma cell lines conferred resistance to PLX4720 and induced hyperphosphorylation of AKT (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1), a phenotype reverted by combinatorial treatment with PLX4720 and the AKT inhibitor MK2206. We show that ERAS expression elicits a prosurvival signal associated with phosphorylation/inactivation of BAD, and that the resistance of hepatocyte growth factor-treated human melanoma cells to PLX4720 can be reverted by treatment with the BAD-like BH3 mimetic ABT-737. Thus, we define a role for the AKT/BAD pathway in resistance to BRAF inhibition and illustrate an in vivo approach for finding drug resistance genes.
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218
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Barriuso J, Nagaraju R, Hurlstone A. Zebrafish: a new companion for translational research in oncology. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:969-75. [PMID: 25573382 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In an era of high-throughput "omic" technologies, the unprecedented amount of data that can be generated presents a significant opportunity but simultaneously an even greater challenge for oncologists trying to provide personalized treatment. Classically, preclinical testing of new targets and identification of active compounds against those targets have entailed the extensive use of established human cell lines, as well as genetically modified mouse tumor models. Patient-derived xenografts in zebrafish may in the near future provide a platform for selecting an appropriate personalized therapy and together with zebrafish transgenic tumor models represent an alternative vehicle for drug development. The zebrafish is readily genetically modified. The transparency of zebrafish embryos and the recent development of pigment-deficient zebrafish afford researchers the valuable capacity to observe directly cancer formation and progression in a live vertebrate host. The zebrafish is amenable to transplantation assays that test the serial passage of fluorescently labeled tumor cells as well as their capacity to disseminate and/or metastasize. Progress achieved to date in genetic engineering and xenotransplantation will establish the zebrafish as one of the most versatile animal models for cancer research. A model organism that can be used in transgenesis, transplantation assays, single-cell functional assays, and in vivo imaging studies make zebrafish a natural companion for mice in translational oncology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Barriuso
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Raghavendar Nagaraju
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Hurlstone
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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219
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Tenente IM, Tang Q, Moore JC, Langenau DM. Normal and malignant muscle cell transplantation into immune compromised adult zebrafish. J Vis Exp 2014:52597. [PMID: 25591079 PMCID: PMC4354485 DOI: 10.3791/52597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish have become a powerful tool for assessing development, regeneration, and cancer. More recently, allograft cell transplantation protocols have been developed that permit engraftment of normal and malignant cells into irradiated, syngeneic, and immune compromised adult zebrafish. These models when coupled with optimized cell transplantation protocols allow for the rapid assessment of stem cell function, regeneration following injury, and cancer. Here, we present a method for cell transplantation of zebrafish adult skeletal muscle and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), a pediatric sarcoma that shares features with embryonic muscle, into immune compromised adult rag2(E450fs) homozygous mutant zebrafish. Importantly, these animals lack T cells and have reduced B cell function, facilitating engraftment of a wide range of tissues from unrelated donor animals. Our optimized protocols show that fluorescently labeled muscle cell preparations from α-actin-RFP transgenic zebrafish engraft robustly when implanted into the dorsal musculature of rag2 homozygous mutant fish. We also demonstrate engraftment of fluorescent-transgenic ERMS where fluorescence is confined to cells based on differentiation status. Specifically, ERMS were created in AB-strain myf5-GFP; mylpfa-mCherry double transgenic animals and tumors injected into the peritoneum of adult immune compromised fish. The utility of these protocols extends to engraftment of a wide range of normal and malignant donor cells that can be implanted into dorsal musculature or peritoneum of adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês M Tenente
- Molecular Pathology, Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Stem Cell Institute; GABBA - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto
| | - Qin Tang
- Molecular Pathology, Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Stem Cell Institute
| | - John C Moore
- Molecular Pathology, Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Stem Cell Institute;
| | - David M Langenau
- Molecular Pathology, Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Stem Cell Institute;
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220
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Parichy DM, Spiewak JE. Origins of adult pigmentation: diversity in pigment stem cell lineages and implications for pattern evolution. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 28:31-50. [PMID: 25421288 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Teleosts comprise about half of all vertebrate species and exhibit an extraordinary diversity of adult pigment patterns that function in shoaling, camouflage, and mate choice and have played important roles in speciation. Here, we review studies that have identified several distinct neural crest lineages, with distinct genetic requirements, that give rise to adult pigment cells in fishes. These lineages include post-embryonic, peripheral nerve-associated stem cells that generate black melanophores and iridescent iridophores, cells derived directly from embryonic neural crest cells that generate yellow-orange xanthophores, and bipotent stem cells that generate both melanophores and xanthophores. This complexity in adult chromatophore lineages has implications for our understanding of adult traits, melanoma, and the evolutionary diversification of pigment cell lineages and patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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221
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New insight into cancer aneuploidy in zebrafish. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 314:149-70. [PMID: 25619717 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aneuploidy is one of the most common genetic alterations in cancer cell genomes. It greatly contributes to the heterogeneity of cancer cell genomes, and its roles in tumorigenesis are attracting more and more attentions. Zebrafish is emerging as a new genetic model for many human diseases including cancer. The zebrafish cancer model has shown an equivalent degree of aneuploidy as found in corresponding human cancers, thus it provides a great tool for us to study cancer aneuploidy and, in general, cancer biology. Here, we discuss some new advances of aneuploidy and the potential usages of this cancer model system.
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222
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Abstract
New drugs targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have generated striking clinical response in melanoma therapy. From the discovery of BRAF mutation in melanoma in 2002, to the approval of first BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib for melanoma treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2011, therapies targeting the MAPK pathway have been proven effective in less than a decade. The success of vemurafenib stimulated more intensive investigation of the molecular mechanisms of melanoma pathogenesis and development of new treatment strategies targeting specific molecules in MAPK pathway. Although selective BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors demonstrated improved overall survival of metastatic melanoma patients, limited duration or development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors have been reported. Patients with metastatic melanoma still face very poor prognosis and lack of clarified therapies. Studies and multiple clinical trials on more potent and selective small molecule inhibitory compounds to further improve the clinical effects and overcome drug resistance are underway. In this review, we analyzed the therapeutic potentials of each member of the MAPK signaling pathway, summarized important MAPK-inhibiting drugs, and discussed the promising combination treatment targeting multiple targets in melanoma therapy, which may overcome the drawbacks of current drugs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Cheng
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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223
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Hurlstone A, Wellbrock C. TP53 in the UV spotlight: a bona fide driver of melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:1010-1. [PMID: 25102761 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
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224
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Yen J, White RM, Wedge DC, Van Loo P, de Ridder J, Capper A, Richardson J, Jones D, Raine K, Watson IR, Wu CJ, Cheng J, Martincorena I, Nik-Zainal S, Mudie L, Moreau Y, Marshall J, Ramakrishna M, Tarpey P, Shlien A, Whitmore I, Gamble S, Latimer C, Langdon E, Kaufman C, Dovey M, Taylor A, Menzies A, McLaren S, O'Meara S, Butler A, Teague J, Lister J, Chin L, Campbell P, Adams DJ, Zon LI, Patton EE, Stemple DL, Futreal PA. The genetic heterogeneity and mutational burden of engineered melanomas in zebrafish models. Genome Biol 2014; 14:R113. [PMID: 24148783 PMCID: PMC3983654 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Expression of oncogenic BRAF or NRAS, which are frequently mutated in human melanomas, promote the formation of nevi but are not sufficient for tumorigenesis. Even with germline mutated p53, these engineered melanomas present with variable onset and pathology, implicating additional somatic mutations in a multi-hit tumorigenic process. Results To decipher the genetics of these melanomas, we sequence the protein coding exons of 53 primary melanomas generated from several BRAFV600E or NRASQ61K driven transgenic zebrafish lines. We find that engineered zebrafish melanomas show an overall low mutation burden, which has a strong, inverse association with the number of initiating germline drivers. Although tumors reveal distinct mutation spectrums, they show mostly C > T transitions without UV light exposure, and enrichment of mutations in melanogenesis, p53 and MAPK signaling. Importantly, a recurrent amplification occurring with pre-configured drivers BRAFV600E and p53-/- suggests a novel path of BRAF cooperativity through the protein kinase A pathway. Conclusion This is the first analysis of a melanoma mutational landscape in the absence of UV light, where tumors manifest with remarkably low mutation burden and high heterogeneity. Genotype specific amplification of protein kinase A in cooperation with BRAF and p53 mutation suggests the involvement of melanogenesis in these tumors. This work is important for defining the spectrum of events in BRAF or NRAS driven melanoma in the absence of UV light, and for informed exploitation of models such as transgenic zebrafish to better understand mechanisms leading to human melanoma formation.
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225
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Kraft S, Granter SR. Molecular pathology of skin neoplasms of the head and neck. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2014; 138:759-87. [PMID: 24878016 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0157-ra] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Skin neoplasms include the most common malignancies affecting humans. Many show an ultraviolet (UV)-induced pathogenesis and often affect the head and neck region. OBJECTIVE To review literature on cutaneous neoplasms that show a predilection for the head and neck region and that are associated with molecular alterations. DATA SOURCES Literature review. CONCLUSIONS Common nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas, show a UV-induced pathogenesis. Basal cell carcinomas are characterized by molecular alterations of the Hedgehog pathway, affecting patched and smoothened genes. While squamous cell carcinomas show UV-induced mutations in several genes, driver mutations are only beginning to be identified. In addition, certain adnexal neoplasms also predominantly affect the head and neck region and show interesting, recently discovered molecular abnormalities, or are associated with hereditary conditions whose molecular genetic pathogenesis is well understood. Furthermore, recent advances have led to an increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma. Certain melanoma subtypes, such as lentigo maligna melanoma and desmoplastic melanoma, which are more often seen on the chronically sun-damaged skin of the head and neck, show differences in their molecular signature when compared to the other more common subtypes, such as superficial spreading melanoma, which are more prone to occur at sites with acute intermittent sun damage. In summary, molecular alterations in cutaneous neoplasms of the head and neck are often related to UV exposure. Their molecular footprint often reflects the histologic tumor type, and familiarity with these changes will be increasingly necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kraft
- From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Kraft); and the Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Granter)
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226
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Hsiao JJ, Fisher DE. The roles of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and pigmentation in melanoma. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 563:28-34. [PMID: 25111671 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
MITF and pigmentation play important roles in both normal melanocyte and transformed melanoma cell biology. MITF is regulated by many pathways and it also regulates many targets, some of which are still being discovered and functionally validated. MITF is involved in a wide range of processes in melanocytes, including pigment synthesis and lineage survival. Pigmentation itself plays an important role as the interface between genetic and environmental factors that contribute to melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Hsiao
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - David E Fisher
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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227
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Tang Q, Abdelfattah NS, Blackburn JS, Moore JC, Martinez SA, Moore FE, Lobbardi R, Tenente IM, Ignatius MS, Berman JN, Liwski RS, Houvras Y, Langenau DM. Optimized cell transplantation using adult rag2 mutant zebrafish. Nat Methods 2014; 11:821-4. [PMID: 25042784 PMCID: PMC4294527 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.3031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell transplantation into adult zebrafish has lagged behind mouse due to the lack of immune compromised models. Here, we have created homozygous rag2E450fs mutant zebrafish that have reduced numbers of functional T and B cells but are viable and fecund. Mutant fish engraft zebrafish muscle, blood stem cells, and cancers. rag2E450fs mutant zebrafish are the first immune compromised zebrafish model that permits robust, long-term engraftment of multiple tissues and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Tang
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [5]
| | - Nouran S Abdelfattah
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [5]
| | - Jessica S Blackburn
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [5]
| | - John C Moore
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah A Martinez
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Finola E Moore
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Riadh Lobbardi
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Inês M Tenente
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Myron S Ignatius
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason N Berman
- Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Robert S Liwski
- Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Yariv Houvras
- 1] Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - David M Langenau
- 1] Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. [4] Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [5]
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228
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Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major risk factor for melanoma development, but it has been unclear exactly how UVR leads to melanomagenesis. In a recent publication in Nature, Viros et al. identify TP53/Trp53 as a UVR-target gene in melanoma and show that UVR-induced TP53/Trp53 mutations accelerate BRAF(V600E)-driven melanomagenesis.
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229
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Balci TB, Prykhozhij SV, Teh EM, Da'as SI, McBride E, Liwski R, Chute IC, Leger D, Lewis SM, Berman JN. A transgenic zebrafish model expressing KIT-D816V recapitulates features of aggressive systemic mastocytosis. Br J Haematol 2014; 167:48-61. [PMID: 24989799 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare myeloproliferative disease without curative therapy. Despite clinical variability, the majority of patients harbour a KIT-D816V mutation, but efforts to inhibit mutant KIT with tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been unsatisfactory, indicating a need for new preclinical approaches to identify alternative targets and novel therapies in this disease. Murine models to date have been limited and do not fully recapitulate the most aggressive forms of SM. We describe the generation of a transgenic zebrafish model expressing the human KIT-D816V mutation. Adult fish demonstrate a myeloproliferative disease phenotype, including features of aggressive SM in haematopoeitic tissues and high expression levels of endopeptidases, consistent with SM patients. Transgenic embryos demonstrate a cell-cycle phenotype with corresponding expression changes in genes associated with DNA maintenance and repair, such as reduced dnmt1. In addition, epcam was consistently downregulated in both transgenic adults and embryos. Decreased embryonic epcam expression was associated with reduced neuromast numbers, providing a robust in vivo phenotypic readout for chemical screening in KIT-D816V-induced disease. This study represents the first zebrafish model of a mast cell disease with an aggressive adult phenotype and embryonic markers that could be exploited to screen for novel agents in SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugce B Balci
- Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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230
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Of fish and men: using zebrafish to fight human diseases. Trends Cell Biol 2014; 23:584-6. [PMID: 24275383 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Long restricted to the field of developmental biology, the use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has extended to the study of human pathogenesis. Fostered by the rapid adaptation of new technologies, the design and analysis of fish models of human diseases have contributed important findings that are now making their way from aquariums to clinics. Here we outline the clinical relevance of the zebrafish as a model organism.
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231
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Abstract
The process of de novo vessel formation, called angiogenesis, is essential for tumor progression and spreading. Targeting of molecular pathways involved in such tumor angiogenetic processes by using specific drugs or inhibitors is important for developing new anticancer therapies. Drug discovery remains to be the main focus for biomedical research and represents the essence of antiangiogenesis cancer research. To pursue these molecular and pharmacological goals, researchers need to use animal models that facilitate the elucidation of tumor angiogenesis mechanisms and the testing of antiangiogenic therapies. The past few years have seen the zebrafish system emerge as a valid model organism to study developmental angiogenesis and, more recently, as an alternative vertebrate model for cancer research. In this review, we will discuss why the zebrafish model system has the advantage of being a vertebrate model equipped with easy and powerful transgenesis as well as imaging tools to investigate not only physiological angiogenesis but also tumor angiogenesis. We will also highlight the potential of zebrafish for identifying antitumor angiogenesis drugs to block tumor development and progression. We foresee the zebrafish model as an important system that can possibly complement well-established mouse models in cancer research to generate novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo M Santoro
- From the Laboratory of Endothelial Molecular Biology, Vesalius Research Center, Katholieke University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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232
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Besaratinia A, Tommasi S. Epigenetics of human melanoma: promises and challenges. J Mol Cell Biol 2014; 6:356-67. [PMID: 24895357 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mju027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer with rising incidence and mortality rates. Although early-stage melanoma is highly curable, advanced-stage melanoma is refractory to treatment. This underscores the importance of prevention and early detection as well as the need to improve treatment and prognostication of human melanoma. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the initiation and progression of human melanoma can help identify potential targets of intervention for prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of this disease. Aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications are the best-established epigenetic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. The occurrence of epigenetic changes prior to clinical diagnosis of cancer and their reversibility through pharmacologic/genetic approaches offer a promising avenue for basic and translational research on human melanoma. Candidate gene(s) or genome-wide aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications have been observed in human melanoma tumor tissues and cell lines, and correlated to cellular and functional characteristics and/or clinicopathological features of this malignancy. The present review summarizes the published researches on aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications in connection with human melanoma. Representative studies are highlighted to set forth the current state of knowledge, gaps in the knowledgebase, and future directions in these epigenetic fields of research. Examples of epigenetic therapy applied for human melanoma in vitro, and the challenges of its in vivo application for clinical treatment of solid tumors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Stella Tommasi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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233
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Insights from Genetic Models of Melanoma in Fish. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s40139-014-0043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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234
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Havel JJ, Li Z, Cheng D, Peng J, Fu H. Nuclear PRAS40 couples the Akt/mTORC1 signaling axis to the RPL11-HDM2-p53 nucleolar stress response pathway. Oncogene 2014; 34:1487-98. [PMID: 24704832 PMCID: PMC4216640 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Ribosomal Protein (RP)-HDM2-p53 pathway has been shown to play key roles in oncogene-induced apoptosis and senescence, but the mechanism regulating this pathway remains elusive. The Proline-Rich Akt Substrate of 40 kDA (PRAS40) has recently been identified as a binding partner and inhibitor of the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1). Although other inhibitors of mTORC1 are known tumor suppressors, PRAS40 promotes cell survival and tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate that Akt- and mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of PRAS40 at T246 and S221, respectively, promotes nuclear-specific association of PRAS40 with Ribosomal Protein L11 (RPL11). Importantly, silencing of PRAS40 induces upregulation of p53 in a manner dependent upon RPL11. This effect is rescued by wild type PRAS40, but not by the RPL11 binding-null PRAS40 T246A mutant. We find that PRAS40 negatively regulates the RPL11-HDM2-p53 nucleolar stress response pathway and suppresses induction of p53-mediated cellular senescence. This work identifies nuclear PRAS40 as a dual-input signaling checkpoint that links cell growth and proliferation to inhibition of cellular senescence. These findings may help to explain the pro-tumorigenic effect of PRAS40 and identify the PRAS40-RPL11 complex as a promising target for p53-restorative anti-cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Havel
- 1] Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA [2] Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Z Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - D Cheng
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J Peng
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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235
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Gutierrez A, Feng H, Stevenson K, Neuberg DS, Calzada O, Zhou Y, Langenau DM, Look AT. Loss of function tp53 mutations do not accelerate the onset of myc-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the zebrafish. Br J Haematol 2014; 166:84-90. [PMID: 24690081 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The TP53 tumour suppressor is activated in response to distinct stimuli, including an ARF-dependent response to oncogene stress and an ATM/ATR-dependent response to DNA damage. In human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), TP53-dependent tumour suppression is typically disabled via biallelic ARF deletions. In murine models, loss of Arf (Cdkn2a) or Tp53 markedly accelerates the onset of Myc-induced lymphoblastic malignancies. In zebrafish, no ARF ortholog has been identified, but the sequence of ARF is very poorly conserved evolutionarily, making it difficult to exclude the presence of a zebrafish ARF ortholog without functional studies. Here we show that tp53 mutations have no significant influence on the onset of myc-induced T-ALL in zebrafish, consistent with the lack of additional effects of Tp53 loss on lymphomagenesis in Arf-deficient mice. By contrast, irradiation leads to complete T-ALL regression in tp53 wild-type but not homozygous mutant zebrafish, indicating that the tp53-dependent DNA damage response is intact. We conclude that tp53 inactivation has no impact on the onset of myc-induced T-ALL in the zebrafish, consistent with the lack of a functional ARF ortholog linking myc-induced oncogene stress to tp53-dependent tumour suppression. Thus, the zebrafish model is well suited to the study of ARF-independent pathways in T-ALL pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gutierrez
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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236
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Sharma P, Sharma S, Patial V, Singh D, Padwad YS. Zebrafish (Danio rerio): A potential model for nephroprotective drug screening. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cqn.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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237
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Haq R, Fisher DE, Widlund HR. Molecular pathways: BRAF induces bioenergetic adaptation by attenuating oxidative phosphorylation. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:2257-63. [PMID: 24610826 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancers acquire mutations in cooperating pathways that sustain their growth and survival. To support continued proliferation, tumor cells adapt their metabolism to balance energy production with their augmented biosynthetic needs. Although most normal differentiated cells use mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as the bioenergetic source, cancer cells have been proposed to rely principally on cytoplasmic glycolysis. The molecular basis for this shift, termed the Warburg effect, is the subject of intense investigation, because mechanistic understanding may lead to novel approaches to target the altered metabolism of cancer cells. Recently, mutations BRAF(V600E) have emerged as a major regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Melanoma cells may use a metabolic shift to circumvent BRAF(V600E)-induced senescence though limiting their reliance on OXPHOS and promote proliferation. Furthermore, BRAF(V600E) acts to suppress expression of the melanocyte master regulator microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and the mitochondrial biogenesis coactivator PGC1α. Accordingly, therapeutic inhibition of BRAF(V600E) reverses metabolic reprogramming in melanoma cells and elevates OXPHOS through increased MITF-PGC1α levels. BRAF-targeted drugs modulate the metabolic state of malignant melanoma cells, and counteracting these adaptive responses using pharmacologic agents may prove useful in combinatorial therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(9); 2257-63. ©2014 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Haq
- Authors' Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown; Center for Melanoma, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Skin Diseases Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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238
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Yen J, White RM, Stemple DL. Zebrafish models of cancer: progress and future challenges. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2014; 24:38-45. [PMID: 24657535 PMCID: PMC4003353 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The need for scalable strategies to probe the biological consequences of candidate cancer genes has never been more pressing. The zebrafish, with its capacity for high-throughput transgenesis, in vivo imaging and chemical/genetic screening, has ideal features for undertaking this task. Unique biological insights from zebrafish have already led to the identification of novel oncogenic drivers and small molecules being used to treat the human cancer. This review summarizes the recent main findings and describes pertinent areas where the zebrafish can greatly contribute to our understanding of cancer biology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Yen
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 11788, United States
| | - Derek L Stemple
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom.
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239
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Abstract
Genome editing using the Cas9 endonuclease of Streptococcus pyogenes has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy and facility in a wide variety of biological systems. In zebrafish, specifically, studies have shown that Cas9 can be directed to user-defined genomic target sites via synthetic guide RNAs, enabling random or homology-directed sequence alterations, long-range chromosomal deletions, simultaneous disruption of multiple genes, and targeted integration of several kilobases of DNA. Altogether, these methods are opening new doors for the engineering of knock-outs, conditional alleles, tagged proteins, reporter lines, and disease models. In addition, the ease and high efficiency of generating Cas9-mediated gene knock-outs provides great promise for high-throughput functional genomics studies in zebrafish. In this chapter, we briefly review the origin of CRISPR/Cas technology and discuss current Cas9-based genome-editing applications in zebrafish with particular emphasis on their designs and implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P W Gonzales
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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240
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Abstract
The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful model system to study human diseases, including a variety of neoplasms. Principal components that have contributed to the rise in use of this vertebrate model system are its high fecundity, ease of genetic manipulation, and low cost of maintenance. Vital imaging of the zebrafish is possible from the transparent embryonic stage through adulthood, the latter enabled by a number of mutant lines that ablate pigmentation. As a result, high-resolution analyses of tumor progression can be accomplished in vivo. Straightforward transgenesis of zebrafish has been employed to develop numerous tumor models that recapitulate many aspects of human neoplastic disease, both in terms of pathologic and molecular conservation. The small size of zebrafish embryos has enabled screens for novel chemotherapeutic agents. Its facile genetics have been exploited in studies that extend beyond modeling cancer to investigations that define new cancer genes and mechanisms of cancer progression. Together, these attributes have established the zebrafish as a robust and versatile model system for investigating cancer. In this chapter we describe methods that are used to study a gene's impact on melanoma progression. We detail methods for making transgenic animals and screening for tumor onset as well as methods to investigate tumor invasion and propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrie A Painter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Department of Cancer Biology, Program in Cell and Developmental Dynamics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
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241
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Beaumont KA, Mohana-Kumaran N, Haass NK. Modeling Melanoma In Vitro and In Vivo. Healthcare (Basel) 2013; 2:27-46. [PMID: 27429258 PMCID: PMC4934492 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare2010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The behavior of melanoma cells has traditionally been studied in vitro in two-dimensional cell culture with cells adhering to plastic dishes. However, in order to mimic the three-dimensional architecture of a melanoma, as well as its interactions with the tumor microenvironment, there has been the need for more physiologically relevant models. This has been achieved by designing 3D in vitro models of melanoma, such as melanoma spheroids embedded in extracellular matrix or organotypic skin reconstructs. In vivo melanoma models have typically relied on the growth of tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Several genetically engineered mouse models have now been developed which allow the generation of spontaneous melanoma. Melanoma models have also been established in other species such as zebrafish, which are more conducive to imaging and high throughput studies. We will discuss these models as well as novel techniques that are relevant to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley A. Beaumont
- The Centenary Institute, Newtown, New South Wales 2042, Australia; E-Mails: (K.A.B.); (N.M.-K.)
| | - Nethia Mohana-Kumaran
- The Centenary Institute, Newtown, New South Wales 2042, Australia; E-Mails: (K.A.B.); (N.M.-K.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nikolas K. Haass
- The Centenary Institute, Newtown, New South Wales 2042, Australia; E-Mails: (K.A.B.); (N.M.-K.)
- Discipline of Dermatology, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +61-7-3443-7087; Fax: +61-7-3443-6966
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242
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Abstract
The American Cancer Society estimates that skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers with over 2 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer each year and 75,000 melanoma cases in 2012. Representative animal cancer models are important for understanding the underlying molecular pathogenesis of these cancers and the development of novel targeted anticancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss some of the important animal models that have been useful to identify important pathways involved in basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Gober
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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243
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Bertolotto C. Melanoma: from melanocyte to genetic alterations and clinical options. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:635203. [PMID: 24416617 PMCID: PMC3874946 DOI: 10.1155/2013/635203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma remained for decades without any effective treatment and was thus considered as a paradigm of cancer resistance. Recent progress with understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma initiation and progression revealed that melanomas are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous tumors. This recent progress has allowed for the development of treatment able to improve for the first time the overall disease-free survival of metastatic melanoma patients. However, clinical responses are still either too transient or limited to restricted patient subsets. The complete cure of metastatic melanoma therefore remains a challenge in the clinic. This review aims to present the recent knowledge and discoveries of the molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma pathogenesis and their exploitation into clinic that have recently facilitated bench to bedside advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corine Bertolotto
- INSERM, U1065 (Équipe 1), C3M, 06204 Nice, France
- University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UFR Médecine, 06204 Nice, France
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244
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Zhang G, Vemulapalli TH, Yang JY. Phylooncogenomics: Examining the cancer genome in the context of vertebrate evolution. Appl Transl Genom 2013; 2:48-54. [PMID: 27896055 PMCID: PMC5121254 DOI: 10.1016/j.atg.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Currently, human cancer genomics is making great progress, and many mutations of new cancer driver genes have been detected at an unprecedented rate in a variety of human cancers. Many details of the genetic alterations in cancer cell genomes have been revealed by the massively parallel sequencing. Long-lasting aneuploidy caused large-scale somatic copy number alterations remains a difficulty as there are too many genes located on such big chromosomal fragments, and this cannot simply be solved by increasing sequencing depth and tumor sample numbers. Comparative oncogenomics may provide us with a solution to this problem. Here, we review some of the common animal cancer models and propose to analyze cancer cell genomics in vertebrate phylogenetic backgrounds. Thus phylooncogenomics may provide us with a unique perspective on he nature of cancer biology unattainable by single species studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- GuangJun Zhang
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, United States
| | - Tracy H. Vemulapalli
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States
| | - Jer-Yen Yang
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, United States
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States
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245
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Rahman M, Salajegheh A, Smith R, Lam AY. B-Raf mutation: A key player in molecular biology of cancer. Exp Mol Pathol 2013; 95:336-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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246
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Chen J, Chi M, Chen C, Zhang XD. Obesity and melanoma: exploring molecular links. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:1955-61. [PMID: 23554059 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is now a major health problem due to its rapidly increasing incidence worldwide and severe consequences. Among many conditions associated with obesity are some cancers including melanoma. Both genetic defects and environmental risk factors are involved in the carcinogenesis of melanoma. Activation of multiple signal pathways such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways are necessary for the initiation of melanoma. Activation of the MAPK pathway as a result of activating mutations in BRAF is commonly seen in melanoma though it alone is not sufficient to cause malignant transformation of melanocytes. Obesity can result in the activation of many signal pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and STAT3. The activation of these pathways may have a synergistic effect with the genetic defects thereby increasing the incidence of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiezhong Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Sir William MacGregor Building 64, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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247
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Predictors of BRAF mutation in melanocytic nevi: analysis across regions with different UV radiation exposure. Am J Dermatopathol 2013; 35:412-8. [PMID: 23051629 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0b013e31826db181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BRAF mutations have been implicated in initiating promutagenic cellular melanocytic proliferation mostly based on homogeneous Western-based cohorts. Data addressing the possible interaction between exposure to different solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) magnitudes and BRAF mutation rate (BMR) in melanocytic nevi are limited. DESIGN Extended BRAF testing for 9 mutations in 225 melanocytic nevus (MN) cases derived from 211 patients from 4 different UVR regions: Lebanon (n = 95; 110 kJ · m(-2) · yr), Syria (n = 23; 93.5 kJ · m(-2) · yr), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (n = 70; 139 kJ · m(-2) · yr), and Pakistan (n = 37; 118 kJ · m(-2) · yr) was performed. Data collected included age, gender, anatomic location, and lesion size. Histological parameters recorded were MN type (junctional, compound, intradermal, classical blue, cellular blue, compound and intradermal spitz, and congenital) solar elastosis grade, and nevus pigmentation degree. Cumulative 21-year erythemally effective UV averages were derived from The National Center for Atmospheric Research. RESULTS BRAF mutation status was obtained in 210 cases (6.7% failed polymerase chain reaction). Overall, BMR was 62.4% (131/210) with V600E mutation accounting for 98.5% of cases. Discordant mutation status was found in 2 of 10 patients with multiple nevi. BMR differed significantly, yet nonsystematically, among UVR regions; the highest was detected in nevi coming from Syria (18/23 cases, 78%), followed by Pakistan (21/30 cases, 70%), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (47/70 cases, 67%), and Lebanon (45/87 cases, 52%). Mutation rates varied significantly across MN type (P < 0.001); the highest rate was recorded in the intradermal nevus type (33/39 cases, 84.6%), followed by the compound (26/32 cases, 81.2%) and congenital (60/74 cases 81.0%) nevi. Stratified by anatomic location, nevi occurring on the face (61/82, 74%) and trunk (58/78, 74%) had more frequent BMRs compared with those occurring on the upper (7/26, 27%) and lower extremities (5/24, 21%, P < 0.001). Severe pigmentation was less frequent in BRAF mutation-positive nevi [5/131 (4%) vs. 34/79 (43%); P < 0.001]. Multivariate independent predictors of BRAF mutation in MN were age [odds ratio (95% confidence interval ) = 1.43 (1.13-1.74) per 10 years; P = 0.004], anatomic location [P = 0.043 overall], and nevus type [P < 0.001 overall]. UVR region was not an independent predictor of BRAF mutation. CONCLUSIONS Increased BRAF mutation with age along with the lack of a UVR magnitude-BRAF mutation association suggests that duration of exposure rather than UVR exposure dose is the more likely link to acquiring the mutation.
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248
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Lu JW, Yang WY, Tsai SM, Lin YM, Chang PH, Chen JR, Wang HD, Wu JL, Jin SLC, Yuh CH. Liver-specific expressions of HBx and src in the p53 mutant trigger hepatocarcinogenesis in zebrafish. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76951. [PMID: 24130815 PMCID: PMC3793937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process that starts from fatty liver and transitions to fibrosis and, finally, into cancer. Many etiological factors, including hepatitis B virus X antigen (HBx) and p53 mutations, have been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, potential synergistic effects between these two factors and the underlying mechanisms by which they promote hepatocarcinogenesis are still unclear. In this report, we show that the synergistic action of HBx and p53 mutation triggers progressive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation via src activation in zebrafish. Liver-specific expression of HBx in wild-type zebrafish caused steatosis, fibrosis and glycogen accumulation. However, the induction of tumorigenesis by HBx was only observed in p53 mutant fish and occurred in association with the up-regulation and activation of the src tyrosine kinase pathway. Furthermore, the overexpression of src in p53 mutant zebrafish also caused hyperplasia, HCC, and sarcomatoid HCC, which were accompanied by increased levels of the signaling proteins p-erk, p-akt, myc, jnk1 and vegf. Increased expression levels of lipogenic factors and the genes involved in lipid metabolism and glycogen storage were detected during the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis in the HBx and src transgenic zebrafish. The up-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, tumor progression and other molecular hallmarks of human liver cancer were found at later stages in both HBx and src transgenic, p53 mutant zebrafish. Together, our study demonstrates that HBx and src overexpression induced hepatocarcinogenesis in p53 mutant zebrafish. This phenomenon mimics human HCC formation and provides potential in vivo platforms for drug screening for therapies for human liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeng-Wei Lu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jhongli City, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yu Yang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Su-Mei Tsai
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Min Lin
- Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua City, Changhua County, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Hou-Loung Town, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Pen-Heng Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Ray Chen
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Dar Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Leih Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Nangang District, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chiou-Hwa Yuh
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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249
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Abstract
The zebrafish is a recent addition to animal models of human cancer, and studies using this model are rapidly contributing major insights. Zebrafish develop cancer spontaneously, after mutagen exposure and through transgenesis. The tumours resemble human cancers at the histological, gene expression and genomic levels. The ability to carry out in vivo imaging, chemical and genetic screens, and high-throughput transgenesis offers a unique opportunity to functionally characterize the cancer genome. Moreover, increasingly sophisticated modelling of combinations of genetic and epigenetic alterations will allow the zebrafish to complement what can be achieved in other models, such as mouse and human cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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250
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Tobia C, Gariano G, De Sena G, Presta M. Zebrafish embryo as a tool to study tumor/endothelial cell cross-talk. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1371-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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