1
|
Galli A, Bellè F, Fargnoli A, Caligo MA, Cervelli T. Functional Characterization of the Human BRCA1 ∆11 Splicing Isoforms in Yeast. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7511. [PMID: 39062754 PMCID: PMC11276823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BRCA1, a crucial tumor suppressor gene, has several splicing isoforms, including Δ9-11, Δ11, and Δ11q, which lack exon 11, coding for significant portions of the protein. These isoforms are naturally present in both normal and cancerous cells, exhibiting altered activity compared to the full-length BRCA1. Despite this, the impact on cancer risk of the germline intronic variants promoting the exclusive expression of these Δ11 isoforms remains uncertain. Consequently, they are classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), posing challenges for traditional genetic classification methods due to their rarity and complexity. Our research utilizes a yeast-based functional assay, previously validated for assessing missense BRCA1 variants, to compare the activity of the Δ11 splicing isoforms with known pathogenic missense variants. This approach allows us to elucidate the functional implications of these isoforms and determine whether their exclusive expression could contribute to increased cancer risk. By doing so, we aim to provide insights into the pathogenic potential of intronic VUS-generating BRCA1 splicing isoforms and improve the classification of BRCA1 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Galli
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (A.F.)
| | - Francesca Bellè
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (A.F.)
| | - Arcangelo Fargnoli
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (A.F.)
| | - Maria Adelaide Caligo
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Cervelli
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (A.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Agaoglu NB, Ng OH, Unal B, Dogan OA, Amanvermez U, Yildiz J, Doganay L, Ghazani AA, Rana HQ. Concurrent Pathogenic Variants of BRCA1, MUTYH and CHEK2 in a Hereditary Cancer Family. Cancer Genet 2022; 268-269:128-136. [PMID: 36368126 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2022.10.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Concurrent pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer predisposition genes have been reported in 0.1-2% of hereditary cancer (HC) patients. Determining concurrent PVs is crucial for the diagnosis, treatment, and risk assessment of unaffected family members. Next generation sequencing based diagnostic tests, which are widely used in HCs, enable the evaluation of multiple genes in parallel. We have screened the family members of a patient with bilateral breast cancer who was found to have concurrent PVs in BRCA1 (NM_007294.3;c.5102_5103del, p.Leu1701Glnfs*14) and MUTYH (NM_001128425.1;c.884C>T, p.Pro295Leu). Further analysis revealed concurrent PVs in CHEK2 (NM_007194.4;c.1427C>T, p.Thr476Met) and MUTYH (NM_001128425.1;c.884C>T, p.Pro295Leu) in the maternal uncle of the index case. Eight additional family members were found to have PVs in BRCA1 and MUTYH among 26 tested relatives. The sister and the brother of the index case who were diagnosed with breast and colon cancers, respectively, presented with the same genotype as the index case. Each family member was evaluated individually for clinical care and surveillance. This is the first report describing a family with BRCA1, MUTYH and CHEK2 concurrent PVs. Our findings provide valuable information for the assessment and management considerations for families with concurrent PVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nihat Bugra Agaoglu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ozden Hatirnaz Ng
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey; Acibadem University Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Busra Unal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Akgun Dogan
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Amanvermez
- Department of Genome Studies, Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jale Yildiz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer Genetics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Levent Doganay
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Umraniye, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arezou A Ghazani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Huma Q Rana
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yeast as a Tool to Understand the Significance of Human Disease-Associated Gene Variants. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091303. [PMID: 34573285 PMCID: PMC8465565 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, the great challenge in human genetics is to provide significance to the growing amount of human disease-associated gene variants identified by next generation DNA sequencing technologies. Increasing evidences suggest that model organisms are of pivotal importance to addressing this issue. Due to its genetic tractability, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents a valuable model organism for understanding human genetic variability. In the present review, we show how S. cerevisiae has been used to study variants of genes involved in different diseases and in different pathways, highlighting the versatility of this model organism.
Collapse
|
4
|
Moesslacher CS, Kohlmayr JM, Stelzl U. Exploring absent protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2021; 8:164-183. [PMID: 34395585 PMCID: PMC8329848 DOI: 10.15698/mic2021.08.756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Yeast is a valuable eukaryotic model organism that has evolved many processes conserved up to humans, yet many protein functions, including certain DNA and protein modifications, are absent. It is this absence of protein function that is fundamental to approaches using yeast as an in vivo test system to investigate human proteins. Functionality of the heterologous expressed proteins is connected to a quantitative, selectable phenotype, enabling the systematic analyses of mechanisms and specificity of DNA modification, post-translational protein modifications as well as the impact of annotated cancer mutations and coding variation on protein activity and interaction. Through continuous improvements of yeast screening systems, this is increasingly carried out on a global scale using deep mutational scanning approaches. Here we discuss the applicability of yeast systems to investigate absent human protein function with a specific focus on the impact of protein variation on protein-protein interaction modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina S Moesslacher
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Contributed equally to the writing of this review
| | - Johanna M Kohlmayr
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Contributed equally to the writing of this review
| | - Ulrich Stelzl
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Contributed equally to the writing of this review
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cervelli T, Lodovichi S, Bellè F, Galli A. Yeast-based assays for the functional characterization of cancer-associated variants of human DNA repair genes. MICROBIAL CELL 2020; 7:162-174. [PMID: 32656256 PMCID: PMC7328678 DOI: 10.15698/mic2020.07.721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Technological advances are continuously revealing new genetic variants that are often difficult to interpret. As one of the most genetically tractable model organisms, yeast can have a central role in determining the consequences of human genetic variation. DNA repair gene mutations are associated with many types of cancers, therefore the evaluation of the functional impact of these mutations is crucial for risk assessment and for determining therapeutic strategies. Owing to the evolutionary conservation of DNA repair pathways between human cells and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, several functional assays have been developed. Here, we describe assays for variants of human genes belonging to the major DNA repair pathways divided in functional assays for human genes with yeast orthologues and human genes lacking a yeast orthologue. Human genes with orthologues can be studied by introducing the correspondent human mutations directly in the yeast gene or expressing the human gene carrying the mutations; while the only possible approach for human genes without a yeast orthologue is the heterologous expression. The common principle of these approaches is that the mutated gene determines a phenotypic alteration that can vary according to the gene studied and the domain of the protein. Here, we show how the versatility of yeast can help in classifying cancer-associated variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cervelli
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics Group, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Samuele Lodovichi
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics Group, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Bellè
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics Group, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alvaro Galli
- Yeast Genetics and Genomics Group, Laboratory of Functional Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Monteiro AN, Bouwman P, Kousholt AN, Eccles DM, Millot GA, Masson JY, Schmidt MK, Sharan SK, Scully R, Wiesmüller L, Couch F, Vreeswijk MPG. Variants of uncertain clinical significance in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes: best practices in functional analysis for clinical annotation. J Med Genet 2020; 57:509-518. [PMID: 32152249 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro N Monteiro
- Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Peter Bouwman
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arne N Kousholt
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana M Eccles
- Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Gael A Millot
- Hub-DBC, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Masson
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Oncology Division, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marjanka K Schmidt
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ralph Scully
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Caleca L, Colombo M, van Overeem Hansen T, Lázaro C, Manoukian S, Parsons MT, Spurdle AB, Radice P. GFP-Fragment Reassembly Screens for the Functional Characterization of Variants of Uncertain Significance in Protein Interaction Domains of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E151. [PMID: 30696104 PMCID: PMC6406614 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has led to the identification of many unique variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Multifactorial likelihood models that predict the odds ratio for VUS in favor or against cancer causality, have been developed, but their use is conditioned by the amount of necessary data, which are difficult to obtain if a variant is rare. As an alternative, variants mapping to the coding regions can be examined using in vitro functional assays. BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins promote genome protection by interacting with different proteins. In this study, we assessed the functional effect of two sets of variants in BRCA genes by exploiting the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-reassembly in vitro assay, which was set-up to test the BRCA1/BARD1, BRCA1/UbcH5a, and BRCA2/DSS1 interactions. Based on the findings observed for the validation panels of previously classified variants, BRCA1/UbcH5a and BRCA2/DSS1 binding assays showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in identifying pathogenic and non-pathogenic variants. While the actual efficiency of these assays in assessing the clinical significance of BRCA VUS has to be verified using larger validation panels, our results suggest that the GFP-reassembly assay is a robust method to identify variants affecting normal protein functioning and contributes to the classification of VUS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Caleca
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Mara Colombo
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Thomas van Overeem Hansen
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Conxi Lázaro
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology. Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08900 Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Siranoush Manoukian
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Michael T Parsons
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
| | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
| | - Paolo Radice
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jarhelle E, Riise Stensland HMF, Mæhle L, Van Ghelue M. Characterization of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants found in a Norwegian breast or ovarian cancer cohort. Fam Cancer 2017; 16:1-16. [PMID: 27495310 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-016-9916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Molecular screening of these two genes in patients with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer has revealed pathogenic variants as well as genetic variants of unknown significance (VUS). These VUS may cause a challenge in the genetic counseling process regarding clinical management of the patient and the family. We investigated 32 variants previously detected in 33 samples from patients with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. cDNA was analyzed for alternative transcripts and selected missense variants located in the BRCT domains of BRCA1 were assessed for their trans-activation ability. Although an extensive cDNA analysis was done, only three of the 32 variants appeared to affect the splice-process (BRCA1 c.213-5T>A, BRCA1 c.5434C>G and BRCA2 c.68-7T>A). In addition, two variants located in the BRCT domains of BRCA1 (c.5075A>C p.Asp1692Ala and c.5513T>G p.Val1838Gly) were shown to abolish the BRCT domain trans-activation ability, whereas BRCA1 c.5125G>A p.Gly1709Arg exhibited equal trans-activation capability as the WT domain. These functional studies may offer further insights into the pathogenicity of certain identified variants; however, this assay is only applicable for a subset of missense variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Jarhelle
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hilde Monica Frostad Riise Stensland
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Northern Norway Family Cancer Center, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lovise Mæhle
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marijke Van Ghelue
- Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. .,Northern Norway Family Cancer Center, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Buleje J, Guevara-Fujita M, Acosta O, Huaman FDP, Danos P, Murillo A, Pinto JA, Araujo JM, Aguilar A, Ponce J, Vigil C, Castaneda C, Calderon G, Gomez HL, Fujita R. Mutational analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Peruvian families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2017; 5:481-494. [PMID: 28944232 PMCID: PMC5606899 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world. In Peru, breast cancer is the second cause of death among women. Five to ten percent of patients present a high genetic predisposition due to BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations. Methods We performed a comprehensive analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes by Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect large rearrangements in patients from 18 families, which met the criteria for hereditary breast cancer. Results In this series, we found four pathogenic mutations, three previously reported (BRCA1: c.302‐1G>C and c.815_824dup10; BRCA2: c.5946delT) and a duplication of adenines in exon 15 in BRCA1 gene (c.4647_4648dupAA, ClinVar SCV000256598.1). We also found two exonic and four intronic variants of unknown significance and 28 polymorphic variants. Conclusion This is the first report to determine the spectrum of mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes in Peruvian families selected by clinical and genetic criteria. The alteration rate in BRCA1/BRCA2 with proven pathogenic mutation was 22.2% (4 out 18) and this finding could be influenced by the reduced sample size or clinical criteria. In addition, we found three known BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations and a BRCA1 c.4647_4648dupAA as a novel pathogenic mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Buleje
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Maria Guevara-Fujita
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Oscar Acosta
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Francia D P Huaman
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Pierina Danos
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Alexis Murillo
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| | - Joseph A Pinto
- Unidad de Investigación Básica y TraslacionalOncosalud-AUNALimaPerú
| | | | - Alfredo Aguilar
- Unidad de Investigación Básica y TraslacionalOncosalud-AUNALimaPerú
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo Fujita
- Centro de Genética y Biología MolecularFacultad de Medicina HumanaUniversidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Thouvenot P, Fourrière L, Dardillac E, Ben Yamin B, Lescure A, Lejour V, Heiligenstein X, Boulé JB, Romao M, Raposo-Benedetti G, Lopez BS, Nicolas A, Millot GA. Yeast cells reveal the misfolding and the cellular mislocalization of the human BRCA1 protein. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:4366-4378. [PMID: 27802165 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.192880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the effect of an ever-growing number of human variants detected by genome sequencing is a medical challenge. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae model has held attention for its capacity to monitor the functional impact of missense mutations found in human genes, including the BRCA1 breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene. When expressed in yeast, the wild-type full-length BRCA1 protein forms a single nuclear aggregate and induces a growth inhibition. Both events are modified by pathogenic mutations of BRCA1. However, the biological processes behind these events in yeast remain to be determined. Here, we show that the BRCA1 nuclear aggregation and the growth inhibition are sensitive to misfolding effects induced by missense mutations. Moreover, misfolding mutations impair the nuclear targeting of BRCA1 in yeast cells and in a human cell line. In conclusion, we establish a connection between misfolding and nuclear transport impairment, and we illustrate that yeast is a suitable model to decipher the effect of misfolding mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Thouvenot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Lou Fourrière
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Elodie Dardillac
- CNRS UMR 8200, Institut de Cancerologie Gustave-Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94805, France
| | - Barbara Ben Yamin
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Aurianne Lescure
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Vincent Lejour
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Xavier Heiligenstein
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France.,Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Boulé
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Maryse Romao
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France.,Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Graça Raposo-Benedetti
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France.,Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Bernard S Lopez
- CNRS UMR 8200, Institut de Cancerologie Gustave-Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94805, France
| | - Alain Nicolas
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Gaël A Millot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris F-75005, France .,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3244, Paris F-75005, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lodovichi S, Vitello M, Cervelli T, Galli A. Expression of cancer related BRCA1 missense variants decreases MMS-induced recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae without altering its nuclear localization. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:2723-31. [PMID: 27484786 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1215389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene is found mutated in familial breast and ovarian cancer. Most cancer related mutations were found located at the RING (Really Interesting New Gene) and at the BRCT (BRca1 C-Terminal) domain. However, 20 y after its identification, the biological role of BRCA1 and which domains are more relevant for tumor suppression are still being elucidated. We previously reported that expression of BRCA1 cancer related variants in the RING and BRCT domain increases spontaneous homologous recombination in yeast indicating that BRCA1 may interact with yeast DNA repair/recombination. To finally demonstrate whether BRCA1 interacts with yeast DNA repair, we exposed yeast cells expressing BRCA1wt, the cancer-related variants C-61G and M1775R to different doses of the alkylating agent methyl methane-sulfonate (MMS) and then evaluated the effect on survival and homologous recombination. Cells expressing BRCA1 cancer variants were more sensitive to MMS and less inducible to recombination as compared to cell expressing BRCA1wt. Moreover, BRCA1-C61G and -M1775R did not change their nuclear localization form as compared to the BRCA1wt or the neutral variant R1751Q indicating a difference in the DNA damage processing. We propose a model where BRCA1 cancer variants interact with the DNA double strand break repair pathways producing DNA recombination intermediates, that maybe less repairable and decrease MMS-induced recombination and survival. Again, this study strengthens the use of yeast as model system to characterize the mechanisms leading to cancer in humans carrying the BRCA1 missense variant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Lodovichi
- a Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology , CNR, Pisa , Italy
| | - Martina Vitello
- a Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology , CNR, Pisa , Italy
| | - Tiziana Cervelli
- a Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology , CNR, Pisa , Italy
| | - Alvaro Galli
- a Yeast Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Clinical Physiology , CNR, Pisa , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Thouvenot P, Ben Yamin B, Fourrière L, Lescure A, Boudier T, Del Nery E, Chauchereau A, Goldgar DE, Houdayer C, Stoppa-Lyonnet D, Nicolas A, Millot GA. Functional Assessment of Genetic Variants with Outcomes Adapted to Clinical Decision-Making. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006096. [PMID: 27272900 PMCID: PMC4894565 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the medical effect of an ever-growing number of human variants detected is a long term challenge in genetic counseling. Functional assays, based on in vitro or in vivo evaluations of the variant effects, provide essential information, but they require robust statistical validation, as well as adapted outputs, to be implemented in the clinical decision-making process. Here, we assessed 25 pathogenic and 15 neutral missense variants of the BRCA1 breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility gene in four BRCA1 functional assays. Next, we developed a novel approach that refines the variant ranking in these functional assays. Lastly, we developed a computational system that provides a probabilistic classification of variants, adapted to clinical interpretation. Using this system, the best functional assay exhibits a variant classification accuracy estimated at 93%. Additional theoretical simulations highlight the benefit of this ready-to-use system in the classification of variants after functional assessment, which should facilitate the consideration of functional evidences in the decision-making process after genetic testing. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of the system with the classification of siRNAs tested for human cell growth inhibition in high throughput screening. Human genetics has entered a new age with the advent of next generation sequencing. However, this great advance also comes with new concerns. Currently, the extensive use of multi-gene panels, whole exome and whole genome sequencing, is generating an ever-growing number of new DNA sequence variations detected in the disease-predisposing genes of human patients. The pathogenic or neutral status of these variants needs to be known before planning any medical act or follow-up. We show here that the status of the variants identified in the BRCA1 breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility gene can be estimated thanks to experimental systems using yeast cells and a novel computational model. Importantly, this model provides a probabilistic classification of variants, opening the possibility to integrate results from functional assays into clinical decision-making. Moreover, our computational model is directly compatible with all kinds of experimental system without any requirement for skills in statistics thanks to ready-to-use online tools. We believe that this work is a step forward in the clinical interpretation of human genetic variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Thouvenot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Ben Yamin
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Lou Fourrière
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Aurianne Lescure
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Translational Research, the Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), Paris, France
| | | | - Elaine Del Nery
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Translational Research, the Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), Paris, France
| | - Anne Chauchereau
- INSERM U981, Villejuif, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR981, Villejuif, France
- Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - David E. Goldgar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Claude Houdayer
- Service de Génétique Oncologique, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- INSERM U830, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Stoppa-Lyonnet
- Service de Génétique Oncologique, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- INSERM U830, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Alain Nicolas
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Gaël A. Millot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jhuraney A, Velkova A, Johnson RC, Kessing B, Carvalho RS, Whiley P, Spurdle AB, Vreeswijk MPG, Caputo SM, Millot GA, Vega A, Coquelle N, Galli A, Eccles D, Blok MJ, Pal T, van der Luijt RB, Santamariña Pena M, Neuhausen SL, Donenberg T, Machackova E, Thomas S, Vallée M, Couch FJ, Tavtigian SV, Glover JNM, Carvalho MA, Brody LC, Sharan SK, Monteiro AN. BRCA1 Circos: a visualisation resource for functional analysis of missense variants. J Med Genet 2015; 52:224-30. [PMID: 25643705 PMCID: PMC4392196 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inactivating germline mutations in the tumour suppressor gene BRCA1 are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. A large number (>1500) of unique BRCA1 variants have been identified in the population and can be classified as pathogenic, non-pathogenic or as variants of unknown significance (VUS). Many VUS are rare missense variants leading to single amino acid changes. Their impact on protein function cannot be directly inferred from sequence information, precluding assessment of their pathogenicity. Thus, functional assays are critical to assess the impact of these VUS on protein activity. BRCA1 is a multifunctional protein and different assays have been used to assess the impact of variants on different biochemical activities and biological processes. METHODS AND RESULTS To facilitate VUS analysis, we have developed a visualisation resource that compiles and displays functional data on all documented BRCA1 missense variants. BRCA1 Circos is a web-based visualisation tool based on the freely available Circos software package. The BRCA1 Circos web tool (http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/bic/circos/) aggregates data from all published BRCA1 missense variants for functional studies, harmonises their results and presents various functionalities to search and interpret individual-level functional information for each BRCA1 missense variant. CONCLUSIONS This research visualisation tool will serve as a quick one-stop publically available reference for all the BRCA1 missense variants that have been functionally assessed. It will facilitate meta-analysis of functional data and improve assessment of pathogenicity of VUS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Jhuraney
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
- University of South Florida Cancer Biology PhD Program, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Aneliya Velkova
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Genome Technology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Randall C Johnson
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Fredrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bailey Kessing
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Fredrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Renato S Carvalho
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Divisão de Farmacologia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Phillip Whiley
- Genetics and Population Health Division, QIMR, BNE, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Genetics and Population Health Division, QIMR, BNE, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Maaike P G Vreeswijk
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sandrine M Caputo
- Service de Génétique, Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Paris, France
| | - Gael A Millot
- Institut Curie, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Ana Vega
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Santiago, Spain
| | - Nicolas Coquelle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alvaro Galli
- Instituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Marinus J Blok
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tuya Pal
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Rob B van der Luijt
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Susan L Neuhausen
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | | | - Eva Machackova
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Simon Thomas
- Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Maxime Vallée
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Fergus J Couch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sean V Tavtigian
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - J N Mark Glover
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marcelo A Carvalho
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Divisão de Farmacologia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lawrence C Brody
- Genome Technology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Alvaro N Monteiro
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Guaragnella N, Palermo V, Galli A, Moro L, Mazzoni C, Giannattasio S. The expanding role of yeast in cancer research and diagnosis: insights into the function of the oncosuppressors p53 and BRCA1/2. FEMS Yeast Res 2013; 14:2-16. [PMID: 24103154 DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
When the glucose supply is high, despite the presence of oxygen, Saccharomyces cerevisiae uses fermentation as its main metabolic pathway and switches to oxidative metabolism only when this carbon source is limited. There are similarities between glucose-induced repression of oxidative metabolism of yeast and metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells. The glucose-induced repression of oxidative metabolism is regulated by oncogene homologues in yeast, such as RAS and Sch9p, the yeast homologue of Akt. Yeast also undergoes an apoptosis-like programmed cell death process sharing several features with mammalian apoptosis, including oxidative stress and a major role played by mitochondria. Evasion of apoptosis and sustained proliferative signaling are hallmarks of cancer. This, together with the possibility of heterologous expression of human genes in yeast, has allowed new insights to be obtained into the function of mammalian oncogenes/oncosuppressors. Here, we elaborate on the similarities between tumor and yeast cells underpinning the use of this model organism in cancer research. We also review the achievements obtained through heterologous expression in yeast of p53, BRCA1, and BRCA2, which are among the best-known cancer-susceptibility genes, with the aim of understanding their role in tumorigenesis. Yeast-cell-based functional assays for cancer genetic testing will also be dealt with.
Collapse
|
15
|
Millot GA, Carvalho MA, Caputo SM, Vreeswijk MPG, Brown MA, Webb M, Rouleau E, Neuhausen SL, Hansen TVO, Galli A, Brandão RD, Blok MJ, Velkova A, Couch FJ, Monteiro ANA. A guide for functional analysis of BRCA1 variants of uncertain significance. Hum Mutat 2012; 33:1526-37. [PMID: 22753008 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 confer an estimated lifetime risk of 56-80% for breast cancer and 15-60% for ovarian cancer. Since the mid 1990s when BRCA1 was identified, genetic testing has revealed over 1,500 unique germline variants. However, for a significant number of these variants, the effect on protein function is unknown making it difficult to infer the consequences on risks of breast and ovarian cancers. Thus, many individuals undergoing genetic testing for BRCA1 mutations receive test results reporting a variant of uncertain clinical significance (VUS), leading to issues in risk assessment, counseling, and preventive care. Here, we describe functional assays for BRCA1 to directly or indirectly assess the impact of a variant on protein conformation or function and how these results can be used to complement genetic data to classify a VUS as to its clinical significance. Importantly, these methods may provide a framework for genome-wide pathogenicity assignment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaël A Millot
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 3244 Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|