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Brankiewicz-Kopcinska W, Kallingal A, Krzemieniecki R, Baginski M. Targeting shelterin proteins for cancer therapy. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104056. [PMID: 38844065 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
As a global health challenge, cancer prompts continuous exploration for innovative therapies that are also based on new targets. One promising avenue is targeting the shelterin protein complex, a safeguard for telomeres crucial in preventing DNA damage. The role of shelterin in modulating ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinases, key players in the DNA damage response (DDR), establishes its significance in cancer cells. Disrupting these defence mechanisms of shelterins, especially in cancer cells, renders telomeres vulnerable, potentially leading to genomic instability and hindering cancer cell survival. In this review, we outline recent approaches exploring shelterins as potential anticancer targets, highlighting the prospect of developing selective molecules to exploit telomere vulnerabilities toward new innovative cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioletta Brankiewicz-Kopcinska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anoop Kallingal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Radoslaw Krzemieniecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maciej Baginski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
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Akincilar SC, Chan CHT, Ng QF, Fidan K, Tergaonkar V. Non-canonical roles of canonical telomere binding proteins in cancers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4235-4257. [PMID: 33599797 PMCID: PMC8164586 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03783-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reactivation of telomerase is a major hallmark observed in 90% of all cancers. Yet paradoxically, enhanced telomerase activity does not correlate with telomere length and cancers often possess short telomeres; suggestive of supplementary non-canonical roles that telomerase might play in the development of cancer. Moreover, studies have shown that aberrant expression of shelterin proteins coupled with their release from shortening telomeres can further promote cancer by mechanisms independent of their telomeric role. While targeting telomerase activity appears to be an attractive therapeutic option, this approach has failed in clinical trials due to undesirable cytotoxic effects on stem cells. To circumvent this concern, an alternative strategy could be to target the molecules involved in the non-canonical functions of telomeric proteins. In this review, we will focus on emerging evidence that has demonstrated the non-canonical roles of telomeric proteins and their impact on tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we aim to address current knowledge gaps in telomeric protein functions and propose future research approaches that can be undertaken to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semih Can Akincilar
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Proteos, 61, Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Claire Hian Tzer Chan
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Proteos, 61, Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Qin Feng Ng
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Proteos, 61, Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Kerem Fidan
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Proteos, 61, Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Proteos, 61, Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore.
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Wu Y, Poulos RC, Reddel RR. Role of POT1 in Human Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102739. [PMID: 32987645 PMCID: PMC7598640 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The segmentation of eukaryotic genomes into discrete linear chromosomes requires processes to solve several major biological problems, including prevention of the chromosome ends being recognized as DNA breaks and compensation for the shortening that occurs when linear DNA is replicated. A specialized set of six proteins, collectively referred to as shelterin, is involved in both of these processes, and mutations in several of these are now known to be involved in cancer. Here, we focus on Protection of Telomeres 1 (POT1), the shelterin protein that appears to be most commonly involved in cancer, and consider the clinical significance of findings about its biological functions and the prevalence of inherited and acquired mutations in the POT1 gene. Abstract Telomere abnormalities facilitate cancer development by contributing to genomic instability and cellular immortalization. The Protection of Telomeres 1 (POT1) protein is an essential subunit of the shelterin telomere binding complex. It directly binds to single-stranded telomeric DNA, protecting chromosomal ends from an inappropriate DNA damage response, and plays a role in telomere length regulation. Alterations of POT1 have been detected in a range of cancers. Here, we review the biological functions of POT1, the prevalence of POT1 germline and somatic mutations across cancer predisposition syndromes and tumor types, and the dysregulation of POT1 expression in cancers. We propose a framework for understanding how POT1 abnormalities may contribute to oncogenesis in different cell types. Finally, we summarize the clinical implications of POT1 alterations in the germline and in cancer, and possible approaches for the development of targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxiu Wu
- Cancer Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia;
- ProCan® Cancer Data Science Group, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Rebecca C. Poulos
- ProCan® Cancer Data Science Group, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Roger R. Reddel
- Cancer Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-8865-2901
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Koi Y, Tsutani Y, Nishiyama Y, Kanda M, Shiroma Y, Yamamoto Y, Sasada S, Akita T, Masumoto N, Kadoya T, Takahashi RU, Tanaka J, Okada M, Tahara H. Diagnostic performance of peripheral leukocyte telomere G-tail length for detecting breast cancer. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:1856-1861. [PMID: 32249523 PMCID: PMC7226277 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The telomere G‐tail (G‐tail) plays an essential role in maintaining chromosome stability. In this study, we assessed the leukocyte G‐tail length of breast cancer (BC) patients and cancer‐free individuals and evaluated the association between the G‐tail length and the presence of BC. A significant shortening of the median G‐tail length was observed in BC patients compared with cancer‐free individuals and was found in the early phase of BC. Our study indicated that the leukocyte G‐tail length might be a potential biomarker for BC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Koi
- Surgical Oncology, Division of Radiation Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Tsutani
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yukie Nishiyama
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kanda
- Collaborative Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Shiroma
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Sasada
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Akita
- Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Norio Masumoto
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kadoya
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ryou-U Takahashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Junko Tanaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Morihito Okada
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Center for Radiation Casualty Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Tahara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Collaborative Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,The Research Center for Drug Development and Biomarker Discovery, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Brar TS, Hilgenfeldt E, Soldevila-Pico C. Etiology and Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-68082-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Foote CG, Vleck D, Vleck CM. Extent and variability of interstitial telomeric sequences and their effects on estimates of telomere length. Mol Ecol Resour 2013; 13:417-28. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G. Foote
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 USA
| | - David Vleck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 USA
| | - Carol M. Vleck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 USA
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Hao SY, Yu JC. Shelterin complex and digestive system tumor. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2012; 20:3124-3129. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v20.i32.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Shelterin complex is the crucial components of telomere binding proteins. The regulation of this complex, together with telomerase and the alterative lengthening of telomeres (ALT mechanism), plays a critical role in maintaining telomere functions. Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that contain short repeat sequences added on to the ends of chromosome by the telomerase for protecting the ends of chromosome and preventing chromosome fusion. The loss of protective function of telomeres is closely related to genome instability, and this is the molecular basis for tumor development. Thus, telomeres play key roles in the process of malignant tumor development. Many studies have shown that telomere binding proteins are associated with gastric, colorectal and liver cancers, and other digestive system tumors. This review will focus on the role of the shelterin complex in digestive system neoplasms to provide an insight into prevention and targeted therapy of these malignancies.
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Wan S, Hann HW, Myers RE, Fu X, Hann RS, Kim SH, Tang H, Xing J, Yang H. Telomere length in circulating serum DNA as a novel non-invasive biomarker for cirrhosis: a nested case-control analysis. Liver Int 2012; 32:1233-41. [PMID: 22471856 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2012.02801.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have indicated that telomere length is associated with altered risk of various tumours including hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the association between telomere length and the risk of cirrhosis has not been reported. METHODS In this nested case-control study, we used real-time quantitative PCR to determine the relative telomere length (RTL) in serum DNA samples from 100 HBV-related cirrhosis cases and 100 frequency-matched HBV controls, and evaluated the associations between RTL and cirrhosis risk by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS We found that cirrhotic cases had a significantly longer RTL (median, 0.36; range, 0.08-1.87) than non-cirrhotic controls (median, 0.20; range, 0.05-1.11) (P < 0.0001). Compared with subjects with short RTL, those with long RTL had a significantly increased cirrhosis risk [odds ratio, 2.76, 95% confidence interval, 1.50-5.10; P = 0.001]. Quartile analysis further indicated a dose-response effect for this association. Compared with patients with the lowest quartile of RTL, the cirrhosis risk for those with the second, third and highest quartile of RTL was 2.68 (0.91-7.87, P = 0.073), 3.37 (1.32-10.54, P = 0.013) and 6.64 (2.41-18.32, P < 0.0001) respectively (P(trend) <0.0001). Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.60 (epidemiological variables) to 0.72 (epidemiological variables plus RTL), with statistically significant difference assessed by bootstrap analysis. CONCLUSIONS Our study presents the first epidemiological evidence that RTL in serum DNA could potentially be used as a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive marker of cirrhosis risk, a finding that warrants further investigations in independent retrospective and prospective populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaogui Wan
- Division of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, PA 19107, USA
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Fu X, Wan S, Hann HW, Myers RE, Hann RS, Au J, Chen B, Xing J, Yang H. Relative telomere length: a novel non-invasive biomarker for the risk of non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Eur J Cancer 2012; 48:1014-22. [PMID: 22444598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.02.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Revised: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Telomere length has emerged as a promising risk predictor of various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the majority of studies in this area measured telomere length in hepatocytes and one in lymphocytes with conflicting results. Moreover, no studies have been reported on using circulating DNA telomere length as a non-invasive HCC biomarker. METHODS We conducted a nested case-control study to determine the relative telomere length (RTL) in serum DNA from 140 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC cases and 280 frequency-matched cancer-free HBV controls. RESULTS Cases had a significantly longer RTL (median, 0.31; range, 0.02-2.31) than controls (median, 0.20; range, 0.01-1.60) (P = 0.003). Consistently, longer RTLs conferred a significantly increased HCC risk compared to short RTLs in a univariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.33, P = 0.038). This association attenuated after multivariate adjustment (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.90-2.19, P = 0.132). In a quartile analysis, a significant dose-response relationship was noted in univariate analysis (P(trend) = 0.017) which was again attenuated in multivariate analysis (P(trend) = 0.079). Further analyses revealed that the significant association between serum RTL and HCC risk was evident in non-cirrhotic (OR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.58-7.93 P = 0.002), but not cirrhotic (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.55-1.64, P = 0.860) HBV patients. Moreover, the significantly increased HCC risk conferred by cirrhosis was modulated by RTL with a significant interaction effect (P(interaction) = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS RTL in circulating cell-free serum DNA could potentially be used as a novel non-invasive biomarker for non-cirrhotic HCC. Prospective cohort studies are warranted to validate this finding and assess its clinical significance in HCC prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Fu
- Division of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Cookson J, Laughton C. The levels of telomere-binding proteins in human tumours and therapeutic implications. Eur J Cancer 2009; 45:536-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 11/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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11
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Senescence and immortality in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2008; 286:103-13. [PMID: 19070423 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 10/29/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a process leading to terminal growth arrest with characteristic morphological features. This process is mediated by telomere-dependent, oncogene-induced and ROS-induced pathways, but persistent DNA damage is the most common cause. Senescence arrest is mediated by p16(INK4a)- and p21(Cip1)-dependent pathways both leading to retinoblastoma protein (pRb) activation. p53 plays a relay role between DNA damage sensing and p21(Cip1) activation. pRb arrests the cell cycle by recruiting proliferation genes to facultative heterochromatin for permanent silencing. Replicative senescence that occurs in hepatocytes in culture and in liver cirrhosis is associated with lack of telomerase activity and results in telomere shortening. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells display inactivating mutations of p53 and epigenetic silencing of p16(INK4a). Moreover, they re-express telomerase reverse transcriptase required for telomere maintenance. Thus, senescence bypass and cellular immortality is likely to contribute significantly to HCC development. Oncogene-induced senescence in premalignant lesions and reversible immortality of cancer cells including HCC offer new potentials for tumor prevention and treatment.
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