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Nakken S, Gundersen S, Bernal FLM, Polychronopoulos D, Hovig E, Wesche J. Comprehensive interrogation of gene lists from genome-scale cancer screens with oncoEnrichR. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:1819-1828. [PMID: 37551617 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Genome-scale screening experiments in cancer produce long lists of candidate genes that require extensive interpretation for biological insight and prioritization for follow-up studies. Interrogation of gene lists frequently represents a significant and time-consuming undertaking, in which experimental biologists typically combine results from a variety of bioinformatics resources in an attempt to portray and understand cancer relevance. As a means to simplify and strengthen the support for this endeavor, we have developed oncoEnrichR, a flexible bioinformatics tool that allows cancer researchers to comprehensively interrogate a given gene list along multiple facets of cancer relevance. oncoEnrichR differs from general gene set analysis frameworks through the integration of an extensive set of prior knowledge specifically relevant for cancer, including ranked gene-tumor type associations, literature-supported proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor gene annotations, target druggability data, regulatory interactions, synthetic lethality predictions, as well as prognostic associations, gene aberrations and co-expression patterns across tumor types. The software produces a structured and user-friendly analysis report as its main output, where versions of all underlying data resources are explicitly logged, the latter being a critical component for reproducible science. We demonstrate the usefulness of oncoEnrichR through interrogation of two candidate lists from proteomic and CRISPR screens. oncoEnrichR is freely available as a web-based service hosted by the Galaxy platform (https://oncotools.elixir.no), and can also be accessed as a stand-alone R package (https://github.com/sigven/oncoEnrichR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigve Nakken
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sveinung Gundersen
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fabian L M Bernal
- University Center for Information Technology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørgen Wesche
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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2
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Weisman CM. The permissive binding theory of cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1272981. [PMID: 38023252 PMCID: PMC10666763 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1272981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The later stages of cancer, including the invasion and colonization of new tissues, are actively mysterious compared to earlier stages like primary tumor formation. While we lack many details about both, we do have an apparently successful explanatory framework for the earlier stages: one in which genetic mutations hold ultimate causal and explanatory power. By contrast, on both empirical and conceptual grounds, it is not currently clear that mutations alone can explain the later stages of cancer. Can a different type of molecular change do better? Here, I introduce the "permissive binding theory" of cancer, which proposes that novel protein binding interactions are the key causal and explanatory entity in invasion and metastasis. It posits that binding is more abundant at baseline than we observe because it is restricted in normal physiology; that any large perturbation to physiological state revives this baseline abundance, unleashing many new binding interactions; and that a subset of these cause the cellular functions at the heart of oncogenesis, especially invasion and metastasis. Significant physiological perturbations occur in cancer cells in very early stages, and generally become more extreme with progression, providing interactions that continually fuel invasion and metastasis. The theory is compatible with, but not limited to, causal roles for the diverse molecular changes observed in cancer (e.g. gene expression or epigenetic changes), as these generally act causally upstream of proteins, and so may exert their effects by changing the protein binding interactions that occur in the cell. This admits the possibility that molecular changes that appear quite different may actually converge in creating the same few protein complexes, simplifying our picture of invasion and metastasis. If correct, the theory offers a concrete therapeutic strategy: targeting the key novel complexes. The theory is straightforwardly testable by large-scale identification of protein interactions in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Weisman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
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3
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Salokas K, Dashi G, Varjosalo M. Decoding Oncofusions: Unveiling Mechanisms, Clinical Impact, and Prospects for Personalized Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3678. [PMID: 37509339 PMCID: PMC10377698 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated gene fusions, also known as oncofusions, have emerged as influential drivers of oncogenesis across a diverse range of cancer types. These genetic events occur via chromosomal translocations, deletions, and inversions, leading to the fusion of previously separate genes. Due to the drastic nature of these mutations, they often result in profound alterations of cellular behavior. The identification of oncofusions has revolutionized cancer research, with advancements in sequencing technologies facilitating the discovery of novel fusion events at an accelerated pace. Oncofusions exert their effects through the manipulation of critical cellular signaling pathways that regulate processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Extensive investigations have been conducted to understand the roles of oncofusions in solid tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Large-scale initiatives, including the Cancer Genome Atlas, have played a pivotal role in unraveling the landscape of oncofusions by characterizing a vast number of cancer samples across different tumor types. While validating the functional relevance of oncofusions remains a challenge, even non-driver mutations can hold significance in cancer treatment. Oncofusions have demonstrated potential value in the context of immunotherapy through the production of neoantigens. Their clinical importance has been observed in both treatment and diagnostic settings, with specific fusion events serving as therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. However, despite the progress made, there is still considerable untapped potential within the field of oncofusions. Further research and validation efforts are necessary to understand their effects on a functional basis and to exploit the new targeted treatment avenues offered by oncofusions. Through further functional and clinical studies, oncofusions will enable the advancement of precision medicine and the drive towards more effective and specific treatments for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giovanna Dashi
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Kugler V, Lieb A, Guerin N, Donald BR, Stefan E, Kaserer T. Disruptor: Computational identification of oncogenic mutants disrupting protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Commun Biol 2023; 6:720. [PMID: 37443295 PMCID: PMC10344873 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05089-2] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We report an Osprey-based computational protocol to prospectively identify oncogenic mutations that act via disruption of molecular interactions. It is applicable to analyse both protein-protein and protein-DNA interfaces and it is validated on a dataset of clinically relevant mutations. In addition, it is used to predict previously uncharacterised patient mutations in CDK6 and p16 genes, which are experimentally confirmed to impair complex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Kugler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Lieb
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nathan Guerin
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bruce R Donald
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Teresa Kaserer
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Sharifi Tabar M, Parsania C, Chen H, Su XD, Bailey CG, Rasko JE. Illuminating the dark protein-protein interactome. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100275. [PMID: 36046620 PMCID: PMC9421580 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In living systems, a complex network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) underlies most biochemical events. The human protein-protein interactome has been surveyed using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H)- and mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches such as affinity purification coupled to MS (AP-MS). Despite decades of systematic investigations and collaborative multi-disciplinary efforts, there is no "gold standard" for documenting PPIs. A surprisingly large fraction of the human interactome remains uncharted, which we refer to as the "dark interactome." In this review, we highlight the complexity of the human interactome and discuss the current status of the human reference interactome maps. We discuss why a large proportion of the human interactome has remained refractory to traditional approaches. We propose an experimental model that can enable the identification of the dark interactome in a cell-type-specific manner. We also propose a framework to implement when embarking on studies designed to rigorously identify and characterize protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sharifi Tabar
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Chirag Parsania
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, and Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Su
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, and Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Charles G. Bailey
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cancer & Gene Regulation Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - John E.J. Rasko
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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