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Dermawan JK, Malik F, Gross JM, Baraban E, Pratilas C, Mneimneh W, Trucco M, Sun W, Barr FG, D'Almeida Costa F, Fritchie KJ. Novel PAX3::MAML3 fusion identified in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, using DNA methylation profiling to expand the genetic spectrum of "fusion-positive" cases. Mod Pathol 2024:100594. [PMID: 39147032 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100594] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) with FOXO1 gene rearrangements is an aggressive pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma subtype that is prognostically distinct from embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and fusion-negative ARMS. Herein, we report two cases of ARMS with PAX3::MAML3 fusions. The tumors arose in an infant and an adolescent as stage IV metastatic disease (by Children's Oncology Group staging system). Histologically, both cases were small round blue cell tumors arranged in vague nests and solid sheets that were diffusely positive for desmin and myogenin. By methylation profiling and unsupervised clustering analysis, the tumors clustered with ARMS with classic FOXO1 rearrangements and ARMS with variant PAX3::NCOA1/INO80D fusions, but not with biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (BSNS) with PAX3::MAML3/NCOA2/FOXO1/YAP1 fusions, nor with other small round blue cell tumors, including embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The differentially methylated genes between ARMS and BSNS were highly enriched in genes involved in myogenesis, and 21% of these genes overlap with target genes of the PAX3::FOXO1 fusion transcription factor. On follow-up after initiation of vincristine/actinomycin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, the tumors showed partial and complete clinical response, consistent with typical upfront chemotherapy responsiveness of ARMS with the classic FOXO1 rearrangement. We conclude that PAX3::MAML3 is a novel variant fusion of ARMS, which displays a methylation signature distinct from BSNS despite sharing similar PAX3 fusions. These findings highlight the utility of methylation profiling in classifying ARMS with non-canonical fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine K Dermawan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Faizan Malik
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John M Gross
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ezra Baraban
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christine Pratilas
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wadad Mneimneh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Matteo Trucco
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Wenyue Sun
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Karen J Fritchie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Kucinski J, Tallan A, Taslim C, Wang M, Cannon MV, Silvius KM, Stanton BZ, Kendall GC. Rhabdomyosarcoma fusion oncoprotein initially pioneers a neural signature in vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.12.603270. [PMID: 39071299 PMCID: PMC11275748 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.12.603270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer molecularly characterized by arrested myogenesis. The defining genetic driver, PAX3::FOXO1, functions as a chimeric gain-of-function transcription factor. An incomplete understanding of PAX3::FOXO1's in vivo epigenetic mechanisms has hindered therapeutic development. Here, we establish a PAX3::FOXO1 zebrafish injection model and semi-automated ChIP-seq normalization strategy to evaluate how PAX3::FOXO1 initially interfaces with chromatin in a developmental context. We investigated PAX3::FOXO1's recognition of chromatin and subsequent transcriptional consequences. We find that PAX3::FOXO1 interacts with inaccessible chromatin through partial/homeobox motif recognition consistent with pioneering activity. However, PAX3::FOXO1-genome binding through a composite paired-box/homeobox motif alters chromatin accessibility and redistributes H3K27ac to activate neural transcriptional programs. We uncover neural signatures that are highly representative of clinical rhabdomyosarcoma gene expression programs that are enriched following chemotherapy. Overall, we identify partial/homeobox motif recognition as a new mode for PAX3::FOXO1 pioneer function and identify neural signatures as a potentially critical PAX3::FOXO1 tumor initiation event.
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3
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Barral A, Zaret KS. Pioneer factors: roles and their regulation in development. Trends Genet 2024; 40:134-148. [PMID: 37940484 PMCID: PMC10873006 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Pioneer factors are a subclass of transcription factors that can bind and initiate opening of silent chromatin regions. Pioneer factors subsequently regulate lineage-specific genes and enhancers and, thus, activate the zygotic genome after fertilization, guide cell fate transitions during development, and promote various forms of human cancers. As such, pioneer factors are useful in directed cell reprogramming. In this review, we define the structural and functional characteristics of pioneer factors, how they bind and initiate opening of closed chromatin regions, and the consequences for chromatin dynamics and gene expression during cell differentiation. We also discuss emerging mechanisms that modulate pioneer factors during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Barral
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kenneth S Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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4
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O'Brien E, Tse C, Tracy I, Reddin I, Selfe J, Gibson J, Tapper W, Pengelly RJ, Gao J, Aladowicz E, Petts G, Thway K, Popov S, Kelsey A, Underwood TJ, Shipley J, Walters ZS. Pharmacological EZH2 inhibition combined with retinoic acid treatment promotes differentiation and apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:167. [PMID: 37858275 PMCID: PMC10588044 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01583-w] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are predominantly paediatric sarcomas thought to originate from muscle precursor cells due to impaired myogenic differentiation. Despite intensive treatment, 5-year survival for patients with advanced disease remains low (< 30%), highlighting a need for novel therapies to improve outcomes. Differentiation therapeutics are agents that induce differentiation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. The histone methyltransferase, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) suppresses normal skeletal muscle differentiation and is highly expressed in RMS tumours. RESULTS We demonstrate combining inhibition of the epigenetic modulator EZH2 with the differentiating agent retinoic acid (RA) is more effective at reducing cell proliferation in RMS cell lines than single agents alone. In PAX3-FOXO1 positive RMS cells this is due to an RA-driven induction of the interferon pathway resulting in apoptosis. In fusion negative RMS, combination therapy led to an EZH2i-driven upregulation of myogenic signalling resulting in differentiation. In both subtypes, EZH2 is significantly associated with enrichment of trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) in genes that are downregulated in untreated RMS cells and upregulated with EZH2 inhibitor treatment. These results provide insight into the mechanism that drives the anti-cancer effect of the EZH2/RA single agent and combination treatment and indicate that the reduction of EZH2 activity combined with the induction of RA signalling represents a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat both subtypes of RMS. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate the potential utility of combining EZH2 inhibitors with differentiation agents for the treatment of paediatric rhabdomyosarcomas. As EZH2 inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials for adult and paediatric solid tumours and retinoic acid differentiation agents are already in clinical use this presents a readily translatable potential therapeutic strategy. Moreover, as inhibition of EZH2 in the poor prognosis FPRMS subtype results in an inflammatory response, it is conceivable that this strategy may also synergise with immunotherapies for a more effective treatment in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor O'Brien
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Carmen Tse
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Tracy
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Reddin
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - William Tapper
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Reuben J Pengelly
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jinhui Gao
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ewa Aladowicz
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gemma Petts
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Khin Thway
- Pathology Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sergey Popov
- Cellular Pathology Department, Cardiff and Vale UHB, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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Nakazawa K, Shaw T, Song YK, Kouassi-Brou M, Molotkova A, Tiwari PB, Chou HC, Wen X, Wei JS, Deniz E, Toretsky JA, Keller C, Barr FG, Khan J, Üren A. Piperacetazine Directly Binds to the PAX3::FOXO1 Fusion Protein and Inhibits Its Transcriptional Activity. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2030-2043. [PMID: 37732905 PMCID: PMC10557868 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The tumor-specific chromosomal translocation product, PAX3::FOXO1, is an aberrant fusion protein that plays a key role for oncogenesis in the alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). PAX3::FOXO1 represents a validated molecular target for alveolar RMS and successful inhibition of its oncogenic activity is likely to have significant clinical applications. Even though several PAX3::FOXO1 function-based screening studies have been successfully completed, a directly binding small-molecule inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1 has not been reported. Therefore, we screened small-molecule libraries to identify compounds that were capable of directly binding to PAX3::FOXO1 protein using surface plasmon resonance technology. Compounds that directly bound to PAX3::FOXO1 were further evaluated in secondary transcriptional activation assays. We discovered that piperacetazine can directly bind to PAX3::FOXO1 protein and inhibit fusion protein-derived transcription in multiple alveolar RMS cell lines. Piperacetazine inhibited anchorage-independent growth of fusion-positive alveolar RMS cells but not embryonal RMS cells. On the basis of our findings, piperacetazine is a molecular scaffold upon which derivatives could be developed as specific inhibitors of PAX3::FOXO1. These novel inhibitors could potentially be evaluated in future clinical trials for recurrent or metastatic alveolar RMS as novel targeted therapy options. SIGNIFICANCE RMS is a malignant soft-tissue tumor mainly affecting the pediatric population. A subgroup of RMS with worse prognosis harbors a unique chromosomal translocation creating an oncogenic fusion protein, PAX3::FOXO1. We identified piperacetazine as a direct inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1, which may provide a scaffold for designing RMS-specific targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Nakazawa
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Taryn Shaw
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Young K. Song
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marilyn Kouassi-Brou
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Anna Molotkova
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Purushottam B. Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xinyu Wen
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jun S. Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emre Deniz
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Hillsboro, Oregon
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
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6
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Sroka MW, Skopelitis D, Vermunt MW, Preall JB, El Demerdash O, de Almeida LMN, Chang K, Utama R, Gryder B, Caligiuri G, Ren D, Nalbant B, Milazzo JP, Tuveson DA, Dobin A, Hiebert SW, Stengel KR, Mantovani R, Khan J, Kohli RM, Shi J, Blobel GA, Vakoc CR. Myo-differentiation reporter screen reveals NF-Y as an activator of PAX3-FOXO1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303859120. [PMID: 37639593 PMCID: PMC10483665 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303859120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent chromosomal rearrangements found in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) produce the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein, which is an oncogenic driver and a dependency in this disease. One important function of PAX3-FOXO1 is to arrest myogenic differentiation, which is linked to the ability of RMS cells to gain an unlimited proliferation potential. Here, we developed a phenotypic screening strategy for identifying factors that collaborate with PAX3-FOXO1 to block myo-differentiation in RMS. Unlike most genes evaluated in our screen, we found that loss of any of the three subunits of the Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) complex leads to a myo-differentiation phenotype that resembles the effect of inactivating PAX3-FOXO1. While the transcriptomes of NF-Y- and PAX3-FOXO1-deficient RMS cells bear remarkable similarity to one another, we found that these two transcription factors occupy nonoverlapping sites along the genome: NF-Y preferentially occupies promoters, whereas PAX3-FOXO1 primarily binds to distal enhancers. By integrating multiple functional approaches, we map the PAX3 promoter as the point of intersection between these two regulators. We show that NF-Y occupies CCAAT motifs present upstream of PAX3 to function as a transcriptional activator of PAX3-FOXO1 expression in RMS. These findings reveal a critical upstream role of NF-Y in the oncogenic PAX3-FOXO1 pathway, highlighting how a broadly essential transcription factor can perform tumor-specific roles in governing cellular state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marit W. Vermunt
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | - Raditya Utama
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | - Berkley Gryder
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH44106
| | | | - Diqiu Ren
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Benan Nalbant
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | | | | | | | - Scott W. Hiebert
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Kristy R. Stengel
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY10461
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133Milano, Italy
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Rahul M. Kohli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Junwei Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Gerd A. Blobel
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA19104
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7
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Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Targeting epigenetic aberrations of sarcoma in CRISPR era. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:510-525. [PMID: 36967299 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23142] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are rare malignancies that exhibit diverse biological, genetic, morphological, and clinical characteristics. Genetic alterations, such as gene fusions, mutations in transcriptional machinery components, histones, and DNA methylation regulatory molecules, play an essential role in sarcomagenesis. These mutations induce and/or cooperate with specific epigenetic aberrations required for the growth and maintenance of sarcomas. Appropriate mouse models have been developed to clarify the significance of genetic and epigenetic interactions in sarcomas. Studies using the mouse models for human sarcomas have demonstrated major advances in our understanding the developmental processes as well as tumor microenvironment of sarcomas. Recent technological progresses in epigenome editing will not only improve the studies using animal models but also provide a direct clue for epigenetic therapies. In this manuscript, we review important epigenetic aberrations in sarcomas and their representative mouse models, current methods of epigenetic editing using CRISPR/dCas9 systems, and potential applications in sarcoma studies and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Wang M, Sreenivas P, Sunkel BD, Wang L, Ignatius M, Stanton B. The 3D chromatin landscape of rhabdomyosarcoma. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad028. [PMID: 37325549 PMCID: PMC10261698 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a pediatric soft tissue cancer with a lack of precision therapy options for patients. We hypothesized that with a general paucity of known mutations in RMS, chromatin structural driving mechanisms are essential for tumor proliferation. Thus, we carried out high-depth in situ Hi-C in representative cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to define chromatin architecture in each major RMS subtype. We report a comprehensive 3D chromatin structural analysis and characterization of fusion-positive (FP-RMS) and fusion-negative RMS (FN-RMS). We have generated spike-in in situ Hi-C chromatin interaction maps for the most common FP-RMS and FN-RMS cell lines and compared our data with PDX models. In our studies, we uncover common and distinct structural elements in large Mb-scale chromatin compartments, tumor-essential genes within variable topologically associating domains and unique patterns of structural variation. Our high-depth chromatin interactivity maps and comprehensive analyses provide context for gene regulatory events and reveal functional chromatin domains in RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Prethish Sreenivas
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Benjamin D Sunkel
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Long Wang
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Myron Ignatius
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Stanton
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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9
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Song YL, Yang MH, Zhang S, Wang H, Kai KL, Yao CX, Dai FF, Zhou MJ, Li JB, Wei ZR, Yin Z, Zhu WG, Xue L, Zang MX. A GRIP-1-EZH2 switch binding to GATA-4 is linked to the genesis of rhabdomyosarcoma through miR-29a. Oncogene 2022; 41:5223-5237. [PMID: 36309571 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02521-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Terminal differentiation failure is an important cause of rhabdomyosarcoma genesis, however, little is known about the epigenetic regulation of aberrant myogenic differentiation. Here, we show that GATA-4 recruits polycomb group proteins such as EZH2 to negatively regulate miR-29a in undifferentiated C2C12 myoblast cells, whereas recruitment of GRIP-1 to GATA-4 proteins displaces EZH2, resulting in the activation of miR-29a during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Moreover, in poorly differentiated rhabdomyosarcoma cells, EZH2 still binds to the miR-29a promoter with GATA-4 to mediate transcriptional repression of miR-29a. Interestingly, once re-differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells toward skeletal muscle, EZH2 was dispelled from miR-29a promoter which is similar to that in myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Eventually, this expression of miR-29a results in limited rhabdomyosarcoma cell proliferation and promotes myogenic differentiation. We thus establish that GATA-4 can function as a molecular switch in the up- and downregulation of miR-29a expression. We also demonstrate that GATA-4 acts as a tumor suppressor in rhabdomyosarcoma partly via miR-29a, which thus provides a potential therapeutic target for rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Liu Song
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hui Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Si Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Kun-Lun Kai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chun-Xia Yao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei-Fei Dai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng-Jiao Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin-Biao Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ru Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongnan Yin
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ming-Xi Zang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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10
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Zhang K, Yu C, Tian R, Zhang W, Tang S, Wang G. Downregulation of the paired box gene 3 inhibits the progression of skin cutaneous melanoma by inhibiting c-MET tyrosine kinase : PAX3 downregulation inhibits melanoma progression. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:9137-9145. [PMID: 36057879 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07706-5] [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: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The PAX3 (paired box gene 3) gene is highly expressed in several cancer types. However, its underlying mechanism of action in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) remains unknown. METHODS In this study, we used the GEPIA database and western blotting to analyze the expression of PAX3. We performed the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of PAX3 in SKCM. Next, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to evaluate the function of PAX3-related co-expressed genes. Additionally, the function and potential mechanism of action of PAX3 in SKCM were studied through functional experiments. Western blotting was used to detect the changes in the levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related and MET (c-MET tyrosine kinase) proteins following PAX3 knockdown. Finally, we assessed the correlation between PAX3 expression and the infiltration of CD4+/CD8+ T cells using the TISIDB database. RESULTS We found that PAX3 was overexpressed in the SKCM tissues and that these levels were indicative of a poor prognosis of SKCM. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that PAX3-related co-expressed genes were mainly associated with the oncogenic pathways. Knocking down PAX3 significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SK-MEL-28 cells. The PAX3 expression was related significantly to the immune infiltration level of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that PAX3 knockdown could reverse the EMT of tumor cells, inhibit the growth, and progression of SKCM cells. Therefore, PAX3 may have implications as a potential therapeutic target and promising prognostic biomarker for SKCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, CN, China
| | - Chunfang Yu
- Department of Nursing, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, CN, China
| | - Ruoxi Tian
- School of Basic Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, CN, China
| | - Wancong Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, CN, China
| | - Shijie Tang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, CN, China
| | - Guiying Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hbei, CN, China
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11
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Singh S, Abu-Zaid A, Jin H, Fang J, Wu Q, Wang T, Feng H, Quarni W, Shao Y, Maxham L, Abdolvahabi A, Yun MK, Vaithiyalingam S, Tan H, Bowling J, Honnell V, Young B, Guo Y, Bajpai R, Pruett-Miller SM, Grosveld GC, Hatley M, Xu B, Fan Y, Wu G, Chen EY, Chen T, Lewis PW, Rankovic Z, Li Y, Murphy AJ, Easton J, Peng J, Chen X, Wang R, White SW, Davidoff AM, Yang J. Targeting KDM4 for treating PAX3-FOXO1-driven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabq2096. [PMID: 35857643 PMCID: PMC9548378 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq2096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric transcription factors drive lineage-specific oncogenesis but are notoriously difficult to target. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood soft tissue sarcoma transformed by the pathognomonic Paired Box 3-Forkhead Box O1 (PAX3-FOXO1) fusion protein, which governs a core regulatory circuitry transcription factor network. Here, we show that the histone lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is a therapeutic vulnerability for PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4B substantially delayed tumor growth. Suppression of KDM4 proteins inhibited the expression of core oncogenic transcription factors and caused epigenetic alterations of PAX3-FOXO1-governed superenhancers. Combining KDM4 inhibition with cytotoxic chemotherapy led to tumor regression in preclinical PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS subcutaneous xenograft models. In summary, we identified a targetable mechanism required for maintenance of the PAX3-FOXO1-related transcription factor network, which may translate to a therapeutic approach for fusion-positive RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivendra Singh
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ahmed Abu-Zaid
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Helin Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Waise Quarni
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ying Shao
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lily Maxham
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alireza Abdolvahabi
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sivaraja Vaithiyalingam
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Protein Technologies Center, Molecular Interaction Analysis, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - John Bowling
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Victoria Honnell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brandon Young
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yian Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richa Bajpai
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Gerard C Grosveld
- Department of Genetics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mark Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yiping Fan
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Eleanor Y. Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Peter W. Lewis
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew J. Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - John Easton
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ruoning Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Stephen W. White
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew M. Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Ave, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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12
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Hettmer S, Linardic CM, Kelsey A, Rudzinski ER, Vokuhl C, Selfe J, Ruhen O, Shern JF, Khan J, Kovach AR, Lupo PJ, Gatz SA, Schäfer BW, Volchenboum S, Minard-Colin V, Koscielniak E, Hawkins DS, Bisogno G, Sparber-Sauer M, Venkatramani R, Merks JHM, Shipley J. Molecular testing of rhabdomyosarcoma in clinical trials to improve risk stratification and outcome: A consensus view from European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group, Children's Oncology Group and Cooperative Weichteilsarkom-Studiengruppe. Eur J Cancer 2022; 172:367-386. [PMID: 35839732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) are the most common soft tissue sarcomas in children/adolescents less than 18 years of age with an annual incidence of 1-2/million. Inter/intra-tumour heterogeneity raise challenges in clinical, pathological and biological research studies. Risk stratification in European and North American clinical trials previously relied on clinico-pathological features, but now, incorporates PAX3/7-FOXO1-fusion gene status in the place of alveolar histology. International working groups propose a coordinated approach through the INternational Soft Tissue SaRcoma ConsorTium to evaluate the specific genetic abnormalities and generate and integrate molecular and clinical data related to patients with RMS across different trial settings. We review relevant data and present a consensus view on what molecular features should be assessed. In particular, we recommend the assessment of the MYOD1-LR122R mutation for risk escalation, as it has been associated with poor outcomes in spindle/sclerosing RMS and rare RMS with classic embryonal histopathology. The prospective analyses of rare fusion genes beyond PAX3/7-FOXO1 will generate new data linked to outcomes and assessment of TP53 mutations and CDK4 amplification may confirm their prognostic value. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants in TP53 and other cancer predisposition genes should also be assessed. DNA/RNA profiling of tumours at diagnosis/relapse and serial analyses of plasma samples is recommended where possible to validate potential molecular biomarkers, identify new biomarkers and assess how liquid biopsy analyses can have the greatest benefit. Together with the development of new molecularly-derived therapeutic strategies that we review, a synchronised international approach is expected to enhance progress towards improved treatment assignment, management and outcomes for patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology; Duke University of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Erin R Rudzinski
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Olivia Ruhen
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jack F Shern
- Genetics Branch, Oncogenomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Oncogenomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander R Kovach
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology; Duke University of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ewa Koscielniak
- Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart GKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany; Medizinische Fakultät, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gianni Bisogno
- Hematology Oncology Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Monika Sparber-Sauer
- Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart GKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany; Medizinische Fakultät, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rajkumar Venkatramani
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Janet Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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13
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Lanzi C, Cassinelli G. Combinatorial strategies to potentiate the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in fusion-positive sarcomas. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114944. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Amino Acids and IGF1 Regulation of Fish Muscle Growth Revealed by Transcriptome and microRNAome Integrative Analyses of Pacu ( Piaractus mesopotamicus) Myotubes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031180. [PMID: 35163102 PMCID: PMC8835699 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acids (AA) and IGF1 have been demonstrated to play essential roles in protein synthesis and fish muscle growth. The myoblast cell culture is useful for studying muscle regulation, and omics data have contributed enormously to understanding its molecular biology. However, to our knowledge, no study has performed the large-scale sequencing of fish-cultured muscle cells stimulated with pro-growth signals. In this work, we obtained the transcriptome and microRNAome of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)-cultured myotubes treated with AA or IGF1. We identified 1228 and 534 genes differentially expressed by AA and IGF1. An enrichment analysis showed that AA treatment induced chromosomal changes, mitosis, and muscle differentiation, while IGF1 modulated IGF/PI3K signaling, metabolic alteration, and matrix structure. In addition, potential molecular markers were similarly modulated by both treatments. Muscle-miRNAs (miR-1, -133, -206 and -499) were up-regulated, especially in AA samples, and we identified molecular networks with omics integration. Two pairs of genes and miRNAs demonstrated a high-level relationship, and involvement in myogenesis and muscle growth: marcksb and miR-29b in AA, and mmp14b and miR-338-5p in IGF1. Our work helps to elucidate fish muscle physiology and metabolism, highlights potential molecular markers, and creates a perspective for improvements in aquaculture and in in vitro meat production.
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15
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Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential mediators of epigenetic regulation and modifiers of penetrance. Studies from the past decades have revealed a sub-class of TF that is capable of remodeling closed chromatin states through targeting nucleosomal motifs. This pioneer factor (PF) class of chromatin remodeler is ATP independent in its roles in epigenetic initiation, with nucleosome-motif recognition and association with repressive chromatin regions. Increasing evidence suggests that the fundamental properties of PFs can be coopted in human cancers. We explore the role of PFs in the larger context of tissue-specific epigenetic regulation. Moreover, we highlight an emerging class of chimeric PF derived from translocation partners in human disease and PFs associated with rare tumors. In the age of site-directed genome editing and targeted protein degradation, increasing our understanding of PFs will provide access to next-generation therapy for human disease driven from altered transcriptional circuitry.
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16
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Jahangiri L, Pucci P, Ishola T, Trigg RM, Williams JA, Pereira J, Cavanagh ML, Turner SD, Gkoutos GV, Tsaprouni L. The Contribution of Autophagy and LncRNAs to MYC-Driven Gene Regulatory Networks in Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168527. [PMID: 34445233 PMCID: PMC8395220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a target of the Wnt signalling pathway and governs numerous cellular and developmental programmes hijacked in cancers. The amplification of MYC is a frequently occurring genetic alteration in cancer genomes, and this transcription factor is implicated in metabolic reprogramming, cell death, and angiogenesis in cancers. In this review, we analyse MYC gene networks in solid cancers. We investigate the interaction of MYC with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we investigate the role of MYC regulatory networks in inducing changes to cellular processes, including autophagy and mitophagy. Finally, we review the interaction and mutual regulation between MYC and lncRNAs, and autophagic processes and analyse these networks as unexplored areas of targeting and manipulation for therapeutic gain in MYC-driven malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jahangiri
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (L.J.); (T.I.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Perla Pucci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (S.D.T.)
| | - Tala Ishola
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (L.J.); (T.I.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Ricky M. Trigg
- Department of Functional Genomics, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK;
| | - John A. Williams
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (J.A.W.); (G.V.G.)
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SY, UK
| | - Joao Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Megan L. Cavanagh
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (L.J.); (T.I.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Suzanne D. Turner
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (S.D.T.)
- CEITEC, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Georgios V. Gkoutos
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (J.A.W.); (G.V.G.)
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SY, UK
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
- MRC Health Data Research, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Loukia Tsaprouni
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (L.J.); (T.I.); (M.L.C.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Nguyen TH, Vemu PL, Hoy GE, Boudjadi S, Chatterjee B, Shern JF, Khan J, Sun W, Barr FG. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 expression promotes tumorigenesis in rhabdomyosarcoma with 12q13-q14 amplification. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e138022. [PMID: 34166228 DOI: 10.1172/jci138022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The 12q13-q14 chromosomal region is recurrently amplified in 25% of fusion-positive (FP) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cases and is associated with a poor prognosis. To identify amplified oncogenes in FP RMS, we compared the size, gene composition, and expression of 12q13-q14 amplicons in FP RMS with those of other cancer categories (glioblastoma multiforme, lung adenocarcinoma, and liposarcoma) in which 12q13-q14 amplification frequently occurs. We uncovered a 0.2 Mb region that is commonly amplified across these cancers and includes CDK4 and 6 other genes that are overexpressed in amplicon-positive samples. Additionally, we identified a 0.5 Mb segment that is only recurrently amplified in FP RMS and includes 4 genes that are overexpressed in amplicon-positive RMS. Among these genes, only serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) was overexpressed at the protein level in an amplicon-positive RMS cell line. SHMT2 knockdown in amplicon-positive RMS cells suppressed growth, transformation, and tumorigenesis, whereas overexpression in amplicon-negative RMS cells promoted these phenotypes. High SHMT2 expression reduced sensitivity of FP RMS cells to SHIN1, a direct SHMT2 inhibitor, but sensitized cells to pemetrexed, an inhibitor of the folate cycle. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that SHMT2 contributes to tumorigenesis in FP RMS and that SHMT2 amplification predicts differential response to drugs targeting this metabolic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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18
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Sunkel BD, Wang M, LaHaye S, Kelly BJ, Fitch JR, Barr FG, White P, Stanton BZ. Evidence of pioneer factor activity of an oncogenic fusion transcription factor. iScience 2021; 24:102867. [PMID: 34386729 PMCID: PMC8346656 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent characterizations of pioneer transcription factors provide insights into their structures and patterns of chromatin recognition associated with their roles in cell fate commitment and transformation. Intersecting with these basic science concepts, identification of pioneer factors (PFs) fused together as driver translocations in childhood cancers raises questions of whether these fusions retain the fundamental ability to invade repressed chromatin, consistent with their monomeric PF constituents. This study defines the cellular and chromatin localization of PAX3-FOXO1, an oncogenic driver of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), derived from a fusion of PFs. To quantitatively define its chromatin-targeting functions and capacity to drive epigenetic reprogramming, we developed a ChIP-seq workflow with per-cell normalization (pc-ChIP-seq). Our quantitative localization studies address structural variation in RMS genomes and reveal insights into inactive chromatin localization of PAX3-FOXO1. Taken together, our studies are consistent with pioneer function for a driver oncoprotein in RMS, with repressed chromatin binding and nucleosome-motif targeting. The fusion oncoprotein PAX3-FOXO1 binds to both active and repressed chromatin PAX3-FOXO1-binding sites are adjacent to H3K9me3 domains PAX3-FOXO1 engages partial DNA motifs at early timepoints PAX3-FOXO1 can bind stably to inaccessible chromatin without inducing accessibility
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Sunkel
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Meng Wang
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Stephanie LaHaye
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Benjamin J Kelly
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - James R Fitch
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter White
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Stanton
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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19
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Butler E, Ludwig K, Pacenta HL, Klesse LJ, Watt TC, Laetsch TW. Recent progress in the treatment of cancer in children. CA Cancer J Clin 2021; 71:315-332. [PMID: 33793968 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although significant improvements have been made in the outcomes of children with cancer, the pace of improvement has slowed in recent years as the limits of therapy intensification may have been reached for many pediatric cancers. Furthermore, with increasing numbers of pediatric cancer survivors, the long-term side effects of treatment have become increasingly apparent. Therefore, attention has shifted to the use of molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapies to improve the outcomes of children who are not cured by traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies and to decrease exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy and reduce late effects. This review describes the recent progress in the treatment of children with cancer, focusing in particular on diseases in which targeted and immunotherapeutic agents have made an impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Butler
- Department of Pediatrics and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kathleen Ludwig
- Department of Pediatrics and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, Dallas, Texas
| | - Holly L Pacenta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Laura J Klesse
- Department of Pediatrics and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, Dallas, Texas
| | - Tanya C Watt
- Department of Pediatrics and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, Dallas, Texas
| | - Theodore W Laetsch
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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20
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Damerell V, Pepper MS, Prince S. Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:246. [PMID: 34188019 PMCID: PMC8241855 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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21
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Regina C, Hamed E, Andrieux G, Angenendt S, Schneider M, Ku M, Follo M, Wachtel M, Ke E, Kikuchi K, Henssen AG, Schäfer BW, Boerries M, Wagers AJ, Keller C, Hettmer S. Negative correlation of single-cell PAX3:FOXO1 expression with tumorigenicity in rhabdomyosarcoma. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/9/e202001002. [PMID: 34187933 PMCID: PMC8321661 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell PAX3:FOXO1 expression in rhabdomyosarcoma is variable. PAX3:FOXO1 low cell states are characterized by more efficient adhesion, migration and tumor-propagating capacity. Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous. Both primary human RMS cultures and low-passage Myf6Cre,Pax3:Foxo1,p53 mouse RMS cell lines, which express the fusion oncoprotein Pax3:Foxo1 and lack the tumor suppressor Tp53 (Myf6Cre,Pax3:Foxo1,p53), exhibit marked heterogeneity in PAX3:FOXO1 (P3F) expression at the single cell level. In mouse RMS cells, P3F expression is directed by the Pax3 promoter and coupled to eYFP. YFPlow/P3Flow mouse RMS cells included 87% G0/G1 cells and reorganized their actin cytoskeleton to produce a cellular phenotype characterized by more efficient adhesion and migration. This translated into higher tumor-propagating cell frequencies of YFPlow/P3Flow compared with YFPhigh/P3Fhigh cells. Both YFPlow/P3Flow and YFPhigh/P3Fhigh cells gave rise to mixed clones in vitro, consistent with fluctuations in P3F expression over time. Exposure to the anti-tropomyosin compound TR100 disrupted the cytoskeleton and reversed enhanced migration and adhesion of YFPlow/P3Flow RMS cells. Heterogeneous expression of PAX3:FOXO1 at the single cell level may provide a critical advantage during tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Regina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ebrahem Hamed
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Angenendt
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schneider
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manching Ku
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Wachtel
- University Children's Hospital, Children's Research Center and Department of Oncology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eugene Ke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ken Kikuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Anton G Henssen
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center of the Max Delbrück Center and Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- University Children's Hospital, Children's Research Center and Department of Oncology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amy J Wagers
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany .,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), Freiburg, Germany
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22
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Shields CE, Potlapalli S, Cuya-Smith SM, Chappell SK, Chen D, Martinez D, Pogoriler J, Rathi KS, Patel SA, Oristian KM, Linardic CM, Maris JM, Haynes KA, Schnepp RW. Epigenetic regulator BMI1 promotes alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma proliferation and constitutes a novel therapeutic target. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2156-2171. [PMID: 33523558 PMCID: PMC8333775 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. There are two main subtypes of RMS, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. ARMS typically encompasses fusion‐positive rhabdomyosarcoma, which expresses either PAX3‐FOXO1 or PAX7‐FOXO1 fusion proteins. There are no targeted therapies for ARMS; however, recent studies have begun to illustrate the cooperation between epigenetic proteins and the PAX3‐FOXO1 fusion, indicating that epigenetic proteins may serve as targets in ARMS. Here, we investigate the contribution of BMI1, given the established role of this epigenetic regulator in sustaining aggression in cancer. We determined that BMI1 is expressed across ARMS tumors, patient‐derived xenografts, and cell lines. We depleted BMI1 using RNAi and inhibitors (PTC‐209 and PTC‐028) and found that this leads to a decrease in cell growth/increase in apoptosis in vitro, and delays tumor growth in vivo. Our data suggest that BMI1 inhibition activates the Hippo pathway via phosphorylation of LATS1/2 and subsequent reduction in YAP levels and YAP/TAZ target genes. These results identify BMI1 as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in ARMS and warrant further investigation of BMI1 in ARMS and other sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E Shields
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sindhu Potlapalli
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Selma M Cuya-Smith
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah K Chappell
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Pogoriler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shiv A Patel
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karmella A Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert W Schnepp
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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23
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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24
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Kim JH, Megquier K, Thomas R, Sarver AL, Song JM, Kim YT, Cheng N, Schulte AJ, Linden MA, Murugan P, Oseth L, Forster CL, Elvers I, Swofford R, Turner-Maier J, Karlsson EK, Breen M, Lindblad-Toh K, Modiano JF. Genomically Complex Human Angiosarcoma and Canine Hemangiosarcoma Establish Convergent Angiogenic Transcriptional Programs Driven by Novel Gene Fusions. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:847-861. [PMID: 33649193 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sporadic angiosarcomas are aggressive vascular sarcomas whose rarity and genomic complexity present significant obstacles in deciphering the pathogenic significance of individual genetic alterations. Numerous fusion genes have been identified across multiple types of cancers, but their existence and significance remain unclear in sporadic angiosarcomas. In this study, we leveraged RNA-sequencing data from 13 human angiosarcomas and 76 spontaneous canine hemangiosarcomas to identify fusion genes associated with spontaneous vascular malignancies. Ten novel protein-coding fusion genes, including TEX2-PECAM1 and ATP8A2-FLT1, were identified in seven of the 13 human tumors, with two tumors showing mutations of TP53. HRAS and NRAS mutations were found in angiosarcomas without fusions or TP53 mutations. We found 15 novel protein-coding fusion genes including MYO16-PTK2, GABRA3-FLT1, and AKT3-XPNPEP1 in 11 of the 76 canine hemangiosarcomas; these fusion genes were seen exclusively in tumors of the angiogenic molecular subtype that contained recurrent mutations in TP53, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, and NRAS. In particular, fusion genes and mutations of TP53 cooccurred in tumors with higher frequency than expected by random chance, and they enriched gene signatures predicting activation of angiogenic pathways. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of human angiosarcomas and canine hemangiosarcomas identified shared molecular signatures associated with activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Our data suggest that genome instability induced by TP53 mutations might create a predisposition for fusion events that may contribute to tumor progression by promoting selection and/or enhancing fitness through activation of convergent angiogenic pathways in this vascular malignancy. IMPLICATIONS: This study shows that, while drive events of malignant vasoformative tumors of humans and dogs include diverse mutations and stochastic rearrangements that create novel fusion genes, convergent transcriptional programs govern the highly conserved morphologic organization and biological behavior of these tumors in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Hyuk Kim
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota. .,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kate Megquier
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Rachael Thomas
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Aaron L Sarver
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jung Min Song
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Yoon Tae Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nuojin Cheng
- School of Mathematics, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ashley J Schulte
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Michael A Linden
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paari Murugan
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - LeAnn Oseth
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Colleen L Forster
- The University of Minnesota Biological Materials Procurement Network (BioNet), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ingegerd Elvers
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ross Swofford
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew Breen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.,Cancer Genetics Program, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jaime F Modiano
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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25
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Boudjadi S, Pandey PR, Chatterjee B, Nguyen TH, Sun W, Barr FG. A Fusion Transcription Factor-Driven Cancer Progresses to a Fusion-Independent Relapse via Constitutive Activation of a Downstream Transcriptional Target. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2930-2942. [PMID: 33589519 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeted monotherapies usually fail due to development of resistance by a subgroup of cells that evolve into recurrent tumors. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive myogenic soft-tissue cancer that is associated with a characteristic PAX3-FOXO1 gene fusion encoding a novel fusion transcription factor. In our myoblast model of PAX3-FOXO1-induced rhabdomyosarcoma, deinduction of PAX3-FOXO1 simulates a targeted therapy that antagonizes the fusion oncoprotein. This simulated therapy results initially in regression of the primary tumors, but PAX3-FOXO1-independent recurrent tumors eventually form after a delay. We report here that upregulation of FGF8, a direct transcriptional target of PAX3-FOXO1, is a mechanism responsible for PAX3-FOXO1-independent tumor recurrence. As a transcriptional target of PAX3-FOXO1, FGF8 promoted oncogenic activity in PAX3-FOXO1-expressing primary tumors that developed in the myoblast system. In the recurrent tumors forming after PAX3-FOXO1 deinduction, FGF8 expression was necessary and sufficient to induce PAX3-FOXO1-independent tumor growth through an autocrine mechanism. FGF8 was also expressed in human PAX3-FOXO1-expressing rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines and contributed to proliferation and transformation. In a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line with reduced PAX3-FOXO1 expression, FGF8 upregulation rescued oncogenicity and simulated recurrence after PAX3-FOXO1-targeted therapy. We propose that deregulated expression of a PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional target can generate resistance to therapy directed against this oncogenic transcription factor and postulate that this resistance mechanism may ultimately be countered by therapeutic approaches that antagonize the corresponding downstream pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: In a model of cancer initiated by a fusion transcription factor, constitutive activation of a downstream transcriptional target leads to fusion oncoprotein-independent recurrences, thereby highlighting a novel progression mechanism and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Boudjadi
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Puspa Raj Pandey
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Thanh Hung Nguyen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wenyue Sun
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.
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26
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Liu W, Wang S, Lin B, Zhang W, Ji G. Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in the research of malignant musculoskeletal tumors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:149. [PMID: 33546657 PMCID: PMC7866880 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system, especially osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, pose a major threat to the lives and health of adolescents and children. Current treatments for musculoskeletal tumors mainly include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The problems of chemotherapy resistance, poor long-term outcome of radiotherapy, and the inherent toxicity and side effects of chemical drugs make it extremely urgent to seek new treatment strategies. Main text As a potent gene editing tool, the rapid development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in recent years has prompted scientists to apply it to the study of musculoskeletal tumors. This review summarizes the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for the treatment of malignant musculoskeletal tumors, focusing on its essential role in the field of basic research. Conclusion CRISPR, has demonstrated strong efficacy in targeting tumor-related genes, and its future application in the clinical treatment of musculoskeletal tumors is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, No. 2000 East Xiang'an Road, Xiang'an District, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shubin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, No. 2000 East Xiang'an Road, Xiang'an District, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Binhui Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, No. 2000 East Xiang'an Road, Xiang'an District, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Guangrong Ji
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, No. 2000 East Xiang'an Road, Xiang'an District, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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27
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Huo B, Yang Y, Li M, Wan J, Zhang W, Yu B, Chen X. Pax3 inhibits Neuro-2a cells proliferation and neurite outgrowth. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:1252-1262. [PMID: 33336498 PMCID: PMC7812298 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pax3 and Pax7 are closely related transcription factors that are widely expressed in the developing nervous system and somites. During the normal development in the central nervous system (CNS), Pax3 and Pax7 are mainly expressed in the dorsal part of the neural tube. Further analysis revealed that Pax3 and Pax7 shared redundant functions in the spinal cord development. However, it is still unknown whether Pax3 and Pax7 play a role in neuronal differentiation. In this study, Pax3 and Pax7 genes were overexpressed in Neuro‐2a, the mouse neuroblastoma cell line. CCK‐8 and EdU assay results showed that overexpression of Pax3 inhibited cell viability and proliferation of Neuro‐2a cells, whereas the overexpression of Pax7 had no significant difference on their cell viability and proliferation. Overexpression of Pax3 not only increased the percentage of cells in the S phase and G0/G1 phase, but also decreased that in the G2 phase. Moreover, the total neurite lengths of Neuro‐2a cells were significantly shorter in Pax3 overexpressed group than those in negative control group and showed no significant difference between Pax7 overexpressed group and negative control group. These results suggested that Pax3 not only inhibited the cell viability and proliferation but also affected the cell cycle and the neurite outgrowth of Neuro‐2a cells. RNA sequencing analysis showed up‐regulated genes in Pax3 overexpressed group were involved in cell cycle machinery, which may reveal the potential mechanism of Neuro‐2a cells proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Huo
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manhui Li
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Wan
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.,Greater Bay Biomedical Innocenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.,Greater Bay Biomedical Innocenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaofan Chen
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
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28
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Gonzalez Curto G, Der Vartanian A, Frarma YEM, Manceau L, Baldi L, Prisco S, Elarouci N, Causeret F, Korenkov D, Rigolet M, Aurade F, De Reynies A, Contremoulins V, Relaix F, Faklaris O, Briscoe J, Gilardi-Hebenstreit P, Ribes V. The PAX-FOXO1s trigger fast trans-differentiation of chick embryonic neural cells into alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with tissue invasive properties limited by S phase entry inhibition. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009164. [PMID: 33175861 PMCID: PMC7682867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromosome translocations generating PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 chimeric proteins are the primary hallmarks of the paediatric fusion-positive alveolar subtype of Rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS). Despite the ability of these transcription factors to remodel chromatin landscapes and promote the expression of tumour driver genes, they only inefficiently promote malignant transformation in vivo. The reason for this is unclear. To address this, we developed an in ovo model to follow the response of spinal cord progenitors to PAX-FOXO1s. Our data demonstrate that PAX-FOXO1s, but not wild-type PAX3 or PAX7, trigger the trans-differentiation of neural cells into FP-RMS-like cells with myogenic characteristics. In parallel, PAX-FOXO1s remodel the neural pseudo-stratified epithelium into a cohesive mesenchyme capable of tissue invasion. Surprisingly, expression of PAX-FOXO1s, similar to wild-type PAX3/7, reduce the levels of CDK-CYCLIN activity and increase the fraction of cells in G1. Introduction of CYCLIN D1 or MYCN overcomes this PAX-FOXO1-mediated cell cycle inhibition and promotes tumour growth. Together, our findings reveal a mechanism that can explain the apparent limited oncogenicity of PAX-FOXO1 fusion transcription factors. They are also consistent with certain clinical reports indicative of a neural origin of FP-RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Line Manceau
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Baldi
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Selene Prisco
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Nabila Elarouci
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Causeret
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Team Genetics and Development of the Cerebral Cortex, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Daniil Korenkov
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Rigolet
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
| | - Frédéric Aurade
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien De Reynies
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Contremoulins
- ImagoSeine core facility of Institut Jacques Monod and member of France-BioImaging, France
| | - Frédéric Relaix
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
| | - Orestis Faklaris
- ImagoSeine core facility of Institut Jacques Monod and member of France-BioImaging, France
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vanessa Ribes
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
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Zhu J, Su W, Xiong C, Bai R, Zhou Q, Chen M. Catalyst-Free [3+2] Cycloaddition of Electron-Deficient Alkynes and o-Hydroxyaryl Azomethine Ylides in Water. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:18244-18253. [PMID: 32743200 PMCID: PMC7392385 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A catalyst-free [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of electron-deficient alkynes and o-hydroxyaryl azomethine ylides in water was developed, affording pyrroline derivatives in moderate to high yields (up to 90%).
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30
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Tan YF, Chen ZY, Wang L, Wang M, Liu XH. MiR-142-3p functions as an oncogene in prostate cancer by targeting FOXO1. J Cancer 2020; 11:1614-1624. [PMID: 32047567 PMCID: PMC6995382 DOI: 10.7150/jca.41888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous malignancy, and is a primary cause of cancer-related death in males. Forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) exerts antitumor effects in various cancers, including PCa. However, the regulatory mechanism of miR-142-3p on FOXO1 expression in human PCa has not been characterized. In this study, we showed that FOXO1 protein levels were downregulated in PCa tissues and cells. Moreover, FOXO1 expression was a predictor of disease-free survival in patients with PCa and was a predictor of prognosis. Increased expression of FOXO1 suppressed cellular proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in vitro. However, FOXO1 mRNA and protein levels were inconsistent in human PCa tissues and cell lines. We showed that miR-142-3p levels were negatively correlated with FOXO1 protein levels in PCa. We also showed that miR-142-3p suppressed FOXO1 expression by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region. Furthermore, suppression of miR-142-3p inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest, and these effects were blocked by FOXO1 knockdown. In vivo experiments showed that miR-142-3p knockout impaired tumor growth. Our results validate that FOXO1 acted as a tumor suppressor in PCa and demonstrated that FOXO1 was regulated by miR-142-3p, and miR-142-3p may be a potential target for treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Tan
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Xiu-Heng Liu
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
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31
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Knott MML, Hölting TLB, Ohmura S, Kirchner T, Cidre-Aranaz F, Grünewald TGP. Targeting the undruggable: exploiting neomorphic features of fusion oncoproteins in childhood sarcomas for innovative therapies. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019; 38:625-642. [PMID: 31970591 PMCID: PMC6994515 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
While sarcomas account for approximately 1% of malignant tumors of adults, they are particularly more common in children and adolescents affected by cancer. In contrast to malignancies that occur in later stages of life, childhood tumors, including sarcoma, are characterized by a striking paucity of somatic mutations. However, entity-defining fusion oncogenes acting as the main oncogenic driver mutations are frequently found in pediatric bone and soft-tissue sarcomas such as Ewing sarcoma (EWSR1-FLI1), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (PAX3/7-FOXO1), and synovial sarcoma (SS18-SSX1/2/4). Since strong oncogene-dependency has been demonstrated in these entities, direct pharmacological targeting of these fusion oncogenes has been excessively attempted, thus far, with limited success. Despite apparent challenges, our increasing understanding of the neomorphic features of these fusion oncogenes in conjunction with rapid technological advances will likely enable the development of new strategies to therapeutically exploit these neomorphic features and to ultimately turn the "undruggable" into first-line target structures. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the current literature on targeting neomorphic features of fusion oncogenes found in Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma, and give a perspective for future developments. Graphical abstract Scheme depicting the different targeting strategies of fusion oncogenes in pediatric fusion-driven sarcomas. Fusion oncogenes can be targeted on their DNA level (1), RNA level (2), protein level (3), and by targeting downstream functions and interaction partners (4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilman L B Hölting
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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32
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Gatz SA, Aladowicz E, Casanova M, Chisholm JC, Kearns PR, Fulda S, Geoerger B, Schäfer BW, Shipley JM. A Perspective on Polo-Like Kinase-1 Inhibition for the Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcomas. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1271. [PMID: 31824851 PMCID: PMC6882953 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas are the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma and are a major cause of death from cancer in young patients requiring new treatment options to improve outcomes. High-risk patients include those with metastatic or relapsed disease and tumors with PAX3-FOXO1 fusion genes that encode a potent transcription factor that drives tumourigenesis through transcriptional reprogramming. Polo-Like Kinase-1 (PLK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates a wide range of target substrates and alters their activity. PLK1 functions as a pleiotropic master regulator of mitosis and regulates DNA replication after stress. Taken together with high levels of expression that correlate with poor outcomes in many cancers, including rhabdomyosarcomas, it is an attractive therapeutic target. This is supported in rhabdomyosarcoma models by characterization of molecular and phenotypic effects of reducing and inhibiting PLK1, including changes to the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein. However, as tumor re-growth has been observed, combination strategies are required. Here we review preclinical evidence and consider biological rationale for PLK1 inhibition in combination with drugs that promote apoptosis, interfere with activity of PAX3-FOXO1 and are synergistic with microtubule-destabilizing drugs such as vincristine. The preclinical effects of low doses of the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib in combination with vincristine, which is widely used in rhabdomyosarcoma treatment, show particular promise in light of recent clinical data in the pediatric setting that support achievable volasertib doses predicted to be effective. Further development of novel therapeutic strategies including PLK1 inhibition may ultimately benefit young patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A. Gatz
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ewa Aladowicz
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julia C. Chisholm
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela R. Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Janet M. Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
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33
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Yohe ME, Heske CM, Stewart E, Adamson PC, Ahmed N, Antonescu CR, Chen E, Collins N, Ehrlich A, Galindo RL, Gryder BE, Hahn H, Hammond S, Hatley ME, Hawkins DS, Hayes MN, Hayes-Jordan A, Helman LJ, Hettmer S, Ignatius MS, Keller C, Khan J, Kirsch DG, Linardic CM, Lupo PJ, Rota R, Shern JF, Shipley J, Sindiri S, Tapscott SJ, Vakoc CR, Wexler LH, Langenau DM. Insights into pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma research: Challenges and goals. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27869. [PMID: 31222885 PMCID: PMC6707829 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Overall survival rates for pediatric patients with high-risk or relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have not improved significantly since the 1980s. Recent studies have identified a number of targetable vulnerabilities in RMS, but these discoveries have infrequently translated into clinical trials. We propose streamlining the process by which agents are selected for clinical evaluation in RMS. We believe that strong consideration should be given to the development of combination therapies that add biologically targeted agents to conventional cytotoxic drugs. One example of this type of combination is the addition of the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 to the conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, vincristine and irinotecan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nabil Ahmed
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | | | | | | | | | - Rene L. Galindo
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Heidi Hahn
- University Medical Center Gӧttingen, Gӧttingen, Germany
| | | | - Mark E. Hatley
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Douglas S. Hawkins
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98105
| | - Madeline N. Hayes
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
| | | | - Lee J. Helman
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027
| | | | | | - Charles Keller
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005
| | - Javed Khan
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | - Philip J. Lupo
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Rossella Rota
- Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Janet Shipley
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - David M. Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
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34
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Helm BR, Zhan X, Pandya PH, Murray ME, Pollok KE, Renbarger JL, Ferguson MJ, Han Z, Ni D, Zhang J, Huang K. Gene Co-Expression Networks Restructured Gene Fusion in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cancers. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090665. [PMID: 31480361 PMCID: PMC6770752 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is subclassified by the presence or absence of a recurrent chromosome translocation that fuses the FOXO1 and PAX3 or PAX7 genes. The fusion protein (FOXO1-PAX3/7) retains both binding domains and becomes a novel and potent transcriptional regulator in rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes. Many studies have characterized and integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic differences among rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes that contain the FOXO1-PAX3/7 gene fusion and those that do not; however, few investigations have investigated how gene co-expression networks are altered by FOXO1-PAX3/7. Although transcriptional data offer insight into one level of functional regulation, gene co-expression networks have the potential to identify biological interactions and pathways that underpin oncogenesis and tumorigenicity. Thus, we examined gene co-expression networks for rhabdomyosarcoma that were FOXO1-PAX3 positive, FOXO1-PAX7 positive, or fusion negative. Gene co-expression networks were mined using local maximum Quasi-Clique Merger (lmQCM) and analyzed for co-expression differences among rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes. This analysis observed 41 co-expression modules that were shared between fusion negative and positive samples, of which 17/41 showed significant up- or down-regulation in respect to fusion status. Fusion positive and negative rhabdomyosarcoma showed differing modularity of co-expression networks with fusion negative (n = 109) having significantly more individual modules than fusion positive (n = 53). Subsequent analysis of gene co-expression networks for PAX3 and PAX7 type fusions observed 17/53 were differentially expressed between the two subtypes. Gene list enrichment analysis found that gene ontology terms were poorly matched with biological processes and molecular function for most co-expression modules identified in this study; however, co-expressed modules were frequently localized to cytobands on chromosomes 8 and 11. Overall, we observed substantial restructuring of co-expression networks relative to fusion status and fusion type in rhabdomyosarcoma and identified previously overlooked genes and pathways that may be targeted in this pernicious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Helm
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Xiaohui Zhan
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
- National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Pankita H Pandya
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Mary E Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Karen E Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Jamie L Renbarger
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Michael J Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Zhi Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Dong Ni
- National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA.
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA.
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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35
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Wu H, Li X, Li H. Gene fusions and chimeric RNAs, and their implications in cancer. Genes Dis 2019; 6:385-390. [PMID: 31832518 PMCID: PMC6889028 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene fusions are appreciated as ideal cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Chimeric RNAs are traditionally thought to be products of gene fusions, and thus, also cancer-specific. Recent research has demonstrated that chimeric RNAs can be generated by intergenic splicing in the absence of gene fusion, and such chimeric RNAs are also found in normal physiology. These new findings challenge the traditional theory of chimeric RNAs exclusivity to cancer, and complicates use of chimeric RNAs in cancer detection. Here, we provide an overview of gene fusions and chimeric RNAs, and emphasize their differences. We note that gene fusions are able to generate chimeric RNAs in accordance with the central dogma of biology, and that chimeric RNAs may also be able to influence the generation of the gene fusions per the “horse before the cart” hypothesis. We further expand upon the “horse before the cart” hypothesis, summarizing current evidence in support of the theory and exploring its potential impact on the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Xiaorong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. Fax: +1 434 2437244. http://lilab.medicine.virginia.edu
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36
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Kang U, Caldwell DR, Cartner LK, Wang D, Kim CK, Tian X, Bokesch HR, Henrich CJ, Woldemichael GM, Schnermann MJ, Gustafson KR. Elucidation of Spirodactylone, a Polycyclic Alkaloid from the Sponge Dactylia sp., and Nonenzymatic Generation from the Co-metabolite Denigrin B. Org Lett 2019; 21:4750-4753. [PMID: 31150264 PMCID: PMC8274939 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b01636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spirodactylone (1), a hexacyclic indolizidone alkaloid possessing a novel spiro ring system, was isolated from the marine sponge Dactylia sp. The structure was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including application of the LR-HSQMBC NMR pulse sequence. Oxidative cyclization of denigrin B (2), an aryl-substituted 2-oxo-pyrroline derivative that was also isolated from the sponge extract, provided material identical to spirodactylone (1). This confirmed the assigned structure and provides insight into the probable biogenesis of 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unwoo Kang
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Donald R. Caldwell
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Laura K. Cartner
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Dongdong Wang
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Chang-Kwon Kim
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Xiangrong Tian
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Heidi R. Bokesch
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Curtis J. Henrich
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Girma M. Woldemichael
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Martin J. Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
| | - Kirk R. Gustafson
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, United States
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37
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar M. Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-Catalan Institute of Oncology (IDIBELL-ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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38
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Perry JA, Seong BKA, Stegmaier K. Biology and Therapy of Dominant Fusion Oncoproteins Involving Transcription Factor and Chromatin Regulators in Sarcomas. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030518-055710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A third of soft tissue sarcomas have been shown to carry recurrent, characteristic chromosomal translocations, many of which generate fusion proteins that act as dominant transcription factors or as chromatin regulators. With routine use of massively parallel sequencing and advances in technology for the study of epigenetics and protein complexes, the last decade has seen a marked advancement in the identification of novel fusions and in our understanding of the mechanisms by which they contribute to the malignant state. Moreover, with new approaches in chemistry, such as the strategy of targeted protein degradation, we are now better poised to address these previously intractable targets. In this review, we describe three of the most common fusion-driven sarcomas (Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma), mechanistic themes emerging across these diseases, and novel approaches to their targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Perry
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Bo Kyung Alex Seong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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Eguchi-Ishimae M, Tezuka M, Kokeguchi T, Nagai K, Moritani K, Yonezawa S, Tauchi H, Tokuda K, Ishida Y, Ishii E, Eguchi M. Early detection of the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion gene in circulating tumor-derived DNA in a case of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:521-529. [PMID: 30739374 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which are small DNA fragments in blood derived from dead cells including tumor cells, could serve as useful biomarkers and provide valuable genetic information about the tumors. cfDNA is now used for the genetic analysis of several types of cancers, as a surrogate for tumor biopsy, designated as "liquid biopsy." Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most frequent soft tissue tumor in childhood, can arise in any part of the body, and radiological imaging is the only available method for estimating the tumor burden, because no useful specific biological markers are present in the blood. Because tumor volume is one of the determinants of treatment response and outcome, early detection at diagnosis as well as relapse is essential for improving the treatment outcome. A 15-year-old male patient was diagnosed with alveolar RMS of prostate origin with bone marrow invasion. The PAX3-FOXO1 fusion was identified in the tumor cells in the bone marrow. After the diagnosis, cfDNA was serially collected to detect the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion sequence as a tumor marker. cfDNA could be an appropriate source for detecting the fusion gene; assays using cfDNA have proved to be useful for the early detection of tumor progression/recurrence. Additionally, the fusion gene dosage estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction reflected the tumor volume during the course of the treatment. We suggest that for fusion gene-positive RMSs, and other soft tissue tumors, the fusion sequence should be used for monitoring the tumor burden in the body to determine the diagnosis and treatment options for the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mari Tezuka
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Tomoki Kokeguchi
- Division of Pediatrics, Ehime Prefectural Niihama Hospital, Niihama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kozo Nagai
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kyoko Moritani
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Sachiko Yonezawa
- Division of Pediatrics, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Hisamichi Tauchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kiriko Tokuda
- Division of Pediatrics/Pediatric Medical Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishida
- Division of Pediatrics/Pediatric Medical Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Eiichi Ishii
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Mariko Eguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
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40
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Nguyen TH, Barr FG. Therapeutic Approaches Targeting PAX3-FOXO1 and Its Regulatory and Transcriptional Pathways in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Molecules 2018; 23:E2798. [PMID: 30373318 PMCID: PMC6278278 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a family of soft tissue cancers that are related to the skeletal muscle lineage and predominantly occur in children and young adults. A specific chromosomal translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14) that gives rise to the chimeric oncogenic transcription factor PAX3-FOXO1 has been identified as a hallmark of the aggressive alveolar subtype of RMS. PAX3-FOXO1 cooperates with additional molecular changes to promote oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis in various human and murine models. Its expression is generally restricted to RMS tumor cells, thus providing a very specific target for therapeutic approaches for these RMS tumors. In this article, we review the recent understanding of PAX3-FOXO1 as a transcription factor in the pathogenesis of this cancer and discuss recent developments to target this oncoprotein for treatment of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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41
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Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. PAX3-FOXO1: Zooming in on an “undruggable” target. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 50:115-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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42
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Akaike K, Suehara Y, Kohsaka S, Hayashi T, Tanabe Y, Kazuno S, Mukaihara K, Toda-Ishii M, Kurihara T, Kim Y, Okubo T, Hayashi Y, Takamochi K, Takahashi F, Kaneko K, Ladanyi M, Saito T. PPP2R1A regulated by PAX3/FOXO1 fusion contributes to the acquisition of aggressive behavior in PAX3/FOXO1-positive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25206-25215. [PMID: 29861864 PMCID: PMC5982774 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To better characterize the oncogenic role of the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein in the acquisition of aggressive behavior in ARMS, we employed a proteomic approach using a PAX3-FOXO1 knockdown system in ARMS cell lines. This approach revealed a protein list consisting of 107 consistently upregulated and 114 consistently downregulated proteins that were expected to be regulated by PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein. Furthermore, we identified 16 upregulated and 17 downregulated critical proteins based on a data-mining analysis. We also evaluated the function of PPP2R1A in ARMS cells. The PPP2R1A expression was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels by PAX3-FOXO1 silencing. The silencing of PPP2R1A significantly increased the cell growth of all four ARMS cells, suggesting that PPP2R1A still has a tumor suppressive function in ARMS cells; however, the native expression of PPP2R1A was low in the presence of PAX3-FOXO1. In addition, the activation of PP2A-part of which was encoded by PPP2R1A-by FTY720 treatment in ARMS cell lines inhibited cell growth. On the human phospho-kinase array analysis of 46 specific Ser/Thr or Tyr phosphorylation sites on 39 selected proteins, eNOS, AKT1/2/3, RSK1/2/3 and STAT3 phosphorylation were decreased by FTY-720 treatment. These findings suggest that PPP2R1A is a negatively regulated by PAX3-FOXO1 in ARMS. The activation of PP2A-probably in combination with kinase inhibitors-may represent a therapeutic target in ARMS. We believe that the protein expression profile associated with PAX3-FOXO1 would be valuable for discovering new therapeutic targets in ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Akaike
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Department of Medical Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu Tanabe
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saiko Kazuno
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Biomolecular Science, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Mukaihara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Toda-Ishii
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taisei Kurihara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Youngji Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketo Okubo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Hayashi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Shibukawa, Gunma, Japan
| | - Kazuya Takamochi
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kaneko
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Boudjadi S, Chatterjee B, Sun W, Vemu P, Barr FG. The expression and function of PAX3 in development and disease. Gene 2018; 666:145-157. [PMID: 29730428 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.04.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The PAX3 gene encodes a member of the PAX family of transcription factors that is characterized by a highly conserved paired box motif. The PAX3 protein is a transcription factor consisting of an N-terminal DNA binding domain (containing a paired box and homeodomain) and a C-terminal transcriptional activation domain. This protein is expressed during development of skeletal muscle, central nervous system and neural crest derivatives, and regulates expression of target genes that impact on proliferation, survival, differentiation and motility in these lineages. Germline mutations of the murine Pax3 and human PAX3 genes cause deficiencies in these developmental lineages and result in the Splotch phenotype and Waardenburg syndrome, respectively. Somatic genetic rearrangements that juxtapose the PAX3 DNA binding domain to the transcriptional activation domain of other transcription factors deregulate PAX3 function and contribute to the pathogenesis of the soft tissue cancers alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma. The wild-type PAX3 protein is also expressed in other cancers related to developmental lineages that normally express this protein and exerts phenotypic effects related to its normal developmental role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Boudjadi
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Wenyue Sun
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Prasantha Vemu
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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The tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib does not have clinically meaningful activity in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with FOXO rearrangement: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer phase 2 trial 90101 'CREATE'. Eur J Cancer 2018; 94:156-167. [PMID: 29567632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (ARMSs) can harbour MET and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) alterations. We prospectively assessed crizotinib in patients with advanced/metastatic ARMS. METHODS Eligible patients with a central diagnosis of ARMS received oral crizotinib 250 mg twice daily. Patients were attributed to MET/ALK+ or MET/ALK- subcohorts by assessing the presence or absence of the forkhead box O1 (FOXO1; a marker of MET upregulation) and/or ALK gene rearrangement. The primary end-point was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end-points included duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), progression-free rate (PFR), overall survival (OS) and safety. FINDINGS Nineteen of 20 consenting patients had centrally confirmed ARMS. Molecular assessment revealed rearrangement of FOXO1 in 17 tumours and ALK in none. Thirteen eligible patients were treated, but only eight were evaluable for the primary end-point because of the observed aggressiveness of the disease. Among seven evaluable MET+/ALK- patients, only one achieved a confirmed partial response (ORR: 14.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3-57.8) with a DOR of 52 d. Further MET+/ALK- efficacy end-points were DCR: 14.3% (95% CI: 0.3-57.8), median PFS: 1.3 months (95% CI: 0.5-1.5) and median OS: 5.6 months (95% CI: 0.7-7.0). The remaining MET+/ALK- and MET-/ALK- patients had early progression as best response. Common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (5/13 [38.5%]), nausea (4/13 [30.8%]), anorexia (4/13 [30.8%]), vomiting (2/13 [15.4%]) and constipation (2/13 [15.4%]). All 13 treated patients died early because of progressive disease. INTERPRETATION Crizotinib is well tolerated but lacks clinically meaningful activity as a single agent in patients with advanced metastatic ARMS. Assessing single agents in aggressive, chemotherapy-refractory ARMS is challenging, and future trials should explore established chemotherapy ± investigational compounds in earlier lines of treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER EORTC 90101, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01524926.
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Jiang S, Li T, Yang Z, Hu W, Yang Y. Deciphering the roles of FOXO1 in human neoplasms. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:1560-1568. [PMID: 29473160 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life SciencesNorthwest University, 229 Taibai North RoadXi'an710069 China
- Department of Aerospace MedicineThe Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West RoadXi'an710032 China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West RoadXi'an710032 China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West RoadXi'an710032 China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West RoadXi'an710032 China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life SciencesNorthwest University, 229 Taibai North RoadXi'an710069 China
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West RoadXi'an710032 China
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46
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Selfe JL, Shipley J. Fusion gene addiction: can tumours be forced to give up the habit? J Pathol 2017; 242:263-266. [PMID: 28378394 DOI: 10.1002/path.4902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Fusion of genes in tumours can have oncogenic roles in reprogramming cells through overexpression of oncogenes or the production of novel fusion proteins. A fundamental question in cancer biology is what genetic events are critical for initiation and whether these are also required for cancer progression. In recent work published in The Journal of Pathology, dependency on a fusion protein was addressed using a model of alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas - a sarcoma subtype with frequent fusion of PAX3 and FOXO1 genes that is associated with poor outcome. PAX3-FOXO1 encodes a potent transcription factor that together with MYCN alters the transcriptional landscape of cells. Building on previous work, an inducible model in human myoblast cells was used to show that PAX3-FOXO1 and MYCN can initiate rhabdomyosarcoma development but, contrary to current thinking, tumour recurrences occasionally arose independent of the fusion protein. Further work needs to identify the molecular nature of this independence and assess any relevance in human tumours. Such functional approaches are required together with computational modeling of molecular data to unravel spatial and temporal dependencies on specific genetic events. This may support molecular prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Selfe
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Janet Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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