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Church SJ, Pulianmackal AJ, Dixon JA, Loftus LV, Amend SR, Pienta K, Cackowski FC, Buttitta LA. Oncogenic signaling in the adult Drosophila prostate-like accessory gland leads to activation of a conserved pro-tumorigenic program, in the absence of proliferation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593549. [PMID: 38853988 PMCID: PMC11160766 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Drosophila models for tumorigenesis and metastasis have revealed conserved mechanisms of signaling that are also involved in mammalian cancer. Many of these models use the proliferating tissues of the larval stages of Drosophila development, when tissues are highly mitotically active, or stem cells are abundant. Fewer Drosophila tumorigenesis models use adult animals to initiate tumor formation when many tissues are largely terminally differentiated and postmitotic. The Drosophila accessory glands are prostate-like tissues and a model for some aspects of prostate tumorigenesis using this tissue has been explored. In this model, oncogenic signaling was induced during the proliferative stage of accessory gland development, raising the question of how oncogenic activity would impact the terminally differentiated and postmitotic adult tissue. Here, we show that oncogenic signaling in the adult Drosophila accessory gland leads to activation of a conserved pro-tumorigenic program, similar to that observed in mitotic larval tissues, but in the absence of proliferation. Oncogenic signaling in the adult postmitotic gland leads to tissue hyperplasia with nuclear anaplasia and aneuploidy through endoreduplication, which increases polyploidy and occasionally results in non-mitotic neoplastic-like extrusions. We compare gene expression changes in our Drosophila model with that of endocycling prostate cancer cells induced by chemotherapy, which potentially mediate tumor recurrence after treatment. Similar signaling pathways are activated in the Drosophila gland and endocycling cancer cells, suggesting the adult accessory glands provide a useful model for aspects of prostate cancer progression that do not involve cellular proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Jaimian Church
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ajai J. Pulianmackal
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Joseph A. Dixon
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Luke V. Loftus
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sarah R. Amend
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kenneth Pienta
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Frank C. Cackowski
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University Department of Oncology, Detroit, MI
| | - Laura A. Buttitta
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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2
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Kurogi Y, Mizuno Y, Kamiyama T, Niwa R. The intestinal stem cell/enteroblast-GAL4 driver, escargot-GAL4, also manipulates gene expression in the juvenile hormone-synthesizing organ of Drosophila melanogaster. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9631. [PMID: 38671036 PMCID: PMC11053112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60269-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, offer an excellent genetic model to explore homeostatic roles of ISCs in animal physiology. Among available genetic tools, the escargot (esg)-GAL4 driver, expressing the yeast transcription factor gene, GAL4, under control of the esg gene promoter, has contributed significantly to ISC studies. This driver facilitates activation of genes of interest in proximity to a GAL4-binding element, Upstream Activating Sequence, in ISCs and progenitor enteroblasts (EBs). While esg-GAL4 has been considered an ISC/EB-specific driver, recent studies have shown that esg-GAL4 is also active in other tissues, such as neurons and ovaries. Therefore, the ISC/EB specificity of esg-GAL4 is questionable. In this study, we reveal esg-GAL4 expression in the corpus allatum (CA), responsible for juvenile hormone (JH) production. When driving the oncogenic gene, RasV12, esg-GAL4 induces overgrowth in ISCs/EBs as reported, but also increases CA cell number and size. Consistent with this observation, animals alter expression of JH-response genes. Our data show that esg-GAL4-driven gene manipulation can systemically influence JH-mediated animal physiology, arguing for cautious use of esg-GAL4 as a "specific" ISC/EB driver to examine ISC/EB-mediated animal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitomo Kurogi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Yosuke Mizuno
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Takumi Kamiyama
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
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Mari M, Voutyraki C, Zacharioudaki E, Delidakis C, Filippidis G. Lipid content evaluation of Drosophila tumour associated haemocytes through Third Harmonic Generation measurements. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2023; 16:e202300171. [PMID: 37643223 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Non-linear microscopy is a powerful imaging tool to examine structural properties and subcellular processes of various biological samples. The competence of Third Harmonic Generation (THG) includes the label free imaging with diffraction-limited resolution and three-dimensional visualization with negligible phototoxicity effects. In this study, THG records and quantifies the lipid content of Drosophila haemocytes, upon encountering normal or tumorigenic neural cells, in correlation with their shape or their state. We show that the lipid accumulations of adult haemocytes are similar before and after encountering normal cells. In contrast, adult haemocytes prior to their interaction with cancer cells have a low lipid index, which increases while they are actively engaged in phagocytosis only to decrease again when haemocytes become exhausted. This dynamic change in the lipid accrual of haemocytes upon encountering tumour cells could potentially be a useful tool to assess the phagocytic capacity or activation state of tumour-associated haemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meropi Mari
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Chrysanthi Voutyraki
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eva Zacharioudaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Christos Delidakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - George Filippidis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Voutyraki C, Choromidis A, Meligkounaki A, Vlachopoulos NA, Theodorou V, Grammenoudi S, Athanasiadis E, Monticelli S, Giangrande A, Delidakis C, Zacharioudaki E. Growth deregulation and interaction with host hemocytes contribute to tumor progression in a Drosophila brain tumor model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221601120. [PMID: 37549261 PMCID: PMC10438840 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221601120] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors constantly interact with their microenvironment. Here, we present data on a Notch-induced neural stem cell (NSC) tumor in Drosophila, which can be immortalized by serial transplantation in adult hosts. This tumor arises in the larva by virtue of the ability of Notch to suppress early differentiation-promoting factors in NSC progeny. Guided by transcriptome data, we have addressed both tumor-intrinsic and microenvironment-specific factors and how they contribute to tumor growth and host demise. The growth promoting factors Myc, Imp, and Insulin receptor in the tumor cells are important for tumor expansion and killing of the host. From the host's side, hemocytes, professional phagocytic blood cells, are found associated with tumor cells. Phagocytic receptors, like NimC1, are needed in hemocytes to enable them to capture and engulf tumor cells, restricting their growth. In addition to their protective role, hemocytes may also increase the host's morbidity by their propensity to produce damaging extracellular reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Voutyraki
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Alexandros Choromidis
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Anastasia Meligkounaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Andreas Vlachopoulos
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Theodorou
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Sofia Grammenoudi
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center Alexander Fleming, 16672Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Athanasiadis
- Greek Genome Centre, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527Athens, Greece
- Medical Image and Signal Processing Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243Athens, Greece
| | - Sara Monticelli
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67400Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404Strasbourg, France
| | - Angela Giangrande
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67400Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404Strasbourg, France
| | - Christos Delidakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Evanthia Zacharioudaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Cammarata-Mouchtouris A, Acker A, Goto A, Chen D, Matt N, Leclerc V. Dynamic Regulation of NF-κB Response in Innate Immunity: The Case of the IMD Pathway in Drosophila. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092304. [PMID: 36140409 PMCID: PMC9496462 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metazoans have developed strategies to protect themselves from pathogenic attack. These preserved mechanisms constitute the immune system, composed of innate and adaptive responses. Among the two kinds, the innate immune system involves the activation of a fast response. NF-κB signaling pathways are activated during infections and lead to the expression of timely-controlled immune response genes. However, activation of NF-κB pathways can be deleterious when uncontrolled. Their regulation is necessary to prevent the development of inflammatory diseases or cancers. The similarity of the NF-κB pathways mediating immune mechanisms in insects and mammals makes Drosophila melanogaster a suitable model for studying the innate immune response and learning general mechanisms that are also relevant for humans. In this review, we summarize what is known about the dynamic regulation of the central NF-κB-pathways and go into detail on the molecular level of the IMD pathway. We report on the role of the nuclear protein Akirin in the regulation of the NF-κB Relish immune response. The use of the Drosophila model allows the understanding of the fine-tuned regulation of this central NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrian Acker
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), UPR9022, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Akira Goto
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), UPR9022, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Di Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Nicolas Matt
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), UPR9022, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence: (N.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Vincent Leclerc
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), UPR9022, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence: (N.M.); (V.L.)
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Zhang Y, Holland E, Dinh A, Au D, Sun L. Bombesin-drug conjugates in targeted therapy for small cell lung cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:927-937. [PMID: 35411251 PMCID: PMC8984889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a aggressive form of primary lung neoplasm that often presents in elderly smokers. While stage I SCLC can be managed with surgery, extensive-stage disease is managed with chemotherapy using etoposide and cisplatin among other agents, and often complemented by radiation therapy to the chest and cranium. Recent advances in pharmacological research have yielded novel antibody and peptide-conjugated adjunctive chemotherapy, of which bombesin and bombesin receptors have played an important role due to their overexpression in SCLC and other lung cancers. Chemotherapy agents conjugated to bombesin or bombesin-like peptides often demonstrate higher therapeutic efficacy, greater treatment specificity, as well as improved cytotoxicity towards SCLC cells that demonstrate drug resistance. Further modifications to the bombesin-drug conjugate, such as liposomal preparation, have further enhanced bio-availability and half-life of the compound. Additionally, bombesin-radioisotope conjugates can be used for early detection of SCLC using positron emission tomography, as well as subsequent targeted adjuvant radiotherapy to help minimize radiation-induced fibrosis of healthy tissue. Ultimately, further studies are imperative to capitalize on the various applications of bombesin conjugates in both the diagnosis and management of SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of MedicineNew Orleans 70112, LA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Holland
- Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University School of MedicineNew Orleans 70112, LA, USA
| | - Anna Dinh
- East Jefferson General HospitalMetairie 70006, LA, USA
| | - Duc Au
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of New OrleansNew Orleans 70148, LA, USA
| | - Lichun Sun
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of MedicineNew Orleans 70112, LA, USA
- Shenzhen Academy of Peptide Targeting Technology at Pingshan and Shenzhen Tyercan Bio-Pharm Co., Ltd.Shenzhen 518067, Guangdong, China
- Sino-US Innovative Bio-Medical Center and Hunan Beautide PharmaceuticalsXiangtan, Hunan, China
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7
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Hounsell C, Fan Y. The Duality of Caspases in Cancer, as Told through the Fly. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8927. [PMID: 34445633 PMCID: PMC8396359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspases, a family of cysteine-aspartic proteases, have an established role as critical components in the activation and initiation of apoptosis. Alongside this a variety of non-apoptotic caspase functions in proliferation, differentiation, cellular plasticity and cell migration have been reported. The activity level and context are important factors in determining caspase function. As a consequence of their critical role in apoptosis and beyond, caspases are uniquely situated to have pathological roles, including in cancer. Altered caspase function is a common trait in a variety of cancers, with apoptotic evasion defined as a "hallmark of cancer". However, the role that caspases play in cancer is much more complex, acting both to prevent and to promote tumourigenesis. This review focuses on the major findings in Drosophila on the dual role of caspases in tumourigenesis. This has major implications for cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with the activation of apoptosis being the end goal. However, such treatments may inadvertently have adverse effects on promoting tumour progression and acerbating the cancer. A comprehensive understanding of the dual role of caspases will aid in the development of successful cancer therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yun Fan
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
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