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"Losing the Brakes"-Suppressed Inhibitors Triggering Uncontrolled Wnt/ ß-Catenin Signaling May Provide a Potential Therapeutic Target in Elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:604-613. [PMID: 36661526 PMCID: PMC9858232 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction is implicated in initiation, propagation, and poor prognosis in AML. Epigenetic inactivation is central to Wnt/β-catenin hyperactivity, and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors are being investigated as targeted therapy. Dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling has also been linked to accelerated aging. Since AML is a disease of old age (>60 yrs), we hypothesized age-related differential activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in AML patients. We probed Wnt/β-catenin expression in a series of AML in the elderly (>60 yrs) and compared it to a cohort of pediatric AML (<18 yrs). RNA from diagnostic bone marrow biopsies (n = 101) were evaluated for key Wnt/β-catenin molecule expression utilizing the NanoString platform. Differential expression of significance was defined as >2.5-fold difference (p < 0.01). A total of 36 pediatric AML (<18 yrs) and 36 elderly AML (>60 yrs) were identified in this cohort. Normal bone marrows (n = 10) were employed as controls. Wnt/β-catenin target genes (MYC, MYB, and RUNX1) showed upregulation, while Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors (CXXR, DKK1-4, SFRP1-4, SOST, and WIFI) were suppressed in elderly AML compared to pediatric AML and controls. Our data denote that suppressed inhibitor expression (through mutation or hypermethylation) is an additional contributing factor in Wnt/β-catenin hyperactivity in elderly AML, thus supporting Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors as potential targeted therapy.
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Miller KJ, Henry I, Maylin Z, Smith C, Arunachalam E, Pandha H, Asim M. A compendium of Androgen Receptor Variant 7 target genes and their role in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1129140. [PMID: 36937454 PMCID: PMC10014620 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1129140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent androgen receptor (AR) signalling is the main driver of prostate cancer (PCa). Truncated isoforms of the AR called androgen receptor variants (AR-Vs) lacking the ligand binding domain often emerge during treatment resistance against AR pathway inhibitors such as Enzalutamide. This review discusses how AR-Vs drive a more aggressive form of PCa through the regulation of some of their target genes involved in oncogenic pathways, enabling disease progression. There is a pressing need for the development of a new generation of AR inhibitors which can repress the activity of both the full-length AR and AR-Vs, for which the knowledge of differentially expressed target genes will allow evaluation of inhibition efficacy. This review provides a detailed account of the most common variant, AR-V7, the AR-V7 regulated genes which have been experimentally validated, endeavours to understand their relevance in aggressive AR-V driven PCa and discusses the utility of the downstream protein products as potential drug targets for PCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zoe Maylin
- *Correspondence: Zoe Maylin, ; Mohammad Asim,
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Jafari Nivlouei S, Soltani M, Shirani E, Salimpour MR, Travasso R, Carvalho J. A multiscale cell-based model of tumor growth for chemotherapy assessment and tumor-targeted therapy through a 3D computational approach. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13187. [PMID: 35132721 PMCID: PMC8891571 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Computational modeling of biological systems is a powerful tool to clarify diverse processes contributing to cancer. The aim is to clarify the complex biochemical and mechanical interactions between cells, the relevance of intracellular signaling pathways in tumor progression and related events to the cancer treatments, which are largely ignored in previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS A three-dimensional multiscale cell-based model is developed, covering multiple time and spatial scales, including intracellular, cellular, and extracellular processes. The model generates a realistic representation of the processes involved from an implementation of the signaling transduction network. RESULTS Considering a benign tumor development, results are in good agreement with the experimental ones, which identify three different phases in tumor growth. Simulating tumor vascular growth, results predict a highly vascularized tumor morphology in a lobulated form, a consequence of cells' motile behavior. A novel systematic study of chemotherapy intervention, in combination with targeted therapy, is presented to address the capability of the model to evaluate typical clinical protocols. The model also performs a dose comparison study in order to optimize treatment efficacy and surveys the effect of chemotherapy initiation delays and different regimens. CONCLUSIONS Results not only provide detailed insights into tumor progression, but also support suggestions for clinical implementation. This is a major step toward the goal of predicting the effects of not only traditional chemotherapy but also tumor-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Jafari Nivlouei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran.,Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Madjid Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Computational Medicine Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Shirani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Foolad Institute of Technology, Fooladshahr, Iran
| | | | - Rui Travasso
- Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Bindra D, Mishra RK. In Pursuit of Distinctiveness: Transmembrane Nucleoporins and Their Disease Associations. Front Oncol 2022; 11:784319. [PMID: 34970494 PMCID: PMC8712647 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.784319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The bi-directional nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of macromolecules like molecular signals, transcription factors, regulatory proteins, and RNAs occurs exclusively through Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) residing in the nuclear membrane. This magnanimous complex is essentially a congregation of ~32 conserved proteins termed Nucleoporins (Nups) present in multiple copies and mostly arranged as subcomplexes to constitute a functional NPC. Nups participate in ancillary functions such as chromatin organization, transcription regulation, DNA damage repair, genome stabilization, and cell cycle control, apart from their central role as nucleocytoplasmic conduits. Thus, Nups exert a role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. In mammals, precisely three nucleoporins traverse the nuclear membrane, are called transmembrane Nups (TM-Nups), and are involved in multiple cellular functions. Owing to their vital roles in cellular processes and homeostasis, dysregulation of nucleoporin function is implicated in various diseases. The deregulated functioning of TM-Nups can thus act as an opportune window for the development of diseases. Indeed, mounting evidence exhibits a strong association of TM-Nups in cancer and numerous other physiological disorders. These findings have provided much-needed insights into the novel mechanisms of disease progression. While nucleoporin’s functions have often been summarized in the disease context, a focus on TM-Nups has always lacked. This review emphasizes the elucidation of distinct canonical and non-canonical functions of mammalian TM-Nups and the underlying mechanisms of their disease association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Bindra
- Nups and SUMO Biology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, India
| | - Ram Kumar Mishra
- Nups and SUMO Biology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, India
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Tessier TM, Dodge MJ, Prusinkiewicz MA, Mymryk JS. Viral Appropriation: Laying Claim to Host Nuclear Transport Machinery. Cells 2019; 8:E559. [PMID: 31181773 PMCID: PMC6627039 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein nuclear transport is an integral process to many cellular pathways and often plays a critical role during viral infection. To overcome the barrier presented by the nuclear membrane and gain access to the nucleus, virally encoded proteins have evolved ways to appropriate components of the nuclear transport machinery. By binding karyopherins, or the nuclear pore complex, viral proteins influence their own transport as well as the transport of key cellular regulatory proteins. This review covers how viral proteins can interact with different components of the nuclear import machinery and how this influences viral replicative cycles. We also highlight the effects that viral perturbation of nuclear transport has on the infected host and how we can exploit viruses as tools to study novel mechanisms of protein nuclear import. Finally, we discuss the possibility that drugs targeting these transport pathways could be repurposed for treating viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner M Tessier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Mackenzie J Dodge
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Martin A Prusinkiewicz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Joe S Mymryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
- London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada.
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Li YS, Leng CL, Chen MT, Zhang WK, Li XJ, Tang HB, Shang HC, Zhu LH. Mouse hepatic neoplasm formation induced by trace level and low frequency exposure to diethylnitrosamine through β-catenin signaling pathway. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2016; 5:210-223. [PMID: 30090338 PMCID: PMC6062358 DOI: 10.1039/c5tx00317b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that massive levels or/and high frequency exposure of diethylnitrosamine could induce hepatic neoplasm. However, it would be more interesting to figure out the hepatotoxic effects of diethylnitrosamine exposure at trace level and low frequency, which could be more common in our daily life. We found that both the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin were aberrant in all liver tissues, accompanied by inflammation, steatosis, fibrosis and hepatic neoplasm after 10-week exposure of diethylnitrosamine (dissolved in sesame oil, 0.16 mmol per kg body weight) to mice. In addition, gradual increase in the mRNA expression of several pivotal risk factors (TNF-α, COX-2, PPAR-γ, AP-2, Smad-2, TGF-β1, and C-myc), as well as their protein expression levels, were associated with the aberrant expression or/and nucleus localization of β-catenin. Altogether, our results show that long-term diethylnitrosamine exposure at trace amounts and low frequency can also induce hepatotoxicity (including inflammation, steatosis and fibrosis) and consequently aberrant activation of β-catenin which in turn plays an important role in the initiation and promotion of liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Sang Li
- Department of Pharmacology , College of Pharmacy , South-Central University for Nationalities , No. 182 , Minyuan Road , Hongshan-qu , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 6784 2332
| | - Chang-Long Leng
- Department of Pharmacology , College of Pharmacy , South-Central University for Nationalities , No. 182 , Minyuan Road , Hongshan-qu , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 6784 2332
| | - Man-Tang Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 8755 6723
| | - Wei Kevin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology , College of Pharmacy , South-Central University for Nationalities , No. 182 , Minyuan Road , Hongshan-qu , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 6784 2332
| | - Xiao-Jun Li
- Department of Pharmacology , College of Pharmacy , South-Central University for Nationalities , No. 182 , Minyuan Road , Hongshan-qu , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 6784 2332
| | - He-Bin Tang
- Department of Pharmacology , College of Pharmacy , South-Central University for Nationalities , No. 182 , Minyuan Road , Hongshan-qu , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 6784 2332
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE and Beijing , Dongzhimen Hospital , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100700 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)10 8401 2510
| | - Hong-Cai Shang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE and Beijing , Dongzhimen Hospital , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100700 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)10 8401 2510
| | - Li-Hua Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan 430074 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86 (0)27 8755 6723
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Christie M, Chang CW, Róna G, Smith KM, Stewart AG, Takeda AAS, Fontes MRM, Stewart M, Vértessy BG, Forwood JK, Kobe B. Structural Biology and Regulation of Protein Import into the Nucleus. J Mol Biol 2015; 428:2060-90. [PMID: 26523678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are translated in the cytoplasm, but many need to access the nucleus to perform their functions. Understanding how these nuclear proteins are transported through the nuclear envelope and how the import processes are regulated is therefore an important aspect of understanding cell function. Structural biology has played a key role in understanding the molecular events during the transport processes and their regulation, including the recognition of nuclear targeting signals by the corresponding receptors. Here, we review the structural basis of the principal nuclear import pathways and the molecular basis of their regulation. The pathways involve transport factors that are members of the β-karyopherin family, which can bind cargo directly (e.g., importin-β, transportin-1, transportin-3, importin-13) or through adaptor proteins (e.g., importin-α, snurportin-1, symportin-1), as well as unrelated transport factors such as Hikeshi, involved in the transport of heat-shock proteins, and NTF2, involved in the transport of RanGDP. Solenoid proteins feature prominently in these pathways. Nuclear transport factors recognize nuclear targeting signals on the cargo proteins, including the classical nuclear localization signals, recognized by the adaptor importin-α, and the PY nuclear localization signals, recognized by transportin-1. Post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation, constitute key regulatory mechanisms operating in these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Christie
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Chiung-Wen Chang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gergely Róna
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest H-1111, Hungary
| | - Kate M Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
| | - Alastair G Stewart
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Agnes A S Takeda
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos R M Fontes
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-000, Brazil
| | - Murray Stewart
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest H-1111, Hungary
| | - Jade K Forwood
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Niedźwiedzki T, Filipowska J. Bone remodeling in the context of cellular and systemic regulation: the role of osteocytes and the nervous system. J Mol Endocrinol 2015; 55:R23-36. [PMID: 26307562 DOI: 10.1530/jme-15-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes constant remodeling. The appropriate course of this process determines development and regeneration of the skeleton. Tight molecular control of bone remodeling is vital for the maintenance of appropriate physiology and microarchitecture of the bone, providing homeostasis, also at the systemic level. The process of remodeling is regulated by a rich innervation of the skeleton, being the source of various growth factors, neurotransmitters, and hormones regulating function of the bone. Although the course of bone remodeling at the cellular level is mainly associated with the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, recently also osteocytes have gained a growing interest as the principal regulators of bone turnover. Osteocytes play a significant role in the regulation of osteogenesis, releasing sclerostin (SOST), an inhibitor of bone formation. The process of bone turnover, especially osteogenesis, is also modulated by extra-skeletal molecules. Proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts are promoted by the brain-derived serotonin and hypothetically inhibited by its intestinal equivalent. The activity of SOST and serotonin is either directly or indirectly associated with the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the main regulatory pathway of osteoblasts function. The impairment of bone remodeling may lead to many skeletal diseases, such as high bone mass syndrome or osteoporosis. In this paper, we review the most recent data on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling control, with particular emphasis on the role of osteocytes and the nervous system in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeusz Niedźwiedzki
- Department of Orthopedics and PhysiotherapyCollegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, PolandDepartment of Cell Biology and ImagingInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 9 Gronostajowa Street, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| | - Joanna Filipowska
- Department of Orthopedics and PhysiotherapyCollegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, PolandDepartment of Cell Biology and ImagingInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 9 Gronostajowa Street, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
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Talamas JA, Capelson M. Nuclear envelope and genome interactions in cell fate. Front Genet 2015; 6:95. [PMID: 25852741 PMCID: PMC4365743 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic cell nucleus houses an organism’s genome and is the location within the cell where all signaling induced and development-driven gene expression programs are ultimately specified. The genome is enclosed and separated from the cytoplasm by the nuclear envelope (NE), a double-lipid membrane bilayer, which contains a large variety of trans-membrane and associated protein complexes. In recent years, research regarding multiple aspects of the cell nucleus points to a highly dynamic and coordinated concert of efforts between chromatin and the NE in regulation of gene expression. Details of how this concert is orchestrated and how it directs cell differentiation and disease are coming to light at a rapid pace. Here we review existing and emerging concepts of how interactions between the genome and the NE may contribute to tissue specific gene expression programs to determine cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Talamas
- Program in Epigenetics, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Smilow Center for Translational Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maya Capelson
- Program in Epigenetics, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Smilow Center for Translational Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
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