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Agu I, José I, Ram A, Oberbauer D, Albeck J, Díaz Muñoz SL. Influenza A defective viral genomes and non-infectious particles are increased by host PI3K inhibition via anti-cancer drug alpelisib. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.03.601932. [PMID: 39005364 PMCID: PMC11245024 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.03.601932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
RNA viruses produce abundant defective viral genomes during replication, setting the stage for interactions between viral genomes that alter the course of pathogenesis. Harnessing these interactions to develop antivirals has become a recent goal of intense research focus. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms that regulate the production and interactions of Influenza A defective viral genomes are still unclear. The role of the host is essentially unexplored; specifically, it remains unknown whether host metabolism can influence the formation of defective viral genomes and the particles that house them. To address this question, we manipulated host cell anabolic signaling activity and monitored the production of defective viral genomes and particles by A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 strains, using a combination of single-cell immunofluorescence quantification, third-generation long-read sequencing, and the cluster-forming assay, a method we developed to titer defective and fully-infectious particles simultaneously. Here we show that alpelisib (Piqray), a highly selective inhibitor of mammalian Class 1a phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) receptors, significantly changed the proportion of defective particles and viral genomes (specifically deletion-containing viral genomes) in a strain-specific manner, under conditions that minimize multiple cycles of replication. Alpelisib pre-treatment of cells led to an increase in defective particles in the A/H3N2 strain, while the A/H1N1 strain showed a decrease in total viral particles. In the same infections, we found that defective viral genomes of polymerase and antigenic segments increased in the A/H1N1 strain, while the total particles decreased suggesting defective interference. We also found that the average deletion size in polymerase complex viral genomes increased in both the A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 strains. The A/H1N1 strain, additionally showed a dose-dependent increase in total number of defective viral genomes. In sum, we provide evidence that host cell metabolism can increase the production of defective viral genomes and particles at an early stage of infection, shifting the makeup of the infection and potential interactions among virions. Given that Influenza A defective viral genomes can inhibit pathogenesis, our study presents a new line of investigation into metabolic states associated with less severe flu infection and the potential induction of these states with metabolic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilechukwu Agu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
| | - Ivy José
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
| | - Abhineet Ram
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
| | - Daniel Oberbauer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
| | - John Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
| | - Samuel L. Díaz Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616
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2
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Calistri NL, Liby TA, Hu Z, Zhang H, Dane M, Gross SM, Heiser LM. TNBC response to paclitaxel phenocopies interferon response which reveals cell cycle-associated resistance mechanisms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.596911. [PMID: 38895265 PMCID: PMC11185620 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.596911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Paclitaxel is a standard of care neoadjuvant therapy for patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, it shows limited benefit for locally advanced or metastatic disease. Here we used a coordinated experimental-computational approach to explore the influence of paclitaxel on the cellular and molecular responses of TNBC cells. We found that escalating doses of paclitaxel resulted in multinucleation, promotion of senescence, and initiation of DNA damage induced apoptosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of TNBC cells after paclitaxel treatment revealed upregulation of innate immune programs canonically associated with interferon response and downregulation of cell cycle progression programs. Systematic exploration of transcriptional responses to paclitaxel and cancer-associated microenvironmental factors revealed common gene programs induced by paclitaxel, IFNB, and IFNG. Transcription factor (TF) enrichment analysis identified 13 TFs that were both enriched based on activity of downstream targets and also significantly upregulated after paclitaxel treatment. Functional assessment with siRNA knockdown confirmed that the TFs FOSL1, NFE2L2 and ELF3 mediate cellular proliferation and also regulate nuclear structure. We further explored the influence of these TFs on paclitaxel-induced cell cycle behavior via live cell imaging, which revealed altered progression rates through G1, S/G2 and M phases. We found that ELF3 knockdown synergized with paclitaxel treatment to lock cells in a G1 state and prevent cell cycle progression. Analysis of publicly available breast cancer patient data showed that high ELF3 expression was associated with poor prognosis and enrichment programs associated with cell cycle progression. Together these analyses disentangle the diverse aspects of paclitaxel response and identify ELF3 upregulation as a putative biomarker of paclitaxel resistance in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L Calistri
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Tiera A. Liby
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Zhi Hu
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Mark Dane
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Sean M. Gross
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
| | - Laura M. Heiser
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon
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DeCuzzi NL, Oberbauer DP, Chmiel KJ, Pargett M, Ferguson JM, Murphy D, Zeki AA, Albeck JG. Spatiotemporal Clusters of ERK Activity Coordinate Cytokine-induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.03.578773. [PMID: 38352523 PMCID: PMC10862831 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.03.578773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Spatially coordinated ERK signaling events ("SPREADs") transmit radially from a central point to adjacent cells via secreted ligands for EGFR and other receptors. SPREADs maintain homeostasis in non-pulmonary epithelia, but it is unknown whether they play a role in the airway epithelium or are dysregulated in inflammatory disease. OBJECTIVES (1) To characterize spatiotemporal ERK activity in response to pro-inflammatory ligands, and (2) to assess pharmacological and metabolic regulation of cytokine-mediated SPREADs. METHODS SPREADs were measured by live-cell ERK biosensors in human bronchial epithelial cell lines (HBE1 and 16HBE) and primary human bronchial epithelial (pHBE) cells, in both submerged and biphasic Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) culture conditions (i.e., differentiated cells). Cells were exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines relevant to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to pharmacological treatments (gefitinib, tocilizumab, hydrocortisone) and metabolic modulators (insulin, 2-deoxyglucose) to probe the airway epithelial mechanisms of SPREADs. Phospho-STAT3 immunofluorescence was used to measure localized inflammatory responses to IL-6. RESULTS Pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly increased the frequency of SPREADs. Notably, differentiated pHBE cells display increased SPREAD frequency that coincides with airway epithelial barrier breakdown. SPREADs correlate with IL-6 peptide secretion and localized pSTAT3. Hydrocortisone, inhibitors of receptor signaling, and suppression of metabolic function decreased SPREAD occurrence. CONCLUSIONS Pro-inflammatory cytokines modulate SPREADs in human airway epithelial cells via both secreted EGFR and IL6R ligands. SPREADs correlate with changes in epithelial barrier permeability, implying a role for spatiotemporal ERK signaling in barrier homeostasis and dysfunction during inflammation. The involvement of SPREADs in airway inflammation suggests a novel signaling mechanism that could be exploited clinically to supplement corticosteroid treatment for asthma and COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholaus L. DeCuzzi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
- School of Medicine; Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; Lung Center; University of California, Davis
| | - Daniel P. Oberbauer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Kenneth J. Chmiel
- School of Medicine; Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; Lung Center; University of California, Davis
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Justa M. Ferguson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Devan Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Amir A. Zeki
- School of Medicine; Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; Lung Center; University of California, Davis
- U. C. Davis Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease (ROAD) Center
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Mather, CA
| | - John G. Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
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Ram A, Pargett M, Choi Y, Murphy D, Cabel M, Kosaisawe N, Quon G, Albeck J. Deciphering the History of ERK Activity from Fixed-Cell Immunofluorescence Measurements. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.16.580760. [PMID: 38405841 PMCID: PMC10889026 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.16.580760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Ras/ERK pathway drives cell proliferation and other oncogenic behaviors, and quantifying its activity in situ is of high interest in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Pathway activation is often assayed by measuring phosphorylated ERK. However, this form of measurement overlooks dynamic aspects of signaling that can only be observed over time. In this study, we combine a live, single-cell ERK biosensor approach with multiplexed immunofluorescence staining of downstream target proteins to ask how well immunostaining captures the dynamic history of ERK activity. Combining linear regression, machine learning, and differential equation models, we develop an interpretive framework for immunostains, in which Fra-1 and pRb levels imply long term activation of ERK signaling, while Egr-1 and c-Myc indicate recent activation. We show that this framework can distinguish different classes of ERK dynamics within a heterogeneous population, providing a tool for annotating ERK dynamics within fixed tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhineet Ram
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Yongin Choi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Devan Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Markhus Cabel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Nont Kosaisawe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Gerald Quon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - John Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis
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McAloney CA, Makkawi R, Budhathoki Y, Cannon MV, Franz EM, Gross AC, Cam M, Vetter TA, Duhen R, Davies AE, Roberts RD. Host-derived growth factors drive ERK phosphorylation and MCL1 expression to promote osteosarcoma cell survival during metastatic lung colonization. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:259-282. [PMID: 37676378 PMCID: PMC10899530 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00867-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] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For patients with osteosarcoma, disease-related mortality most often results from lung metastasis-a phenomenon shared with many solid tumors. While established metastatic lesions behave aggressively, very few of the tumor cells that reach the lung will survive. By identifying mechanisms that facilitate survival of disseminated tumor cells, we can develop therapeutic strategies that prevent and treat metastasis. METHODS We analyzed single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data from murine metastasis-bearing lungs to interrogate changes in both host and tumor cells during colonization. We used these data to elucidate pathways that become activated in cells that survive dissemination and identify candidate host-derived signals that drive activation. We validated these findings through live cell reporter systems, immunocytochemistry, and fluorescent immunohistochemistry. We then validated the functional relevance of key candidates using pharmacologic inhibition in models of metastatic osteosarcoma. RESULTS Expression patterns suggest that the MAPK pathway is significantly elevated in early and established metastases. MAPK activity correlates with expression of anti-apoptotic genes, especially MCL1. Niche cells produce growth factors that increase ERK phosphorylation and MCL1 expression in tumor cells. Both early and established metastases are vulnerable to MCL1 inhibition, but not MEK inhibition in vivo. Combining MCL1 inhibition with chemotherapy both prevented colonization and eliminated established metastases in murine models of osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION Niche-derived growth factors drive MAPK activity and MCL1 expression in osteosarcoma, promoting metastatic colonization. Although later metastases produce less MCL1, they remain dependent on it. MCL1 is a promising target for clinical trials in both human and canine patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille A McAloney
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rawan Makkawi
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Yogesh Budhathoki
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew V Cannon
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Emily M Franz
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amy C Gross
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Maren Cam
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tatyana A Vetter
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rebekka Duhen
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Alexander E Davies
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Ryan D Roberts
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
- The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Ram A, Murphy D, DeCuzzi N, Patankar M, Hu J, Pargett M, Albeck JG. A guide to ERK dynamics, part 1: mechanisms and models. Biochem J 2023; 480:1887-1907. [PMID: 38038974 PMCID: PMC10754288 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230276] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has long been studied as a key driver of both essential cellular processes and disease. A persistent question has been how this single pathway is able to direct multiple cell behaviors, including growth, proliferation, and death. Modern biosensor studies have revealed that the temporal pattern of ERK activity is highly variable and heterogeneous, and critically, that these dynamic differences modulate cell fate. This two-part review discusses the current understanding of dynamic activity in the ERK pathway, how it regulates cellular decisions, and how these cell fates lead to tissue regulation and pathology. In part 1, we cover the optogenetic and live-cell imaging technologies that first revealed the dynamic nature of ERK, as well as current challenges in biosensor data analysis. We also discuss advances in mathematical models for the mechanisms of ERK dynamics, including receptor-level regulation, negative feedback, cooperativity, and paracrine signaling. While hurdles still remain, it is clear that higher temporal and spatial resolution provide mechanistic insights into pathway circuitry. Exciting new algorithms and advanced computational tools enable quantitative measurements of single-cell ERK activation, which in turn inform better models of pathway behavior. However, the fact that current models still cannot fully recapitulate the diversity of ERK responses calls for a deeper understanding of network structure and signal transduction in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhineet Ram
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - Devan Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - Nicholaus DeCuzzi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - Madhura Patankar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - Jason Hu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
| | - John G. Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A
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7
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Berg AL, Showalter MR, Kosaisawe N, Hu M, Stephens NC, Sa M, Heil H, Castro N, Chen JJ, VanderVorst K, Wheeler MR, Rabow Z, Cajka T, Albeck J, Fiehn O, Carraway KL. Cellular transformation promotes the incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid into the endolysosome-specific lipid bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate in breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2023; 557:216090. [PMID: 36773796 PMCID: PMC10589064 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216090] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphates (BMPs), a class of lipids highly enriched within endolysosomal organelles, are key components of the lysosomal intraluminal vesicles responsible for activating sphingolipid catabolic enzymes. While BMPs are understudied relative to other phospholipids, recent reports associate BMP dysregulation with a variety of pathological states including neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage disorders. Since the dramatic lysosomal remodeling characteristic of cellular transformation could impact BMP abundance and function, we employed untargeted lipidomics approaches to identify and quantify BMP species in several in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer and comparative non-transformed cells and tissues. We observed lower BMP levels within transformed cells relative to normal cells, and consistent enrichment of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) fatty acyl chain-containing BMP species in both human- and mouse-derived mammary tumorigenesis models. Our functional analysis points to a working model whereby 22:6 BMPs serve as reactive oxygen species scavengers in tumor cells, protecting lysosomes from oxidant-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Our findings suggest that breast tumor cells might divert polyunsaturated fatty acids into BMP lipids as part of an adaptive response to protect their lysosomes from elevated reactive oxygen species levels, and raise the possibility that BMP-mediated lysosomal protection is a tumor-specific vulnerability that may be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia L Berg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Megan R Showalter
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nont Kosaisawe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Nathanial C Stephens
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael Sa
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Hailey Heil
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Noemi Castro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jenny J Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kacey VanderVorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Madelyn R Wheeler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Zachary Rabow
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Tomas Cajka
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 14200, Czech Republic
| | - John Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kermit L Carraway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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8
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Buss JH, Lenz LS, Pereira LC, Torgo D, Marcolin J, Begnini KR, Lenz G. The role of mitosis in generating fitness heterogeneity. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286224. [PMID: 36594556 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have heterogeneous fitness, and this heterogeneity stems from genetic and epigenetic sources. Here, we sought to assess the contribution of asymmetric mitosis (AM) and time on the variability of fitness in sister cells. Around one quarter of sisters had differences in fitness, assessed as the intermitotic time (IMT), from 330 to 510 min. Phenotypes related to fitness, such as ERK activity (herein referring to ERK1 and ERK2, also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1, respectively), DNA damage and nuclear morphological phenotypes were also asymmetric at mitosis or turned asymmetric over the course of the cell cycle. The ERK activity of mother cell was found to influence the ERK activity and the IMT of the daughter cells, and cells with ERK asymmetry at mitosis produced more offspring with AMs, suggesting heritability of the AM phenotype for ERK activity. Our findings demonstrate how variabilities in sister cells can be generated, contributing to the phenotype heterogeneities in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieti Huch Buss
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Luana Suéling Lenz
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Luiza Cherobini Pereira
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Daphne Torgo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Júlia Marcolin
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Karine Rech Begnini
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Guido Lenz
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
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9
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Pargett M, Ram AR, Murthy V, Davies AE. Live-Cell Sender-Receiver Co-cultures for Quantitative Measurement of Paracrine Signaling Dynamics, Gene Expression, and Drug Response. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2634:285-314. [PMID: 37074584 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3008-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Paracrine signaling is a fundamental process regulating tissue development, repair, and pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer. Herein we describe a method for quantitatively measuring paracrine signaling dynamics, and resultant gene expression changes, in living cells using genetically encoded signaling reporters and fluorescently tagged gene loci. We discuss considerations for selecting paracrine "sender-receiver" cell pairs, appropriate reporters, the use of this system to ask diverse experimental questions and screen drugs blocking intracellular communication, data collection, and the use of computational approaches to model and interpret these experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Abhineet R Ram
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Vaibhav Murthy
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Alexander E Davies
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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10
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Zhu K, Guo L, Patel P, Albeck J, Qing Q, Losert W, Zhao M. Protocol for electrical modulation of ERK signaling dynamics in cell lines. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101752. [PMID: 36208452 PMCID: PMC9562398 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe a protocol for modulating the dynamics of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway in a customized alternating current (AC) electric field stimulation chamber. We use an ERK translocation reporter that can accurately represent the intracellular ERK activity in real time without chemical agents or gene disruption. ERK activation is assessed by comparing the relative intensity of nuclear fluorescence to cytosolic fluorescence in live-cell conditions. The approach can be applied to other signaling pathways as well. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Guo et al. (2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Liang Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Preena Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - John Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Quan Qing
- Department of Physics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Corresponding author
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11
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Yang JM, Chi WY, Liang J, Takayanagi S, Iglesias PA, Huang CH. Deciphering cell signaling networks with massively multiplexed biosensor barcoding. Cell 2021; 184:6193-6206.e14. [PMID: 34838160 PMCID: PMC8686192 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors are powerful tools for monitoring biochemical activities in live cells, but their multiplexing capacity is limited by the available spectral space. We overcome this problem by developing a set of barcoding proteins that can generate over 100 barcodes and are spectrally separable from commonly used biosensors. Mixtures of barcoded cells expressing different biosensors are simultaneously imaged and analyzed by deep learning models to achieve massively multiplexed tracking of signaling events. Importantly, different biosensors in cell mixtures show highly coordinated activities, thus facilitating the delineation of their temporal relationship. Simultaneous tracking of multiple biosensors in the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling network reveals distinct mechanisms of effector adaptation, cell autonomous and non-autonomous effects of KRAS mutations, as well as complex interactions in the network. Biosensor barcoding presents a scalable method to expand multiplexing capabilities for deciphering the complexity of signaling networks and their interactions between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jr-Ming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Wei-Yu Chi
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jessica Liang
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Saki Takayanagi
- XDBio Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pablo A Iglesias
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Chuan-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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12
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Guo L, Zhu K, Pargett M, Contreras A, Tsai P, Qing Q, Losert W, Albeck J, Zhao M. Electrically synchronizing and modulating the dynamics of ERK activation to regulate cell fate. iScience 2021; 24:103240. [PMID: 34746704 PMCID: PMC8554532 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103240] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular signaling dynamics play fundamental roles in cell biology. Precise modulation of the amplitude, duration, and frequency of signaling activation will be a powerful approach to investigate molecular mechanisms as well as to engineer signaling to control cell behaviors. Here, we showed a practical approach to achieve precise amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and duration modulation (DM) of MAP kinase activation. Alternating current (AC) electrical stimulation induced synchronized ERK activation. Amplitude and duration of ERK activation were controlled by varying stimulation strength and duration. ERK activation frequencies were arbitrarily modulated with trains of short AC applications with accurately defined intervals. Significantly, ERK dynamics coded by well-designed AC can rewire PC12 cell fate independent of growth factors. This technique can be used to synchronize and modulate ERK activation dynamics, thus would offer a practical way to control cell behaviors in vivo without the use of biochemical agents or genetic manipulation. Alternating-current (AC) electric field activates ERK independently of growth factors AC stimulation length modulates the amplitude and duration of ERK activation On-off time interval of AC modulates the frequency of ERK activation peaks Electrical modulation of ERK dynamics promotes neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Kan Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Adam Contreras
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Patrick Tsai
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Quan Qing
- Department of Physics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - John Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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13
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Gillies TE, Pargett M, Silva JM, Teragawa CK, McCormick F, Albeck JG. Oncogenic mutant RAS signaling activity is rescaled by the ERK/MAPK pathway. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 16:e9518. [PMID: 33073539 PMCID: PMC7569415 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating mutations in RAS are present in ~ 30% of human tumors, and the resulting aberrations in ERK/MAPK signaling play a central role in oncogenesis. However, the form of these signaling changes is uncertain, with activating RAS mutants linked to both increased and decreased ERK activation in vivo. Rationally targeting the kinase activity of this pathway requires clarification of the quantitative effects of RAS mutations. Here, we use live‐cell imaging in cells expressing only one RAS isoform to quantify ERK activity with a new level of accuracy. We find that despite large differences in their biochemical activity, mutant KRAS isoforms within cells have similar ranges of ERK output. We identify roles for pathway‐level effects, including variation in feedback strength and feedforward modulation of phosphatase activity, that act to rescale pathway sensitivity, ultimately resisting changes in the dynamic range of ERK activity while preserving responsiveness to growth factor stimuli. Our results reconcile seemingly inconsistent reports within the literature and imply that the signaling changes induced by RAS mutations early in oncogenesis are subtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn E Gillies
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jillian M Silva
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn K Teragawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - John G Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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14
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Gagliardi PA, Dobrzyński M, Jacques MA, Dessauges C, Ender P, Blum Y, Hughes RM, Cohen AR, Pertz O. Collective ERK/Akt activity waves orchestrate epithelial homeostasis by driving apoptosis-induced survival. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1712-1726.e6. [PMID: 34081908 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell death events continuously challenge epithelial barrier function yet are crucial to eliminate old or critically damaged cells. How such apoptotic events are spatio-temporally organized to maintain epithelial homeostasis remains unclear. We observe waves of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT serine/threonine kinase (Akt) activity pulses that originate from apoptotic cells and propagate radially to healthy surrounding cells. This requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) signaling. At the single-cell level, ERK/Akt waves act as spatial survival signals that locally protect cells in the vicinity of the epithelial injury from apoptosis for a period of 3-4 h. At the cell population level, ERK/Akt waves maintain epithelial homeostasis (EH) in response to mild or intense environmental insults. Disruption of this spatial signaling system results in the inability of a model epithelial tissue to ensure barrier function in response to environmental insults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej Dobrzyński
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc-Antoine Jacques
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Coralie Dessauges
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Ender
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yannick Blum
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, 300 Science and Technology Building, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA
| | - Andrew R Cohen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, 3120-40 Market Street, Suite 313, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Olivier Pertz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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15
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Kosaisawe N, Sparta B, Pargett M, Teragawa CK, Albeck JG. Transient phases of OXPHOS inhibitor resistance reveal underlying metabolic heterogeneity in single cells. Cell Metab 2021; 33:649-665.e8. [PMID: 33561427 PMCID: PMC8005262 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell heterogeneity in metabolism plays an unknown role in physiology and pharmacology. To functionally characterize cellular variability in metabolism, we treated cells with inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and monitored their responses with live-cell reporters for ATP, ADP/ATP, or activity of the energy-sensing kinase AMPK. Across multiple OXPHOS inhibitors and cell types, we identified a subpopulation of cells resistant to activation of AMPK and reduction of ADP/ATP ratio. This resistant state persists transiently for at least several hours and can be inherited during cell divisions. OXPHOS inhibition suppresses the mTORC1 and ERK growth signaling pathways in sensitive cells, but not in resistant cells. Resistance is linked to a multi-factorial combination of increased glucose uptake, reduced protein biosynthesis, and G0/G1 cell-cycle status. Our results reveal dynamic fluctuations in cellular energetic balance and provide a basis for measuring and predicting the distribution of cellular responses to OXPHOS inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nont Kosaisawe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Breanne Sparta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Carolyn K Teragawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - John G Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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16
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Breitbach JT, Louke DS, Tobin SJ, Watts MR, Davies AE, Fenger JM. The selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) verdinexor exhibits biologic activity against canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 19:362-373. [PMID: 33438820 PMCID: PMC8248106 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Verdinexor (KPT-335) is a novel orally bioavailable selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) compound that inhibits the function of the nuclear export protein Exportin 1 (XPO1/CRM1). In the present study, we sought to characterize the expression of XPO1 in primary canine osteosarcoma (OS) tumour samples, OS cell lines and normal osteoblasts and evaluate the in vitro activity of verdinexor alone or in combination with doxorubicin. Canine OS cell lines and a subset of primary OS tumours showed increased XPO1 transcript and protein expression as compared with normal canine osteoblast cells. All canine OS cell lines exhibited dose-dependent growth inhibition and increased caspase 3,7 activity in response to low nanomolar concentrations of verdinexor (IC50 concentrations ranging from 21 to 74 nM). Notably, growth inhibition of normal canine osteoblast cell lines treated with verdinexor was observed at high micromolar concentrations (IC50 = 21 μM). The combination of verdinexor and doxorubicin resulted in potent inhibition of cell viability and demonstrated synergetic activity in three canine OS cell lines. Concordantly, OS cell lines showed increased γH2A.X foci following treatment with doxorubicin and recovery in verdinexor compared with cells treated with doxorubicin and recovered in normal media for 24 hours. These findings demonstrate that verdinexor has biologic activity against canine OS cell lines at physiologically relevant doses and suggest that XPO1 inhibition in combination with standard doxorubicin treatment offers promising potential for chemotherapeutic intervention in canine OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Breitbach
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Darian S Louke
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Savannah J Tobin
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Mauria R Watts
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexander E Davies
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joelle M Fenger
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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17
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Davies AE, Pargett M, Siebert S, Gillies TE, Choi Y, Tobin SJ, Ram AR, Murthy V, Juliano C, Quon G, Bissell MJ, Albeck JG. Systems-Level Properties of EGFR-RAS-ERK Signaling Amplify Local Signals to Generate Dynamic Gene Expression Heterogeneity. Cell Syst 2020; 11:161-175.e5. [PMID: 32726596 PMCID: PMC7856305 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity is associated with aggressive tumor behavior, therapy resistance, and poor patient outcomes. Such heterogeneity is thought to be dynamic, shifting over periods of minutes to hours in response to signaling inputs from the tumor microenvironment. However, models of this process have been inferred from indirect or post-hoc measurements of cell state, leaving the temporal details of signaling-driven heterogeneity undefined. Here, we developed a live-cell model system in which microenvironment-driven signaling dynamics can be directly observed and linked to variation in gene expression. Our analysis reveals that paracrine signaling between two cell types is sufficient to drive continual diversification of gene expression programs. This diversification emerges from systems-level properties of the EGFR-RAS-ERK signaling cascade, including intracellular amplification of amphiregulin-mediated paracrine signals and differential kinetic filtering by target genes including Fra-1, c-Myc, and Egr1. Our data enable more precise modeling of paracrine-driven transcriptional variation as a generator of gene expression heterogeneity. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the Supplemental Information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Davies
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stefan Siebert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Taryn E Gillies
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Yongin Choi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Savannah J Tobin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Abhineet R Ram
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Vaibhav Murthy
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Celina Juliano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Gerald Quon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mina J Bissell
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - John G Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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18
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ERK signalling: a master regulator of cell behaviour, life and fate. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:607-632. [PMID: 32576977 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0255-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 503] [Impact Index Per Article: 125.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The proteins extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 are the downstream components of a phosphorelay pathway that conveys growth and mitogenic signals largely channelled by the small RAS GTPases. By phosphorylating widely diverse substrates, ERK proteins govern a variety of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes in metazoans, the dysregulation of which contributes to the cause of distinct human diseases. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of ERK1 and ERK2, their mode of action and their impact on the development and homeostasis of various organisms have been the focus of much attention for nearly three decades. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of this important class of kinases. We begin with a brief overview of the structure, regulation, substrate recognition and subcellular localization of ERK1 and ERK2. We then systematically discuss how ERK signalling regulates six fundamental cellular processes in response to extracellular cues. These processes are cell proliferation, cell survival, cell growth, cell metabolism, cell migration and cell differentiation.
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19
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Kesler B, Li G, Thiemicke A, Venkat R, Neuert G. Automated cell boundary and 3D nuclear segmentation of cells in suspension. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10237. [PMID: 31308458 PMCID: PMC6629630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46689-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To characterize cell types, cellular functions and intracellular processes, an understanding of the differences between individual cells is required. Although microscopy approaches have made tremendous progress in imaging cells in different contexts, the analysis of these imaging data sets is a long-standing, unsolved problem. The few robust cell segmentation approaches that exist often rely on multiple cellular markers and complex time-consuming image analysis. Recently developed deep learning approaches can address some of these challenges, but they require tremendous amounts of data and well-curated reference data sets for algorithm training. We propose an alternative experimental and computational approach, called CellDissect, in which we first optimize specimen preparation and data acquisition prior to image processing to generate high quality images that are easier to analyze computationally. By focusing on fixed suspension and dissociated adherent cells, CellDissect relies only on widefield images to identify cell boundaries and nuclear staining to automatically segment cells in two dimensions and nuclei in three dimensions. This segmentation can be performed on a desktop computer or a computing cluster for higher throughput. We compare and evaluate the accuracy of different nuclear segmentation approaches against manual expert cell segmentation for different cell lines acquired with different imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kesler
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Guoliang Li
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Alexander Thiemicke
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Rohit Venkat
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Gregor Neuert
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Quantitative Systems Biology Center, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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20
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Pargett M, Albeck JG. Live-Cell Imaging and Analysis with Multiple Genetically Encoded Reporters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 78:4.36.1-4.36.19. [PMID: 30040182 DOI: 10.1002/cpcb.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Genetically encoded live-cell reporters measure signaling pathway activity at the cellular level with high temporal resolution, often revealing a high degree of cell-to-cell heterogeneity. By using multiple spectrally distinct reporters within the same cell, signal transmission from one node to another within a signaling pathway can be analyzed to quantify factors such as signaling efficiency and delay. With other reporter configurations, correlation between different signaling pathways can be quantified. Such analyses can be used to establish the mechanisms and consequences of cell-to-cell heterogeneity and can inform new models of the functional properties of signaling pathways. In this unit, we describe an approach for designing and executing live-cell multiplexed reporter experiments. We also describe approaches for analyzing the resulting time-course data to quantify correlations and trends between the measured parameters at the single-cell level. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - John G Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
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21
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Integrating chemical and mechanical signals through dynamic coupling between cellular protrusions and pulsed ERK activation. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4673. [PMID: 30405112 PMCID: PMC6220176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ras-ERK signaling pathway regulates diverse cellular processes in response to environmental stimuli and contains important therapeutic targets for cancer. Recent single cell studies revealed stochastic pulses of ERK activation, the frequency of which determines functional outcomes such as cell proliferation. Here we show that ERK pulses are initiated by localized protrusive activities. Chemically and optogenetically induced protrusions trigger ERK activation through various entry points into the feedback loop involving Ras, PI3K, the cytoskeleton, and cellular adhesion. The excitability of the protrusive signaling network drives stochastic ERK activation in unstimulated cells and oscillations upon growth factor stimulation. Importantly, protrusions allow cells to sense combined signals from substrate stiffness and the growth factor. Thus, by uncovering the basis of ERK pulse generation we demonstrate how signals involved in cell growth and differentiation are regulated by dynamic protrusions that integrate chemical and mechanical inputs from the environment. Cellular ERK activation occurs as discrete pulses but their relationship to upstream Ras signaling is still under debate. Here, the authors show that Ras signaling associated with cellular protrusions triggers pulsed ERK activation, thereby enabling cells to integrate chemical and mechanical stimuli.
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22
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Experimental and engineering approaches to intracellular communication. Essays Biochem 2018; 62:515-524. [PMID: 30139878 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20180024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Communication between and within cells is essential for multicellular life. While intracellular signal transduction pathways are often specified in molecular terms, the information content they transmit remains poorly defined. Here, we review research efforts to merge biological experimentation with concepts of communication that emerge from the engineering disciplines of signal processing and control theory. We discuss the challenges of performing experiments that quantitate information transfer at the molecular level, and we highlight recent studies that have advanced toward a clearer definition of the information content carried by signaling molecules. Across these studies, we emphasize a theme of increasingly well-matched experimental and theoretical approaches to decode the data streams directing cellular behavior.
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23
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Gillies TE, Pargett M, Minguet M, Davies AE, Albeck JG. Linear Integration of ERK Activity Predominates over Persistence Detection in Fra-1 Regulation. Cell Syst 2017; 5:549-563.e5. [PMID: 29199017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ERK signaling regulates the expression of target genes, but it is unclear how ERK activity dynamics are interpreted. Here, we investigate this question using simultaneous, live, single-cell imaging of two ERK activity reporters and expression of Fra-1, a target gene controlling epithelial cell identity. We find that Fra-1 is expressed in proportion to the amplitude and duration of ERK activity. In contrast to previous "persistence detector" and "selective filter" models in which Fra-1 expression only occurs when ERK activity persists beyond a threshold duration, our observations demonstrate that the network regulating Fra-1 expression integrates total ERK activity and responds to it linearly. However, exploration of a generalized mathematical model of the Fra-1 coherent feedforward loop demonstrates that it can perform either linear integration or persistence detection, depending on the basal mRNA production rate and protein production delays. Our data indicate that significant basal expression and short delays cause Fra-1 to respond linearly to integrated ERK activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn E Gillies
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Michael Pargett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Marta Minguet
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alex E Davies
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - John G Albeck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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