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Zhang C, Jin Y, Marchetti M, Lewis MR, Hammouda OT, Edgar BA. EGFR signaling activates intestinal stem cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and β-oxidation. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3704-3719.e7. [PMID: 35896119 PMCID: PMC10117080 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
EGFR-RAS-ERK signaling promotes growth and proliferation in many cell types, and genetic hyperactivation of RAS-ERK signaling drives many cancers. Yet, despite intensive study of upstream components in EGFR signal transduction, the identities and functions of downstream effectors in the pathway are poorly understood. In Drosophila intestinal stem cells (ISCs), the transcriptional repressor Capicua (Cic) and its targets, the ETS-type transcriptional activators Pointed (pnt) and Ets21C, are essential downstream effectors of mitogenic EGFR signaling. Here, we show that these factors promote EGFR-dependent metabolic changes that increase ISC mass, mitochondrial growth, and mitochondrial activity. Gene target analysis using RNA and DamID sequencing revealed that Pnt and Ets21C directly upregulate not only DNA replication and cell cycle genes but also genes for oxidative phosphorylation, the TCA cycle, and fatty acid beta-oxidation. Metabolite analysis substantiated these metabolic functions. The mitochondrial transcription factor B2 (mtTFB2), a direct target of Pnt, was required and partially sufficient for EGFR-driven ISC growth, mitochondrial biogenesis, and proliferation. MEK-dependent EGF signaling stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis in human RPE-1 cells, indicating the conservation of these metabolic effects. This work illustrates how EGFR signaling alters metabolism to coordinately activate cell growth and cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenge Zhang
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University (ZMBH) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yinhua Jin
- Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University (ZMBH) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marco Marchetti
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University (ZMBH) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mitchell R Lewis
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Omar T Hammouda
- Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University (ZMBH) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg & Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruce A Edgar
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University (ZMBH) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Soler Beatty J, Molnar C, Luque CM, de Celis JF, Martín-Bermudo MD. EGFRAP encodes a new negative regulator of the EGFR acting in both normal and oncogenic EGFR/Ras-driven tissue morphogenesis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009738. [PMID: 34411095 PMCID: PMC8407591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of Ras signaling occurs in ~30% of human cancers. However, activated Ras alone is insufficient to produce malignancy. Thus, it is imperative to identify those genes cooperating with activated Ras in driving tumoral growth. In this work, we have identified a novel EGFR inhibitor, which we have named EGFRAP, for EGFR adaptor protein. Elimination of EGFRAP potentiates activated Ras-induced overgrowth in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc. We show that EGFRAP interacts physically with the phosphorylated form of EGFR via its SH2 domain. EGFRAP is expressed at high levels in regions of maximal EGFR/Ras pathway activity, such as at the presumptive wing margin. In addition, EGFRAP expression is up-regulated in conditions of oncogenic EGFR/Ras activation. Normal and oncogenic EGFR/Ras-mediated upregulation of EGRAP levels depend on the Notch pathway. We also find that elimination of EGFRAP does not affect overall organogenesis or viability. However, simultaneous downregulation of EGFRAP and its ortholog PVRAP results in defects associated with increased EGFR function. Based on these results, we propose that EGFRAP is a new negative regulator of the EGFR/Ras pathway, which, while being required redundantly for normal morphogenesis, behaves as an important modulator of EGFR/Ras-driven tissue hyperplasia. We suggest that the ability of EGFRAP to functionally inhibit the EGFR pathway in oncogenic cells results from the activation of a feedback loop leading to increase EGFRAP expression. This could act as a surveillance mechanism to prevent excessive EGFR activity and uncontrolled cell growth. Activation of Ras signalling occurs in ~30% of human cancers. However, activated Ras alone is insufficient to produce malignancy. Thus, the discovery of genes cooperating with Ras in cancer is imperative to understand tumoral growth driven by Ras activating mutations. A key output of over-activated EGFR/Ras signalling is the induction of a complex and dynamic set of transcriptional networks leading to changes in gene expression. As a result of these changes, the normal function of some genes can become adjusted in a tumorigenic context. In this work, using the Drosophila wing imaginal disc as model system, we have identified a new EGFR inhibitor, EGFRAP, which function is redundant for proper morphogenesis, yet becomes an important limiter of the overgrowth driven by oncogenic EGFR/Ras activity. We show that the specificity of EGFRAP in cells with high levels of EGFR activity arises from activation of a negative feedback loop resulting in increased EGFRAP levels. This could act to prevent excessive EGFR activity and uncontrolled cell growth. We believe the identification of other factors behaving like EGFRAP, will help in our fight against cancer, as it might lead to the identification of new therapeutic drugs affecting cancer but not normal cells, a top priority in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Soler Beatty
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/CSIC/JA, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Cristina Molnar
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM/CSIC), Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos M. Luque
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM/CSIC), Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose F. de Celis
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM/CSIC), Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María D. Martín-Bermudo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/CSIC/JA, Sevilla, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Yu J, Zheng Q, Li Z, Wu Y, Fu Y, Wu X, Lin D, Shen C, Zheng B, Sun F. CG6015 controls spermatogonia transit-amplifying divisions by epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in Drosophila testes. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:491. [PMID: 33990549 PMCID: PMC8121936 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03783-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonia transit-amplifying (TA) divisions are crucial for the differentiation of germline stem cell daughters. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that CG6015 was essential for spermatogonia TA-divisions and elongated spermatozoon development in Drosophila melanogaster. Spermatogonia deficient in CG6015 inhibited germline differentiation leading to the accumulation of undifferentiated cell populations. Transcriptome profiling using RNA sequencing indicated that CG6015 was involved in spermatogenesis, spermatid differentiation, and metabolic processes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed the relationship between CG6015 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Unexpectedly, we discovered that phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (dpERK) signals were activated in germline stem cell (GSC)-like cells after reduction of CG6015 in spermatogonia. Moreover, Downstream of raf1 (Dsor1), a key downstream target of EGFR, mimicked the phenotype of CG6015, and germline dpERK signals were activated in spermatogonia of Dsor1 RNAi testes. Together, these findings revealed a potential regulatory mechanism of CG6015 via EGFR signaling during spermatogonia TA-divisions in Drosophila testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qianwen Zheng
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XDepartment of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhiran Li
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yunhao Wu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yangbo Fu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dengfeng Lin
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Cong Shen
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fei Sun
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Zheng Q, Chen X, Qiao C, Wang M, Chen W, Luan X, Yan Y, Shen C, Fang J, Hu X, Zheng B, Wu Y, Yu J. Somatic CG6015 mediates cyst stem cell maintenance and germline stem cell differentiation via EGFR signaling in Drosophila testes. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:68. [PMID: 33824283 PMCID: PMC8024382 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00452-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell niche is regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the Drosophila testis, cyst stem cells (CySCs) support the differentiation of germline stem cells (GSCs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that somatic CG6015 is required for CySC maintenance and GSC differentiation in a Drosophila model. Knockdown of CG6015 in CySCs caused aberrant activation of dpERK in undifferentiated germ cells in the Drosophila testis, and disruption of key downstream targets of EGFR signaling (Dsor1 and rl) in CySCs results in a phenotype resembling that of CG6015 knockdown. CG6015, Dsor1, and rl are essential for the survival of Drosophila cell line Schneider 2 (S2) cells. Our data showed that somatic CG6015 regulates CySC maintenance and GSC differentiation via EGFR signaling, and inhibits aberrant activation of germline dpERK signals. These findings indicate regulatory mechanisms of stem cell niche homeostasis in the Drosophila testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Chen Qiao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Wanyin Chen
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojin Luan
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yidan Yan
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Cong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, 215002, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xing Hu
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, 215002, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
| | - Yibo Wu
- Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 214062, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, 212001, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
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