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Akhtar J, Imran M, Wang G. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated CtBP1 Gene Editing Enhances Chemosensitivity and Inhibits Metastatic Potential in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14030. [PMID: 37762332 PMCID: PMC10530806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814030] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovative therapeutic strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are urgently required due to the limited effectiveness of standard chemotherapies. C-Terminal Binding Protein 1 (CtBP1) has been implicated in various cancers, including ESCC. However, the precise expression patterns and functional roles of CtBP1 in ESCC remain inadequately characterized. In this study, we aimed to investigate CtBP1 expression and its role in the resistance of ESCC to paclitaxel, an effective chemotherapeutic agent. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were applied to assess CtBP1 expression in the TE-1 and KYSE-50 cell lines. We observed the marked expression of CtBP1, which was associated with enhanced proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in these cell lines. Further, we successfully generated paclitaxel resistant ESCC cell lines and conducted cell viability assays. We employed the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to disable the CtBP1 gene in ESCC cell lines. Through the analysis of the drug dose-response curve, we assessed the sensitivity of these cell lines in different treatment groups. Remarkably, CtBP1-disabled cell lines displayed not only improved sensitivity but also a remarkable inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This demonstrates that CtBP1 may promote ESCC cell malignancy and confer paclitaxel resistance. In summary, our study opens a promising avenue for targeted therapies, revealing the potential of CtBP1 inhibition to enhance the effectiveness of paclitaxel treatment for the personalized management of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Akhtar
- Futian Biomedical Innovation R&D Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China;
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Center for Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Department of Computer Science & IT, Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan 60800, Pakistan;
| | - Guanyu Wang
- Futian Biomedical Innovation R&D Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China;
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Center for Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
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Zhang X, Sun Y, Gao Y, Liu Z, Ding J, Zhang C, Liu W, Zhang H, Zhuang S. Thyroid Dysfunction of Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) after Early-Life Exposure and Discontinued Exposure to Tetrabromobiphenyl (BB-80) and OH-BB-80. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2519-2528. [PMID: 35075897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
3,3',5,5'-Tetrabromobiphenyl (BB-80) was once used as additive flame retardants. Whether its early exposure and discontinued exposure alter thyroid function remains unknown. We investigate adverse effects after early-life exposure and discontinued exposure to BB-80 and hydroxylated BB-80 (OH-BB-80) on thyroid hormone (TH) levels, thyroid tissue, and transcriptome profiles in zebrafish larvae. BB-80 at 10 μg/L induces pathological changes of thyroid with reduced thyroid follicles in larvae (P < 0.05), whereas OH-BB-80 significantly increases T4 and T3 contents (1.8 and 2.5 times of the control, P < 0.05) at 14 days postfertilization (dpf) without morphological thyroid alterations. BB-80 and OH-BB-80 cause transcriptome aberrations with key differentially expressed genes involved in the disruption of TH synthesis and signal transduction (BB-80 at 14 dpf) or TH pathway activation (OH-BB-80 at 21 dpf). After 7 days of discontinued exposure, thyroglobulin (tg) and thyroid peroxidase (tpo) genes are downregulated (P < 0.05) by 52 and 48% for BB-80 and by 49 and 39% for OH-BB-80, respectively; however, the whole-body TH levels fail to fully recover, and the locomotor activity is impaired more by BB-80. Our results indicate significant adverse impacts of BB-80 and OH-BB-80 on TH homeostasis and thyroid function of zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Yumiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yuchen Gao
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jiafeng Ding
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Chunlong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Houston, Clear Lake, Texas 77058, United States
| | - Weiping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hangjun Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Shulin Zhuang
- Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Resources Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Resources Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Hsieh HL, Yu MC, Cheng LC, Yeh TS, Tsai MM. Molecular mechanism of therapeutic approaches for human gastric cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:76-91. [PMID: 35126829 PMCID: PMC8788185 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i1.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a primary cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and even after therapeutic gastrectomy, survival rates remain poor. The presence of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) is thought to be the major reason for resistance to anticancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), and for the development of tumor recurrence, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and metastases. Additionally, GCSCs have the capacity for self-renewal, differentiation, and tumor initiation. They also synthesize antiapoptotic factors, demonstrate higher performance of drug efflux pumps, and display cell plasticity abilities. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment (TME; tumor niche) that surrounds GCSCs contains secreted growth factors and supports angiogenesis and is thus responsible for the maintenance of the growing tumor. However, the genesis of GCSCs is unclear and exploration of the source of GCSCs is essential. In this review, we provide up-to-date information about GCSC-surface/intracellular markers and GCSC-mediated pathways and their role in tumor development. This information will support improved diagnosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and better prognosis using GCSC-targeting agents as a potentially effective treatment choice following surgical resection or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To date, most anti-GCSC blockers when used alone have been reported as unsatisfactory anticancer agents. However, when used in combination with adjuvant therapy, treatment can improve. By providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCSCs associated with tumors in GC, the aim is to optimize anti-GCSCs molecular approaches for GC therapy in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other adjuvant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Lung Hsieh
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang-Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of General Surgery, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei 236, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ching Cheng
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang-Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Sen Yeh
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ming Tsai
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang-Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 613, Taiwan
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Vymetalkova V, Vodicka P, Vodenkova S, Alonso S, Schneider-Stock R. DNA methylation and chromatin modifiers in colorectal cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2019; 69:73-92. [PMID: 31028771 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving the accumulation of genetic alterations over time that ultimately leads to disease progression and metastasis. Binding of transcription factors to gene promoter regions alone cannot explain the complex regulation pattern of gene expression during this process. It is the chromatin structure that allows for a high grade of regulatory flexibility for gene expression. Posttranslational modifications on histone proteins such as acetylation, methylation, or phosphorylation determine the accessibility of transcription factors to DNA. DNA methylation, a chemical modification of DNA that modulates chromatin structure and gene transcription acts in concert with these chromatin conformation alterations. Another epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression is represented by small non-coding RNAs. Only very recently epigenetic alterations have been included in molecular subtype classification of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this chapter, we will provide examples of the different epigenetic players, focus on their role for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastatic processes and discuss their prognostic value in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Vymetalkova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Albertov 4, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic; Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Vodicka
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Albertov 4, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic; Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Sona Vodenkova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Albertov 4, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sergio Alonso
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, (IGTP-PMPPC), Campus Can Ruti, 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstrasse 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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Blevins MA, Huang M, Zhao R. The Role of CtBP1 in Oncogenic Processes and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Target. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 16:981-990. [PMID: 28576945 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional corepressor proteins have emerged as an important facet of cancer etiology. These corepressor proteins are often altered by loss- or gain-of-function mutations, leading to transcriptional imbalance. Thus, research directed at expanding our current understanding of transcriptional corepressors could impact the future development of new cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapies. In this review, our current understanding of the CtBP corepressors, and their role in both development and disease, is discussed in detail. Importantly, the role of CtBP1 overexpression in adult tissues in promoting the progression of multiple cancer types through their ability to modulate the transcription of developmental genes ectopically is explored. CtBP1 overexpression is known to be protumorigenic and affects the regulation of gene networks associated with "cancer hallmarks" and malignant behavior, including increased cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. As a transcriptional regulator of broad developmental processes capable of promoting malignant growth in adult tissues, therapeutically targeting the CtBP1 corepressor has the potential to be an effective method for the treatment of diverse tumor types. Although efforts to develop CtBP1 inhibitors are still in the early stages, the current progress and the future perspectives of therapeutically targeting this transcriptional corepressor are also discussed. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(6); 981-90. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Blevins
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mingxia Huang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
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Zhang P, Liu Q, Yan S, Yuan G, Shen J, Li G. Homeobox‑containing protein 1 loss is associated with clinicopathological performance in glioma. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:4101-4106. [PMID: 28731165 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox-containing protein 1 (HMBOX1) is a novel member of the homeobox family, and abnormal expression of HMBOX1 has been observed in several types of carcinoma. A total of 144 cases of confirmed glioma diagnoses were included in the present study. Grading was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system for central nervous system neoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining of HMBOX1, proliferation marker protein Ki‑67 (Ki‑67) and microvessel density (MVD) was performed, and scores were calculated. HMBOX1 mRNA levels were detected using the reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. It was identified that the expression of HMBOX1 was reduced in glioma tissue compared with normal brain tissue (P<0.05). The expression of HMBOX1 was downregulated significantly in WHO grade IV tumors compared with WHO grades II and III (P<0.05). HMBOX1 expression was significantly correlated with WHO grade, Karnofsky Performance Score, MVD and Ki‑67 expression; however, not associated with age or gender. Log‑rank testing did not demonstrate that HMBOX1 expression was associated with prognosis. In conclusion, HMBOX1 may be a potential diagnostic marker in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Qinglin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Shaofeng Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Guang Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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Bekaii-Saab T, El-Rayes B. Identifying and targeting cancer stem cells in the treatment of gastric cancer. Cancer 2017; 123:1303-1312. [PMID: 28117883 PMCID: PMC5412889 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment regimens for gastric cancer are not adequate. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) may be a key driving factor for growth and metastasis of this tumor type. In contrast to the conventional clonal evolution hypothesis, CSCs can initiate tumor formation, self‐renew, and differentiate into tumor‐propagating cells. Because gastric cancer can originate from CSCs, it is necessary to review current targets of signaling pathways for CSCs in gastric cancer that are being studied in clinical trials. These pathways are known to regulate the self‐renewal and differentiation process in gastric CSCs. A better understanding of the clinical results of trials that target gastric CSCs will lead to better outcomes for patients with gastric cancer. Cancer 2017;123:1303–1312. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. Cancer stem cells may be a key driving factor in the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer. Because gastric cancer can originate from cancer stem cells, it is necessary to review current targets of signaling pathways for cancer stem cells in gastric cancer that are being studied in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanios Bekaii-Saab
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, Arizona.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Bassel El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Lee SY, Kang HG, Choi JE, Jung DK, Lee WK, Lee HC, Lee SY, Yoo SS, Lee J, Seok Y, Lee EB, Cha SI, Cho S, Kim CH, Lee MH, Park JY. Polymorphisms in cancer-related pathway genes and lung cancer. Eur Respir J 2016; 48:1184-1191. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02040-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the associations between potentially functional variants in a comprehensive list of cancer-related genes and lung cancer in a Korean population.A total of 1969 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 1151 genes involved in carcinogenesis were evaluated using an Affymetrix custom-made GeneChip in 610 nonsmall cell lung cancer patients and 610 healthy controls. A replication study was conducted in an independent set of 490 cases and 486 controls. 68 SNPs were significantly associated with lung cancer in the discovery set and tested for replication.Among the 68 SNPs, three SNPs (corepressor interacting with RBPJ 1 (CIR1) rs13009079T>C, ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) rs1465952T>C and solute carrier family 38, member 4 (SLC38A4) rs2429467C>T) consistantly showed significant associations with lung cancer in the replication study. In combined analysis, adjusted odds ratio for CIR1 rs13009079T>C, RRM1 rs1465952T>C and SLC38A4 rs2429467C>T were 0.69, 0.71 and 0.73, respectively (p=4×10−5, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) under the dominant model. The relative mRNA expression level of CIR1 was significantly associated with rs13009079T>C genotypes in normal lung tissues (ptrend=0.03).These results suggest that the three SNPs, particularly CIR1 rs13009079T>C, may play a role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.
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Vaiopoulos AG, Athanasoula KC, Papavassiliou AG. Epigenetic modifications in colorectal cancer: Molecular insights and therapeutic challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1842:971-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Waldmann T, Schneider R. Targeting histone modifications—epigenetics in cancer. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2013; 25:184-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2013.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Grivas PD, Papavassiliou AG. Transcriptional corepressors in cancer: emerging targets for therapeutic intervention. Cancer 2012; 119:1120-8. [PMID: 23224952 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The normal cell transcriptional process entails a high degree of combinatorial effects and time-dependent "flexibility" to translate cellular signaling into differential gene expression levels. Transcriptional corepressors can function as histone-modifying enzymes to regulate epigenetic events, modulate chromatin structure, and hence control transcriptional activity. Various corepressor complexes have been described; qualitative and quantitative alterations of corepressors can crucially influence the transcriptional output of both normal and malignant cells. Because these molecules can exert epigenetic control of tumorigenic signaling pathways, they can be considered potential regulators of cancer cell-related phenomena. Alterations of the expression level and/or function of transcriptional corepressors have been reported in a wide range of human cancers; thus, corepressors may present rational therapeutic targets as well as potential biomarkers of response to selective therapeutic interventions. Deeper insights into the context-specific and time-specific physical connections among transcription factors, coregulators, and gene regulatory elements, as well as epigenetic modifications, and their interactions, can enhance the capacity to interfere with small molecules that may restore the normal transcriptome/interactome in a cancer cell. There are several conceivable mechanisms of corepressor targeting in cancer that create enthusiasm. However, design, discovery, and testing of such innovative treatment approaches require extensive elaboration before they can achieve practical implementation in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros D Grivas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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