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Bonilla G, Morris A, Kundu S, Ducasse A, Jeffries NE, Chetal K, Yvanovich EE, Barghout R, Scadden D, Mansour MK, Kingston RE, Sykes DB, Mercier FE, Sadreyev RI. Leukemia aggressiveness is driven by chromatin remodeling and expression changes of core regulators. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582846. [PMID: 38496490 PMCID: PMC10942317 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms driving clonal aggressiveness in leukemia are not fully understood. We tracked and analyzed two mouse MLL-rearranged leukemic clones independently evolving towards higher aggressiveness. More aggressive subclones lost their growth differential ex vivo but restored it upon secondary transplantation, suggesting molecular memory of aggressiveness. Development of aggressiveness was associated with clone-specific gradual modulation of chromatin states and expression levels across the genome, with a surprising preferential trend of reversing the earlier changes between normal and leukemic progenitors. To focus on the core aggressiveness program, we identified genes with consistent changes of expression and chromatin marks that were maintained in vivo and ex vivo in both clones. Overexpressing selected core genes (Smad1 as aggressiveness driver, Irx5 and Plag1 as suppressors) affected leukemic progenitor growth in the predicted way and had convergent downstream effects on central transcription factors and repressive epigenetic modifiers, suggesting a broader regulatory network of leukemic aggressiveness.
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Saratov V, Ngo QA, Pedot G, Sidorov S, Wachtel M, Niggli FK, Schäfer BW. CRISPR activation screen identifies TGFβ-associated PEG10 as a crucial tumor suppressor in Ewing sarcoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10671. [PMID: 35739280 PMCID: PMC9225990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12659-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
As the second most common pediatric bone and soft tissue tumor, Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive disease with a pathognomonic chromosomal translocation t(11;22) resulting in expression of EWS-FLI1, an “undruggable” fusion protein acting as transcriptional modulator. EWS-FLI1 rewires the protein expression in cancer cells by activating and repressing a multitude of genes. The role and contribution of most repressed genes remains unknown to date. To address this, we established a CRISPR activation system in clonal SKNMC cell lines and interrogated a custom focused library covering 871 genes repressed by EWS-FLI1. Among the hits several members of the TGFβ pathway were identified, where PEG10 emerged as prime candidate due to its strong antiproliferative effect. Mechanistic investigations revealed that PEG10 overexpression caused cellular dropout via induction of cell death. Furthermore, non-canonical TGFβ pathways such as RAF/MEK/ERK, MKK/JNK, MKK/P38, known to lead to apoptosis or autophagy, were highly activated upon PEG10 overexpression. Our study sheds new light onto the contribution of TGFβ signalling pathway repression to ES tumorigenesis and suggest that its re-activation might constitute a novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Saratov
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Quy A Ngo
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gloria Pedot
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Semjon Sidorov
- Experimental Infectious Diseases and Cancer Research, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix K Niggli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Ehata S, Miyazono K. Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling in Cancer; Some Topics in the Recent 10 Years. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:883523. [PMID: 35693928 PMCID: PMC9174896 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.883523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, are multifunctional cytokines. BMPs have a broad range of functions, and abnormalities in BMP signaling pathways are involved in cancer progression. BMPs activate the proliferation of certain cancer cells. Malignant phenotypes of cancer cells, such as increased motility, invasiveness, and stemness, are enhanced by BMPs. Simultaneously, BMPs act on various cellular components and regulate angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, BMPs function as pro-tumorigenic factors in various types of cancer. However, similar to TGF-β, which shows both positive and negative effects on tumorigenesis, BMPs also act as tumor suppressors in other types of cancers. In this article, we review important findings published in the recent decade and summarize the pro-oncogenic functions of BMPs and their underlying mechanisms. The current status of BMP-targeted therapies for cancers is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Ehata
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
- *Correspondence: Shogo Ehata,
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Applied Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Hantak MP, Einstein J, Kearns RB, Shepherd JD. Intercellular Communication in the Nervous System Goes Viral. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:248-259. [PMID: 33485691 PMCID: PMC8041237 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Viruses and transposable elements are major drivers of evolution and make up over half the sequences in the human genome. In some cases, these elements are co-opted to perform biological functions for the host. Recent studies made the surprising observation that the neuronal gene Arc forms virus-like protein capsids that can transfer RNA between neurons to mediate a novel intercellular communication pathway. Phylogenetic analyses showed that mammalian Arc is derived from an ancient retrotransposon of the Ty3/gypsy family and contains homology to the retroviral Gag polyproteins. The Drosophila Arc homologs, which are independently derived from the same family of retrotransposons, also mediate cell-to-cell signaling of RNA at the neuromuscular junction; a striking example of convergent evolution. Here we propose an Arc 'life cycle', based on what is known about retroviral Gag, and discuss how elucidating these biological processes may lead to novel insights into brain plasticity and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hantak
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jenifer Einstein
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rachel B Kearns
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason D Shepherd
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Roche ME, Lin Z, Whitaker-Menezes D, Zhan T, Szuhai K, Bovee JVMG, Abraham JA, Jiang W, Martinez-Outschoorn U, Basu-Mallick A. Translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane complex subunit 20 (TOMM20) facilitates cancer aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance in chondrosarcoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165962. [PMID: 32920118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary bone malignancy, representing one fourth of all primary bone sarcomas. It is typically resistant to radiation and chemotherapy treatments. However, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to cancer aggressiveness in chondrosarcomas remain poorly characterized. Here, we studied the role of mitochondrial transporters in chondrosarcoma aggressiveness including chemotherapy resistance. Histological grade along with stage are the most important prognostic biomarkers in chondrosarcoma. We found that high-grade human chondrosarcoma tumors have higher expression of the mitochondrial protein, translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane complex subunit 20 (TOMM20), compared to low-grade tumors. TOMM20 overexpression in human chondrosarcoma cells induces chondrosarcoma tumor growth in vivo. TOMM20 drives proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy resistance. Also, TOMM20 induces markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metabolic reprogramming in these mesenchymal tumors. In conclusion, TOMM20 drives chondrosarcoma aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Roche
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Zhao Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Diana Whitaker-Menezes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Tingting Zhan
- Department of Pharmacology, Division of Biostatistics, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | | | - John A Abraham
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Atrayee Basu-Mallick
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
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Cui H, Cheng Y, He Y, Cheng W, Zhao W, Zhao H, Zhou FH, Wang L, Dong J, Cai S. The AKT inhibitor MK2206 suppresses airway inflammation and the pro‑remodeling pathway in a TDI‑induced asthma mouse model. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:3723-3734. [PMID: 33000187 PMCID: PMC7533517 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular and molecular mechanisms via which MK2206, an AKT inhibitor, prevents the activation of AKT in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)‑induced asthma remain unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of MK2206 on airway AKT activation, inflammation and remodeling in a TDI‑induced mouse model of asthma. A total of 24 BALB/c mice were selected and randomly divided into untreated (AOO), asthma (TDI), MK2206 (TDI + MK2206), and dexamethasone (TDI + DEX) groups. Phosphorylated AKT (p‑AKT), total AKT, airway remodeling indices, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) and collagen I levels in pulmonary tissue were measured using western blotting. Airway inflammation factors, including interleukin (IL)‑4, ‑5, ‑6, and ‑13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IgE in serum, were determined using ELISA. Additionally, the airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary pathology of all groups were evaluated. The results of the present study demonstrated that p‑AKT levels in lung protein lysate were upregulated, and neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were increased in the lungs obtained from the asthma group compared with the AOO group. Both MK2206 and DEX treatment in TDI‑induced mice resulted not only in the attenuation of AKT phosphorylation, but also reductions in neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts in the lungs of mice in the asthma group. Consistently, increases in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL‑4, ‑5, ‑6 and ‑13 analyzed in BALF, and serum IgE in the TDI group were demonstrated to be attenuated in the TDI + MK2206 and TDI + DEX groups. Furthermore, α‑SMA and AHR were significantly attenuated in the TDI + MK2206 group compared with the TDI group. These results revealed that MK2206 not only inhibited AKT activation, but also served a role in downregulating airway inflammation and airway remodeling in chemical‑induced asthma. Therefore, the findings of the present study may provide important insight into further combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Cui
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airway Disease Laboratory, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, P.R. China
| | - Yuanxiong Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Yi He
- Department of Immunology Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Weiying Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Wenqu Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airway Disease Laboratory, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, P.R. China
| | - Haijin Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airway Disease Laboratory, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, P.R. China
| | - Fiona H Zhou
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, UniSA Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Liping Wang
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, UniSA Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Jianghui Dong
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, UniSA Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Shaoxi Cai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airway Disease Laboratory, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, P.R. China
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