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Wang ZY, Ge LP, Ouyang Y, Jin X, Jiang YZ. Targeting transposable elements in cancer: developments and opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189143. [PMID: 38936517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs), comprising nearly 50% of the human genome, have transitioned from being perceived as "genomic junk" to key players in cancer progression. Contemporary research links TE regulatory disruptions with cancer development, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Advances in long-read sequencing, computational analytics, single-cell sequencing, proteomics, and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have enriched our understanding of TEs' clinical implications, notably their impact on genome architecture, gene regulation, and evolutionary processes. In cancer, TEs, including long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1), Alus, and long terminal repeat (LTR) elements, demonstrate altered patterns, influencing both tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive mechanisms. TE-derived nucleic acids and tumor antigens play critical roles in tumor immunity, bridging innate and adaptive responses. Given their central role in oncology, TE-targeted therapies, particularly through reverse transcriptase inhibitors and epigenetic modulators, represent a novel avenue in cancer treatment. Combining these TE-focused strategies with existing chemotherapy or immunotherapy regimens could enhance efficacy and offer a new dimension in cancer treatment. This review delves into recent TE detection advancements, explores their multifaceted roles in tumorigenesis and immune regulation, discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches centered on TEs, and anticipates future directions in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yu Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Ping Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Ouyang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Takahashi Ueda M. Retrotransposon-derived transcripts and their functions in immunity and disease. Genes Genet Syst 2024; 98:305-319. [PMID: 38199240 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.23-00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons, which account for approximately 42% of the human genome, have been increasingly recognized as "non-self" pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) due to their virus-like sequences. In abnormal conditions such as cancer and viral infections, retrotransposons that are aberrantly expressed due to impaired epigenetic suppression display PAMPs, leading to their recognition by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of the innate immune system and triggering inflammation. This viral mimicry mechanism has been observed in various human diseases, including aging and autoimmune disorders. However, recent evidence suggests that retrotransposons possess highly regulated immune reactivity and play important roles in the development and function of the immune system. In this review, I discuss a wide range of retrotransposon-derived transcripts, their role as targets in immune recognition, and the diseases associated with retrotransposon activity. Furthermore, I explore the implications of chimeric transcripts formed between retrotransposons and known gene mRNAs, which have been previously underestimated, for the increase of immune-related gene isoforms and their influence on immune function. Retrotransposon-derived transcripts have profound and multifaceted effects on immune system function. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide a better understanding of the complex relationship between retrotransposon transcripts and immune defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahoko Takahashi Ueda
- Department of Genomic Function and Diversity, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
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Ge LP, Jin X, Ma D, Wang ZY, Liu CL, Zhou CZ, Zhao S, Yu TJ, Liu XY, Di GH, Shao ZM, Jiang YZ. ZNF689 deficiency promotes intratumor heterogeneity and immunotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Res 2024; 34:58-75. [PMID: 38168642 PMCID: PMC10770380 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00909-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] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease characterized by remarkable intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), which poses therapeutic challenges. However, the clinical relevance and key determinant of ITH in TNBC are poorly understood. Here, we comprehensively characterized ITH levels using multi-omics data across our center's cohort (n = 260), The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort (n = 134), and four immunotherapy-treated cohorts (n = 109). Our results revealed that high ITH was associated with poor patient survival and immunotherapy resistance. Importantly, we identified zinc finger protein 689 (ZNF689) deficiency as a crucial determinant of ITH formation. Mechanistically, the ZNF689-TRIM28 complex was found to directly bind to the promoter of long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1), inducing H3K9me3-mediated transcriptional silencing. ZNF689 deficiency reactivated LINE-1 retrotransposition to exacerbate genomic instability, which fostered ITH. Single-cell RNA sequencing, spatially resolved transcriptomics and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that ZNF689 deficiency-induced ITH inhibited antigen presentation and T-cell activation, conferring immunotherapy resistance. Pharmacological inhibition of LINE-1 significantly reduced ITH, enhanced antitumor immunity, and eventually sensitized ZNF689-deficient tumors to immunotherapy in vivo. Consistently, ZNF689 expression positively correlated with favorable prognosis and immunotherapy response in clinical samples. Altogether, our study uncovers a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying ZNF689 deficiency-induced ITH and suggests LINE-1 inhibition combined with immunotherapy as a novel treatment strategy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Ge
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao-Zheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Jian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gen-Hong Di
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Precision Cancer Medicine Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Han M, Perkins MH, Novaes LS, Xu T, Chang H. Advances in transposable elements: from mechanisms to applications in mammalian genomics. Front Genet 2023; 14:1290146. [PMID: 38098473 PMCID: PMC10719622 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1290146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been 70 years since Barbara McClintock discovered transposable elements (TE), and the mechanistic studies and functional applications of transposable elements have been at the forefront of life science research. As an essential part of the genome, TEs have been discovered in most species of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and the relative proportion of the total genetic sequence they comprise gradually increases with the expansion of the genome. In humans, TEs account for about 40% of the genome and are deeply involved in gene regulation, chromosome structure maintenance, inflammatory response, and the etiology of genetic and non-genetic diseases. In-depth functional studies of TEs in mammalian cells and the human body have led to a greater understanding of these fundamental biological processes. At the same time, as a potent mutagen and efficient genome editing tool, TEs have been transformed into biological tools critical for developing new techniques. By controlling the random insertion of TEs into the genome to change the phenotype in cells and model organisms, critical proteins of many diseases have been systematically identified. Exploiting the TE's highly efficient in vitro insertion activity has driven the development of cutting-edge sequencing technologies. Recently, a new technology combining CRISPR with TEs was reported, which provides a novel targeted insertion system to both academia and industry. We suggest that interrogating biological processes that generally depend on the actions of TEs with TEs-derived genetic tools is a very efficient strategy. For example, excessive activation of TEs is an essential factor in the occurrence of cancer in humans. As potent mutagens, TEs have also been used to unravel the key regulatory elements and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Through this review, we aim to effectively combine the traditional views of TEs with recent research progress, systematically link the mechanistic discoveries of TEs with the technological developments of TE-based tools, and provide a comprehensive approach and understanding for researchers in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Han
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Matthew H. Perkins
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leonardo Santana Novaes
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tao Xu
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Chang
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Nishikawa S, Iwakuma T. Drugs Targeting p53 Mutations with FDA Approval and in Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:429. [PMID: 36672377 PMCID: PMC9856662 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the tumor suppressor p53 (p53) promote cancer progression. This is mainly due to loss of function (LOS) as a tumor suppressor, dominant-negative (DN) activities of missense mutant p53 (mutp53) over wild-type p53 (wtp53), and wtp53-independent oncogenic activities of missense mutp53 by interacting with other tumor suppressors or oncogenes (gain of function: GOF). Since p53 mutations occur in ~50% of human cancers and rarely occur in normal tissues, p53 mutations are cancer-specific and ideal therapeutic targets. Approaches to target p53 mutations include (1) restoration or stabilization of wtp53 conformation from missense mutp53, (2) rescue of p53 nonsense mutations, (3) depletion or degradation of mutp53 proteins, and (4) induction of p53 synthetic lethality or targeting of vulnerabilities imposed by p53 mutations (enhanced YAP/TAZ activities) or deletions (hyperactivated retrotransposons). This review article focuses on clinically available FDA-approved drugs and drugs in clinical trials that target p53 mutations and summarizes their mechanisms of action and activities to suppress cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeto Nishikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Tomoo Iwakuma
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Lavia P, Sciamanna I, Spadafora C. An Epigenetic LINE-1-Based Mechanism in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314610. [PMID: 36498938 PMCID: PMC9738484 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last fifty years, large efforts have been deployed in basic research, clinical oncology, and clinical trials, yielding an enormous amount of information regarding the molecular mechanisms of cancer and the design of effective therapies. The knowledge that has accumulated underpins the complexity, multifactoriality, and heterogeneity of cancer, disclosing novel landscapes in cancer biology with a key role of genome plasticity. Here, we propose that cancer onset and progression are determined by a stress-responsive epigenetic mechanism, resulting from the convergence of upregulation of LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear element 1), the largest family of human retrotransposons, genome damage, nuclear lamina fragmentation, chromatin remodeling, genome reprogramming, and autophagy activation. The upregulated expression of LINE-1 retrotransposons and their protein products plays a key role in these processes, yielding an increased plasticity of the nuclear architecture with the ensuing reprogramming of global gene expression, including the reactivation of embryonic transcription profiles. Cancer phenotypes would thus emerge as a consequence of the unscheduled reactivation of embryonic gene expression patterns in an inappropriate context, triggering de-differentiation and aberrant proliferation in differentiated cells. Depending on the intensity of the stressing stimuli and the level of LINE-1 response, diverse degrees of malignity would be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Lavia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ilaria Sciamanna
- Center for Animal Research and Welfare (BENA), ISS Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Repetitive Sequence Transcription in Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162522. [PMID: 36010599 PMCID: PMC9406339 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162522] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive sequences represent about half of the human genome. They are actively transcribed and play a role during development and in epigenetic regulation. The altered activity of repetitive sequences can lead to genomic instability and they can contribute to the establishment or the progression of degenerative diseases and cancer transformation. In this work, we analyzed the expression profiles of DNA repetitive sequences in the breast cancer specimens of the HMUCC cohort. Satellite expression is generally upregulated in breast cancers, with specific families upregulated per histotype: in HER2-enriched cancers, they are the human satellite II (HSATII), in luminal A and B, they are part of the ALR family and in triple-negative, they are part of SAR and GSAT families, together with a perturbation in the transcription from endogenous retroviruses and their LTR sequences. We report that the background expression of repetitive sequences in healthy tissues of cancer patients differs from the tissues of non-cancerous controls. To conclude, peculiar patterns of expression of repetitive sequences are reported in each specimen, especially in the case of transcripts arising from satellite repeats.
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Li J, Lin J, Lin JR, Farris M, Robbins L, Andrada L, Grohol B, Nong S, Liu Y. Dolutegravir Inhibits Proliferation and Motility of BT-20 Tumor Cells Through Inhibition of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K. Cureus 2022; 14:e26525. [PMID: 35936147 PMCID: PMC9345775 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26525] [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: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence points to the role of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in driving cancer cell proliferation. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of repurposing antiretroviral agents to inhibit ERVs as a new approach to cancer treatment. We found that an integrase strand-transfer inhibitor, dolutegravir (DTG), effectively inhibited the proliferation of multiple cancer cell lines and its antiproliferative potency was positively correlated with the expression levels of the human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K). DTG inhibited the expression of HERV-K in multiple human cancer cell lines and the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) in the murine 4T1 mammary cancer cell line. We chose the fast-growing BT-20 cell line as a model to study the in vitro antiproliferative mechanisms of DTG. BT-20 cells overexpressing both HERV-K env and pol genes became more resistant to DTG than cells transduced with vector alone. Knockdown of HERV-K also increased DTG resistance of BT-20 cells. The antiproliferative effect of DTG correlated with enhanced expression of E-cadherin and reduction in cell motility and invasiveness. Surprisingly, DTG stimulated expression of the env gene of MMTV in vivo and promoted metastasis of 4T1 tumor cells to the lungs. Taken together, our data support the role of ERVs in tumor development and encourage the further search for antiretroviral agents to treat malignancies in which ERVs are active.
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Berrino E, Miglio U, Bellomo SE, Debernardi C, Bragoni A, Petrelli A, Cascardi E, Giordano S, Montemurro F, Marchiò C, Venesio T, Sapino A. The Tumor-Specific Expression of L1 Retrotransposons Independently Correlates with Time to Relapse in Hormone-Negative Breast Cancer Patients. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121944. [PMID: 35741073 PMCID: PMC9221920 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-Interspersed Nuclear Element (L1) retrotransposons are silenced in healthy tissues but unrepressed in cancer. Even if L1 reactivation has been associated with reduced overall survival in breast cancer (BC) patients, a comprehensive correlation with clinicopathological features is still missing. METHODS Using quantitative, reverse-transcription PCR, we assessed L1 mRNA expression in 12 BC cells, 210 BC patients and in 47 normal mammary tissues. L1 expression was then correlated with molecular and clinicopathological data. RESULTS We identified a tumor-exclusive expression of L1s, absent in normal mammary cells and tissues. A positive correlation between L1 expression and tumor dedifferentiation, lymph-node involvement and increased immune infiltration was detected. Molecular subtyping highlighted an enrichment of L1s in basal-like cells and cancers. By exploring disease-free survival, we identified L1 overexpression as an independent biomarker for patients with a high risk of recurrence in hormone-receptor-negative BCs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, L1 reactivation identified BCs with aggressive features and patients with a worse clinical fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Berrino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Umberto Miglio
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Sara Erika Bellomo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Carla Debernardi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Alberto Bragoni
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Petrelli
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Eliano Cascardi
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Filippo Montemurro
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Venesio
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-9933547; Fax: +39-011-9933480
| | - Anna Sapino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.B.); (U.M.); (S.E.B.); (A.B.); (A.P.); (E.C.); (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
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Müller MD, Holst PJ, Nielsen KN. A Systematic Review of Expression and Immunogenicity of Human Endogenous Retroviral Proteins in Cancer and Discussion of Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031330. [PMID: 35163254 PMCID: PMC8836156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that have become fixed in the human genome. While HERV genes are typically silenced in healthy somatic cells, there are numerous reports of HERV transcription and translation across a wide spectrum of cancers, while T and B cell responses against HERV proteins have been detected in cancer patients. This review systematically categorizes the published evidence on the expression of and adaptive immune response against specific HERVs in distinct cancer types. A systematic literature search was performed using Medical Search Headings (MeSH) in the PubMed/Medline database. Papers were included if they described the translational activity of HERVs. We present multiple tables that pair the protein expression of specific HERVs and cancer types with information on the quality of the evidence. We find that HERV-K is the most investigated HERV. HERV-W (syncytin-1) is the second-most investigated, while other HERVs have received less attention. From a therapeutic perspective, HERV-K and HERV-E are the only HERVs with experimental demonstration of effective targeted therapies, but unspecific approaches using antiviral and demethylating agents in combination with chemo- and immunotherapies have also been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Dons Müller
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
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Combination of Antiretroviral Drugs Zidovudine and Efavirenz Impairs Tumor Growths in a Mouse Model of Cancer. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122396. [PMID: 34960665 PMCID: PMC8703283 DOI: 10.3390/v13122396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
LINE1 retrotransposons, which are thought to be the remnants of ancient integrations of retrovirus-like elements, are aberrantly (re)activated in many cancer cells. Due to LINE1-induced alterations in target gene expression and/or chromosomal rearrangements, they may be important drivers of tumorigenesis. Moreover, LINE1 encoded proteins, Open Reading Frame (ORF)1 and ORF2, may have pro-oncogenic potential through inductors of oncogenic transcription factors or inhibitors of cell cycle suppressors. The current study therefore aimed to investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-tumorigenic effects of two well-known antiretroviral drugs, zidovudine, a nucleoside analogue inhibitor of RT (NRTI), and efavirenz, a non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI). Our data demonstrate that both drugs in clinically relevant doses significantly reduced the proliferation of murine and human cancer cell lines, as well as growth of tumors in a murine subcutaneous model. Intriguingly, we found that the combination of both zidovudine and efavirenz almost entirely blocked tumorigenesis in vivo. Because both drugs are FDA-approved agents and the combination was very well tolerated in mice, the combination therapy as presented in our paper might be an opportunity to treat colorectal tumors and metastasis to the liver in an inexpensive way.
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Tesei A, Arienti C, Bossi G, Santi S, De Santis I, Bevilacqua A, Zanoni M, Pignatta S, Cortesi M, Zamagni A, Storci G, Bonafè M, Sarnelli A, Romeo A, Cavallo C, Bartolazzi A, Rossi S, Soriani A, Strigari L. TP53 drives abscopal effect by secretion of senescence-associated molecular signals in non-small cell lung cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:89. [PMID: 33673859 PMCID: PMC7934399 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent developments in abscopal effect strongly support the use of radiotherapy for the treatment of metastatic disease. However, deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the abscopal effect are required to best benefit a larger proportion of patients with metastasis. Several groups including ours, reported the involvement of wild-type (wt) p53 in radiation-induced abscopal effects, however very little is known on the role of wtp53 dependent molecular mechanisms. Methods We investigated through in vivo and in vitro approaches how wtp53 orchestrates radiation-induced abscopal effects. Wtp53 bearing (A549) and p53-null (H1299) NSCLC lines were xenotransplanted in nude mice, and cultured in 2D monolayers and 3D tumor spheroids. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from medium cell culture by ultracentrifugation protocol followed by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. Gene expression was evaluated by RT-Real Time, digital qRT-PCR, and dot blot technique. Protein levels were determined by immunohistochemistry, confocal anlysis, western blot techniques, and immunoassay. Results We demonstrated that single high-dose irradiation (20 Gy) induces significant tumor growth inhibition in contralateral non-irradiated (NIR) A549 xenograft tumors but not in NIR p53-null H1299 or p53-silenced A549 (A549sh/p53) xenografts. We further demonstrates that irradiation of A549 cells in vitro induces a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) producing extracellular vesicles (EVs) expressing CD63 and carrying DNA:RNA hybrids and LINE-1 retrotransposon. IR-A549 EVs also hamper the colony-forming capability of recipient NIR A549 cells, induce senescent phenotype, nuclear expression of DNA:RNA hybrids, and M1 macrophage polarization. Conclusions In our models, we demonstrate that high radiation dose in wtp53 tumors induce the onset of SASP and secretion of CD63+ EVs loaded with DNA:RNA hybrids and LINE-1 retrotransposons that convey senescence messages out of the irradiation field triggering abscopal effect in NIR tumors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01883-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tesei
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
| | - Chiara Arienti
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Bossi
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Spartaco Santi
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria De Santis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, I-40138, Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bevilacqua
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering (DISI), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Advanced Research Centre on Electronic Systems for Information & Communication Technologies 'E. De Castro' (ARCES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Zanoni
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Sara Pignatta
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Michela Cortesi
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Alice Zamagni
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Gianluca Storci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Sarnelli
- Medical Physics Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Antonino Romeo
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Carola Cavallo
- Laboratorio RAMSES, Rizzoli Research, Innovation & Technology Department (RIT), IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Rossi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Soriani
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Expert Systems, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Strigari
- Department of Medical Physics, IRCCS University Hospital of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
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13
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High levels of LINE-1 transposable elements expressed in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-related primary effusion lymphoma. Oncogene 2020; 40:536-550. [PMID: 33188297 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01549-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, HHV-8) is a gamma herpesvirus associated with several human malignancies. Transposable elements (TEs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes, occupying about 45% of the human genome. TEs have been linked with a variety of disorders and malignancies, though the precise nature of their contribution to many of them has yet to be elucidated. Global transcriptome analysis for differentially expressed TEs in KSHV-associated primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells (BCBL1 and BC3) revealed large number of differentially expressed TEs. These differentially expressed TEs include LTR transposons, long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs). Further analysis of LINE-1 (L1) elements revealed expression upregulation, hypo-methylation, and transition into open chromatin in PEL. In agreement with high L1 expression, PEL cells express ORF1 protein and possess high reverse transcriptase (RT)-activity. Interestingly, inhibition of this RT-activity suppressed PEL cell growth. Collectively, we identified high expression of TEs, and specifically of L1 as a critical component in the proliferation of PEL cells. This observation is relevant for the treatment of KSHV-associated malignancies since they often develop in AIDS patients that are treated with RT inhibitors with potent inhibition for both HIV and L1 RT activity.
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14
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Chiou PT, Ohms S, Board PG, Dahlstrom JE, Rangasamy D, Casarotto MG. Efavirenz as a potential drug for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 23:353-363. [PMID: 32566961 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In contrast to hormone receptor driven breast cancer, patients presenting with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often have limited drug treatment options. Efavirenz, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor targets abnormally overexpressed long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1) RT and has been shown to be a promising anticancer agent for treating prostate and pancreatic cancers. However, its effectiveness in treating patients with TNBC has not been comprehensively examined. METHODS In this study, the effect of Efavirenz on several TNBC cell lines was investigated by examining several cellular characteristics including viability, cell division and death, changes in cell morphology as well as the expression of LINE-1. RESULTS The results show that in a range of TNBC cell lines, Efavirenz causes cell death, retards cell proliferation and changes cell morphology to an epithelial-like phenotype. In addition, it is the first time that a whole-genome RNA sequence analysis has identified the fatty acid metabolism pathway as a key regulator in this Efavirenz-induced anticancer process. CONCLUSION In summary, we propose Efavirenz is a potential anti-TNBC drug and that its mode of action can be linked to the fatty acid metabolism pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-T Chiou
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - S Ohms
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - P G Board
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - J E Dahlstrom
- Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology, Canberra Hospital and ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - D Rangasamy
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - M G Casarotto
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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15
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Bellisai C, Sciamanna I, Rovella P, Giovannini D, Baranzini M, Pugliese GM, Zeya Ansari MS, Milite C, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Cirilli R, Sbardella G, Pichierri P, Trisciuoglio D, Lavia P, Serafino A, Spadafora C. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors promote the remodelling of nuclear architecture and induce autophagy in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 478:133-145. [PMID: 32112906 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Emerging data indicate that the reverse transcriptase (RT) protein encoded by LINE-1 transposable elements is a promising cancer target. Nonnucleoside RT inhibitors, e.g. efavirenz (EFV) and SPV122.2, reduce proliferation and promote differentiation of cancer cells, concomitant with a global reprogramming of the transcription profile. Both inhibitors have therapeutic anticancer efficacy in animal models. Here we have sought to clarify the mechanisms of RT inhibitors in cancer cells. We report that exposure of PC3 metastatic prostate carcinoma cells to both RT inhibitors results in decreased proliferation, and concomitantly induces genome damage. This is associated with rearrangements of the nuclear architecture, particularly at peripheral chromatin, disruption of the nuclear lamina, and budding of micronuclei. These changes are reversible upon discontinuation of the RT-inhibitory treatment, with reconsititution of the lamina and resumption of the cancer cell original features. The use of pharmacological autophagy inhibitors proves that autophagy is largely responsible for the antiproliferative effect of RT inhibitors. These alterations are not induced in non-cancer cell lines exposed to RT inhibitors. These data provide novel insight in the molecular pathways targeted by RT inhibitors in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bellisai
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paola Rovella
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Giovannini
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Baranzini
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Giusj Monia Pugliese
- University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy; Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad Salik Zeya Ansari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Lavia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalucia Serafino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Zhang R, Zhang F, Sun Z, Liu P, Zhang X, Ye Y, Cai B, Walsh MJ, Ren X, Hao X, Zhang W, Yu J. LINE-1 Retrotransposition Promotes the Development and Progression of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Disrupting the Tumor-Suppressor Gene FGGY. Cancer Res 2019; 79:4453-4465. [PMID: 31289132 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Somatic long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposition is a genomic process that relates to gene disruption and tumor occurrence. However, the expression and function of LINE-1 retrotransposition in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remain unclear. We analyzed the transcriptomes of LUSC samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas and observed LINE-1 retrotransposition in 90% of tumor samples. Thirteen LINE-1 retrotranspositions of high occurrence were identified and further validated from an independent Chinese LUSC cohort. Among them, LINE-1-FGGY (L1-FGGY) was identified as the most frequent LINE-1 retrotransposition in the Chinese cohort and significantly correlated with poor clinical outcome. L1-FGGY occurred with smoke-induced hypomethylation of the LINE-1 promoter and contributed to the development of local immune evasion and dysfunctional metabolism. Overexpression of L1-FGGY or knockdown of FGGY promoted cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, facilitated tumorigenesis in vivo, and dysregulated cell energy metabolism and cytokine/chemotaxin transcription. Importantly, specific reverse transcription inhibitors, nevirapine and efavirenz, dramatically countered L1-FGGY abundance, inhibited tumor growth, recovered metabolism dysfunction, and improved the local immune evasion. In conclusion, hypomethylation-induced L1-FGGY expression is a frequent genomic event that promotes the development and progression of LUSC and represents a promising predictive biomarker and therapeutic target in LUSC. SIGNIFICANCE: LINE-1-FGGY is a prognosis predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target to overcome local immune evasion in lung squamous cell carcinoma.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, Tumor Suppressor
- Humans
- Lipid Metabolism/genetics
- Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/mortality
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/surgery
- Male
- Mice, SCID
- Middle Aged
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Proteins/genetics
- Smoking/genetics
- Tumor Escape
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Zeguo Sun
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingnan Ye
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Beiqi Cai
- Department of Imaging, Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Martin J Walsh
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Genetics and Genomic Sciences and the Mount Sinai Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Biotherapy Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xishan Hao
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Biotherapy Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Jinpu Yu
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Caner, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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17
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Smith CC, Selitsky SR, Chai S, Armistead PM, Vincent BG, Serody JS. Alternative tumour-specific antigens. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:465-478. [PMID: 31278396 PMCID: PMC6874891 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The study of tumour-specific antigens (TSAs) as targets for antitumour therapies has accelerated within the past decade. The most commonly studied class of TSAs are those derived from non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), or SNV neoantigens. However, to increase the repertoire of available therapeutic TSA targets, 'alternative TSAs', defined here as high-specificity tumour antigens arising from non-SNV genomic sources, have recently been evaluated. Among these alternative TSAs are antigens derived from mutational frameshifts, splice variants, gene fusions, endogenous retroelements and other processes. Unlike the patient-specific nature of SNV neoantigens, some alternative TSAs may have the advantage of being widely shared by multiple tumours, allowing for universal, off-the-shelf therapies. In this Opinion article, we will outline the biology, available computational tools, preclinical and/or clinical studies and relevant cancers for each alternative TSA class, as well as discuss both current challenges preventing the therapeutic application of alternative TSAs and potential solutions to aid in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof C Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sara R Selitsky
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Bioinformatics Core, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shengjie Chai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul M Armistead
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin G Vincent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Program in Computational Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jonathan S Serody
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Program in Computational Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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18
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Long interspersed nuclear element-1 mobilization as a target in cancer diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutics. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 493:52-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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19
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Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Human endogenous retroviruses role in cancer cell stemness. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:17-30. [PMID: 30317035 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence are still the critical issues of oncological diseases. In this scenario, increasing scientific evidences demonstrate that the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) is involved in the aggressiveness of tumors such as melanoma, breast, germ cell, renal, ovarian, liver and haematological cancers. In their dynamic regulation, HERVs have also proved to be important determinants of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and of the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In many types of tumors, essential characteristics of aggressiveness have been associated with the achievement of stemness features, often accompanied with the identification of defined subpopulations, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), which possess stem cell-like properties and sustain tumorigenesis. Indeed, CSCs show high self-renewal capacity with a peculiar potential in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, heterogeneity, recurrence, radiotherapy and drug resistance. However, HERVs role in CSCs biology is still not fully elucidated. In this regard, CD133 is a widely recognized marker of CSCs, and our group demonstrated, for the first time, the requirement of HERV-K activation to expand and maintain a CD133+ melanoma cell subpopulation with stemness features in response to microenvironmental modifications. The review will discuss HERVs expression as cancer hallmark, with particular focus on their role in the regulation of cancer stemness features and the potential involvement as targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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20
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Hecht M, Harrer T, Körber V, Sarpong EO, Moser F, Fiebig N, Schwegler M, Stürzl M, Fietkau R, Distel LV. Cytotoxic effect of Efavirenz in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells is based on oxidative stress and is synergistic with ionizing radiation. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:1728-1736. [PMID: 29434868 PMCID: PMC5776903 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) Efavirenz is frequently used in human immunodeficiency virus treatment, but also efficient against cancer in mouse models. Its radiosensitizing effect makes it a promising drug for combination with radiotherapy. The efficacy of Efavirenz combined with irradiation was assessed with immunostaining of DNA-damage markers and colony formation assays in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Gene expression and protein phosphorylation of the Efavirenz-sensitive BxPC-3 cells was compared to the resistant primary fibroblasts SBL-5. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and cell death were studied with live-cell microscopy and flow cytometry. Combined Efavirenz and radiation significantly increased the number of γH2AX and phospho-ataxia telangiectasia mutated foci. Efavirenz and ionizing radiation had a synergistic effect using the clonogenic survival assay. Efavirenz selectively induced cell death in the BxPC-3 cells. The differing gene expression of cell cycle and apoptotic regulator genes in both cell cultures after Efavirenz treatment match with this selective effect against cancer cells. In the phosphoprotein array, an early phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was notably detected in the cancer cells. The phosphorylation of AKT decreased in the cancer cells whereas it increased in the fibroblasts. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane depolarization appeared in the cancer cells immediately after Efavirenz treatment, but not in the fibroblasts. Efavirenz has an anti-cancer effect against pancreatic cancer mainly by the induction of oxidative stress. The antitumor potential of Efavirenz and radiotherapy are additive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Hecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Harrer
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 (Infectious Diseases Section), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Körber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eric O. Sarpong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Moser
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nora Fiebig
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuela Schwegler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Stürzl
- Department of Surgery (Division Molecular and Experimental Surgery), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luitpold V. Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
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21
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Romero MA, Mobley CB, Mumford PW, Roberson PA, Haun CT, Kephart WC, Healy JC, Beck DT, Young KC, Martin JS, Lockwood CM, Roberts MD. Acute and chronic resistance training downregulates select LINE-1 retrotransposon activity markers in human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2017; 314:C379-C388. [PMID: 29351416 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00192.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we examined if acute or chronic resistance exercise affected markers of skeletal muscle long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon activity. In study 1, 10 resistance-trained college-aged men performed three consecutive daily back squat sessions, and vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before (Pre), 2 h following session 1 (Post1), and 3 days following session 3 (Post2). In study 2, 13 untrained college-aged men performed a full-body resistance training program (3 days/wk), and vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before ( week 0) and ~72 h following training cessation ( week 12). In study 1, LINE-1 mRNA decreased 42-48% at Post1 and 2 ( P < 0.05), and reverse transcriptase (RT) activity trended downward at Post2 (-37%, P = 0.067). In study 2, LINE-1 mRNA trended downward at week 12 (-17%, P = 0.056) while LINE-1 promoter methylation increased (+142%, P = 0.041). Open reading frame (ORF)2p protein expression (-24%, P = 0.059) and RT activity (-26%, P = 0.063) also trended downward by week 12. Additionally, changes in RT activity versus satellite cell number were inversely associated ( r = -0.725, P = 0.008). Follow-up in vitro experiments demonstrated that 48-h treatments with lower doses (1 μM and 10 μM) of efavirenz and nevirapine (non-nucleoside RT inhibitors) increased myoblast proliferation ( P < 0.05). However, we observed a paradoxical decrease in myoblast proliferation with higher doses (50 μM) of efavirenz and delavirdine. This is the first report suggesting that resistance exercise downregulates markers of skeletal muscle LINE-1 activity. Given our discordant in vitro findings, future research is needed to thoroughly assess whether LINE-1-mediated RT activity enhances or blunts myoblast, or primary satellite cell, proliferative capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Cody T Haun
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama
| | | | - James C Healy
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus , Auburn, Alabama
| | - Darren T Beck
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus , Auburn, Alabama
| | - Kaelin C Young
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus , Auburn, Alabama
| | - Jeffrey S Martin
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus , Auburn, Alabama
| | | | - Michael D Roberts
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus , Auburn, Alabama
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22
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Perna A, Lucariello A, Sellitto C, Agliata I, Carleo MA, Sangiovanni V, Esposito V, Guerra G, Cobellis L, De Luca A. Different Cell Cycle Modulation in SKOV-3 Ovarian Cancer Cell Line by Anti-HIV Drugs. Oncol Res 2017; 25:1617-1624. [PMID: 28390117 PMCID: PMC7841068 DOI: 10.3727/096504017x14905635363102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral drugs used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have proven to be effective even against cancer. Drawing from this background, the aim of our research project was to evaluate the effects of anti-HIV drugs that belong to the nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI; abacavir (ABC) and tenofovir (TDF)], nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI; efavirenz (EFV) and etravirine (ETR)], and protease inhibitor [PI; darunavir (DRV)] categories on ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV-3. Using FACS analysis, we observed that treatment with NRTIs and NNRTIs showed a block in the G0/G1 phase. In particular, ETR displayed a relevant block in the progression of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle compared with the other examined drugs, and it also induced differentiation of SKOV-3 cells. In contrast, FACS analysis demonstrated that ABC and the PI inhibitor DRV showed no effect on the proliferation of cancer cells. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining demonstrated that cells treated with NNRTIs (EFV and ETR) presented more DNA damage compared with other treatments. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that TDF, EFV, and ETR were able to obtain a reduction in the expression of cyclin D1 and Rb hypophosphorylation, and an increase in p21 concentration. Finally, we observed that ETR also induced differentiation, as demonstrated by Western blot, with high levels of E-cadherin expression. Therefore, our study provides additional evidence supporting the in vitro cytotoxic effects of ETR and EFV. Furthermore, it promotes the hypothesis for their potential use as therapeutic agents in ovarian cancer.
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23
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Papasotiriou I, Pantopikou K, Apostolou P. L1 retrotransposon expression in circulating tumor cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171466. [PMID: 28166262 PMCID: PMC5293242 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) belongs to the non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposon family, which has been implicated in carcinogenesis and disease progression. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are also known to be involved in cancer progression. The present study aimed to compare the L1 expression between circulating tumor cells and non-cancerous samples. Blood samples were collected from 10 healthy individuals and 22 patients with different types of cancer. The whole blood cells were isolated using enrichment protocols and the DNA and RNA were extracted. RT-qPCR was performed for L1-ORF1 (open reading frame 1) and L1-ORF2, using 18S rRNA as the reference gene. The data were analyzed with the Livak method and statistical analyses were carried out with the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. In parallel with the above molecular biology experiments, FISH experiments were performed on the interphase nuclei of the cells for the detection of ORF2 RNA. DNA analysis revealed the presence of both ORF1 and ORF2 in all samples. RNA expression experiments demonstrated that ORF1 was not expressed in all samples, while ORF2 was expressed at varying levels in the non-cancer samples and the samples representing the different cancer types. A significant difference in ORF2 expression was observed between the CTCs and non-cancer samples (p = 0,00043), and significant differences were also observed between normal and lung (p = 0,034), pancreatic (p = 0,022), prostate (p = 0,014), and unknown primary of origin (p = 0,0039) cancer samples. Cytogenetic analysis revealed higher levels of ORF2 in the nuclei of CTCs than in normal samples. This study highlights the significant difference in L1-ORF2 expression between CTCs and normal samples. The increased expression levels observed for CTCs may be correlated with the characteristic features of these cells.
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24
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White TE, Brandariz-Nuñez A, Han K, Sawyer SL, Kim B, Diaz-Griffero F. Modulation of LINE-1 Retrotransposition by a Human SAMHD1 Polymorphism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 6:53-60. [PMID: 27482511 DOI: 10.1016/j.virep.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 restriction factor SAMHD1 has the ability to negatively modulate retrotransposition of the long interspersed element 1(LINE-1). By exploring the ability of human SAMHD1 polymorphisms to inhibit LINE-1, we found that the single nucleotide polymorphism S33A present in the Korean population lose the ability to inhibit LINE-1 retrotransposition. Because SAMHD1 residue S33 is phosphorylated in human cycling and non-cycling cells, we demonstrated that SAMHD1 requires to be either phosphorylated on position 33 or to contain a bulky residue in order to inhibit LINE-1 retrotransposition. Therefore this unique mutation uncouples functions in this important restriction factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy E White
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Alberto Brandariz-Nuñez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Kyudong Han
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sara L Sawyer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA
| | - Baek Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Felipe Diaz-Griffero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY 10461
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25
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De Luca C, Guadagni F, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Sentinelli S, Gallucci M, Hoffmann A, Schumann GG, Spadafora C, Sciamanna I. Enhanced expression of LINE-1-encoded ORF2 protein in early stages of colon and prostate transformation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:4048-61. [PMID: 26716650 PMCID: PMC4826189 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are a source of endogenous reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, which is expressed as part of the L1-encoded ORF2 protein (L1-ORF2p). L1 elements are highly expressed in many cancer types, while being silenced in most differentiated somatic tissues. We previously found that RT inhibition reduces cell proliferation and promotes differentiation in neoplastic cells, indicating that high endogenous RT activity promotes cancer growth. Here we investigate the expression of L1-ORF2p in several human types of cancer. We have developed a highly specific monoclonal antibody (mAb chA1-L1) to study ORF2p expression and localization in human cancer cells and tissues. We uncover new evidence for high levels of L1-ORF2p in transformed cell lines and staged epithelial cancer tissues (colon, prostate, lung and breast) while no or only basal ORF2p expression was detected in non-transformed cells. An in-depth analysis of colon and prostate tissues shows ORF2p expression in preneoplastic stages, namely transitional mucosa and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), respectively. Our results show that L1-ORF2p is overexpressed in tumor and in preneoplastic colon and prostate tissues; this latter finding suggests that ORF2p could be considered as a potential early diagnostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fiorella Guadagni
- Laboratory BioDAT SR Research, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Steno Sentinelli
- I.F.O. Regina Elena, UOC Pathological Anatomy/Urology, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Gallucci
- I.F.O. Regina Elena, UOC Pathological Anatomy/Urology, Rome, Italy
| | - Andreas Hoffmann
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Gerald G Schumann
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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26
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Abstract
Retrotransposons have generated about 40 % of the human genome. This review examines the strategies the cell has evolved to coexist with these genomic "parasites", focussing on the non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons of humans and mice. Some of the restriction factors for retrotransposition, including the APOBECs, MOV10, RNASEL, SAMHD1, TREX1, and ZAP, also limit replication of retroviruses, including HIV, and are part of the intrinsic immune system of the cell. Many of these proteins act in the cytoplasm to degrade retroelement RNA or inhibit its translation. Some factors act in the nucleus and involve DNA repair enzymes or epigenetic processes of DNA methylation and histone modification. RISC and piRNA pathway proteins protect the germline. Retrotransposon control is relaxed in some cell types, such as neurons in the brain, stem cells, and in certain types of disease and cancer, with implications for human health and disease. This review also considers potential pitfalls in interpreting retrotransposon-related data, as well as issues to consider for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L. Goodier
- McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA 212051
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27
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Rangasamy D, Lenka N, Ohms S, Dahlstrom JE, Blackburn AC, Board PG. Activation of LINE-1 Retrotransposon Increases the Risk of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis in Epithelial Cancer. Curr Mol Med 2016; 15:588-97. [PMID: 26321759 PMCID: PMC5384359 DOI: 10.2174/1566524015666150831130827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cancers comprise 80-90% of human cancers. During the process of cancer progression, cells lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire stem-like mesenchymal features that are resistant to chemotherapy. This process, termed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays a critical role in the development of metastases. Because of the unique migratory and invasive properties of cells undergoing the EMT, therapeutic control of the EMT offers great hope and new opportunities for treating cancer. In recent years, a plethora of genes and noncoding RNAs, including miRNAs, have been linked to the EMT and the acquisition of stem cell-like properties. Despite these advances, questions remain unanswered about the molecular processes underlying such a cellular transition. In this article, we discuss how expression of the normally repressed LINE-1 (or L1) retrotransposons activates the process of EMT and the development of metastases. L1 is rarely expressed in differentiated stem cells or adult somatic tissues. However, its expression is widespread in almost all epithelial cancers and in stem cells in their undifferentiated state, suggesting a link between L1 activity and the proliferative and metastatic behaviour of cancer cells. We present an overview of L1 activity in cancer cells including how genes involved in proliferation, invasive and metastasis are modulated by L1 expression. The role of L1 in the differential expression of the let-7 family of miRNAs (that regulate genes involved in the EMT and metastasis) is also discussed. We also summarize recent novel insights into the role of the L1-encoded reverse transcriptase enzyme in epithelial cell plasticity that suggest it might be a potential therapeutic target that could reverse the EMT and the metastasis-associated stem cell-like properties of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rangasamy
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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28
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Sciamanna I, De Luca C, Spadafora C. The Reverse Transcriptase Encoded by LINE-1 Retrotransposons in the Genesis, Progression, and Therapy of Cancer. Front Chem 2016; 4:6. [PMID: 26904537 PMCID: PMC4749692 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2016.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In higher eukaryotic genomes, Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons represent a large family of repeated genomic elements. They transpose using a reverse transcriptase (RT), which they encode as part of the ORF2p product. RT inhibition in cancer cells, either via RNA interference-dependent silencing of active LINE-1 elements, or using RT inhibitory drugs, reduces cancer cell proliferation, promotes their differentiation and antagonizes tumor progression in animal models. Indeed, the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor efavirenz has recently been tested in a phase II clinical trial with metastatic prostate cancer patients. An in-depth analysis of ORF2p in a mouse model of breast cancer showed ORF2p to be precociously expressed in precancerous lesions and highly abundant in advanced cancer stages, while being barely detectable in normal breast tissue, providing a rationale for the finding that RT-expressing tumors are therapeutically sensitive to RT inhibitors. We summarize mechanistic and gene profiling studies indicating that abundant LINE-1-derived RT can “sequester” RNA substrates for reverse transcription in tumor cells, entailing the formation of RNA:DNA hybrid molecules and impairing the overall production of regulatory miRNAs, with a global impact on the cell transcriptome. Based on these data, LINE-1-ORF2 encoded RT has a tumor-promoting potential that is exerted at an epigenetic level. We propose a model whereby LINE1-RT drives a previously unrecognized global regulatory process, the deregulation of which drives cell transformation and tumorigenesis with possible implications for cancer cell heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Resarch Council of Italy Rome, Italy
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29
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Kemp JR, Longworth MS. Crossing the LINE Toward Genomic Instability: LINE-1 Retrotransposition in Cancer. Front Chem 2015; 3:68. [PMID: 26734601 PMCID: PMC4679865 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2015.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons are repetitive DNA sequences that are positioned throughout the human genome. Retrotransposons are capable of copying themselves and mobilizing new copies to novel genomic locations in a process called retrotransposition. While most retrotransposon sequences in the human genome are incomplete and incapable of mobilization, the LINE-1 retrotransposon, which comprises~17% of the human genome, remains active. The disruption of cellular mechanisms that suppress retrotransposon activity is linked to the generation of aneuploidy, a potential driver of tumor development. When retrotransposons insert into a novel genomic region, they have the potential to disrupt the coding sequence of endogenous genes and alter gene expression, which can lead to deleterious consequences for the organism. Additionally, increased LINE-1 copy numbers provide more chances for recombination events to occur between retrotransposons, which can lead to chromosomal breaks and rearrangements. LINE-1 activity is increased in various cancer cell lines and in patient tissues resected from primary tumors. LINE-1 activity also correlates with increased cancer metastasis. This review aims to give a brief overview of the connections between LINE-1 retrotransposition and the loss of genome stability. We will also discuss the mechanisms that repress retrotransposition in human cells and their links to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline R Kemp
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Michelle S Longworth
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, USA
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30
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LINE-1 in cancer: multifaceted functions and potential clinical implications. Genet Med 2015; 18:431-9. [DOI: 10.1038/gim.2015.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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31
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Sciamanna I, Gualtieri A, Piazza PF, Spadafora C. Regulatory roles of LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase in cancer onset and progression. Oncotarget 2015; 5:8039-51. [PMID: 25478632 PMCID: PMC4226666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
LINE-1 retrotransposons encode the reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme, required for their own mobility, the expression of which is inhibited in differentiated tissues while being active in tumors. Experimental evidence indicate that the inhibition of LINE-1-derived RT restores differentiation in cancer cells, inhibits tumor progression and yields globally reprogrammed transcription profiles. Newly emerging data suggest that LINE-1-encoded RT modulates the biogenesis of miRNAs, by governing the balance between the production of regulatory double-stranded RNAs and RNA:DNA hybrid molecules, with a direct impact on global gene expression. Abnormally high RT activity unbalances the transcriptome in cancer cells, while RT inhibition restores ‘normal’ miRNA profiles and their regulatory networks. This RT-dependent mechanism can target the myriad of transcripts - both coding and non-coding, sense and antisense - in eukaryotic transcriptomes, with a profound impact on cell fates. LINE-1-encoded RT emerges therefore as a key regulator of a previously unrecognized mechanism in tumorigenesis
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32
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Silencing of LINE-1 retrotransposons contributes to variation in small noncoding RNA expression in human cancer cells. Oncotarget 2015; 5:4103-17. [PMID: 24980824 PMCID: PMC4147309 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs are key players in the maintenance of genomic integrity, particularly in silencing the expression of repetitive elements, some of which are retrotransposable and capable of causing genomic instability. Recent computational studies suggest an association between L1 expression and the generation of small RNAs. However, whether L1 expression has a role in the activation of small RNA expression has yet to be determined experimentally.; Here we report a global analysis of small RNAs in deep sequencing from L1-active and L1-silenced breast cancer cells. We found that cells in which L1 expression was silenced exhibited greatly increased expression of a number of miRNAs and in particular, members of the let-7 family. In addition, we found differential expression of a few piRNAs that might potentially regulate gene expression. We also report the identification of several repeat RNAs against LTRs, LINEs and SINE elements. Although most of the repeat RNAs mapped to L1 elements, in general we found no significant differences in the expression levels of repeat RNAs in the presence or absence of L1 expression except for a few RNAs targeting subclasses of L1 elements. These differentially expressed small RNAs may function in human genome defence responses.
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33
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Spadafora C. A LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase-dependent regulatory mechanism is active in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1341:164-71. [PMID: 25586649 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear elements) retrotransposons constitute a large family of retrotransposable elements, accounting for 17% of the human genome. They encode proteins required for their own mobilization, including a reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme highly expressed in mouse embryos and mouse and human cancer cells and repressed in somatic differentiated healthy cells. We have found that reverse transcription takes place in early murine embryos, yielding an increase in LINE-1 copy number during preimplantation development, which also occurs in tumor progression. RT inhibition irreversibly arrests embryo development, reduces cancer cell proliferation, promotes differentiation, antagonizes tumor growth, and causes a global reprogramming of transcription profiles. These results strongly suggest that a previously unrecognized RT-dependent regulatory mechanism operates during preimplantation development, is repressed during differentiation to normal tissues, and, when erroneously reactivated in adult life, promotes cell transformation and cancer progression by "resurrecting" embryonic transcriptional pathways. The RT-dependent mechanism emerges as a major source of genetic and epigenetic changes with physiological, pathological, and evolutionary implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy
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34
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Xu H, Yan Y, Deb S, Rangasamy D, Germann M, Malaterre J, Eder NC, Ward RL, Hawkins NJ, Tothill RW, Chen L, Mortensen NJ, Fox SB, McKay MJ, Ramsay RG. Cohesin Rad21 mediates loss of heterozygosity and is upregulated via Wnt promoting transcriptional dysregulation in gastrointestinal tumors. Cell Rep 2014; 9:1781-1797. [PMID: 25464844 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene triggers a series of molecular events leading to intestinal adenomagenesis. Haploinsufficiency of the cohesin Rad21 influences multiple initiating events in colorectal cancer (CRC). We identify Rad21 as a gatekeeper of LOH and a β-catenin target gene and provide evidence that Wnt pathway activation drives RAD21 expression in human CRC. Genome-wide analyses identified Rad21 as a key transcriptional regulator of critical CRC genes and long interspersed element (LINE-1 or L1) retrotransposons. Elevated RAD21 expression tracks with reactivation of L1 expression in human sporadic CRC, implicating cohesin-mediated L1 expression in global genomic instability and gene dysregulation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Xu
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia; Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Yuqian Yan
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Siddhartha Deb
- Pathology Department, PMCC, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Victorian Cancer Biobank, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Danny Rangasamy
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Markus Germann
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jordane Malaterre
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Noreen C Eder
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Robyn L Ward
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Richard W Tothill
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Cancer Research Division, PMCC, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Long Chen
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Neil J Mortensen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford Cancer Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | - Stephen B Fox
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia; Pathology Department, PMCC, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Michael J McKay
- University of Sydney and North Coast Cancer Institute, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Robert G Ramsay
- Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Xue B, He L. An expanding universe of the non-coding genome in cancer biology. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:1209-16. [PMID: 24747961 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic transformation is caused by accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that ultimately convert normal cells into tumor cells with uncontrolled proliferation and survival, unlimited replicative potential and invasive growth [Hanahan,D. et al. (2011) Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell, 144, 646-674]. Although the majority of the cancer studies have focused on the functions of protein-coding genes, emerging evidence has started to reveal the importance of the vast non-coding genome, which constitutes more than 98% of the human genome. A number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) derived from the 'dark matter' of the human genome exhibit cancer-specific differential expression and/or genomic alterations, and it is increasingly clear that ncRNAs, including small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), play an important role in cancer development by regulating protein-coding gene expression through diverse mechanisms. In addition to ncRNAs, nearly half of the mammalian genomes consist of transposable elements, particularly retrotransposons. Once depicted as selfish genomic parasites that propagate at the expense of host fitness, retrotransposon elements could also confer regulatory complexity to the host genomes during development and disease. Reactivation of retrotransposons in cancer, while capable of causing insertional mutagenesis and genome rearrangements to promote oncogenesis, could also alter host gene expression networks to favor tumor development. Taken together, the functional significance of non-coding genome in tumorigenesis has been previously underestimated, and diverse transcripts derived from the non-coding genome could act as integral functional components of the oncogene and tumor suppressor network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xue
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Lin He
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Abstract
LINE-1s (L1s), the only currently active autonomous mobile DNA in humans, occupy at least 17% of human DNA. Throughout evolution, the L1 has also been responsible for genomic insertion of thousands of processed pseudogenes and over one million nonautonomous retrotransposons called SINEs (mainly Alus and SVAs). The 6-kb human L1 has a 5′- untranslated region (UTR) that functions as an internal promoter, two open reading frames—ORF1, which encodes an RNA-binding protein, and ORF2, which expresses endonuclease and reverse transcriptase activities—and a 3′-UTR which ends in a poly(A) signal and tail. Most L1s are molecular fossils: truncated, rearranged or mutated. However, 80 to 100 remain potentially active in any human individual, and to date 101 de novo disease-causing germline retrotransposon insertions have been characterized. It is now clear that significant levels of retrotransposition occur not only in the human germline but also in some somatic cell types. Recent publications and new investigations under way suggest that this may especially be the case for cancers and neuronal cells. This commentary offers a few points to consider to aid in avoiding misinterpretation of data as these studies move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Goodier
- McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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