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Stasiak M, Kolenda T, Kozłowska-Masłoń J, Sobocińska J, Poter P, Guglas K, Paszkowska A, Bliźniak R, Teresiak A, Kazimierczak U, Lamperska K. The World of Pseudogenes: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets in Cancers or Still Mystery Molecules? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121354. [PMID: 34947885 PMCID: PMC8705536 DOI: 10.3390/life11121354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes were once considered as “junk DNA”, due to loss of their functions as a result of the accumulation of mutations, such as frameshift and presence of premature stop-codons and relocation of genes to inactive heterochromatin regions of the genome. Pseudogenes are divided into two large groups, processed and unprocessed, according to their primary structure and origin. Only 10% of all pseudogenes are transcribed into RNAs and participate in the regulation of parental gene expression at both transcriptional and translational levels through senseRNA (sRNA) and antisense RNA (asRNA). In this review, about 150 pseudogenes in the different types of cancers were analyzed. Part of these pseudogenes seem to be useful in molecular diagnostics and can be detected in various types of biological material including tissue as well as biological fluids (liquid biopsy) using different detection methods. The number of pseudogenes, as well as their function in the human genome, is still unknown. However, thanks to the development of various technologies and bioinformatic tools, it was revealed so far that pseudogenes are involved in the development and progression of certain diseases, especially in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Stasiak
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Kolenda
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Correspondence: or (T.K.); or (K.L.)
| | - Joanna Kozłowska-Masłoń
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Sobocińska
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Paulina Poter
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Greater Poland Cancer Center, Department of Oncologic Pathology and Prophylaxis, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Rybacka 1, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Kacper Guglas
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 61 Zwirki and Wigury, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Paszkowska
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Renata Bliźniak
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Anna Teresiak
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Urszula Kazimierczak
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 8 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Lamperska
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (J.K.-M.); (J.S.); (K.G.); (A.P.); (R.B.); (A.T.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Research and Implementation Unit, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Correspondence: or (T.K.); or (K.L.)
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Jia Y, Tian Q, Yang K, Liu Y, Liu Y. A Pan-Cancer Analysis of Clinical Prognosis and Immune Infiltration of CKS1B in Human Tumors. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5862941. [PMID: 34845438 PMCID: PMC8627364 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5862941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although more and more evidence supports CDC28 protein kinase subunit 1B (CKS1B) is involved significantly in the development of human cancers, most of the researches have focused on a single disease, and pan-cancer studies conducted from a holistic perspective of different tumor sources have not been reported yet. Here, for the first time, we investigated the potential oncogenic and prognostic role of CKS1B across 33 tumors based on public databases and further verified it in a small scale by RNA sequencing or quantitative real-time PCR. CKS1B was generally highly expressed in a majority of tumors and had a notable correlation with the prognosis of patients, but its prognostic significance in different tumors was not exactly the same. In addition, CKS1B expression was also closely related to the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumors such as breast invasive carcinoma, kidney chromophobe, lung adenocarcinoma, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, bladder urothelial carcinoma, and brain lower grade glioma. Moreover, reduced CKS1B methylation was observed in certain tumors, for example, adrenocortical carcinoma. Cell cycle and kinase activity regulation and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were found to be involved in the functional mechanism of CKS1B. In conclusion, our first pan-cancer analysis of CKS1B contributes to a better overall understanding of CKS1B and may provide a new target for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jia
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quan Tian
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaitai Yang
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Unraveling the IGF System Interactome in Sarcomas Exploits Novel Therapeutic Options. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082075. [PMID: 34440844 PMCID: PMC8392407 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant bioactivity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system results in the development and progression of several pathologic conditions including cancer. Preclinical studies have shown promising anti-cancer therapeutic potentials for anti-IGF targeted therapies. However, a clear but limited clinical benefit was observed only in a minority of patients with sarcomas. The molecular complexity of the IGF system, which comprises multiple regulators and interactions with other cancer-related pathways, poses a major limitation in the use of anti-IGF agents and supports the need of combinatorial therapeutic strategies to better tackle this axis. In this review, we will initially highlight multiple mechanisms underlying IGF dysregulation in cancer and then focus on the impact of the IGF system and its complexity in sarcoma development and progression as well as response to anti-IGF therapies. We will also discuss the role of Ephrin receptors, Hippo pathway, BET proteins and CXCR4 signaling, as mediators of sarcoma malignancy and relevant interactors with the IGF system in tumor cells. A deeper understanding of these molecular interactions might provide the rationale for novel and more effective therapeutic combinations to treat sarcomas.
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Ciomborowska-Basheer J, Staszak K, Kubiak MR, Makałowska I. Not So Dead Genes-Retrocopies as Regulators of Their Disease-Related Progenitors and Hosts. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040912. [PMID: 33921034 PMCID: PMC8071448 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroposition is RNA-based gene duplication leading to the creation of single exon nonfunctional copies. Nevertheless, over time, many of these duplicates acquire transcriptional capabilities. In human in most cases, these so-called retrogenes do not code for proteins but function as regulatory long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). The mechanisms by which they can regulate other genes include microRNA sponging, modulation of alternative splicing, epigenetic regulation and competition for stabilizing factors, among others. Here, we summarize recent findings related to lncRNAs originating from retrocopies that are involved in human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative, mental or cardiovascular disorders. Special attention is given to retrocopies that regulate their progenitors or host genes. Presented evidence from the literature and our bioinformatics analyses demonstrates that these retrocopies, often described as unimportant pseudogenes, are significant players in the cell’s molecular machinery.
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Novel Regulators of the IGF System in Cancer. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020273. [PMID: 33673232 PMCID: PMC7918569 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a dynamic network of proteins, which includes cognate ligands, membrane receptors, ligand binding proteins and functional downstream effectors. It plays a critical role in regulating several important physiological processes including cell growth, metabolism and differentiation. Importantly, alterations in expression levels or activation of components of the IGF network are implicated in many pathological conditions including diabetes, obesity and cancer initiation and progression. In this review we will initially cover some general aspects of IGF action and regulation in cancer and then focus in particular on the role of transcriptional regulators and novel interacting proteins, which functionally contribute in fine tuning IGF1R signaling in several cancer models. A deeper understanding of the biological relevance of this network of IGF1R modulators might provide novel therapeutic opportunities to block this system in neoplasia.
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Cancer, Retrogenes, and Evolution. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11010072. [PMID: 33478113 PMCID: PMC7835786 DOI: 10.3390/life11010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the knowledge about retrogenes in the context of cancer and evolution. The retroposition, in which the processed mRNA from parental genes undergoes reverse transcription and the resulting cDNA is integrated back into the genome, results in additional copies of existing genes. Despite the initial misconception, retroposition-derived copies can become functional, and due to their role in the molecular evolution of genomes, they have been named the “seeds of evolution”. It is convincing that retrogenes, as important elements involved in the evolution of species, also take part in the evolution of neoplastic tumors at the cell and species levels. The occurrence of specific “resistance mechanisms” to neoplastic transformation in some species has been noted. This phenomenon has been related to additional gene copies, including retrogenes. In addition, the role of retrogenes in the evolution of tumors has been described. Retrogene expression correlates with the occurrence of specific cancer subtypes, their stages, and their response to therapy. Phylogenetic insights into retrogenes show that most cancer-related retrocopies arose in the lineage of primates, and the number of identified cancer-related retrogenes demonstrates that these duplicates are quite important players in human carcinogenesis.
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Abstract
Pseudogenes are commonly labeled as "junk DNA" given their perceived nonfunctional status. However, the advent of large-scale genomics projects prompted a revisit of pseudogene biology, highlighting their key functional and regulatory roles in numerous diseases, including cancers. Integrative analyses of cancer data have shown that pseudogenes can be transcribed and even translated, and that pseudogenic DNA, RNA, and proteins can interfere with the activity and function of key protein coding genes, acting as regulators of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Capitalizing on the available clinical research, we are able to get an insight into the spread and variety of pseudogene biomarker and therapeutic potential. In this chapter, we describe pseudogenes that fulfill their role as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, both as unique elements and in collaboration with other genes or pseudogenes. We also report that the majority of prognostic pseudogenes are overexpressed and exert an oncogenic role in colorectal, liver, lung, and gastric cancers. Finally, we highlight a number of pseudogenes that can establish future therapeutic avenues.
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Chen X, Wan L, Wang W, Xi WJ, Yang AG, Wang T. Re-recognition of pseudogenes: From molecular to clinical applications. Theranostics 2020; 10:1479-1499. [PMID: 32042317 PMCID: PMC6993246 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes were initially regarded as "nonfunctional" genomic elements that did not have protein-coding abilities due to several endogenous inactivating mutations. Although pseudogenes are widely expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, for decades, they have been largely ignored and classified as gene "junk" or "relics". With the widespread availability of high-throughput sequencing analysis, especially omics technologies, knowledge concerning pseudogenes has substantially increased. Pseudogenes are evolutionarily conserved and derive primarily from a mutation or retrotransposon, conferring the pseudogene with a "gene repository" role to store and expand genetic information. In contrast to previous notions, pseudogenes have a variety of functions at the DNA, RNA and protein levels for broadly participating in gene regulation to influence the development and progression of certain diseases, especially cancer. Indeed, some pseudogenes have been proven to encode proteins, strongly contradicting their "trash" identification, and have been confirmed to have tissue-specific and disease subtype-specific expression, indicating their own value in disease diagnosis. Moreover, pseudogenes have been correlated with the life expectancy of patients and exhibit great potential for future use in disease treatment, suggesting that they are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the natural properties, functions, disease involvement and clinical value of pseudogenes. Although our knowledge of pseudogenes remains nascent, this field deserves more attention and deeper exploration.
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