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Taheri M, Shirvani-Farsani Z, Harsij A, Fathi M, Khalilian S, Ghafouri-Fard S, Baniahmad A. A review on the role of KCNQ1OT1 lncRNA in human disorders. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 255:155188. [PMID: 38330620 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
KCNQ1OT1 is an lncRNA located within KCNQ1 gene on chromosome 11p15.5. This lncRNAs participates in the pathogenesis of a diversity of cancers as well as non-cancerous conditions. In most types of cancers, KCNQ1OT1 is regarded as an oncogene. In a wide array of cancers, high level of KCNQ1OT1 is associated with lower overall survival time. This lncRNA has been found to adsorb a variety of miRNAs, namely miR-15a, miR-211-5p, hsa-miR-107, miR-145, miR-34a, miR-204-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-372-3p, miR-491-5p, miR-153, miR-185-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-211-5p, miR-149, miR-148a-3p, miR-140-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-9, miR-329-3p, miR-760, miR-296-5p, miR-3666 and miR-129-5p, thus regulating the downstream targets of these miRNAs. In this manuscript, our attention is on this lncRNA and its biomolecular roles in human cancers and other disorders. KCNQ1OT1 plays significant roles in the tumorigenesis and may function as a prospective target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Zeinab Shirvani-Farsani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Harsij
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Fathi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sheyda Khalilian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
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2
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Dolfini D, Gnesutta N, Mantovani R. Expression and function of NF-Y subunits in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189082. [PMID: 38309445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189082] [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] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
NF-Y is a Transcription Factor (TF) targeting the CCAAT box regulatory element. It consists of the NF-YB/NF-YC heterodimer, each containing an Histone Fold Domain (HFD), and the sequence-specific subunit NF-YA. NF-YA expression is associated with cell proliferation and absent in some post-mitotic cells. The review summarizes recent findings impacting on cancer development. The logic of the NF-Y regulome points to pro-growth, oncogenic genes in the cell-cycle, metabolism and transcriptional regulation routes. NF-YA is involved in growth/differentiation decisions upon cell-cycle re-entry after mitosis and it is widely overexpressed in tumors, the HFD subunits in some tumor types or subtypes. Overexpression of NF-Y -mostly NF-YA- is oncogenic and decreases sensitivity to anti-neoplastic drugs. The specific roles of NF-YA and NF-YC isoforms generated by alternative splicing -AS- are discussed, including the prognostic value of their levels, although the specific molecular mechanisms of activity are still to be deciphered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy.
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3
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Yamanaka T, Kurosawa M, Yoshida A, Shimogori T, Hiyama A, Maity SN, Hattori N, Matsui H, Nukina N. The transcription factor NF-YA is crucial for neural progenitor maintenance during brain development. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105629. [PMID: 38199563 PMCID: PMC10839448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105629] [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] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to stage-specific transcription factors, the role of ubiquitous transcription factors in neuronal development remains a matter of scrutiny. Here, we demonstrated that a ubiquitous factor NF-Y is essential for neural progenitor maintenance during brain morphogenesis. Deletion of the NF-YA subunit in neural progenitors by using nestin-cre transgene in mice resulted in significant abnormalities in brain morphology, including a thinner cerebral cortex and loss of striatum during embryogenesis. Detailed analyses revealed a progressive decline in multiple neural progenitors in the cerebral cortex and ganglionic eminences, accompanied by induced apoptotic cell death and reduced cell proliferation. In neural progenitors, the NF-YA short isoform lacking exon 3 is dominant and co-expressed with cell cycle genes. ChIP-seq analysis from the cortex during early corticogenesis revealed preferential binding of NF-Y to the cell cycle genes, some of which were confirmed to be downregulated following NF-YA deletion. Notably, the NF-YA short isoform disappears and is replaced by its long isoform during neuronal differentiation. Forced expression of the NF-YA long isoform in neural progenitors resulted in a significant decline in neuronal count, possibly due to the suppression of cell proliferation. Collectively, we elucidated a critical role of the NF-YA short isoform in maintaining neural progenitors, possibly by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, we identified an isoform switch in NF-YA within the neuronal lineage in vivo, which may explain the stage-specific role of NF-Y during neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience of Disease, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan; Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masaru Kurosawa
- Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Yoshida
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tomomi Shimogori
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akiko Hiyama
- Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sankar N Maity
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Matsui
- Department of Neuroscience of Disease, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Nukina
- Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan; Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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4
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Vishnevsky OV, Bocharnikov AV, Ignatieva EV. Peak Scores Significantly Depend on the Relationships between Contextual Signals in ChIP-Seq Peaks. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1011. [PMID: 38256085 PMCID: PMC10816497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021011] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a central genome-wide method for in vivo analyses of DNA-protein interactions in various cellular conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the complex contextual organization of ChIP-seq peak sequences and the presence of binding sites for transcription factors in them. We assessed the dependence of the ChIP-seq peak score on the presence of different contextual signals in the peak sequences by analyzing these sequences from several ChIP-seq experiments using our fully enumerative GPU-based de novo motif discovery method, Argo_CUDA. Analysis revealed sets of significant IUPAC motifs corresponding to the binding sites of the target and partner transcription factors. For these ChIP-seq experiments, multiple regression models were constructed, demonstrating a significant dependence of the peak scores on the presence in the peak sequences of not only highly significant target motifs but also less significant motifs corresponding to the binding sites of the partner transcription factors. A significant correlation was shown between the presence of the target motifs FOXA2 and the partner motifs HNF4G, which found experimental confirmation in the scientific literature, demonstrating the important contribution of the partner transcription factors to the binding of the target transcription factor to DNA and, consequently, their important contribution to the peak score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg V. Vishnevsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Andrey V. Bocharnikov
- Department of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Elena V. Ignatieva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
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5
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Cui M, Bezprozvannaya S, Hao T, Elnwasany A, Szweda LI, Liu N, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Transcription factor NFYa controls cardiomyocyte metabolism and proliferation during mouse fetal heart development. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2867-2880.e7. [PMID: 37972593 PMCID: PMC11000264 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.10.012] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes are highly metabolic cells responsible for generating the contractile force in the heart. During fetal development and regeneration, these cells actively divide but lose their proliferative activity in adulthood. The mechanisms that coordinate their metabolism and proliferation are not fully understood. Here, we study the role of the transcription factor NFYa in developing mouse hearts. Loss of NFYa alters cardiomyocyte composition, causing a decrease in immature regenerative cells and an increase in trabecular and mature cardiomyocytes, as identified by spatial and single-cell transcriptome analyses. NFYa-deleted cardiomyocytes exhibited reduced proliferation and impaired mitochondrial metabolism, leading to cardiac growth defects and embryonic death. NFYa, interacting with cofactor SP2, activates genes linking metabolism and proliferation at the transcription level. Our study identifies a nodal role of NFYa in regulating prenatal cardiac growth and a previously unrecognized transcriptional control mechanism of heart metabolism, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial metabolism during heart development and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Svetlana Bezprozvannaya
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tian Hao
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Abdallah Elnwasany
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Luke I Szweda
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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6
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Imbriano C, Moresi V, Belluti S, Renzini A, Cavioli G, Maretti E, Molinari S. Epitranscriptomics as a New Layer of Regulation of Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle: Known Functions and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15161. [PMID: 37894843 PMCID: PMC10606696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015161] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics refers to post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via RNA modifications and editing that affect RNA functions. Many kinds of modifications of mRNA have been described, among which are N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), pseudouridine (Ψ), and 5-methylcytidine (m5C). They alter mRNA structure and consequently stability, localization and translation efficiency. Perturbation of the epitranscriptome is associated with human diseases, thus opening the opportunity for potential manipulations as a therapeutic approach. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the functional roles of epitranscriptomic marks in the skeletal muscle system, in particular in embryonic myogenesis, muscle cell differentiation and muscle homeostasis processes. Further, we explored high-throughput epitranscriptome sequencing data to identify RNA chemical modifications in muscle-specific genes and we discuss the possible functional role and the potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Viviana Moresi
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (CNR-NANOTEC), University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00181 Rome, Italy;
| | - Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Alessandra Renzini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgia Cavioli
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Eleonora Maretti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Susanna Molinari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (E.M.)
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7
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Rigillo G, Belluti S, Campani V, Ragazzini G, Ronzio M, Miserocchi G, Bighi B, Cuoghi L, Mularoni V, Zappavigna V, Dolfini D, Mercatali L, Alessandrini A, Imbriano C. The NF-Y splicing signature controls hybrid EMT and ECM-related pathways to promote aggressiveness of colon cancer. Cancer Lett 2023:216262. [PMID: 37307894 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant splicing events are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and provide new opportunities for tumor diagnosis and treatment. The expression of the splice variants of NF-YA, the DNA binding subunit of the transcription factor NF-Y, is deregulated in multiple cancer types compared to healthy tissues. NF-YAs and NF-YAl isoforms differ in the transactivation domain, which may result in distinct transcriptional programs. In this study, we demonstrated that the NF-YAl transcript is higher in aggressive mesenchymal CRCs and predicts shorter patients' survival. In 2D and 3D conditions, CRC cells overexpressing NF-YAl (NF-YAlhigh) exhibit reduced cell proliferation, rapid single cell amoeboid-like migration, and form irregular spheroids with poor cell-to-cell adhesion. Compared to NF-YAshigh, NF-YAlhigh cells show changes in the transcription of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix and cell adhesion. NF-YAl and NF-YAs bind similarly to the promoter of the E-cadherin gene, but oppositely regulate its transcription. The increased metastatic potential of NF-YAlhigh cells in vivo was confirmed in zebrafish xenografts. These results suggest that the NF-YAl splice variant could be a new CRC prognostic factor and that splice-switching strategies may reduce metastatic CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Virginia Campani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Gregorio Ragazzini
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bighi
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Cuoghi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Mularoni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Zappavigna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Andrea Alessandrini
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Modena, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy.
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8
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Lan Q, Deng Q, Qi S, Zhang Y, Li Z, Yin S, Li Y, Tan H, Wu M, Yin Y, He J, Liu M. Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identified Variants Associated with Body Measurement and Reproduction Traits in Shaziling Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:522. [PMID: 36833449 PMCID: PMC9957351 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increasing popularity of genomic sequencing, breeders pay more attention to identifying the crucial molecular markers and quantitative trait loci for improving the body size and reproduction traits that could affect the production efficiency of pig-breeding enterprises. Nevertheless, for the Shaziling pig, a well-known indigenous breed in China, the relationship between phenotypes and their corresponding genetic architecture remains largely unknown. Herein, in the Shaziling population, a total of 190 samples were genotyped using the Geneseek Porcine 50K SNP Chip, obtaining 41857 SNPs for further analysis. For phenotypes, two body measurement traits and four reproduction traits in the first parity from the 190 Shaziling sows were measured and recorded, respectively. Subsequently, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) between the SNPs and the six phenotypes was performed. The correlation between body size and reproduction phenotypes was not statistically significant. A total of 31 SNPs were found to be associated with body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), number of healthy births (NHB), and number of stillborns (NSB). Gene annotation for those candidate SNPs identified 18 functional genes, such as GLP1R, NFYA, NANOG, COX7A2, BMPR1B, FOXP1, SLC29A1, CNTNAP4, and KIT, which exert important roles in skeletal morphogenesis, chondrogenesis, obesity, and embryonic and fetal development. These findings are helpful to better understand the genetic mechanism for body size and reproduction phenotypes, while the phenotype-associated SNPs could be used as the molecular markers for the pig breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Qiuchun Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Shijin Qi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yuebo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Zhi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Shishu Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yulian Li
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Hong Tan
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Maisheng Wu
- Xiang Dong Experiment Station, Hunan Provincial Pig Industrial Technology System, Xiangtan 411100, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South-Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Jun He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Mei Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Foshan 528226, China
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9
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Xia F, Wang Y, Xue M, Zhu L, Jia D, Shi Y, Gao Y, Li L, Li Y, Chen S, Xu G, Yuan D, Yuan C. LncRNA KCNQ1OT1: Molecular mechanisms and pathogenic roles in human diseases. Genes Dis 2022; 9:1556-1565. [PMID: 36157505 PMCID: PMC9485204 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit a length more than 200 nucleotides and they are characterized by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) not encoded into proteins. Over the past few years, the role and development of lncRNAs have aroused the rising attention of researchers. To be specific, KCNQ1OT1, the KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1, is clearly classified as a regulatory ncRNA. KCNQ1OT1 is capable of interacting with miRNAs, RNAs and proteins, thereby affecting gene expression and various cell functions (e.g., cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, viability, autophagy and inflammation). KCNQ1OT1 is dysregulated in a wide range of human diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and cataract), and it is speculated to act as a therapeutic target for treating various human diseases. On the whole, this review aims to explore the biological functions, underlying mechanisms and pathogenic roles of KCNQ1OT1 in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqi Xia
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Mengzhen Xue
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Leiqi Zhu
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Dengke Jia
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yue Shi
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yan Gao
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Luoying Li
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yuanyang Li
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Silong Chen
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Guangfu Xu
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Ding Yuan
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.,Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Chengfu Yuan
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.,Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumour Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
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10
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Belluti S, Semeghini V, Rigillo G, Ronzio M, Benati D, Torricelli F, Reggiani Bonetti L, Carnevale G, Grisendi G, Ciarrocchi A, Dominici M, Recchia A, Dolfini D, Imbriano C. Alternative splicing of NF-YA promotes prostate cancer aggressiveness and represents a new molecular marker for clinical stratification of patients. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:362. [PMID: 34782004 PMCID: PMC8594157 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02166-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approaches based on expression signatures of prostate cancer (PCa) have been proposed to predict patient outcomes and response to treatments. The transcription factor NF-Y participates to the progression from benign epithelium to both localized and metastatic PCa and is associated with aggressive transcriptional profile. The gene encoding for NF-YA, the DNA-binding subunit of NF-Y, produces two alternatively spliced transcripts, NF-YAs and NF-YAl. Bioinformatic analyses pointed at NF-YA splicing as a key transcriptional signature to discriminate between different tumor molecular subtypes. In this study, we aimed to determine the pathophysiological role of NF-YA splice variants in PCa and their association with aggressive subtypes. METHODS Data on the expression of NF-YA isoforms were extracted from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database of tumor prostate tissues and validated in prostate cell lines. Lentiviral transduction and CRISPR-Cas9 technology allowed the modulation of the expression of NF-YA splice variants in PCa cells. We characterized 3D cell cultures through in vitro assays and RNA-seq profilings. We used the rank-rank hypergeometric overlap approach to identify concordant/discordant gene expression signatures of NF-YAs/NF-YAl-overexpressing cells and human PCa patients. We performed in vivo studies in SHO-SCID mice to determine pathological and molecular phenotypes of NF-YAs/NF-YAl xenograft tumors. RESULTS NF-YA depletion affects the tumorigenic potential of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Elevated NF-YAs levels are associated to aggressive PCa specimens, defined by Gleason Score and TNM classification. NF-YAl overexpression increases cell motility, while NF-YAs enhances cell proliferation in PCa 3D spheroids and xenograft tumors. The transcriptome of NF-YAs-spheroids has an extensive overlap with localized and metastatic human PCa signatures. According to PCa PAM50 classification, NF-YAs transcript levels are higher in LumB, characterized by poor prognosis compared to LumA and basal subtypes. A significant decrease in NF-YAs/NF-YAl ratio distinguishes PCa circulating tumor cells from cancer cells in metastatic sites, consistently with pro-migratory function of NF-YAl. Stratification of patients based on NF-YAs expression is predictive of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our results indicate that the modulation of NF-YA isoforms affects prostate pathophysiological processes and contributes to cancer-relevant phenotype, in vitro and in vivo. Evaluation of NF-YA splicing may represent a new molecular strategy for risk assessment of PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Semeghini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Benati
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luca Reggiani Bonetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, Division of Pathology, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Carnevale
- Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Grisendi
- Laboratory of Cellular Therapy, Program of Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Laboratory of Cellular Therapy, Program of Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Recchia
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy.
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11
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Rigillo G, Basile V, Belluti S, Ronzio M, Sauta E, Ciarrocchi A, Latella L, Saclier M, Molinari S, Vallarola A, Messina G, Mantovani R, Dolfini D, Imbriano C. The transcription factor NF-Y participates to stem cell fate decision and regeneration in adult skeletal muscle. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6013. [PMID: 34650038 PMCID: PMC8516959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26293-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor NF-Y promotes cell proliferation and its activity often declines during differentiation through the regulation of NF-YA, the DNA binding subunit of the complex. In stem cell compartments, the shorter NF-YA splice variant is abundantly expressed and sustains their expansion. Here, we report that satellite cells, the stem cell population of adult skeletal muscle necessary for its growth and regeneration, express uniquely the longer NF-YA isoform, majorly associated with cell differentiation. Through the generation of a conditional knock out mouse model that selectively deletes the NF-YA gene in satellite cells, we demonstrate that NF-YA expression is fundamental to preserve the pool of muscle stem cells and ensures robust regenerative response to muscle injury. In vivo and ex vivo, satellite cells that survive to NF-YA loss exit the quiescence and are rapidly committed to early differentiation, despite delayed in the progression towards later states. In vitro results demonstrate that NF-YA-depleted muscle stem cells accumulate DNA damage and cannot properly differentiate. These data highlight a new scenario in stem cell biology for NF-Y activity, which is required for efficient myogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Basile
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sauta
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lucia Latella
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Italian National Research Council and Epigenetics and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marielle Saclier
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Molinari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Vallarola
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Graziella Messina
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy.
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12
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Live cell dynamics of the NF-Y transcription factor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10992. [PMID: 34040015 PMCID: PMC8155045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90081-1] [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: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are core players in the control of gene expression, evolutionarily selected to recognise a subset of specific DNA sequences and nucleate the recruitment of the transcriptional machinery. How TFs assemble and move in the nucleus to locate and bind their DNA targets and cause a transcriptional response, remains mostly unclear. NF-Y is a highly conserved, heterotrimeric TF with important roles in both housekeeping and lineage-specific gene expression, functioning as a promoter organiser. Despite a large number of biochemical, structural and genomic studies of NF-Y, there is a lack of experiments in single living cells; therefore, basic assumptions of NF-Y biology remain unproven in vivo. Here we employ a series of dynamic fluorescence microscopy methods (FLIM-FRET, NB, RICS and FRAP) to study NF-Y dynamics and complex formation in live cells. Specifically, we provide quantitative measurement of NF-Y subunit association and diffusion kinetics in the nucleus that collectively suggest NF-Y to move and bind chromatin as a trimeric complex in vivo.
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13
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Gene expression profiling in neuronal cells identifies a different type of transcriptome modulated by NF-Y. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21714. [PMID: 33303918 PMCID: PMC7728767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A heterotrimeric transcription factor NF-Y is crucial for cell-cycle progression in various types of cells. In contrast, studies using NF-YA knockout mice have unveiled its essential role in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in neuronal cells. However, whether NF-Y modulates a different transcriptome to mediate distinct cellular functions remains obscure. Here, we knocked down NF-Y in two types of neuronal cells, neuro2a neuroblastoma cells and mouse brain striatal cells, and performed gene expression profiling. We found that down-regulated genes preferentially contained NF-Y-binding motifs in their proximal promoters, and notably enriched genes related to ER functions rather than those for cell cycle. This contrasts with the profiling data of HeLa and embryonic stem cells in which distinct down-regulation of cell cycle-related genes was observed. Clustering analysis further identified several functional clusters where populations of the down-regulated genes were highly distinct. Further analyses using chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA-seq data revealed that the transcriptomic difference was not correlated with DNA binding of NF-Y but with splicing of NF-YA. These data suggest that neuronal cells have a different type of transcriptome in which ER-related genes are dominantly modulated by NF-Y, and imply that NF-YA splicing alteration could be involved in this cell type-specific gene modulation.
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Libetti D, Bernardini A, Sertic S, Messina G, Dolfini D, Mantovani R. The Switch from NF-YAl to NF-YAs Isoform Impairs Myotubes Formation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030789. [PMID: 32214056 PMCID: PMC7140862 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-YA, the regulatory subunit of the trimeric transcription factor (TF) NF-Y, is regulated by alternative splicing (AS) generating two major isoforms, “long” (NF-YAl) and “short” (NF-YAs). Muscle cells express NF-YAl. We ablated exon 3 in mouse C2C12 cells by a four-guide CRISPR/Cas9n strategy, obtaining clones expressing exclusively NF-YAs (C2-YAl-KO). C2-YAl-KO cells grow normally, but are unable to differentiate. Myogenin and—to a lesser extent, MyoD— levels are substantially lower in C2-YAl-KO, before and after differentiation. Expression of the fusogenic Myomaker and Myomixer genes, crucial for the early phases of the process, is not induced. Myomaker and Myomixer promoters are bound by MyoD and Myogenin, and Myogenin overexpression induces their expression in C2-YAl-KO. NF-Y inactivation reduces MyoD and Myogenin, but not directly: the Myogenin promoter is CCAAT-less, and the canonical CCAAT of the MyoD promoter is not bound by NF-Y in vivo. We propose that NF-YAl, but not NF-YAs, maintains muscle commitment by indirectly regulating Myogenin and MyoD expression in C2C12 cells. These experiments are the first genetic evidence that the two NF-YA isoforms have functionally distinct roles.
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15
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Belluti S, Rigillo G, Imbriano C. Transcription Factors in Cancer: When Alternative Splicing Determines Opposite Cell Fates. Cells 2020; 9:E760. [PMID: 32244895 PMCID: PMC7140685 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a finely regulated mechanism for transcriptome and proteome diversification in eukaryotic cells. Correct balance between AS isoforms takes part in molecular mechanisms that properly define spatiotemporal and tissue specific transcriptional programs in physiological conditions. However, several diseases are associated to or even caused by AS alterations. In particular, multiple AS changes occur in cancer cells and sustain the oncogenic transcriptional program. Transcription factors (TFs) represent a key class of proteins that control gene expression by direct binding to DNA regulatory elements. AS events can generate cancer-associated TF isoforms with altered activity, leading to sustained proliferative signaling, differentiation block and apoptosis resistance, all well-known hallmarks of cancer. In this review, we focus on how AS can produce TFs isoforms with opposite transcriptional activities or antagonistic functions that severely impact on cancer biology. This summary points the attention to the relevance of the analysis of TFs splice variants in cancer, which can allow patients stratification despite the presence of interindividual genetic heterogeneity. Recurrent TFs variants that give advantage to specific cancer types not only open the opportunity to use AS transcripts as clinical biomarkers but also guide the development of new anti-cancer strategies in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (G.R.)
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SSEA3 and Sialyl Lewis a Glycan Expression Is Controlled by B3GALT5 LTR through Lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 Signaling in Human ES Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010177. [PMID: 31936807 PMCID: PMC7017369 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
B3GALT5 is involved in the synthesis of embryonic stem (ES) cell marker glycan, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA3). This gene has three native promoters and an integrated retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. We found that B3GALT5-LTR is expressed at high levels in human ES cells. B3GALT5-LTR is also involved in the synthesis of the cancer-associated glycan, sialyl Lewis a. Sialyl Lewis a is expressed in ES cells and its expression decreases upon differentiation. Retinoic acid induced differentiation of ES cells, decreased the short form of NFYA (NFYAs), increased phosphorylation of STAT3, and decreased B3GALT5-LTR expression. NFYAs activated, and constitutively-active STAT3 (STAT3C) repressed B3GALT5-LTR promoter. The NFYAs and STAT3C effects were eliminated when their binding sites were deleted. Retinoic acid decreased the binding of NFYA to B3GALT5-LTR promoter and increased phospho-STAT3 binding. Lamin A repressed NFYAs and SSEA3 expression. SSEA3 repression mediated by a SIRT1 inhibitor was reversed by a STAT3 inhibitor. Repression of SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis mediated by retinoic acid was partially reversed by lamin A short interfering RNA (siRNA) and a STAT3 inhibitor. In conclusion, B3GALT5-LTR is regulated by lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 signaling that regulates SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis in ES cells, and sialyl Lewis a is also a ES cell marker.
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Cappabianca L, Farina AR, Di Marcotullio L, Infante P, De Simone D, Sebastiano M, Mackay AR. Discovery, characterization and potential roles of a novel NF-YAx splice variant in human neuroblastoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:482. [PMID: 31805994 PMCID: PMC6896337 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1481-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Identification of novel cancer-associated splice variants is of potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic importance. NF-Y transcription factor is comprised of NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC subunits, binds inverted CCAAT-boxes in ≈70% of gene promoters, regulates > 1000 cancer-associated genes and proteins involved in proliferation, staminality, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism and is subject to component alternative splicing. RT-PCR evaluation of alternative NF-YA splicing in primary human neuroblastomas (NBs), led to discovery of a novel NF-YAx splice variant, also expressed during mouse embryo development and induced by doxorubicin in NB cells. Here, we report the discovery and characterisation of NF-YAx and discus its potential roles in NB. Methods NF-YAx cDNA was RT-PCR-cloned from a stage 3 NB (provided by the Italian Association of Haematology and Paediatric Oncology, Genova, IT), sequenced and expressed as a protein using standard methods and compared to known fully-spliced NF-YAl and exon B-skipped NF-YAs isoforms in: EMSAs for capacity to form NF-Y complexes; by co-transfection, co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting for capacity to bind Sp1; by IF for localisation; in AO/EtBr cell-death and colony formation assays for relative cytotoxicity, and by siRNA knockdown, use of inhibitors and Western blotting for potential mechanisms of action. Stable SH-SY5Y transfectants of all three NF-YA isoforms were also propagated and compared by RT-PCR and Western blotting for differences in cell-death and stem cell (SC)-associated gene expression, in cell-death assays for sensitivity to doxorubicin and in in vitro proliferation, substrate-independent growth and in vivo tumour xenograft assays for differences in growth and tumourigenic capacity. Results NF-YAx was characterized as a novel variant with NF-YA exons B, D and partial F skipping, detected in 20% of NF-YA positive NBs, was the exclusive isoform in a stage 3 NB, expressed in mouse stage E11.5–14 embryos and induced by doxorubicin in SH-SY5Y NB cells. The NF-YAx protein exhibited nuclear localisation, competed with other isoforms in CCAAT box-binding NF-Y complexes but, in contrast to other isoforms, did not bind Sp1. NF-YAx expression in neural-related progenitor and NB cells repressed Bmi1 expression, induced KIF1Bβ expression and promoted KIF1Bβ-dependent necroptosis but in NB cells also selected tumourigenic, doxorubicin-resistant, CSC-like sub-populations, resistant to NF-YAx cytotoxicity. Conclusions The discovery of NF-YAx in NBs, its expression in mouse embryos and induction by doxorubicin in NB cells, unveils a novel NF-YA splice mechanism and variant, regulated by and involved in development, genotoxic-stress and NB. NF-YAx substitution of other isoforms in NF-Y complexes and loss of capacity to bind Sp1, characterises this novel isoform as a functional modifier of NF-Y and its promotion of KIF1Bβ-dependent neural-lineage progenitor and NB cell necroptosis, association with doxorubicin-induced necroptosis and expression in mouse embryos coinciding with KIF1Bβ-dependent sympathetic neuroblast-culling, confirm a cytotoxic function and potential role in suppressing NB initiation. On the other hand, the in vitro selection of CSC-like NB subpopulations resistant to NF-YAx cytotoxicity not only helps to explain high-level exclusive NF-YAx expression in a stage 3 NB but also supports a role for NF-YAx in disease progression and identifies a potential doxorubicin-inducible mechanism for post-therapeutic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cappabianca
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rosella Farina
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nanoscience @ Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele De Simone
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michela Sebastiano
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrew Reay Mackay
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Dolfini D, Minuzzo M, Sertic S, Mantovani R. NF-YA overexpression protects from glutamine deprivation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1867:118571. [PMID: 31706909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The heterotrimeric transcription factor NF-Y binds to CCAAT boxes of genes of glutamine metabolism. We set out to study the role of the regulatory NF-YA subunit in this pathway. We produced U2OS and A549 clones stably overexpressing -OE- the two splicing isoforms of NF-YA. NF-YA OE cells show normal growth and colony formation rates, but they become resistant to cell death upon glutamine deprivation. Increased mRNA and protein expression of the key biosynthetic enzyme GLUL in U2OS entails increased production of endogenous glutamine upon deprivation. The use of GLUL inhibitors dampens the NF-YA-mediated effect. NF-YA OE prevents activation of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP/DDIT3. Elevated basal levels of SERCA1/2, coding for the molecular target of Thapsigargin, correlate with resistance of NF-YA OE cells to the drug. The work represents a proof-of-principle that elevated levels of NF-YA, as found in some tumor types, helps altering cancer metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Mario Minuzzo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sarah Sertic
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Potent Anti-Cancer Properties of Phthalimide-Based Curcumin Derivatives on Prostate Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010028. [PMID: 30577600 PMCID: PMC6337497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010028] [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: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is commonly treated with chemotherapy, whose effect is less than satisfactory. This raised the need for novel agents for the treatment of prostate cancer. In the present study, five phthalimide-based curcumin derivatives were synthesized and completely characterized to assess improved stability, pharmacodynamics, and radical scavenging ability. To investigate the potential application in anti-cancer therapy, the anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized molecules was determined on aggressive prostate tumor cells. We demonstrated that the K3F21 derivative has increased potency compared to curcumin, in terms of GI50, anti-proliferative and anti-migrating activities. K3F21 inhibits anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of prostate cancer cells by altering the expression of key genes controlling cell proliferation, such as Cylins D1, B1 and B2, and apoptosis, among which Puma, Noxa, and Bcl-2 family members. Finally, the anti-cancer activity of K3F21 was demonstrated by the analysis of cancer-associated PI3K/AKT, ERK, and p38 signaling pathways.
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Libetti D, Bernardini A, Chiaramonte ML, Minuzzo M, Gnesutta N, Messina G, Dolfini D, Mantovani R. NF-YA enters cells through cell penetrating peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1866:430-440. [PMID: 30296497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cell Penetrating Peptides -CPPs- are short aminoacidic stretches present in proteins that have the ability to translocate the plasma membrane and facilitate delivery of various molecules. They are usually rich in basic residues, and organized as alpha helices. NF-Y is a transcription factor heterotrimer formed by two Histone Fold Domain -HFD- subunits and the sequence-specific NF-YA. NF-YA possesses two α-helices rich in basic residues. We show that it efficiently enters cells at nanomolar concentrations in the absence of carrier peptides. Mutagenesis identified at least two separate CPPs in the A1 and A2, which overlap with previously identified nuclear localization signals (NLS). The half-life of the transduced protein is short in human cancer cells, longer in mouse C2C12 myoblasts. The internalized NF-YA is capable of trimerization with the HFD subunits and binding to the target CCAAT box. Functionality is further suggested by protein transfection in C2C12 cells, leading to inhibition of differentiation to myotubes. In conclusion, NF-YA contains CPPs, hinting at novel -and unexpected- properties of this subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Libetti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernardini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Chiaramonte
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Minuzzo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Graziella Messina
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Belluti S, Semeghini V, Basile V, Rigillo G, Salsi V, Genovese F, Dolfini D, Imbriano C. An autoregulatory loop controls the expression of the transcription factor NF-Y. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:509-518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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LINC01016 promotes the malignant phenotype of endometrial cancer cells by regulating the miR-302a-3p/miR-3130-3p/NFYA/SATB1 axis. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:303. [PMID: 29467441 PMCID: PMC5833433 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0291-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression and are tightly associated with the phenotypes of numerous cancers. However, the functional roles underlying these effects are unknown. The expression levels of LINC01016, miR-302a-3p, miR-3130-3p, NFYA, and SATB1 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 33 endometrial cancer tissues and 20 normal tissues. Bioinformatics analyses, luciferase reporter analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, and qRT-PCR assays were performed to verify potential binding sites. The qRT-PCR and western blot were used to identify the regulatory mechanisms of LINC01016 in cell biological behavior, which were also examined by cell counting kit -8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, flow cytometry, wound healing assays, and transwell assays. LINC01016 was substantially upregulated in endometrial cancer tissues, and LINC01016 silencing abolished the malignant behavior of endometrial cancer cells. LINC01016 positively rescued the downstream gene nuclear factor YA (NFYA) by competitively “sponging” miR-302a-3p and miR-3130-3p. In turn, these two miRNAs could inhibit LINC01016 transcription, thus forming two reciprocal repression cycles, which influenced the biological behavior of endometrial cancer cells. MiR-302a-3p and miR-3130-3p could specifically bind with the 3′-UTR regions of NFYA, and NFYA could upregulate the expression of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) as a transcriptional factor. This study was the first to show that the LINC01016–miR-302a-3p/miR-3130-3p/NFYA/SATB1 axis played a crucial role in the occurrence of endometrial cancer. These findings may provide relevant insights into the diagnosis and therapy of endometrial cancer.
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Imbriano C, Molinari S. Alternative Splicing of Transcription Factors Genes in Muscle Physiology and Pathology. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9020107. [PMID: 29463057 PMCID: PMC5852603 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle formation is a multi-step process that is governed by complex networks of transcription factors. The regulation of their functions is in turn multifaceted, including several mechanisms, among them alternative splicing (AS) plays a primary role. On the other hand, altered AS has a role in the pathogenesis of numerous muscular pathologies. Despite these premises, the causal role played by the altered splicing pattern of transcripts encoding myogenic transcription factors in neuromuscular diseases has been neglected so far. In this review, we systematically investigate what has been described about the AS patterns of transcription factors both in the physiology of the skeletal muscle formation process and in neuromuscular diseases, in the hope that this may be useful in re-evaluating the potential role of altered splicing of transcription factors in such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Imbriano
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Modena, Italy.
| | - Susanna Molinari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Modena, Italy.
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Welch RD, Guo C, Sengupta M, Carpenter KJ, Stephens NA, Arnett SA, Meyers MJ, Sparks LM, Smith SR, Zhang J, Burris TP, Flaveny CA. Rev-Erb co-regulates muscle regeneration via tethered interaction with the NF-Y cistrome. Mol Metab 2017; 6:703-714. [PMID: 28702326 PMCID: PMC5485243 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength are a central feature of traumatic injury and degenerative myopathies. Unfortunately, pharmacological interventions typically fail to stem the long-term decline in quality of life. Reduced Rev-Erb-mediated gene suppression in cultured C2C12 myoblasts has been shown to stimulate myoblast differentiation. Yet the mechanisms that allow Rev-Erb to pleiotropically inhibit muscle differentiation are not well understood. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of Rev-Erb in the regulation of muscle differentiation and regeneration in vivo. METHODS Using Rev-Erbα/β shRNAs, pharmacological ligands, and Rev-Erbα null and heterozygous mice, we probed the mechanism of Rev-Erbα/β regulation of muscle differentiation and muscle regeneration. RESULTS ChIP seq analysis of Rev-Erb in differentiating myoblasts showed that Rev-Erbα did not transcriptionally regulate muscle differentiation through cognate Rev-Erb/ROR-response elements but through possible interaction with the cell fate regulator NF-Y at CCAAT-motifs. Muscle differentiation is stimulated by Rev-Erb release from CCAAT-motifs at promoter and enhancer elements of a number of myogenesis proteins. Partial loss of Rev-Erb expression in mice heterozygous for Rev-Erbα accelerated muscle repair in vivo whereas Rev-Erb knockout mice showed deficiencies in regenerative repair compared to wild type mice. These phenotypic differences between heterozygous and knockout mice were not apparently dependent on MRF induction in response to injury. Similarly, pharmacological disruption of Rev-Erb suppressive activity in injured muscle accelerated regenerative repair in response to acute injury. CONCLUSIONS Disrupting Rev-Erb activity in injured muscle accelerates regenerative muscle repair/differentiation through transcriptional de-repression of myogenic programs. Rev-Erb, therefore, may be a potent therapeutic target for a myriad of muscular disorders.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Animals
- CCAAT-Binding Factor/genetics
- CCAAT-Binding Factor/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation
- Cells, Cultured
- Female
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Skeletal/cytology
- Muscle, Skeletal/injuries
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy/etiology
- Muscular Atrophy/metabolism
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/cytology
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/metabolism
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/physiology
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1/metabolism
- Regeneration
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D. Welch
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Chun Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Monideepa Sengupta
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Katherine J. Carpenter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Natalie A. Stephens
- Translational Research Institutes of Metabolism and Diabetes, Florida Hospital and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, FL 32804, USA
| | - Stacy A. Arnett
- Center for World Health and Medicine at Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Marvin J. Meyers
- Center for World Health and Medicine at Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Lauren M. Sparks
- Translational Research Institutes of Metabolism and Diabetes, Florida Hospital and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, FL 32804, USA
| | - Steven R. Smith
- Translational Research Institutes of Metabolism and Diabetes, Florida Hospital and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, FL 32804, USA
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Thomas P. Burris
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Colin A. Flaveny
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
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25
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Gurtner A, Manni I, Piaggio G. NF-Y in cancer: Impact on cell transformation of a gene essential for proliferation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1860:604-616. [PMID: 27939755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
NF-Y is a ubiquitous heterotrimeric transcription factor with a binding affinity for the CCAAT consensus motif, one of the most common cis-acting element in the promoter and enhancer regions of eukaryote genes in direct (CCAAT) or reverse (ATTGG) orientation. NF-Y consists of three subunits, NF-YA, the regulatory subunit of the trimer, NF-YB, and NF-YC, all required for CCAAT binding. Growing evidence in cells and animal models support the notion that NF-Y, driving transcription of a plethora of cell cycle regulatory genes, is a key player in the regulation of proliferation. Proper control of cellular growth is critical for cancer prevention and uncontrolled proliferation is a hallmark of cancer cells. Indeed, during cell transformation aberrant molecular pathways disrupt mechanisms controlling proliferation and many growth regulatory genes are altered in tumors. Here, we review bioinformatics, molecular and functional evidence indicating the involvement of the cell cycle regulator NF-Y in cancer-associated pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymone Gurtner
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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26
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Maity SN. NF-Y (CBF) regulation in specific cell types and mouse models. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1860:598-603. [PMID: 27815195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The CCAAT-binding factor CBF/NF-Y is needed for cell proliferation and early embryonic development. NF-Y can regulate the expression of different cell type-specific genes that are activated by various physiological signaling pathways. Dysregulation of NF-Y was observed in pathogenic conditions in humans such as scleroderma, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. Conditional inactivation of the NF-YA gene in mice demonstrated that NF-Y activity is essential for normal tissue homeostasis, survival, and metabolic function. Altogether, NF-Y is an essential transcription factor that plays a critical role in mammalian development, from the early stages to adulthood, and in human pathogenesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankar N Maity
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.
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27
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Baruffaldi F, Montarras D, Basile V, De Feo L, Badodi S, Ganassi M, Battini R, Nicoletti C, Imbriano C, Musarò A, Molinari S. Dynamic Phosphorylation of the Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2Cα1 Splice Variant Promotes Skeletal Muscle Regeneration and Hypertrophy. Stem Cells 2016; 35:725-738. [PMID: 27612437 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor MEF2C (Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2C) plays an established role in the early steps of myogenic differentiation. However, the involvement of MEF2C in adult myogenesis and in muscle regeneration has not yet been systematically investigated. Alternative splicing of mammalian MEF2C transcripts gives rise to two mutually exclusive protein variants: MEF2Cα2 which exerts a positive control of myogenic differentiation, and MEF2Cα1, in which the α1 domain acts as trans-repressor of the MEF2C pro-differentiation activity itself. However, MEF2Cα1 variants are persistently expressed in differentiating cultured myocytes, suggesting a role in adult myogenesis. We found that overexpression of both MEF2Cα1/α2 proteins in a mouse model of muscle injury promotes muscle regeneration and hypertrophy, with each isoform promoting different stages of myogenesis. Besides the ability of MEF2Cα2 to increase differentiation, we found that overexpressed MEF2Cα1 enhances both proliferation and differentiation of primary myoblasts, and activates the AKT/mTOR/S6K anabolic signaling pathway in newly formed myofibers. The multiple activities of MEF2Cα1 are modulated by phosphorylation of Ser98 and Ser110, two amino acid residues located in the α1 domain of MEF2Cα1. These specific phosphorylations allow the interaction of MEF2Cα1 with the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase PIN1, a regulator of MEF2C functions. Overall, in this study we established a novel regulatory mechanism in which the expression and the phosphorylation of MEF2Cα1 are critically required to sustain the adult myogenesis. The described molecular mechanism will represent a new potential target for the development of therapeutical strategies to treat muscle-wasting diseases. Stem Cells 2017;35:725-738.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenza Baruffaldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Didier Montarras
- Département de Biologie du Développement et Cellules Souches, Institut Pasteur (CNRS URA 2578), Paris, France
| | - Valentina Basile
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca De Feo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Badodi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Ganassi
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, UK
| | - Renata Battini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Molinari
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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