1
|
Yousefi B, Sadoughi F, Asemi Z, Mansournia MA, Hallajzadeh J. Novel Perspectives for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers using Dysregulation of PIWI Protein and PiRNAs as Biomarkers. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:453-463. [PMID: 36786140 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230214101837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The term "gynecological cancer" is used for a group of cancers occurring in the female reproductive system. Some of these cancers are ranked as the leading causes of death in developed and developing countries. The lack of proper diagnostic strategies is one of the most important reasons that make them lethal. PIWI-interacting RNAs or piRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which contain 24-32 nucleotides. These RNAs take part in some cellular mechanisms, and their role in diverse kinds of cancer is confirmed by accumulative evidence. In this review, we gather some information on the roles of these RNAs and members of the PIWI protein family to provide new insight into accurate diagnostic biomarkers and more effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadoughi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamal Hallajzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Taverna S, Masucci A, Cammarata G. PIWI-RNAs Small Noncoding RNAs with Smart Functions: Potential Theranostic Applications in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3912. [PMID: 37568728 PMCID: PMC10417041 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a new class of small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that bind components of the PIWI protein family. piRNAs are specifically expressed in different human tissues and regulate important signaling pathways. Aberrant expressions of piRNAs and PIWI proteins have been associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Recent studies reported that piRNAs are contained in extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized lipid particles, with key roles in cell-cell communication. EVs contain several bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, including emerging ncRNAs. EVs are one of the components of liquid biopsy (LB) a non-invasive method for detecting specific molecular biomarkers in liquid samples. LB could become a crucial tool for cancer diagnosis with piRNAs as biomarkers in a precision oncology approach. This review summarizes the current findings on the roles of piRNAs in different cancer types, focusing on potential theranostic applications of piRNAs contained in EVs (EV-piRNAs). Their roles as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as new therapeutic options have been also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Taverna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Masucci
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Cammarata
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma G, Babarinde IA, Zhou X, Hutchins AP. Transposable Elements in Pluripotent Stem Cells and Human Disease. Front Genet 2022; 13:902541. [PMID: 35719395 PMCID: PMC9201960 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.902541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can randomly integrate into other genomic sites. They have successfully replicated and now occupy around 40% of the total DNA sequence in humans. TEs in the genome have a complex relationship with the host cell, being both potentially deleterious and advantageous at the same time. Only a tiny minority of TEs are still capable of transposition, yet their fossilized sequence fragments are thought to be involved in various molecular processes, such as gene transcriptional activity, RNA stability and subcellular localization, and chromosomal architecture. TEs have also been implicated in biological processes, although it is often hard to reveal cause from correlation due to formidable technical issues in analyzing TEs. In this review, we compare and contrast two views of TE activity: one in the pluripotent state, where TEs are broadly beneficial, or at least mechanistically useful, and a second state in human disease, where TEs are uniformly considered harmful.
Collapse
|
4
|
Transposable Elements and Human Diseases: Mechanisms and Implication in the Response to Environmental Pollutants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052551. [PMID: 35269693 PMCID: PMC8910135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are recognized as major players in genome plasticity and evolution. The high abundance of TEs in the human genome, especially the Alu and Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE-1) repeats, makes them responsible for the molecular origin of several diseases. This involves several molecular mechanisms that are presented in this review: insertional mutation, DNA recombination and chromosomal rearrangements, modification of gene expression, as well as alteration of epigenetic regulations. This literature review also presents some of the more recent and/or more classical examples of human diseases in which TEs are involved. Whether through insertion of LINE-1 or Alu elements that cause chromosomal rearrangements, or through epigenetic modifications, TEs are widely implicated in the origin of human cancers. Many other human diseases can have a molecular origin in TE-mediated chromosomal recombination or alteration of gene structure and/or expression. These diseases are very diverse and include hemoglobinopathies, metabolic and neurological diseases, and common diseases. Moreover, TEs can also have an impact on aging. Finally, the exposure of individuals to stresses and environmental contaminants seems to have a non-negligible impact on the epigenetic derepression and mobility of TEs, which can lead to the development of diseases. Thus, improving our knowledge of TEs may lead to new potential diagnostic markers of diseases.
Collapse
|
5
|
Garcia-Venzor A, Toiber D. SIRT6 Through the Brain Evolution, Development, and Aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:747989. [PMID: 34720996 PMCID: PMC8548377 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.747989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During an organism's lifespan, two main phenomena are critical for the organism's survival. These are (1) a proper embryonic development, which permits the new organism to function with high fitness, grow and reproduce, and (2) the aging process, which will progressively undermine its competence and fitness for survival, leading to its death. Interestingly these processes present various similarities at the molecular level. Notably, as organisms became more complex, regulation of these processes became coordinated by the brain, and failure in brain activity is detrimental in both development and aging. One of the critical processes regulating brain health is the capacity to keep its genomic integrity and epigenetic regulation-deficiency in DNA repair results in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. As the brain becomes more complex, this effect becomes more evident. In this perspective, we will analyze how the brain evolved and became critical for human survival and the role Sirt6 plays in brain health. Sirt6 belongs to the Sirtuin family of histone deacetylases that control several cellular processes; among them, Sirt6 has been associated with the proper embryonic development and is associated with the aging process. In humans, Sirt6 has a pivotal role during brain aging, and its loss of function is correlated with the appearance of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. However, Sirt6 roles during brain development and aging, especially the last one, are not observed in all species. It appears that during the brain organ evolution, Sirt6 has gained more relevance as the brain becomes bigger and more complex, observing the most detrimental effect in the brains of Homo sapiens. In this perspective, we part from the evolution of the brain in metazoans, the biological similarities between brain development and aging, and the relevant functions of Sirt6 in these similar phenomena to conclude with the evidence suggesting a more relevant role of Sirt6 gained in the brain evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Garcia-Venzor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Debra Toiber
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Riba A, Fumagalli MR, Caselle M, Osella M. A Model-Driven Quantitative Analysis of Retrotransposon Distributions in the Human Genome. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:2045-2059. [PMID: 32986810 PMCID: PMC7750997 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons, DNA sequences capable of creating copies of themselves, compose about half of the human genome and played a central role in the evolution of mammals. Their current position in the host genome is the result of the retrotranscription process and of the following host genome evolution. We apply a model from statistical physics to show that the genomic distribution of the two most populated classes of retrotransposons in human deviates from random placement, and that this deviation increases with time. The time dependence suggests a major role of the host genome dynamics in shaping the current retrotransposon distributions. Focusing on a neutral scenario, we show that a simple model based on random placement followed by genome expansion and sequence duplications can reproduce the empirical retrotransposon distributions, even though more complex and possibly selective mechanisms can have contributed. Besides the inherent interest in understanding the origin of current retrotransposon distributions, this work sets a general analytical framework to analyze quantitatively the effects of genome evolutionary dynamics on the distribution of genomic elements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Rita Fumagalli
- Institute of Biophysics - CNR, National Research Council, Genova, Italy.,Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Caselle
- Department of Physics and INFN, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Osella
- Department of Physics and INFN, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sadoughi F, Mirhashemi SM, Asemi Z. Epigenetic roles of PIWI proteins and piRNAs in colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:328. [PMID: 34193172 PMCID: PMC8243752 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Small non‐coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are a subgroup of non‐coding RNAs, with less than 200 nucleotides length and no potential for coding proteins. PiRNAs, a member of sncRNAs, were first discovered more than a decade ago and have attracted researcher’s attention because of their gene regulatory function both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. Recent investigations have found that the abnormal expression of these sncRNAs is involved in many human diseases, including cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC), as a common gastrointestinal malignancy, is one of the important causes of cancer‐related deaths through the entire world and appears to be a consequence of mutation in the genome and epigenetic alterations. The aim of this review is to realize whether there is a relationship between CRC and piRNAs or not.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadoughi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. of Iran
| | - Seyyed Mehdi Mirhashemi
- Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. of Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
R2 and Non-Site-Specific R2-Like Retrotransposons of the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101202. [PMID: 33076367 PMCID: PMC7650587 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural and functional organization of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and the full-length R2 non-LTR retrotransposon (integrated into a specific site of 28S ribosomal RNA genes) of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is described. A partial sequence of the R2 retrotransposon of the cockroach Rhyparobia maderae is also analyzed. The analysis of previously published next-generation sequencing data from the B. germanica genome reveals a new type of retrotransposon closely related to R2 retrotransposons but with a random distribution in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that these newly described retrotransposons form a separate clade. It is shown that proteins corresponding to the open reading frames of newly described retrotransposons exhibit unequal structural domains. Within these retrotransposons, a recombination event is described. New mechanism of transposition activity is discussed. The essential structural features of R2 retrotransposons are conserved in cockroaches and are typical of previously described R2 retrotransposons. However, the investigation of the number and frequency of 5′-truncated R2 retrotransposon insertion variants in eight B. germanica populations suggests recent mobile element activity. It is shown that the pattern of 5′-truncated R2 retrotransposon copies can be an informative molecular genetic marker for revealing genetic distances between insect populations.
Collapse
|
9
|
Park J, Ahn SH, Shin MG, Kim HK, Chang S. tRNA-Derived Small RNAs: Novel Epigenetic Regulators. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102773. [PMID: 32992597 PMCID: PMC7599909 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cells must synthesize new proteins to maintain its life and tRNA (transfer RNA) is an essential component of the translation process. tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) is a relatively uncharacterized small RNA, derived from enzymatic cleavage of the tRNAs. Accumulating evidences suggest that tsRNA is an abundant, highly modified, dynamically regulated small-RNA and interacts with other types of RNAs or proteins. Moreover, it is abnormally expressed in multiple human diseases including systemic lupus, neurological disorder, metabolic disorder and cancer, implying its diverse function in the initiation or progression of such diseases. In this review, we summarize the classification of tsRNA and its role focused on the epigenetic regulation. Further, we discuss the limitation of current knowledge about the tsRNA and its potential applications. Abstract An epigenetic change is a heritable genetic alteration that does not involve any nucleotide changes. While the methylation of specific DNA regions such as CpG islands or histone modifications, including acetylation or methylation, have been investigated in detail, the role of small RNAs in epigenetic regulation is largely unknown. Among the many types of small RNAs, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) represent a class of noncoding small RNAs with multiple roles in diverse physiological processes, including neovascularization, sperm maturation, immune modulation, and stress response. Regarding these roles, several pioneering studies have revealed that dysregulated tsRNAs are associated with human diseases, such as systemic lupus, neurological disorder, metabolic disorder, and cancer. Moreover, recent findings suggest that tsRNAs regulate the expression of critical genes linked with these diseases by a variety of mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation. In this review, we will describe different classes of tsRNAs based on their biogenesis and will focus on their role in epigenetic regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joonhyeong Park
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea; (J.P.); (M.G.S.)
| | - Se Hee Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Korea;
| | - Myung Geun Shin
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea; (J.P.); (M.G.S.)
| | - Hak Kyun Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea; (J.P.); (M.G.S.)
- Correspondence: (H.K.K.); (S.C.); Tel.: +82-2-820-5197 (H.K.K.); +82-2-3010-2095 (S.C.)
| | - Suhwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Korea;
- Department of Physiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.K.K.); (S.C.); Tel.: +82-2-820-5197 (H.K.K.); +82-2-3010-2095 (S.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Merrick BA, Phadke DP, Bostrom MA, Shah RR, Wright GM, Wang X, Gordon O, Pelch KE, Auerbach SS, Paules RS, DeVito MJ, Waalkes MP, Tokar EJ. KRAS-retroviral fusion transcripts and gene amplification in arsenic-transformed, human prostate CAsE-PE cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 397:115017. [PMID: 32344290 PMCID: PMC7606314 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CAsE-PE cells are an arsenic-transformed, human prostate epithelial line containing oncogenic mutations in KRAS compared to immortalized, normal KRAS parent cells, RWPE-1. We previously reported increased copy number of mutated KRAS in CAsE-PE cells, suggesting gene amplification. Here, KRAS flanking genomic and transcriptomic regions were sequenced in CAsE-PE cells for insight into KRAS amplification. Comparison of DNA-Seq and RNA-Seq showed increased reads from background aligning to all KRAS exons in CAsE-PE cells, while a uniform DNA-Seq read distribution occurred in RWPE-1 cells with normal transcript expression. We searched for KRAS fusions in DNA and RNA sequencing data finding a portion of reads aligning to KRAS and viral sequence. After generation of cDNA from total RNA, short and long KRAS probes were generated to hybridize cDNA and KRAS enriched fragments were PacBio sequenced. More KRAS reads were captured from CAsE-PE cDNA versus RWPE-1 by each probe set. Only CAsE-PE cDNA showed KRAS viral fusion transcripts, primarily mapping to LTR and endogenous retrovirus sequences on either 5'- or 3'-ends of KRAS. Most KRAS viral fusion transcripts contained 4 to 6 exons but some PacBio sequences were in unusual orientations, suggesting viral insertions within the gene body. Additionally, conditioned media was extracted for potential retroviral particles. RNA-Seq of culture media isolates identified KRAS retroviral fusion transcripts in CAsE-PE media only. Truncated KRAS transcripts suggested multiple retroviral integration sites occurred within the KRAS gene producing KRAS retroviral fusions of various lengths. Findings suggest activation of endogenous retroviruses in arsenic carcinogenesis should be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Alex Merrick
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States.
| | - Dhiral P Phadke
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Meredith A Bostrom
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ruchir R Shah
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Garron M Wright
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Xinguo Wang
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Oksana Gordon
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Katherine E Pelch
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Scott S Auerbach
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Richard S Paules
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael J DeVito
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael P Waalkes
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Erik J Tokar
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cheng Y, Wang Q, Jiang W, Bian Y, zhou Y, Gou A, Zhang W, Fu K, Shi W. Emerging roles of piRNAs in cancer: challenges and prospects. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:9932-9946. [PMID: 31727866 PMCID: PMC6874451 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PiRNAs are a small class of non-coding small RNAs newly discovered in recent years. Millions of piRNAs have been discovered to date, and more than 20,000 piRNA genes have been found in the human genome. Due to the relatively small number of studies related to piRNA, our understanding of piRNAs is very limited. Currently, the clear biological function of piRNAs is transposon mobilization inhibition by promoting transcript degradation and regulating chromatin formation. In addition, piRNAs can form piRNA-PIWI protein complexes with some members of the PIWI branch of the Argonaute protein. Based on these biological functions, piRNAs and PIWI proteins are important in maintaining the genomic integrity of germline cells. Because of this, the popularity of piRNAs research has been focused on its role in germline cells for a long time after the discovery of piRNAs. As the field of research expands, there is growing evidence that piRNAs and PIWI proteins are abnormally expressed in various types of cancers, which may be potential cancer biomarkers and cancer therapeutic targets. In this review, we will focus on the relationship between piRNAs and PIWI proteins and cancers based on previous research, as well as their significance in cancer detection, grading and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Cheng
- Jiangsu Research Center for Primary Health Development and General Practice Education, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yonghua Bian
- Jiangsu Research Center for Primary Health Development and General Practice Education, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Yang zhou
- Jiangsu Research Center for Primary Health Development and General Practice Education, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Anxing Gou
- Jiangsu Research Center for Primary Health Development and General Practice Education, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kai Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weihong Shi
- Jiangsu Research Center for Primary Health Development and General Practice Education, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Klimenko OV, Sidorov A. The full recovery of mice (Mus Musculus C57BL/6 strain) from virus-induced sarcoma after treatment with a complex of DDMC delivery system and sncRNAs. Noncoding RNA Res 2019; 4:69-78. [PMID: 31193489 PMCID: PMC6531865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Virus-induced cellular genetic modifications result in the development of many human cancers. Methods In our experiments, we used the RVP3 cell line, which produce primary mouse virus-induced sarcoma in 100% of cases. Inbreed 4-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were injected subcutaneously in the interscapular region with RVP3 cells. Three groups of mice were used. For treatment, one and/or two intravenous injections of a complex of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) a-miR-155, piR-30074, and miR-125b with a 2-diethylaminoethyl-dextran methyl methacrylate copolymer (DDMC) delivery system were used. The first group consisted of untreated animals (control). The second group was treated with one injection of complex DDMC/sncRNAs (1st group). The third group was treated with two injections of complex DDMC/sncRNAs (2nd group). The tumors were removed aseptically, freed of necrotic material, and used with spleen and lungs for subsequent RT-PCR and immunofluorescence experiments, or stained with Leishman-Romanowski dye. Results As a result, the mice fully recovered from virus-induced sarcoma after two treatments with a complex including the DDMC vector and a-miR-155, piR-30074, and miR-125b. In vitro studies showed genetic and morphological transformations of murine cancer cells after the injections. Conclusions Treatment of virus-induced sarcoma of mice with a-miR-155, piR-30074, and miR-125b as active component of anti-cancer complex and DDMC vector as delivery system due to epigenetic-regulated transformation of cancer cells into cells with non-cancerous physiology and morphology and full recovery of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oxana V Klimenko
- SID ALEX GROUP, Ltd., Kyselova 1185/2, Prague, 182 00, Czech Republic
| | - Alexey Sidorov
- SID ALEX GROUP, Ltd., Kyselova 1185/2, Prague, 182 00, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Weng W, Li H, Goel A. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and cancer: Emerging biological concepts and potential clinical implications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1871:160-169. [PMID: 30599187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a very recently discovered class of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), with approximately 20,000 piRNA genes already identified within the human genome. These short RNAs were originally described as key functional regulators for the germline maintenance and transposon silencing. However, due to our limited knowledge regarding their function, piRNAs were for a long time assumed to be the "dark matter" of ncRNAs in our genome. However, recent evidence has now changed our viewpoint of their biological and clinical significance in various diseases, as newly emerging data reveals that aberrant expression of piRNAs is a unique and distinct feature in many diseases, including multiple human cancers. Furthermore, their altered expression in cancer patients has been significantly associated with clinical outcomes, highlighting their important biological functional role in disease progression. Functionally, piRNAs maintain genomic integrity by silencing transposable elements, and are capable of regulating the expression of specific downstream target genes in a post-transcriptional manner. Moreover, accumulating evidences demonstrates that analogous to other small ncRNAs (e.g. miRNAs) piRNAs have both oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles in cancer development. In this article, we discuss emerging insights into roles of piRNAs in a variety of cancers, reveal new findings underpinning various mechanisms of piRNAs-mediated gene regulation, and highlight their potential clinical significance in the management of cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Weng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200090, China; Center for Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Hanhua Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Ajay Goel
- Center for Gastrointestinal Research, Center for Translational Genomics and Oncology, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Charles A Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor Research Institute and Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246-2017, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yin L, Yan J, Wang Y, Sun Q. TIGD1, a gene of unknown function, involves cell-cycle progression and correlates with poor prognosis in human cancer. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:9758-9767. [PMID: 30548305 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trigger transposable element-derived 1 (TIGD1), a human species-specific gene, was identified as a cell cycle-related differentially expressed gene during the formation of liver cancer. As far as we know, there are no reports about the function of TIGD1. This study aimed to explore the expression of TIGD1 in human cancers and establish whether elevated TIGD1 can be used as a prognostic cancer biomarker and its potential role in cancer. METHODS Molecular profiling of TIGD1 in human cancers was assessed using a series of databases, including Oncomine, COSMIC, Kaplan-Meier, UCSC, and cBioPortal. RESULTS We found that TIGD1 overexpressed in colorectal, gastric, liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers than their normal tissues and its expression might be negatively related with the prognosis. The TIGD1 coexpression genes were obtained from cBioPortal and analyzed using ClueGO plugin in Cytoscape to predict the function of TIGD1. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the elevated TIGD1 expression is coupled with a malignant survival rate in several cancers. It may play its role by regulating cell-cycle progression. These findings provide fresh insight into our understanding of TEs in cancers. As a previously unreported gene, future research is required to validate our findings and illuminate the molecular mechanisms. In conclusion, we systemically analyze the expression, prognostic value, and likely role of TIGD1, the unknown function gene, in cancer. Our finding provides evidence that TIGD1 involve in the cell cycle. These findings provide fresh insight into our understanding of TEs in cancers. Next, the detailed mechanism of TIGD1 needs to be studied in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Yin
- Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Tropical Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Tropical Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jia Yan
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Tropical Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Tropical Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qinghui Sun
- Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Tropical Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Tropical Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tobar-Tosse F, Veléz PE, Ocampo-Toro E, Moreno PA. Structure, clustering and functional insights of repeats configurations in the upstream promoter region of the human coding genes. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:862. [PMID: 30537933 PMCID: PMC6288848 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5196-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Repetitive DNA sequences (Repeats) are significant regions in the human genome that have a specific genomic distribution, structure, and several binding sites for genome architecture and function. In consequence, the possible configurations of Repeats in specific and dynamic regions like the gene promoters could define footprints for molecular mechanisms, pathways, and cell function beyond their density in the genome. Here we explored the distribution of Repeats in the upstream promoter region of the human coding genes with the aim to identify specific configurations, clusters and functional meaning of those elements. Our method includes structural descriptions, hierarchical clustering, pathway association, and functional enrichment analysis. Results We report here several configurations of Repeats in the upstream promoter region (UPR), which define 2729 patterns for the 80% of the human coding genes. There are 47 types of Repeats in these configurations, where the most frequent were Alu, Low_complexity, MIR, Simple_repeat, LINE/L2, LINE/L1, hAT-Charlie, and ERV1. The distribution, length, and the high frequency of Repeats in the UPR defines several patterns and clusters, where the minimum frequency of configuration among Repeats was higher than 0.7. We found those clusters associated with cellular pathways and ontologies; thus, it was plausible to determine groups of Repeats to specific functional insights, for example, pathways for Genetic Information Processing or Metabolism shows particular groups of Repeats with specific configurations. Conclusion Based on these findings, we propose that specific configurations of repetitive elements describe frequent patterns in the upstream promoter for sets of human coding genes, which those correlated to specific and essential cell pathways and functions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5196-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Tobar-Tosse
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Cali, Colombia
| | - Patricia E Veléz
- Departamento de Biología, FACNED, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Eliana Ocampo-Toro
- Especialización en Hematología y Oncología Clínica, Universidad Libre Seccional Cali, Cali, Colombia
| | - Pedro A Moreno
- Escuela de Ingeniería de Sistemas y Computación, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Giudice A, Crispo A, Grimaldi M, Polo A, Bimonte S, Capunzo M, Amore A, D'Arena G, Cerino P, Budillon A, Botti G, Costantini S, Montella M. The Effect of Light Exposure at Night (LAN) on Carcinogenesis via Decreased Nocturnal Melatonin Synthesis. Molecules 2018; 23:E1308. [PMID: 29844288 PMCID: PMC6100442 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, a master clock is located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a region that receives input from the retina that is transmitted by the retinohypothalamic tract. The SCN controls the nocturnal synthesis of melatonin by the pineal gland that can influence the activity of the clock's genes and be involved in the inhibition of cancer development. On the other hand, in the literature, some papers highlight that artificial light exposure at night (LAN)-induced circadian disruptions promote cancer. In the present review, we summarize the potential mechanisms by which LAN-evoked disruption of the nocturnal increase in melatonin synthesis counteracts its preventive action on human cancer development and progression. In detail, we discuss: (i) the Warburg effect related to tumor metabolism modification; (ii) genomic instability associated with L1 activity; and (iii) regulation of immunity, including regulatory T cell (Treg) regulation and activity. A better understanding of these processes could significantly contribute to new treatment and prevention strategies against hormone-related cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Giudice
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Anna Crispo
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Maria Grimaldi
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Andrea Polo
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Bimonte
- Division of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Mario Capunzo
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy.
| | - Alfonso Amore
- Abdominal Surgical Oncology and Hepatobiliary Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Giovanni D'Arena
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, IRCCS, Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM), 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Susan Costantini
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Montella
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
New explanation for the longevity of social insect reproductives: Transposable element activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:5317-5318. [PMID: 29735706 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1806014115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
|
18
|
Platt RN, Vandewege MW, Ray DA. Mammalian transposable elements and their impacts on genome evolution. Chromosome Res 2018; 26:25-43. [PMID: 29392473 PMCID: PMC5857283 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-017-9570-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are genetic elements with the ability to mobilize and replicate themselves in a genome. Mammalian genomes are dominated by TEs, which can reach copy numbers in the hundreds of thousands. As a result, TEs have had significant impacts on mammalian evolution. Here we summarize the current understanding of TE content in mammal genomes and find that, with a few exceptions, most fall within a predictable range of observations. First, one third to one half of the genome is derived from TEs. Second, most mammalian genomes are dominated by LINE and SINE retrotransposons, more limited LTR retrotransposons, and minimal DNA transposon accumulation. Third, most mammal genome contains at least one family of actively accumulating retrotransposon. Finally, horizontal transfer of TEs among lineages is rare. TE exaptation events are being recognized with increasing frequency. Despite these beneficial aspects of TE content and activity, the majority of TE insertions are neutral or deleterious. To limit the deleterious effects of TE proliferation, the genome has evolved several defense mechanisms that act at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels. The interaction between TEs and these defense mechanisms has led to an evolutionary arms race where TEs are suppressed, evolve to escape suppression, then are suppressed again as the defense mechanisms undergo compensatory change. The result is complex and constantly evolving interactions between TEs and host genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roy N Platt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | | | - David A Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Klimenko OV. Small non-coding RNAs as regulators of structural evolution and carcinogenesis. Noncoding RNA Res 2017; 2:88-92. [PMID: 30159425 PMCID: PMC6096422 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are part of non-coding oligonucleotide regulators with wide physiologic and morphologic functions. They control genetic programing of cells, and may modulate processes of differentiation and death. Biogenesis of sncRNAs is now known, and some sncRNAs have been proposed as markers of malignization. Epigenetic therapy is based on the use of newly discovered genetic modifiers, such as sncRNAs, micro-RNAs, and theirs mimics. However, role of sncRNAs in structural evolution and mechanisms of adaptation is not clearly understood. Certainly, non-coding RNAs participate in processes of cellular and organismal adaptation as well as cellular and tissue structural transformation as response to changing of environmental neighbouring. Investigations into these functions of sncRNAs may be the basis of future epigenetic environmental medicine.
Collapse
|
20
|
Loreto ELS, Pereira CM. Somatizing the transposons action. Mob Genet Elements 2017; 7:1-9. [PMID: 28580196 DOI: 10.1080/2159256x.2017.1314236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The somatic mobilization of transposable elements is more common than previously thought. In this review we discuss how the intensity and the biologic consequences of somatic mobilization are dependent on the transposable elements landscapes of each genome, and on the "momentum" of each particular TE with respect to the mechanisms that control its transposition and the possibility to escape this control. Additionally, the biologic consequences of somatic mobilization vary among organisms that show an early separation between the germline and somatic cells and those organisms that do not exhibit this separation or that reproduce asexually. In the former, somatic transposition can be involved in phenotypic plasticity, detrimental conditions such as disease, or processes such as aging. For the organisms without separation between the germ and soma, somatic mobilization can be a source of genetic variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elgion L S Loreto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Camila Moura Pereira
- Postgraduate Programme in Animal Biodiversity, University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pugacheva EM, Teplyakov E, Wu Q, Li J, Chen C, Meng C, Liu J, Robinson S, Loukinov D, Boukaba A, Hutchins AP, Lobanenkov V, Strunnikov A. The cancer-associated CTCFL/BORIS protein targets multiple classes of genomic repeats, with a distinct binding and functional preference for humanoid-specific SVA transposable elements. Epigenetics Chromatin 2016; 9:35. [PMID: 27588042 PMCID: PMC5007689 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-016-0084-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A common aberration in cancer is the activation of germline-specific proteins. The DNA-binding proteins among them could generate novel chromatin states, not found in normal cells. The germline-specific transcription factor BORIS/CTCFL, a paralog of chromatin architecture protein CTCF, is often erroneously activated in cancers and rewires the epigenome for the germline-like transcription program. Another common feature of malignancies is the changed expression and epigenetic states of genomic repeats, which could alter the transcription of neighboring genes and cause somatic mutations upon transposition. The role of BORIS in transposable elements and other repeats has never been assessed. Results The investigation of BORIS and CTCF binding to DNA repeats in the K562 cancer cells dependent on BORIS for self-renewal by ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq revealed three classes of occupancy by these proteins: elements cohabited by BORIS and CTCF, CTCF-only bound, or BORIS-only bound. The CTCF-only enrichment is characteristic for evolutionary old and inactive repeat classes, while BORIS and CTCF co-binding predominately occurs at uncharacterized tandem repeats. These repeats form staggered cluster binding sites, which are a prerequisite for CTCF and BORIS co-binding. At the same time, BORIS preferentially occupies a specific subset of the evolutionary young, transcribed, and mobile genomic repeat family, SVA. Unlike CTCF, BORIS prominently binds to the VNTR region of the SVA repeats in vivo. This suggests a role of BORIS in SVA expression regulation. RNA-seq analysis indicates that BORIS largely serves as a repressor of SVA expression, alongside DNA and histone methylation, with the exception of promoter capture by SVA. Conclusions Thus, BORIS directly binds to, and regulates SVA repeats, which are essentially movable CpG islands, via clusters of BORIS binding sites. This finding uncovers a new function of the global germline-specific transcriptional regulator BORIS in regulating and repressing the newest class of transposable elements that are actively transposed in human genome when activated. This function of BORIS in cancer cells is likely a reflection of its roles in the germline. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-016-0084-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Evgeny Teplyakov
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Qiongfang Wu
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Chengcheng Meng
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Jian Liu
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Susan Robinson
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIH, NIAID, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Dmitry Loukinov
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIH, NIAID, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Abdelhalim Boukaba
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Andrew Paul Hutchins
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen, 518055 Guangdong China
| | | | - Alexander Strunnikov
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Grégoire L, Haudry A, Lerat E. The transposable element environment of human genes is associated with histone and expression changes in cancer. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:588. [PMID: 27506777 PMCID: PMC4979156 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2970-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only 2 % of the human genome code for proteins. Among the remaining 98 %, transposable elements (TEs) represent millions of sequences. TEs have an impact on genome evolution by promoting mutations. Especially, TEs possess their own regulatory sequences and can alter the expression pattern of neighboring genes. Since they can potentially be harmful, TE activity is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. These mechanisms participate in the modulation of gene expression and can be associated with some human diseases resulting from gene expression deregulation. The fact that the TE silencing can be removed in cancer could explain a part of the changes in gene expression. Indeed, epigenetic modifications associated locally with TE sequences could impact neighboring genes since these modifications can spread to adjacent sequences. RESULTS We compared the histone enrichment, TE neighborhood, and expression divergence of human genes between a normal and a cancer conditions. We show that the presence of TEs near genes is associated with greater changes in histone enrichment and that differentially expressed genes harbor larger histone enrichment variation related to the presence of particular TEs. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that the presence of TEs near genes could favor important variation in gene expression when the cell environment is modified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Grégoire
- Université de Lyon; F-69000, France; Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Annabelle Haudry
- Université de Lyon; F-69000, France; Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Emmanuelle Lerat
- Université de Lyon; F-69000, France; Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Krachulec JM, Sedlmeier G, Thiele W, Sleeman JP. Footprintless disruption of prosurvival genes in aneuploid cancer cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 94:289-96. [PMID: 27251033 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2015-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a powerful methodology for the targeted editing of genomic DNA sequences. Nevertheless, the intrinsic inefficiency of transfection methods required to use this technique with cultured cells requires the selection and isolation of successfully modified cells, which invariably subjects the cells to stress. Here we report a workflow that allows the isolation of genomically modified cells, even where loss of functional alleles constitutes a selective disadvantage owing to impaired ability to survive stress. Using targeted disruption of the Id1 and Id3 genes in murine B16-F10 and Ret melanoma cell lines as an example, we show that the method allows for the footprintless isolation of CRISPR/Cas9-modified aneuploid cancer cells. We also provide evidence that serial CRISPR/Cas9 modifications can occur, for example when initial homologous recombination events introduce cryptic PAM sequences, and demonstrate that multiple alleles can be successfully targeted in aneuploid cancer cells. By sequencing individual alleles we also found evidence for CRISPR/Cas9-induced transposable element insertion, albeit at a low frequency. This workflow should have broad application in the functional analysis of prosurvival gene function in cultured cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna M Krachulec
- a Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georg Sedlmeier
- a Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wilko Thiele
- a Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.,b Institute for Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Campus Nord, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jonathan P Sleeman
- a Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.,b Institute for Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Campus Nord, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ng KW, Anderson C, Marshall EA, Minatel BC, Enfield KSS, Saprunoff HL, Lam WL, Martinez VD. Piwi-interacting RNAs in cancer: emerging functions and clinical utility. Mol Cancer 2016; 15:5. [PMID: 26768585 PMCID: PMC4714483 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-016-0491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are emerging players in cancer genomics. Originally described in the germline, there are over 20,000 piRNA genes in the human genome. In contrast to microRNAs, piRNAs interact with PIWI proteins, another member of the Argonaute family, and function primarily in the nucleus. There, they are involved in the epigenetic silencing of transposable elements in addition to the transcriptional regulation of genes. It has recently been demonstrated that piRNAs are also expressed across a variety of human somatic tissue types in a tissue-specific manner. An increasing number of studies have shown that aberrant piRNA expression is a signature feature across multiple tumour types; however, their specific tumorigenic functions remain unclear. In this article, we discuss the emerging functional roles of piRNAs in a variety of cancers, and highlight their potential clinical utilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin W Ng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Christine Anderson
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Erin A Marshall
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Brenda C Minatel
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Katey S S Enfield
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | | | - Wan L Lam
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Victor D Martinez
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Qu X, Liu J, Zhong X, Li X, Zhang Q. PIWIL2 promotes progression of non-small cell lung cancer by inducing CDK2 and Cyclin A expression. J Transl Med 2015; 13:301. [PMID: 26373553 PMCID: PMC4571108 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0666-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background PIWI proteins have important roles in tumorigenesis due to their interaction with piRNAs. Recent studies suggest that PIWI proteins affect prognosis of various cancers. Methods In the present study, PIWI genes expression was assayed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine the effects of PIWIL2 on NSCLC cells, overexpression and interference assays were performed using the A549 and H460 cell lines. The tumor formation model was performed to demonstrate the effects of PIWIL2 on tumor formation in vivo. Results PIWIL2 was increased both at the RNA and protein level in malignant cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissue. Moreover, increased PIWIL2 gene expression was negatively correlated with prognosis in NSCLC patients. Overexpression and interference of PIWIL2 promoted and depressed cell proliferation, respectively. Meanwhile, PIWIL2 interference arrested cells at the G2/M stage. In addition, we found that CDK2 and Cyclin A expression were correlated with PIWIL2 expression. Moreover, transfection of PIWIL2 promoted tumor growth in nude mice. Conclusion Our findings shed light on the function of PIWIL2 in NSCLC and suggest potential prognostic and therapeutic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Qu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Jinlu Liu
- The Forth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Xinwen Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xi Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Qigang Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Jang S, Harshey RM. Repair of transposable phage Mu DNA insertions begins only when the E. coli replisome collides with the transpososome. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:746-58. [PMID: 25983038 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We report a new cellular interaction between the infecting transposable phage Mu and the host Escherichia coli replication machinery during repair of Mu insertions, which involves filling-in of short target gaps on either side of the insertion, concomitant with degradation of extraneous long flanking DNA (FD) linked to Mu. Using the FD as a marker to follow repair, we find that after transposition into the chromosome, the unrepaired Mu is indefinitely stable until the replication fork arrives at the insertion site, whereupon the FD is rapidly degraded. When the fork runs into a Mu target gap, a double strand end (DSE) will result; we demonstrate fork-dependent DSEs proximal to Mu. These findings suggest that Pol III stalled at the transpososome is exploited for co-ordinated repair of both target gaps flanking Mu without replicating the intervening 37 kb of Mu, disassembling the stable transpososome in the process. This work is relevant to all transposable elements, including retroviral elements like HIV-1, which share with Mu the common problem of repair of their flanking target gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooin Jang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Rasika M Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Riordan JD, Dupuy AJ. Domesticated transposable element gene products in human cancer. Mob Genet Elements 2013; 3:e26693. [PMID: 24251072 DOI: 10.4161/mge.26693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation of transposable elements inserted within the genome to serve novel functions in a host cell, a process known as molecular domestication, is a widespread phenomenon in nature. Around fifty protein-coding genes in humans have arisen through this mechanism. Functional characterization of these domesticated genes has revealed involvement in a multitude of diverse cellular processes. Some of these functions are related to cellular activities and pathways known to be involved in cancer development. In this mini-review we discuss such roles of domesticated genes that may be aberrantly regulated in human cancer, as well as studies that have identified disrupted expression in tumors. We also describe studies that have provided definitive experimental evidence for transposable element-derived gene products in promoting tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Riordan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology; Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine; University of Iowa; Iowa City, IA USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Peterson M, Chandler VL, Bosco G. High SINE RNA Expression Correlates with Post-Transcriptional Downregulation of BRCA1. Genes (Basel) 2013; 4:226-43. [PMID: 24705161 PMCID: PMC3899967 DOI: 10.3390/genes4020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements (SINEs) are non-autonomous retrotransposons that comprise a large fraction of the human genome. SINEs are demethylated in human disease, but whether SINEs become transcriptionally induced and how the resulting transcripts may affect the expression of protein coding genes is unknown. Here, we show that downregulation of the mRNA of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 is associated with increased transcription of SINEs and production of sense and antisense SINE small RNAs. We find that BRCA1 mRNA is post-transcriptionally down-regulated in a Dicer and Drosha dependent manner and that expression of a SINE inverted repeat with sequence identity to a BRCA1 intron is sufficient for downregulation of BRCA1 mRNA. These observations suggest that transcriptional activation of SINEs could contribute to a novel mechanism of RNA mediated post-transcriptional silencing of human genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Peterson
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover New Hampshire, USA.
| | | | - Giovanni Bosco
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover New Hampshire, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mukha DV, Pasyukova EG, Kapelinskaya TV, Kagramanova AS. Endonuclease domain of the Drosophila melanogaster R2 non-LTR retrotransposon and related retroelements: a new model for transposition. Front Genet 2013; 4:63. [PMID: 23637706 PMCID: PMC3636483 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of the transposition of non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are not well understood; the key questions of how the 3′-ends of cDNA copies integrate and how site-specific integration occurs remain unresolved. Integration depends on properties of the endonuclease (EN) domain of retrotransposons. Using the EN domain of the Drosophila R2 retrotransposon as a model for other, closely related non-LTR retrotransposons, we investigated the EN domain and found that it resembles archaeal Holliday-junction resolvases. We suggest that these non-LTR retrotransposons are co-transcribed with the host transcript. Combined with the proposed resolvase activity of the EN domain, this model yields a novel mechanism for site-specific retrotransposition within this class of retrotransposons, with resolution proceeding via a Holliday junction intermediate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry V Mukha
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|