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Haws W, England S, Grieb G, Susana G, Hernandez S, Mirer H, Lewis K. Analyses of binding partners and functional domains for the developmentally essential protein Hmx3a/HMX3. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1151. [PMID: 36670152 PMCID: PMC9859826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27878-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
HMX3 is a homeodomain protein with essential roles in CNS and ear development. Homeodomains are DNA-binding domains and hence homeodomain-containing proteins are usually assumed to be transcription factors. However, intriguingly, our recent data suggest that zebrafish Hmx3a may not require its homeodomain to function, raising the important question of what molecular interactions mediate its effects. To investigate this, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and identified 539 potential binding partners of mouse HMX3. Using co-immunoprecipitation, we tested whether a prioritized subset of these interactions are conserved in zebrafish and found that Tle3b, Azin1b, Prmt2, Hmgb1a, and Hmgn3 bind Hmx3a. Next, we tested whether these proteins bind the products of four distinct hmx3a mutant alleles that all lack the homeodomain. Embryos homozygous for two of these alleles develop abnormally and die, whereas zebrafish homozygous for the other two alleles are viable. We found that all four mutations abrogate binding to Prmt2 and Tle3b, whereas Azin1b binding was preserved in all cases. Interestingly, Hmgb1a and Hmgn3 had more affinity for products of the viable mutant alleles. These data shed light on how HMX3/Hmx3a might function at a molecular level and identify new targets for future study in these vital developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Haws
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Samantha England
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Ginny Grieb
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Gabriela Susana
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Sophie Hernandez
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Hunter Mirer
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Katharine Lewis
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
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2
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Keck MK, Sill M, Wittmann A, Joshi P, Stichel D, Beck P, Okonechnikow K, Sievers P, Wefers AK, Roncaroli F, Avula S, McCabe MG, Hayden JT, Wesseling P, Øra I, Nistér M, Kranendonk MEG, Tops BBJ, Zapotocky M, Zamecnik J, Vasiljevic A, Fenouil T, Meyronet D, von Hoff K, Schüller U, Loiseau H, Figarella-Branger D, Kramm CM, Sturm D, Scheie D, Rauramaa T, Pesola J, Gojo J, Haberler C, Brandner S, Jacques T, Sexton Oates A, Saffery R, Koscielniak E, Baker SJ, Yip S, Snuderl M, Ud Din N, Samuel D, Schramm K, Blattner-Johnson M, Selt F, Ecker J, Milde T, von Deimling A, Korshunov A, Perry A, Pfister SM, Sahm F, Solomon DA, Jones DTW. Amplification of the PLAG-family genes-PLAGL1 and PLAGL2-is a key feature of the novel tumor type CNS embryonal tumor with PLAGL amplification. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:49-69. [PMID: 36437415 PMCID: PMC9807491 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent the most common cause of cancer-related death in children aged 0-14 years. They differ from their adult counterparts, showing extensive clinical and molecular heterogeneity as well as a challenging histopathological spectrum that often impairs accurate diagnosis. Here, we use DNA methylation-based CNS tumor classification in combination with copy number, RNA-seq, and ChIP-seq analysis to characterize a newly identified CNS tumor type. In addition, we report histology, patient characteristics, and survival data in this tumor type. We describe a biologically distinct pediatric CNS tumor type (n = 31 cases) that is characterized by focal high-level amplification and resultant overexpression of either PLAGL1 or PLAGL2, and an absence of recurrent genetic alterations characteristic of other pediatric CNS tumor types. Both genes act as transcription factors for a regulatory subset of imprinted genes (IGs), components of the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, and the potential drug targets RET and CYP2W1, which are also specifically overexpressed in this tumor type. A derived PLAGL-specific gene expression signature indicates dysregulation of imprinting control and differentiation/development. These tumors occurred throughout the neuroaxis including the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brainstem, and were predominantly composed of primitive embryonal-like cells lacking robust expression of markers of glial or neuronal differentiation (e.g., GFAP, OLIG2, and synaptophysin). Tumors with PLAGL1 amplification were typically diagnosed during adolescence (median age 10.5 years), whereas those with PLAGL2 amplification were diagnosed during early childhood (median age 2 years). The 10-year overall survival was 66% for PLAGL1-amplified tumors, 25% for PLAGL2-amplified tumors, 18% for male patients, and 82% for female patients. In summary, we describe a new type of biologically distinct CNS tumor characterized by PLAGL1/2 amplification that occurs predominantly in infants and toddlers (PLAGL2) or adolescents (PLAGL1) which we consider best classified as a CNS embryonal tumor and which is associated with intermediate survival. The cell of origin and optimal treatment strategies remain to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela-Kristina Keck
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Wittmann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Piyush Joshi
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Damian Stichel
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pengbo Beck
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Okonechnikow
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Sievers
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annika K Wefers
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Federico Roncaroli
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Shivaram Avula
- Department of Radiology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martin G McCabe
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - James T Hayden
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc and Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Øra
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Monica Nistér
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Bastiaan B J Tops
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michal Zapotocky
- Prague Brain Tumor Research Group, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Zamecnik
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandre Vasiljevic
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite-Site Est, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Tanguy Fenouil
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite-Site Est, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - David Meyronet
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite-Site Est, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Katja von Hoff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hugues Loiseau
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC)-INSERM U1312 Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Case 76, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dominique Figarella-Branger
- Aix-Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, CHU Timone, Service d'Anatomie Pathologique et de Neuropathologie, Marseille, France
| | - Christof M Kramm
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Sturm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Scheie
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tuomas Rauramaa
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital and Unit of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jouni Pesola
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ward, Kuopio University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johannes Gojo
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Haberler
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- Division of Neuropathology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Square, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Tom Jacques
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Sexton Oates
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ewa Koscielniak
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/Immunology, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stephen Yip
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nasir Ud Din
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - David Samuel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Valley Children's Hospital, Madera, CA, USA
| | - Kathrin Schramm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Blattner-Johnson
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Selt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ecker
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit (ZIPO), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arie Perry
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 513 Parnassus Ave, Health Sciences West 451, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David A Solomon
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 513 Parnassus Ave, Health Sciences West 451, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research (B360), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Ren P, Wang J, Li L, Lin X, Wu G, Chen J, Zeng Z, Zhang H. Identification of key genes involved in the recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential expression analysis. Bioengineered 2021; 12:3188-3200. [PMID: 34238116 PMCID: PMC8806787 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1943986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most fatal malignancy, and despite extensive treatment, tumors inevitably recur. This study aimed to identify recurrence-associated molecules in GBM. The gene expression profile GSE139533, containing 70 primary and 47 recurrent GBM tissues and their corresponding clinical traits, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and used for weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis. After identifying the hub genes which differentially expressed in recurrent GBM tissues and in the gene modules correlated with recurrence, data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CCGA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were analyzed with GSE43378 to determine the relationship between hub genes and patient prognosis. The diagnostic value of the identified hub genes was verified using 52 GBM tissues. Three gene modules were correlated with recurrence and 2623 genes were clustered in these clinically significant modules. Among these, 13 genes - EHF, TRPM1, FXYD4, CDH15, LHX5, TP73, FBN3, TLX1, C1QL4, COL2A, SEC61G, NEUROD4 and GPR139 - were differentially expressed in recurrent GBM samples; low LHX5 and TLX1 expression predicted poor outcomes. LHX5 and TLX1 expression showed weak positive relationships with Karnofsky performance scale scores. Additionally, LHX5 and TLX1 expression was found to be decreased in our recurrent GBM samples compared with that in primary samples; these genes exhibited high diagnostic value in distinguishing recurrent samples from primary samples. Our findings indicate that LHX5 and TLX1 might be involved in GBM recurrence and act as potential biomarkers for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - JingYa Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
- Department of Physiology of Basic Medicine College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - XiaoWan Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - GuangHan Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - JiaYi Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - ZhiRui Zeng
- Department of Physiology of Basic Medicine College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - HongMei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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4
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Monteiro FA, Miranda RM, Samina MC, Dias AF, Raposo AASF, Oliveira P, Reguenga C, Castro DS, Lima D. Tlx3 Exerts Direct Control in Specifying Excitatory Over Inhibitory Neurons in the Dorsal Spinal Cord. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:642697. [PMID: 33996801 PMCID: PMC8117147 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord dorsal horn is a major station for integration and relay of somatosensory information and comprises both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal populations. The homeobox gene Tlx3 acts as a selector gene to control the development of late-born excitatory (dILB) neurons by specifying glutamatergic transmitter fate in dorsal spinal cord. However, since Tlx3 direct transcriptional targets remain largely unknown, it remains to be uncovered how Tlx3 functions to promote excitatory cell fate. Here we combined a genomics approach based on chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and expression profiling, with validation experiments in Tlx3 null embryos, to characterize the transcriptional program of Tlx3 in mouse embryonic dorsal spinal cord. We found most dILB neuron specific genes previously identified to be directly activated by Tlx3. Surprisingly, we found Tlx3 also directly represses many genes associated with the alternative inhibitory dILA neuronal fate. In both cases, direct targets include transcription factors and terminal differentiation genes, showing that Tlx3 directly controls cell identity at distinct levels. Our findings provide a molecular frame for the master regulatory role of Tlx3 in developing glutamatergic dILB neurons. In addition, they suggest a novel function for Tlx3 as direct repressor of GABAergic dILA identity, pointing to how generation of the two alternative cell fates being tightly coupled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe A Monteiro
- Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafael M Miranda
- Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta C Samina
- Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana F Dias
- Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandre A S F Raposo
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Oliveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Diagnostics, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Reguenga
- Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo S Castro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Molecular Neurobiology Group, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Stem Cells & Neurogenesis Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Lima
- Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Departamento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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5
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Nagel S, Pommerenke C, MacLeod RAF, Meyer C, Kaufmann M, Fähnrich S, Drexler HG. Deregulated expression of NKL homeobox genes in T-cell lymphomas. Oncotarget 2019; 10:3227-3247. [PMID: 31143370 PMCID: PMC6524933 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we have presented a scheme, termed "NKL-code", which describes physiological expression patterns of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis and in lymphopoiesis including main stages of T-, B- and NK-cell development. Aberrant activity of these genes underlies the generation of hematological malignancies notably T-cell leukemia. Here, we searched for deregulated NKL homeobox genes in main entities of T-cell lymphomas comprising angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL), NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Our data revealed altogether 19 aberrantly overexpressed genes in these types, demonstrating deregulated NKL homeobox genes involvement in T-cell lymphomas as well. For detailed analysis we focused on NKL homeobox gene MSX1 which is normally expressed in NK-cells. MSX1 was overexpressed in subsets of HSTL patients and HSTL-derived sister cell lines DERL-2 and DERL-7 which served as models to characterize mechanisms of deregulation. We performed karyotyping, genomic and expression profiling, and whole genome sequencing to reveal mutated and deregulated gene candidates, including the fusion gene CD53-PDGFRB. Subsequent knockdown experiments allowed the reconstruction of an aberrant network involved in MSX1 deregulation, including chromatin factors AUTS2 and mutated histone HIST1H3B(K27M). The gene encoding AUTS2 is located at chromosome 7q11 and may represent a basic target of the HSTL hallmark aberration i(7q). Taken together, our findings highlight an oncogenic role for deregulated NKL homeobox genes in T-cell lymphoma and identify MSX1 as a novel player in HSTL, implicated in aberrant NK- and T-cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nagel
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Claudia Pommerenke
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roderick A F MacLeod
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Corinna Meyer
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Kaufmann
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Silke Fähnrich
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans G Drexler
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
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6
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NKL homeobox gene NKX2-2 is aberrantly expressed in Hodgkin lymphoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:37480-37496. [PMID: 30680064 PMCID: PMC6331023 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
NKL homeobox genes encode basic transcriptional regulators of cell and tissue differentiation. Recently, we described a hematopoietic NKL-code comprising nine specific NKL homeobox genes expressed in normal hematopoietic stem cells, lymphoid progenitors and during lymphopoiesis, highlighting their physiological role in the development of T-, B- and NK-cells. Here, we identified aberrant expression of the non-hematopoietic neural NKL homeobox gene NKX2-2 in about 12% of both, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant (NLP) HL patients. The NKX2-2 expressing NLPHL-derived cell line DEV served as a model by analysing chromosomal configurations and expression profiling data to reveal activating mechanisms and downstream targets of this developmental regulator. While excluding chromosomal rearrangements at the locus of NKX2-2 we identified t(3;14)(p21;q32) resulting in overexpression of the IL17 receptor gene IL17RB via juxtaposition with the IGH-locus. SiRNA-mediated knockdown experiments demonstrated that IL17RB activated NKX2-2 transcription. Overexpression of IL17RB-cofactor DAZAP2 via chromosomal gain of 12q13 and deletion of its proteasomal inhibitor SMURF2 at 17q24 supported expression of NKX2-2. IL17RB activated transcription factors FLI1 and FOXG1 which in turn mediated NKX2-2 expression. In addition, overexpressed chromatin-modulator AUTS2 contributed to NKX2-2 activation as well. Downstream analyses indicated that NKX2-2 inhibits transcription of lymphoid NKL homeobox gene MSX1 and activates expression of basic helix-loop-helix factor NEUROD1 which may disturb B-cell differentiation processes via reported interaction with TCF3/E2A. Taken together, our data reveal ectopic activation of a neural gene network in HL placing NKX2-2 at its hub, highlighting a novel oncogenic impact of NKL homeobox genes in B-cell malignancies.
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Nagel S, Meyer C, Kaufmann M, Zaborski M, MacLeod RAF, Drexler HG. Aberrant activity of NKL homeobox gene NKX3-2 in a T-ALL subset. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197194. [PMID: 29746601 PMCID: PMC5944955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a hematopoietic malignancy originating from T-cell progenitors in which differentiation is blocked at early stages. Physiological expression of specific NKL homeobox genes obeys a hematopoietic NKL-code implicated in the process of lymphopoiesis while in differentiated T-cells these genes are silenced. We propose that this developmental expression pattern underlies the observation that NKL homeobox genes are the most ubiquitous group of transcription factors deregulated in T-ALL, including TLX1, TLX3, NKX2-5 and NKX3-1. Here, we describe a novel member of the NKL homeobox gene subclass, NKX3-2 (BAPX1), which is aberrantly activated in 18% of pediatric T-ALL patients analyzed while being normally expressed in developing spleen. Identification of NKX3-2 expression in T-ALL cell line CCRF-CEM qualified these cells to model its deregulation and function in a leukemic context. Genomic and chromosomal analyses demonstrated normal configuration of the NKX3-2 locus at chromosome 4p15, thus excluding cytogenetic dysregulation. Comparative expression profiling analysis of NKX3-2 patient data revealed deregulated activity of BMP- and MAPK-signalling. These candidate pathways were experimentally confirmed to mediate aberrant NKX3-2 expression. We also show that homeobox gene SIX6, plus MIR17HG and GATA3 are downstream targets of NKX3-2 and plausibly contribute to the pathogenesis of this malignancy by suppressing T-cell differentiation. Finally, NKL homeobox gene NKX2-5 was activated by NKX3-2 in CCRF-CEM and by FOXG1 in PEER, representing mutually inhibitory activators of this translocated oncogene. Together, our findings reveal a novel oncogenic NKL homeobox gene subclass member which is aberrantly expressed in a large subset of T-ALL patients and participates in a deregulated gene network likely to arise in developing spleen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nagel
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Corinna Meyer
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Kaufmann
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Margarete Zaborski
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roderick A. F. MacLeod
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans G. Drexler
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
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NKL homeobox gene activities in hematopoietic stem cells, T-cell development and T-cell leukemia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171164. [PMID: 28151996 PMCID: PMC5289504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells represent developmentally arrested T-cell progenitors, subsets of which aberrantly express homeobox genes of the NKL subclass, including TLX1, TLX3, NKX2-1, NKX2-5, NKX3-1 and MSX1. Here, we analyzed the transcriptional landscape of all 48 members of the NKL homeobox gene subclass in CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and during lymphopoiesis, identifying activities of nine particular genes. Four of these were expressed in HSPCs (HHEX, HLX1, NKX2-3 and NKX3-1) and three in common lymphoid progenitors (HHEX, HLX1 and MSX1). Interestingly, our data indicated downregulation of NKL homeobox gene transcripts in late progenitors and mature T-cells, a phenomenon which might explain the oncogenic impact of this group of genes in T-ALL. Using MSX1-expressing T-ALL cell lines as models, we showed that HHEX activates while HLX1, NKX2-3 and NKX3-1 repress MSX1 transcription, demonstrating the mutual regulation and differential activities of these homeobox genes. Analysis of a public T-ALL expression profiling data set comprising 117 patient samples identified 20 aberrantly activated members of the NKL subclass, extending the number of known NKL homeobox oncogene candidates. While 7/20 genes were also active during hematopoiesis, the remaining 13 showed ectopic expression. Finally, comparative analyses of T-ALL patient and cell line profiling data of NKL-positive and NKL-negative samples indicated absence of shared target genes but instead highlighted deregulation of apoptosis as common oncogenic effect. Taken together, we present a comprehensive survey of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis, T-cell development and T-ALL, showing that these genes generate an NKL-code for the diverse stages of lymphoid development which might be fundamental for regular differentiation.
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Han EH, Gorman AA, Singh P, Chi YI. Repression of HNF1α-mediated transcription by amino-terminal enhancer of split (AES). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 468:14-20. [PMID: 26549228 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
HNF1α (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1α) is one of the master regulators in pancreatic beta-cell development and function, and the mutations in Hnf1α are the most common monogenic causes of diabetes mellitus. As a member of the POU transcription factor family, HNF1α exerts its gene regulatory function through various molecular interactions; however, there is a paucity of knowledge in their functional complex formation. In this study, we identified the Groucho protein AES (Amino-terminal Enhancer of Split) as a HNF1α-specific physical binding partner and functional repressor of HNF1α-mediated transcription, which has a direct link to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in beta-cells that is impaired in the HNF1α mutation-driven diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hee Han
- Section of Structural Biology, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Amanda A Gorman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Puja Singh
- Section of Structural Biology, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Young-In Chi
- Section of Structural Biology, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA.
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Zhuang L, Hulin JA, Gromova A, Tran Nguyen TD, Yu RT, Liddle C, Downes M, Evans RM, Makarenkova HP, Meech R. Barx2 and Pax7 have antagonistic functions in regulation of wnt signaling and satellite cell differentiation. Stem Cells 2015; 32:1661-73. [PMID: 24753152 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2012] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is critical for myogenesis and can induce muscle progenitors to switch from proliferation to differentiation; how Wnt signals integrate with muscle-specific regulatory factors in this process is poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that the Barx2 homeobox protein promotes differentiation in cooperation with the muscle regulatory factor (MRF) MyoD. Pax7, another important muscle homeobox factor, represses differentiation. We now identify Barx2, MyoD, and Pax7 as novel components of the Wnt effector complex, providing a new molecular pathway for regulation of muscle progenitor differentiation. Canonical Wnt signaling induces Barx2 expression in muscle progenitors and perturbation of Barx2 leads to misregulation of Wnt target genes. Barx2 activates two endogenous Wnt target promoters as well as the Wnt reporter gene TOPflash, the latter synergistically with MyoD. Moreover, Barx2 interacts with the core Wnt effectors β-catenin and T cell-factor 4 (TCF4), is recruited to TCF/lymphoid enhancer factor sites, and promotes recruitment of β-catenin. In contrast, Pax7 represses the Wnt reporter gene and antagonizes the activating effect of Barx2. Pax7 also binds β-catenin suggesting that Barx2 and Pax7 may compete for interaction with the core Wnt effector complex. Overall, the data show for the first time that Barx2, Pax7, and MRFs can act as direct transcriptional effectors of Wnt signals in myoblasts and that Barx2 and Wnt signaling participate in a regulatory loop. We propose that antagonism between Barx2 and Pax7 in regulation of Wnt signaling may help mediate the switch from myoblast proliferation to differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhe Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Regadas I, Soares-Dos-Reis R, Falcão M, Matos MR, Monteiro FA, Lima D, Reguenga C. Dual role of Tlx3 as modulator of Prrxl1 transcription and phosphorylation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1839:1121-31. [PMID: 25138281 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The proper establishment of the dorsal root ganglion/spinal cord nociceptive circuitry depends on a group of homeodomain transcription factors that includes Prrxl1, Brn3a and Tlx3. By the use of epistatic analysis, it was suggested that Tlx3 and Brn3a, which highly co-localize with Prrxl1 in these tissues, are required to maintain Prrxl1 expression. Here, we report two Tlx3-dependent transcriptional mechanisms acting on Prrxl1 alternative promoters, referred to as P3 and P1/P2 promoters. We demonstrate that (i) Tlx3 induces the transcriptional activity of the TATA-containing promoter P3 by directly binding to a bipartite DNA motif and (ii) it synergistically interacts with Prrxl1 by indirectly activating the Prrxl1 TATA-less promoters P1/P2 via the action of Brn3a. The Tlx3 N-terminal domain 1-38 was shown to have a major role on the overall Tlx3 transcriptional activity and the C-terminus domain (amino acids 256-291) to mediate the Tlx3 effect on promoters P1/P2. On the other hand, the 76-111 domain was shown to decrease Tlx3 activity on the TATA-promoter P3. In addition to its action on Prrxl1 alternative promoters, Tlx3 proved to have the ability to induce Prrxl1 phosphorylation. The Tlx3 domain responsible for Prrxl1 hyperphosphorylation was mapped and encompasses amino acid residues 76 to 111. Altogether, our results suggest that Tlx3 uses distinct mechanisms to tightly modulate Prrxl1 activity, either by controlling its transcriptional levels or by increasing Prrxl1 phosphorylation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Regadas
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Soares-Dos-Reis
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto 4200-319, Portugal
| | - Miguel Falcão
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal
| | - Mariana Raimundo Matos
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal
| | - Filipe Almeida Monteiro
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Lima
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal
| | - Carlos Reguenga
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto Porto, 4200-319, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4150, Portugal.
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Fu W, Wang K, Zhao JL, Yu HC, Li SZ, Lin Y, Liang L, Huang SY, Liang YM, Han H, Qin HY. FHL1C induces apoptosis in Notch1-dependent T-ALL cells through an interaction with RBP-J. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:463. [PMID: 24952875 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrantly activated Notch signaling has been found in more than 50% of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Current strategies that employ γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) to target Notch activation have not been successful. Many limitations, such as non-Notch specificity, dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxicity and GSI resistance, have prompted an urgent need for more effective Notch signaling inhibitors for T-ALL treatment. Human four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 1C (FHL1C) (KyoT2 in mice) has been demonstrated to suppress Notch activation in vitro, suggesting that FHL1C may be new candidate target in T-ALL therapy. However, the role of FHL1C in T-ALL cells remained unclear. METHODS Using RT-PCR, we amplified full-length human FHL1C, and constructed full-length and various truncated forms of FHL1C. Using cell transfection, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope, real-time RT-PCR, and Western blotting, we found that overexpression of FHL1C induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells. By using a reporter assay and Annexin-V staining, the minimal functional sequence of FHL1C inhibiting RBP-J-mediated Notch transactivation and inducing cell apoptosis was identified. Using real-time PCR and Western blotting, we explored the possible molecular mechanism of FHL1C-induced apoptosis. All data were statistically analyzed with the SPSS version 12.0 software. RESULTS In Jurkat cells derived from a Notch1-associated T-ALL cell line insensitive to GSI treatment, we observed that overexpression of FHL1C, which is down-regulated in T-ALL patients, strongly induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we verified that FHL1C-induced apoptosis depended on the RBP-J-binding motif at the C-terminus of FHL1C. Using various truncated forms of FHL1C, we found that the RBP-J-binding motif of FHL1C had almost the same effect as full-length FHL1C on the induction of apoptosis, suggesting that the minimal functional sequence in the RBP-J-binding motif of FHL1C might be a new drug candidate for T-ALL treatment. We also explored the molecular mechanism of FHL1C overexpression-induced apoptosis, which suppressed downstream target genes such as Hes1 and c-Myc and key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and NF-κB of Notch signaling involved in T-ALL progression. CONCLUSIONS Our study has revealed that FHL1C overexpression induces Jurkat cell apoptosis. This finding may provide new insights in designing new Notch inhibitors based on FHL1C to treat T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ying-Min Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, People's Republic of China.
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Zweier-Renn LA, Riz I, Hawley TS, Hawley RG. The DN2 Myeloid-T (DN2mt) Progenitor is a Target Cell for Leukemic Transformation by the TLX1 Oncogene. JOURNAL OF BONE MARROW RESEARCH 2013; 1:105. [PMID: 25309961 PMCID: PMC4191823 DOI: 10.4172/2329-8820.1000105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inappropriate activation of the TLX1 (T-cell leukemia homeobox 1) gene by chromosomal translocation is a recurrent event in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). Ectopic expression of TLX1 in murine bone marrow progenitor cells using a conventional retroviral vector efficiently yields immortalized cell lines and induces T-ALL-like tumors in mice after long latency. METHODS To eliminate a potential contribution of retroviral insertional mutagenesis to TLX1 immortalizing and transforming function, we incorporated the TLX1 gene into an insulated self-inactivating retroviral vector. RESULTS Retrovirally transduced TLX1-expressing murine bone marrow progenitor cells had a growth/survival advantage and readily gave rise to immortalized cell lines. Extensive characterization of 15 newly established cell lines failed to reveal a common retroviral integration site. This comprehensive analysis greatly extends our previous study involving a limited number of cell lines, providing additional support for the view that constitutive TLX1 expression is sufficient to initiate the series of events culminating in hematopoietic progenitor cell immortalization. When TLX1-immortalized cells were co-cultured on OP9-DL1 monolayers under conditions permissive for T-cell differentiation, a latent T-lineage potential was revealed. However, the cells were unable to transit the DN2 myeloid-T (DN2mt)-DN2 T-lineage determined (DN2t) commitment step. The differentiation block coincided with failure to upregulate the zinc finger transcription factor gene Bcl11b, the human ortholog of which was shown to be a direct transcriptional target of TLX1 downregulated in the TLX1+ T-ALL cell line ALL-SIL. Other studies have described the ability of TLX1 to promote bypass of mitotic checkpoint arrest, leading to aneuploidy. We likewise found that diploid TLX1-expressing DN2mt cells treated with the mitotic inhibitor paclitaxel bypassed the mitotic checkpoint and displayed chromosomal instability. This was associated with elevated expression of TLX1 transcriptional targets involved in DNA replication and mitosis, including Ccna2 (cyclin A2), Ccnb1 (cyclin B1), Ccnb2 (cyclin B2) and Top2a (topoisomerase IIα). Notably, enforced expression of BCL11B in ALL-SIL T-ALL cells conferred resistance to the topoisomerase IIα poison etoposide. CONCLUSION Taken together with previous findings, the data reinforce a mechanism of TLX1 oncogenic activity linked to chromosomal instability resulting from dysregulated expression of target genes involved in mitotic processes. We speculate that repression of BCL11B expression may provide part of the explanation for the observation that aneuploid DNA content in TLX1+ leukemic T cells does not necessarily portend an unfavorable prognosis. This TLX1 hematopoietic progenitor cell immortalization/T-cell differentiation assay should help further our understanding of the mechanisms of TLX1-mediated evolution to malignancy and has the potential to be a useful predictor of disease response to novel therapeutic agents in TLX1+ T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnsey A Zweier-Renn
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Irene Riz
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Teresa S Hawley
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert G Hawley
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Sino-US Joint Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Jining Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
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Transcriptional activation of prostate specific homeobox gene NKX3-1 in subsets of T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). PLoS One 2012; 7:e40747. [PMID: 22848398 PMCID: PMC3407137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors impacting key developmental processes including embryogenesis, organogenesis, and cell differentiation. Reflecting their tight transcriptional control, homeobox genes are often embedded in large non-coding, cis-regulatory regions, containing tissue specific elements. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) homeobox genes are frequently deregulated by chromosomal aberrations, notably translocations adding T-cell specific activatory elements. NKX3-1 is a prostate specific homeobox gene activated in T-ALL patients expressing oncogenic TAL1 or displaying immature T-cell characteristics. After investigating regulation of NKX3-1 in primary cells and cell lines, we report its ectopic expression in T-ALL cells independent of chromosomal rearrangements. Using siRNAs and expression profiling, we exploited NKX3-1 positive T-ALL cell lines as tools to investigate aberrant activatory mechanisms. Our data confirmed NKX3-1 activation by TAL1/GATA3/LMO and identified LYL1 as an alternative activator in immature T-ALL cells devoid of GATA3. Moreover, we showed that NKX3-1 is directly activated by early T-cell homeodomain factor MSX2. These activators were regulated by MLL and/or by IL7-, BMP4- and IGF2-signalling. Finally, we demonstrated homeobox gene SIX6 as a direct leukemic target of NKX3-1 in T-ALL. In conclusion, we identified three major mechanisms of NKX3-1 regulation in T-ALL cell lines which are represented by activators TAL1, LYL1 and MSX2, corresponding to particular T-ALL subtypes described in patients. These results may contribute to the understanding of leukemic transcriptional networks underlying disturbed T-cell differentiation in T-ALL.
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Abstract
NK-like (NKL) homeobox genes code for transcription factors, which can act as key regulators in fundamental cellular processes. NKL genes have been implicated in divergent types of cancer. In this review, we summarize the involvement of NKL genes in cancer and leukemia in particular. NKL genes can act as tumor-suppressor genes and as oncogenes, depending on tissue type. Aberrant expression of NKL genes is especially common in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). In T-ALL, 8 NKL genes have been reported to be highly expressed in specific T-ALL subgroups, and in ~30% of cases, high expression is caused by chromosomal rearrangement of 1 of 5 NKL genes. Most of these NKL genes are normally not expressed in T-cell development. We hypothesize that the NKL genes might share a similar downstream effect that promotes leukemogenesis, possibly due to mimicking a NKL gene that has a physiological role in early hematopoietic development, such as HHEX. All eight NKL genes posses a conserved Eh1 repressor motif, which has an important role in regulating downstream targets in hematopoiesis and possibly in leukemogenesis as well. Identification of a potential common leukemogenic NKL downstream pathway will provide a promising subject for future studies.
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Abstract
In vivo biotinylation tagging, based on a method in which a protein of interest is tagged with a peptide that is biotinylated in vivo by coexpression of Escherichia coli BirA biotin ligase, has been successfully used for the isolation of protein-protein and protein-DNA complexes in mammalian cells. We describe a modification of this methodology in which cells stably expressing the tagged gene of interest and the BirA gene can be selected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We recently implemented this approach to isolate and characterize proteins associated with TLX1, a homeodomain transcription factor with leukemogenic function. The modified technique utilizes two components: a lentiviral vector coexpressing the gene of interest containing a biotinylation tag on a bicistronic transcript together with a downstream yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) gene; and a second lentiviral vector encoding a fusion protein composed of bacterial BirA linked to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). This FACS-based binary in vivo biotinylation tagging system allows precise control over the levels of BirA-mediated biotinylation as well as the expression of the gene of interest, which is especially important if high-level expression negatively impacts cell growth or viability.
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Chen E, Huang X, Zheng Y, Li YJ, Chesney A, Ben-David Y, Yang E, Hough MR. Phosphorylation of HOX11/TLX1 on Threonine-247 during mitosis modulates expression of cyclin B1. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:246. [PMID: 20846384 PMCID: PMC2949800 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HOX11/TLX1 (hereafter referred to as HOX11) homeobox gene was originally identified at a t(10;14)(q24;q11) translocation breakpoint, a chromosomal abnormality observed in 5-7% of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs). We previously reported a predisposition to aberrant spindle assembly checkpoint arrest and heightened incidences of chromosome missegregation in HOX11-overexpressing B lymphocytes following exposure to spindle poisons. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate cell cycle specific expression of HOX11. RESULTS Cell cycle specific expression studies revealed a phosphorylated form of HOX11 detectable only in the mitotic fraction of cells after treatment with inhibitors to arrest cells at different stages of the cell cycle. Mutational analyses revealed phosphorylation on threonine-247 (Thr247), a conserved amino acid that defines the HOX11 gene family and is integral for the association with DNA binding elements. The effect of HOX11 phosphorylation on its ability to modulate expression of the downstream target, cyclin B1, was tested. A HOX11 mutant in which Thr247 was substituted with glutamic acid (HOX11 T247E), thereby mimicking a constitutively phosphorylated HOX11 isoform, was unable to bind the cyclin B1 promoter or enhance levels of the cyclin B1 protein. Expression of the wildtype HOX11 was associated with accelerated progression through the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, impaired synchronization in prometaphase and reduced apoptosis whereas expression of the HOX11 T247E mutant restored cell cycle kinetics, the spindle checkpoint and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that the transcriptional activity of HOX11 is regulated by phosphorylation of Thr247 in a cell cycle-specific manner and that this phosphorylation modulates the expression of the target gene, cyclin B1. Since it is likely that Thr247 phosphorylation regulates DNA binding activity to multiple HOX11 target sequences, it is conceivable that phosphorylation functions to regulate the expression of HOX11 target genes involved in the control of the mitotic spindle checkpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Chen
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S1A8, Canada
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Riz I, Hawley TS, Luu TV, Lee NH, Hawley RG. TLX1 and NOTCH coregulate transcription in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:181. [PMID: 20618946 PMCID: PMC2913983 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The homeobox gene TLX1 (for T-cell leukemia homeobox 1, previously known as HOX11) is inappropriately expressed in a major subgroup of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) where it is strongly associated with activating NOTCH1 mutations. Despite the recognition that these genetic lesions cooperate in leukemogenesis, there have been no mechanistic studies addressing how TLX1 and NOTCH1 functionally interact to promote the leukemic phenotype. RESULTS Global gene expression profiling after downregulation of TLX1 and inhibition of the NOTCH pathway in ALL-SIL cells revealed that TLX1 synergistically regulated more than 60% of the NOTCH-responsive genes. Structure-function analysis demonstrated that TLX1 binding to Groucho-related TLE corepressors was necessary for maximal transcriptional regulation of the NOTCH-responsive genes tested, implicating TLX1 modulation of the NOTCH-TLE regulatory network. Comparison of the dataset to publicly available biological databases indicated that the TLX1/NOTCH-coregulated genes are frequently targeted by MYC. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments confirmed that MYC was an essential mediator of TLX1/NOTCH transcriptional output and growth promotion in ALL-SIL cells, with TLX1 contributing to the NOTCH-MYC regulatory axis by posttranscriptional enhancement of MYC protein levels. Functional classification of the TLX1/NOTCH-coregulated targets also showed enrichment for genes associated with other human cancers as well as those involved in developmental processes. In particular, we found that TLX1, NOTCH and MYC coregulate CD1B and RAG1, characteristic markers of early cortical thymocytes, and that concerted downregulation of the TLX1 and NOTCH pathways resulted in their irreversible repression. CONCLUSIONS We found that TLX1 and NOTCH synergistically regulate transcription in T-ALL, at least in part via the sharing of a TLE corepressor and by augmenting expression of MYC. We conclude that the TLX1/NOTCH/MYC network is a central determinant promoting the growth and survival of TLX1+ T-ALL cells. In addition, the TLX1/NOTCH/MYC transcriptional network coregulates genes involved in T cell development, such as CD1 and RAG family members, and therefore may prescribe the early cortical stage of differentiation arrest characteristic of the TLX1 subgroup of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Riz
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Teresa S Hawley
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Truong V Luu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Norman H Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert G Hawley
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Zweier-Renn LA, Hawley TS, Burkett S, Ramezani A, Riz I, Adler RL, Hickstein DD, Hawley RG. Hematopoietic immortalizing function of the NKL-subclass homeobox gene TLX1. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2010; 49:119-31. [PMID: 19862821 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocations resulting in ectopic expression of the TLX1 homeobox gene (previously known as HOX11) are recurrent events in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Transduction of primary murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells with retroviral vectors expressing TLX1 readily yields immortalized hematopoietic progenitor cell lines. Understanding the processes involved in TLX1-mediated cellular immortalization should yield insights into the growth and differentiation pathways altered by TLX1 during the development of T-ALL. In recent clinical gene therapy trials, hematopoietic clonal dominance or T-ALL-like diseases have occurred as a direct consequence of insertional activation of the EVI1, PRDM16 or LMO2 proto-oncogenes by the retroviral vectors used to deliver the therapeutic genes. Additionally, the generation of murine hematopoietic progenitor cell lines due to retroviral integrations into Evi1 or Prdm16 has also been recently reported. Here, we determined by linker-mediated nested polymerase chain reaction the integration sites in eight TLX1-immortalized hematopoietic cell lines. Notably, no common integration site was observed among the cell lines. Moreover, no insertions into the Evi1 or Prdm16 genes were identified although insertion near Lmo2 was observed in one instance. However, neither Lmo2 nor any of the other genes examined surrounding the integration sites showed differential vector-influenced expression compared to the cell lines lacking such insertions. While we cannot exclude the possibility that insertional side effects transiently provided a selective growth/survival advantage to the hematopoietic progenitor populations, our results unequivocally rule out insertions into Evi1 and Prdm16 as being integral to the TLX1-initiated immortalization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnsey A Zweier-Renn
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Nagel S, Venturini L, Przybylski GK, Grabarczyk P, Meyer C, Kaufmann M, Battmer K, Schmidt CA, Drexler HG, Scherr M, Macleod RA. NK-like homeodomain proteins activate NOTCH3-signaling in leukemic T-cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:371. [PMID: 19835636 PMCID: PMC2770077 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Homeodomain proteins control fundamental cellular processes in development and in cancer if deregulated. Three members of the NK-like subfamily of homeobox genes (NKLs), TLX1, TLX3 and NKX2-5, are implicated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). They are activated by particular chromosomal aberrations. However, their precise function in leukemogenesis is still unclear. Here we screened further NKLs in 24 T-ALL cell lines and identified the common expression of MSX2. The subsequent aim of this study was to analyze the role of MSX2 in T-cell differentiation which may be disturbed by oncogenic NKLs. Methods Specific gene activity was examined by quantitative real-time PCR, and globally by expression profiling. Proteins were analyzed by western blot, immuno-cytology and immuno-precipitation. For overexpression studies cell lines were transduced by lentiviruses. Results Quantification of MSX2 mRNA in primary hematopoietic cells demonstrated higher levels in CD34+ stem cells as compared to peripheral blood cells and mature CD3+ T-cells. Furthermore, analysis of MSX2 expression levels in T-cell lines after treatment with core thymic factors confirmed their involvement in regulation. These results indicated that MSX2 represents an hematopoietic NKL family member which is downregulated during T-cell development and may functionally substituted by oncogenic NKLs. For functional analysis JURKAT cells were lentivirally transduced, overexpressing either MSX2 or oncogenic TLX1 and NKX2-5, respectively. These cells displayed transcriptional activation of NOTCH3-signaling, including NOTCH3 and HEY1 as analyzed by gene expression profiling and quantitative RT-PCR, and consistently attenuated sensitivity to gamma-secretase inhibitor as analyzed by MTT-assays. Furthermore, in addition to MSX2, both TLX1 and NKX2-5 proteins interacted with NOTCH-pathway repressors, SPEN/MINT/SHARP and TLE1/GRG1, representing a potential mechanism for (de)regulation. Finally, elevated expression of NOTCH3 and HEY1 was detected in primary TLX1/3 positive T-ALL cells corresponding to the cell line data. Conclusion Identification and analysis of MSX2 in hematopoietic cells implicates a modulatory role via NOTCH3-signaling in early T-cell differentiation. Our data suggest that reduction of NOTCH3-signaling by physiological downregulation of MSX2 expression during T-cell development is abrogated by ectopic expression of oncogenic NKLs, substituting MSX2 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nagel
- Dept. of Human and Animal Cell Lines, DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstr, 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Milech N, Gottardo NG, Ford J, D'Souza D, Greene WK, Kees UR, Watt PM. MEIS proteins as partners of the TLX1/HOX11 oncoprotein. Leuk Res 2009; 34:358-63. [PMID: 19559479 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Revised: 06/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the TLX1/HOX11 proto-oncogene is associated with a significant subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL). Yet the manner in which TLX1 contributes to oncogenesis is not fully understood. Since, typically, interactions of HOX and TALE homeodomain proteins are determinant of HOX function, and HOX/MEIS co-expression has been shown to accelerate some leukemias, we systematically examined whether TLX1 interacts with MEIS and PBX proteins. Here, we report that TLX1 and MEIS proteins both interact and are co-expressed in T-ALL, and suggest that co-operation between TLX1 and MEIS proteins may have a significant role in T-cell leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Milech
- Division of Children's Leukaemia and Cancer Research, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia
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