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Wang J, Xu J, Liu X, Tong Y, Xu Z. Establishment of highly metastatic sublines and insights into telomerase expression during tumor metastasis using a microfluidic system. Talanta 2024; 280:126690. [PMID: 39126963 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis is an important hallmark of malignant tumors, and telomerase often exhibits high expression in these tumors. Monitoring the real-time dynamics of telomerase will provide valuable insights into its association with tumor metastasis. In this study, we described a microfluidic system for screening highly metastatic sublines based on differential cell invasiveness, investigated telomerase expression in the process of tumor metastasis and explored the genes and signaling pathways involved in tumor metastasis. Cells with different metastasis abilities were efficiently classified into different channels, and the fluorescence imaging visually demonstrates that cells with higher metastasis ability have stronger telomerase activity. In addition, we successfully established the high-metastasis-ability LoVo subline (named as LoVo-H) and low-metastasis-ability LoVo subline (named as LoVo-L) from the human colorectal cancer LoVo cell lines through only one round of selection using the system. The results show that the LoVo-H cells display superior proliferation and invasiveness compared to LoVo-L cells. Furthermore, 6776 differentially expressed genes of LoVo-H compared with LoVo-L were identified by transcriptome sequencing. The genes associated with telomerase activity, cell migration and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition were up-regulated in LoVo-H, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and Rap1 signaling pathway were significantly enriched in LoVo-H. This microfluidic system is a highly effective tool for selecting highly metastatic sublines and the LoVo-H subline established through this system presents a promising model for tumor metastasis research. Furthermore, this work preliminarily reveals telomerase expression during tumor metastasis and provides a new strategy for studying tumor metastasis and cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China
| | - Xiaopeng Liu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China
| | - Yuxiao Tong
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China
| | - Zhangrun Xu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China.
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2
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Lobo A, Collins K, Kaushal S, Acosta AM, Akgul M, Adhya AK, Al-Ahmadie HA, Al-Obaidy KI, Amin A, Amin MB, Aron M, Balzer BL, Biswal R, Mohanty S, Browning L, Chakrabarti I, Cima L, Cimadamore A, Desai S, Dhillon J, Deshwal A, Diego GG, Diwaker P, Galea LA, Magi-Galluzzi C, Giannico GA, Gupta NS, Haider A, Hirsch MS, Iczkowski KA, Arora S, Jain E, Jain D, Jha S, Kandukuri S, Kao CS, Kryvenko ON, Kumar RM, Kumari N, Kunju LP, Kuthi L, Lobo J, Lopez JI, Luthringer DJ, Maclean F, Manini C, Mannan R, Martos MG, Mehra R, Menon S, Mishra P, Moch H, Montironi R, Baisakh MR, Netto GJ, Nigam LK, Osunkoya AO, Pagliuca F, Paner GP, Panizo A, Parwani AV, Picken MM, Prendeville S, Przybycin CG, Purkait S, Queipo FJ, Rao BV, Rao P, Reuter VE, Sancheti S, Sangoi AR, Sardana R, Satturwar S, Shah RB, Sharma S, Dixit M, Verma M, Sirohi D, Smith SC, Soni S, Sundaram S, Swain M, Tretiakova M, Trpkov K, MuñizUnamunzaga G, Zhou M, Williamson SR, Lopez-Beltran A, Cheng L, Mohanty SK. Advances, recognition, and interpretation of molecular heterogeneity among conventional and subtype histology of urothelial carcinoma (UC): a survey among urologic pathologists and comprehensive review of the literature. Histopathology 2024; 85:748-759. [PMID: 39075659 DOI: 10.1111/his.15287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Urothelial carcinoma (UC) demonstrates significant molecular and histologic heterogeneity. The WHO 2022 classification has hinted at adding molecular signatures to the morphologic diagnosis. As morphology and associated molecular repertoire may potentially translate to choices of and response to therapy and relapse rate, broader acceptability of recognizing these key features among uropathologists is needed. This prompted an international survey to ascertain the practice patterns in classical/subtype UC among uropathologists across the globe. METHODS AND RESULTS A survey instrument was shared among 98 uropathologists using SurveyMonkey software. Anonymized respondent data were analysed. The response rate was 85%. A majority were in concordance with the profiles of luminal (93%) and basal (82%) types. Opinion on the FGFR3 testing platform was variable. While 95% concurred that TERT promoter mutation is the key driver in UC, 72% had the opinion that APOBEC mutagenesis is the main signature in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Uropathologists have divergent opinions on MIBC and ERCC2 mutations. Among the participants, 94% would quantify aggressive micropapillary and sarcomatoid histology, while 88% would reevaluate another transurethral resection of the bladder tumour specimen in nonmuscle invasive tumour with micropapillary, small cell, or sarcomatoid histology. A leading number agreed to specific molecular signatures of micropapillary (93%), plasmacytoid (97%), and small cell (86%) subtypes. Ninety-six percent of participants agreed that a small-cell component portends a more aggressive course and should be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 63% would perform HER2/neu testing only on oncologist's request in advanced tumours. Ninety percent agreed that microsatellite instability testing, although not a standard protocol, should be considered in young patients with upper tract UC. Eighty-six percent agreed that UC with high tumour mutational burden would be a better candidate for immunotherapy. CONCLUSION In the era of precision medicine, enhanced understanding of molecular heterogeneity of UC will contribute to better therapeutic options, novel biomarker discovery, innovative management protocols, and outcomes. Our survey provides a broad perspective of pathologists' perceptions and experience regarding incorporation of histomolecular approaches to "personalize" therapy. Due to variable clinical adoption, there is a need for additional data using uniform study criteria. This will drive generation of best practice guidelines in this area for widespread and consistent clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandi Lobo
- Department of Pathology, Kapoor Centre of Urology and Pathology, Raipur, India
| | - Katrina Collins
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University Health, Indiana, USA
| | - Seema Kaushal
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Andres M Acosta
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University Health, Indiana, USA
| | - Mahmut Akgul
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, USA
| | - Amit K Adhya
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Hikmat A Al-Ahmadie
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | - Ali Amin
- Department of Pathology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Mahul B Amin
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Manju Aron
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Bonnie L Balzer
- Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Rupanita Biswal
- Department of Pathology, Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Subashish Mohanty
- Department of Pathology, SUM Ultimate Medicare Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Lisa Browning
- Department of Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Indranil Chakrabarti
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani, India
| | - Luca Cima
- Department of Pathology, Santa Chiara Hospital of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessia Cimadamore
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cell Therapy Foundation, c/o Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sangeeta Desai
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | | | | | - Guillermo G Diego
- Department of Pathology, University Gregorio Marañon Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Preeti Diwaker
- Department of Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Laurence A Galea
- Department of Pathology, Melbourne Pathology, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Nilesh S Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA
| | - Aiman Haider
- Department of Pathology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Samriti Arora
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Ekta Jain
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Deepika Jain
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Shilpy Jha
- Department of Pathology, Advanced Medical and Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Shivani Kandukuri
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Chia-Sui Kao
- Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - Oleksandr N Kryvenko
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | - Ramani M Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Dane Diagnostics, Palakkad, India
| | - Niraj Kumari
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli, India
| | - Lakshmi P Kunju
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Levente Kuthi
- Department of Pathology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - João Lobo
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute - Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jose I Lopez
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | - Fiona Maclean
- Department of Pathology, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Claudia Manini
- Department of Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rahul Mannan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - María G Martos
- Department of Pathology, University Gregorio Marañon Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rohit Mehra
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Santosh Menon
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Pritinanda Mishra
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Holger Moch
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cell Therapy Foundation, c/o Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Manas R Baisakh
- Department of Pathology, Prolife Diagnostics, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - George J Netto
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lovelesh K Nigam
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Adeboye O Osunkoya
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Francesca Pagliuca
- Department of Pathology, Università degliStudidella Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gladell P Paner
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Angel Panizo
- Department of Pathology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anil V Parwani
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA
| | - Maria M Picken
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Hines, USA
| | - Susan Prendeville
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Suvendu Purkait
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Francisco J Queipo
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario de A Coruna, A Coruna, Spain
| | - B Vishal Rao
- Department of Pathology, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Priya Rao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Victor E Reuter
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Sankalp Sancheti
- Department of Pathology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Punjab, India
| | - Ankur R Sangoi
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Rohan Sardana
- Department of Pathology, Sardana Laboratories, Jalandhar, India
| | - Swati Satturwar
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA
| | - Rajal B Shah
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Shivani Sharma
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Mallika Dixit
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Monica Verma
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
| | - Deepika Sirohi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Steven C Smith
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, USA
| | - Shailesh Soni
- Department of Pathology, Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad, India
| | - Sandhya Sundaram
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | | | | | - Kiril Trpkov
- Department of Pathology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Ming Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Antonio Lopez-Beltran
- Department of Pathology, Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cordoba University, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Sambit K Mohanty
- Department of Pathology, CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon, India
- Department of Pathology, Advanced Medical and Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
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Forino NM, Woo JZ, Zaug AJ, Jimenez AG, Edelson E, Cech TR, Rouskin S, Stone MD. Telomerase RNA structural heterogeneity in living human cells detected by DMS-MaPseq. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.04.560962. [PMID: 37873413 PMCID: PMC10592977 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.04.560962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase that uses an intrinsic RNA subunit as the template for telomeric DNA synthesis. Biogenesis of human telomerase requires its RNA subunit (hTR) to fold into a multi-domain architecture that includes the template-containing pseudoknot (t/PK) and the three-way junction (CR4/5). These two hTR domains bind the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein and are thus essential for telomerase catalytic activity. Here, we probe the structure of hTR in living cells using dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MaPseq) and ensemble deconvolution analysis. Unexpectedly, approximately 15% of the steady state population of hTR has a CR4/5 conformation lacking features thought to be required for hTERT binding. The proportion of hTR CR4/5 that is folded into the primary functional conformation does not require hTERT expression and the fraction of hTR that assumes a misfolded CR4/5 domain is not refolded by overexpression of its hTERT binding partner. This result suggests a functional role for an RNA folding cofactor other than hTERT during telomerase biogenesis. Mutagenesis demonstrates that stabilization of the alternative CR4/5 conformation is detrimental to telomerase assembly and activity. Moreover, the alternative CR4/5 conformation is not found in telomerase RNP complexes purified from cells via an epitope tag on hTERT, supporting the hypothesis that only the major CR4/5 conformer is active. We propose that this misfolded portion of the cellular hTR pool is either slowly refolded or degraded. Thus, kinetic traps for RNA folding that have been so well-studied in vitro may also present barriers for assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Forino
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Jia Zheng Woo
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arthur J Zaug
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Eva Edelson
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Thomas R Cech
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Silvi Rouskin
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael D Stone
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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4
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Kageler L, Aquilanti E. Discovery of telomerase inhibitors: existing strategies and emerging innovations. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1957-1968. [PMID: 39194999 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase, crucial for maintaining telomere length, is an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its role in cellular immortality. Despite three decades of research efforts, no small-molecule telomerase inhibitors have been clinically approved, highlighting the extensive challenges in developing effective telomerase-based therapeutics. This review examines conventional and emerging methods to measure telomerase activity and discusses existing inhibitors, including oligonucleotides and small molecules. Furthermore, this review highlights recent breakthroughs in structural studies of telomerase using cryo-electron microscopy, which can facilitate improved structure-based drug design. Altogether, advancements in structural methodologies and high-throughput screening offer promising prospects for telomerase-based cancer therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kageler
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, U.S.A
| | - Elisa Aquilanti
- Division of Neuro Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, U.S.A
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, U.S.A
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
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5
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Wu Z, Gu X, Zha L, Yang Q, Zhou Y, Zeng Z. Structural and functional insights into yeast Tbf1 as an atypical telomeric repeat-binding factor. Structure 2024; 32:889-898.e3. [PMID: 38677290 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-binding factor 1 (Tbf1) has a similar architecture as the TRF family of telomeric proteins and plays important roles in both telomere homeostasis and ribosome regulation. However, the molecular basis of why Tbf1 has such different functions compared to other TRFs remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structures of the TRF homology (TRFH) and Myb-L domains from Schizosaccharomyces pombe Tbf1 (spTbf1). TRFH-mediated homodimerization is essential for spTbf1 stability. Importantly, spTbf1TRFH lacks the conserved docking motif for interactions with telomeric proteins, explaining why spTbf1 does not participate in the assembly of the shelterin complex. Finally, structural and biochemical analyses demonstrate that TRFH and Myb-L domains as well as the loop region of spTbf1 coordinate to recognize S. pombe telomeric double-stranded DNA. Overall, our findings provide structural and functional insights into how fungi Tbf1 acts as an atypical telomeric repeat-binding factor, which helps to understand the evolution of TRFH-containing telomeric proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| | - Xin Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lin Zha
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qingqiu Yang
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yuanze Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Zhixiong Zeng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the TCM Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China.
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6
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Sun H, Li X, Long Q, Wang X, Zhu W, Chen E, Zhou W, Yang H, Huang C, Deng W, Chen M. TERC promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by facilitating the nuclear localization of TERT. iScience 2024; 27:109869. [PMID: 38799568 PMCID: PMC11126826 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The core of telomerase consists of the protein subunit telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA component (TERC). So far, the role of TERC in cancer development has remained elusive. Here, we found TERC expression elevated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, which was associated with disease progression and poor prognosis in patients. Using NSCLC cell lines and xenograft models, we showed that knockdown of TERC caused cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, TERC was exported to the cytoplasm by nuclear RNA export factor 1 (NXF1), where it mediated the interaction of TERT with other telomerase subunits. Depletion of TERC hindered the assembly and subsequent nuclear localization of the telomerase complex, preventing TERT from functioning in telomere maintenance and transcription regulation. Our findings suggest that TERC is a potential biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis and prognosis and can be a target for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Qian Long
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Wancui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Enni Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Han Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Chuyang Huang
- Department of Urology, Shaoyang Central Hospital, University of South China, Shaoyang, Hunan 422000, China
| | - Wuguo Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Miao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
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7
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Tao HY, Zhao CY, Wang Y, Sheng WJ, Zhen YS. Targeting Telomere Dynamics as an Effective Approach for the Development of Cancer Therapeutics. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:3805-3825. [PMID: 38708177 PMCID: PMC11069074 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s448556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomere is a protective structure located at the end of chromosomes of eukaryotes, involved in maintaining the integrity and stability of the genome. Telomeres play an essential role in cancer progression; accordingly, targeting telomere dynamics emerges as an effective approach for the development of cancer therapeutics. Targeting telomere dynamics may work through multifaceted molecular mechanisms; those include the activation of anti-telomerase immune responses, shortening of telomere lengths, induction of telomere dysfunction and constitution of telomerase-responsive drug release systems. In this review, we summarize a wide variety of telomere dynamics-targeted agents in preclinical studies and clinical trials, and reveal their promising therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. As shown, telomere dynamics-active agents are effective as anti-cancer chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics. Notably, these agents may display efficacy against cancer stem cells, reducing cancer stem levels. Furthermore, these agents can be integrated with the capability of tumor-specific drug delivery by the constitution of related nanoparticles, antibody drug conjugates and HSA-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-yu Tao
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun-yan Zhao
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-jin Sheng
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-su Zhen
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Bozděchová L, Havlová K, Fajkus P, Fajkus J. Analysis of Telomerase RNA Structure in Physcomitrium patens Indicates Functionally Relevant Transitions Between OPEN and CLOSED Conformations. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168417. [PMID: 38143018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase RNA (TR) conformation determines its function as a template for telomere synthesis and as a scaffold for the assembly of the telomerase nucleoprotein complex. Experimental analyses of TR secondary structure using DMS-Map Seq and SHAPE-Map Seq techniques show its CLOSED conformation as the consensus structure where the template region cannot perform its function. Our data show that the apparent discrepancy between experimental results and predicted TR functional conformation, mostly ignored in published studies, can be explained using data analysis based on single-molecule structure prediction from individual sequencing reads by the recently established DaVinci method. This method results in several clusters of secondary structures reflecting the structural dynamics of TR, possibly related to its multiple functional states. Interestingly, the presumed active (OPEN) conformation of TR corresponds to a minor fraction of TR under in vivo conditions. Therefore, structural polymorphism and dynamic TR transitions between CLOSED and OPEN conformations may be involved in telomerase activity regulation as a switch that functions independently of total TR transcript levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Bozděchová
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Havlová
- National Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biophysics, Czech Acad Sci, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; National Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biophysics, Czech Acad Sci, Královopolská 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic.
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9
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Zhao J, Han Z, Ding L, Wang P, He X, Lin L. The molecular mechanism of aging and the role in neurodegenerative diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24751. [PMID: 38312598 PMCID: PMC10835255 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex and inevitable biological process affected by a combination of external environmental and genetic factors. Humans are currently living longer than ever before, accompanied with aging-related alterations such as diminished autophagy, decreased immunological function, mitochondrial malfunction, stem cell failure, accumulation of somatic and mitochondrial DNA mutations, loss of telomere, and altered nutrient metabolism. Aging leads to a decline in body functions and age-related diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease, which adversely affects human health and longevity. The quality of life of the elderly is greatly diminished by the increase in their life expectancy rather than healthy life expectancy. With the rise in the age of the global population, aging and related diseases have become the focus of attention worldwide. In this review, we discuss several major mechanisms of aging, including DNA damage and repair, free radical oxidation, telomeres and telomerase, mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and their role in neurodegenerative diseases to provide a reference for the prevention of aging and its related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanli Zhao
- Laboratory of Medical Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Zhenjie Han
- Laboratory of Medical Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Hubei Research Institute of Geriatrics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Xiutang He
- Center for Monitoring and Evaluation of Teaching Quality, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen, 448000, China
| | - Li Lin
- Laboratory of Medical Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
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10
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Liu M, Zhang Y, Jian Y, Gu L, Zhang D, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. The regulations of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:90. [PMID: 38278800 PMCID: PMC10817947 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06454-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal activation of telomerase occurs in most cancer types, which facilitates escaping from cell senescence. As the key component of telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is regulated by various regulation pathways. TERT gene changing in its promoter and phosphorylation respectively leads to TERT ectopic expression at the transcription and protein levels. The co-interacting factors play an important role in the regulation of TERT in different cancer types. In this review, we focus on the regulators of TERT and these downstream functions in cancer regulation. Determining the specific regulatory mechanism will help to facilitate the development of a cancer treatment strategy that targets telomerase and cancer cell senescence. As the most important catalytic subunit component of telomerase, TERT is rapidly regulated by transcriptional factors and PTM-related activation. These changes directly influence TERT-related telomere maintenance by regulating telomerase activity in telomerase-positive cancer cells, telomerase assembly with telomere-binding proteins, and recruiting telomerase to the telomere. Besides, there are also non-canonical functions that are influenced by TERT, including the basic biological functions of cancer cells, such as proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, initiating cell formation, EMT, and cell invasion. Other downstream effects are the results of the influence of transcriptional factors by TERT. Currently, some small molecular inhibitors of TERT and TERT vaccine are under research as a clinical therapeutic target. Purposeful work is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yongping Jian
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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11
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Fahim SA, ElZohairy YA, Moustafa RI. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, in combination with tamoxifen exerts synergistic effect in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells via hTERT inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1844. [PMID: 38246945 PMCID: PMC10800350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51977-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most successful treatments for breast cancer; however, TAM resistance continues to be a significant barrier. TAM resistance has been reported to be associated with increased expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). This enzyme shares structural similarity with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme of RNA viruses, suggesting that RdRp inhibitors may also inhibit hTERT. Favipiravir (FAV) is an antiviral drug that inhibits RdRp of RNA viruses. Thus, we propose that FAV may also elicit an antitumor effect by suppressing hTERT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FAV and TAM on TAM-resistant breast cancer (TAMR-1). The cell viabilities were determined. The levels of CDK1/ hTERT, in addition to regulators of hTERT-targeted signaling pathways were measured. Apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle distribution were also determined. Our data revealed that the combination of TAM and FAV suppressed cell proliferation synergistically (CI < 1) and resulted in a significant change in cell migration and apoptosis. Indeed, this was associated with reduced levels of hTERT and CDK1 and shift in the cell cycle distribution. Our findings suggest that the TAM/FAV combination exhibits synergistic effects against TAMR-1 human breast cancer cells by targeting hTERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Fahim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, 6th of October, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Yehia A ElZohairy
- School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab I Moustafa
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
- Microbiology Department, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
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12
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Lim CJ. Telomere C-Strand Fill-In Machinery: New Insights into the Human CST-DNA Polymerase Alpha-Primase Structures and Functions. Subcell Biochem 2024; 104:73-100. [PMID: 38963484 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-58843-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Telomeres at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes are extended by a specialized set of enzymes and telomere-associated proteins, collectively termed here the telomere "replisome." The telomere replisome acts on a unique replicon at each chromosomal end of the telomeres, the 3' DNA overhang. This telomere replication process is distinct from the replisome mechanism deployed to duplicate the human genome. The G-rich overhang is first extended before the complementary C-strand is filled in. This overhang is extended by telomerase, a specialized ribonucleoprotein and reverse transcriptase. The overhang extension process is terminated when telomerase is displaced by CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST), a single-stranded DNA-binding protein complex. CST then recruits DNA polymerase α-primase to complete the telomere replication process by filling in the complementary C-strand. In this chapter, the recent structure-function insights into the human telomere C-strand fill-in machinery (DNA polymerase α-primase and CST) will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ci Ji Lim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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13
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Özmaldar A, Balta B. Formation and Effects of Upstream DNA-RNA Base Pairing in Telomerase. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300501. [PMID: 37743538 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Telomere elongation by telomerase consists of two types of translocation: duplex translocation during each repeat synthesis and template translocation at the end of repeat synthesis. Our replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations show that in addition to the Watson-Crick interactions in the active site, templating RNA can also form base pairs with the upstream regions of DNA, mostly with the second upstream DNA repeat with respect to the 3'-end. At the end of the repeat synthesis, dG10-P442 and dG11-N446 hydrogen bonds form. Then, active-site base pairs dissociate one by one, and the RNA bases reanneal with the complementary base on the upstream DNA repeat. For each dissociating base pair a new one forms, thus conserving the number of base pairs during template translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aydın Özmaldar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bülent Balta
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Li D, Ju F, Wang H, Fan C, Jacob JC, Gul S, Zaliani A, Wartmann T, Polidori MC, Bruns CJ, Zhao Y. Combination of the biomarkers for aging and cancer? - Challenges and current status. Transl Oncol 2023; 38:101783. [PMID: 37716258 PMCID: PMC10514562 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101783] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer has been shown to rise with the increasing aging global population. Advanced age is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in older adults. As individuals experience varying health statuses, particularly with age, it poses a challenge for medical professionals in the cancer field to obtain standardized treatment outcomes. Hence, relying solely on chronological age and disease-related parameters is inadequate for clinical decision-making for elderly patients. With functional, multimorbidity-related, and psychosocial changes that occur with aging, oncologic diseases may develop and be treated differently from younger patients, leading to unique challenges in treatment efficacy and tolerance. To overcome this challenge, personalized therapy using biomarkers has emerged as a promising solution. Various categories of biomarkers, including inflammatory, hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and DNA modification-related indicators, may display features related to both cancer and aging, aiding in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer in old age. Furthermore, physical functional measurements as non-molecular phenotypic biomarkers are being investigated for their potential complementary role in structured multidomain strategies to combat age-related diseases such as cancer. This review provides insight into the current developments, recent discoveries, and significant challenges in cancer and aging biomarkers, with a specific focus on their application in advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Li
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Ju
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunfu Fan
- Medical faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg Site, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg Site, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wartmann
- Department of General, Visceral und Vascular Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Maria Cristina Polidori
- Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress-Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne Germany
| | - Christiane J Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
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15
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da Silva VL, de Paiva SC, de Oliveira HC, Fernandes CAH, Salvador GHM, Fontes MRDM, Cano MIN. Biochemical and structural characterization of the RT domain of Leishmania sp. telomerase reverse transcriptase. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130451. [PMID: 37751810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Leishmania genus comprises parasites that cause leishmaniasis, a neglected disease spread worldwide. Leishmania sp. telomeres are composed of TTAGGG repeats maintained by telomerase. In most eukaryotes, the enzyme minimal complex contains the TER (telomerase RNA) and the TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) components. The TERT holds the enzyme catalytic core and is formed by four structural and functional domains (TEN, Telomerase Essential N-terminal; TRBD, Telomerase RNA Binding Domain; RT, the reverse transcriptase domain and CTE, C-Terminal Extension domain). METHODS AND RESULTS Amino acid sequence alignments, protein structure prediction analysis, and protein: nucleic acid interaction assays were used to show that the Leishmania major RT domain preserves the canonical structural elements found in higher eukaryotes, including the canonical motifs and the aspartic acid residues that stabilize the Mg2+ ion cofactor. Furthermore, amino acid substitutions specific to the Leishmania genus and partial conservation of the residues involved with nucleic acid interactions are shown. The purified recombinant Leishmania RT protein is biochemically active and interacts with the G-rich telomeric strand and the TER template sequence. CONCLUSION Our results highlight that the telomerase catalysis mechanism is conserved in a pathogen of medical importance despite the structural peculiarities present in the parasite's RT domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Luiz da Silva
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Stephany Cacete de Paiva
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Hamine Cristina de Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alexandre H Fernandes
- UMR 7590, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, IRD, Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Marcos Roberto de M Fontes
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Institute for Advanced Studies of the Sea (IEAMAR), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel N Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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16
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Maliński B, Vertemara J, Faustini E, Ladenvall C, Norberg A, Zhang Y, von Castelmur E, Baliakas P, Tisi R, Cammenga J, Lottersberger F. Novel pathological variants of NHP2 affect N-terminal domain flexibility, protein stability, H/ACA Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex formation and telomerase activity. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2901-2912. [PMID: 37440454 PMCID: PMC10508036 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are characterized by short telomeres, premature aging, bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition. Germline mutations in NHP2, encoding for one component of the telomerase cofactor H/ACA RNA binding complex together with Dyskerin, NOP10 and GAR1, have been previously reported in rare cases of TBDs. Here, we report two novel NHP2 variants (NHP2-A39T and NHP2-T44M) identified in a compound heterozygous patient affected by premature aging, bone marrow failure/myelodysplastic syndrome and gastric cancer. Although still able to support cell viability, both variants reduce the levels of hTR, the telomerase RNA component, and telomerase activity, expanding the panel of NHP2 pathological variants. Furthermore, both variants fail to be incorporated in the H/ACA RNA binding complex when in competition with wild-type endogenous NHP2, and the lack of incorporation causes their drastic proteasomal degradation. By RoseTTAFold prediction followed by molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal a dramatic distortion of residues 33-41, which normally position on top of the NHP2 core, as the main defect of NHP2-A39T, and high flexibility and the misplacement of the N-terminal region (residues 1-24) in NHP2-T44M and, to a lower degree, in NHP2-A39T. Because deletion of amino acids 2-24 causes a reduction in NHP2 levels only in the presence of wild-type NHP2, while deletion of amino acids 2-38 completely disrupts NHP2 stability, we propose that the two variants are mis-incorporated into the H/ACA binding complex due to the altered dynamics of the first 23 amino acids and/or the distortion of the residues 25-41 loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Maliński
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
| | - Jacopo Vertemara
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
| | - Elena Faustini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
| | - Claes Ladenvall
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 90185, Sweden
| | - Anna Norberg
- Klinisk genetik, Norrlands Universitetssjukhus, Umeå 75185, Sweden
| | - Yuming Zhang
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
| | - Eleonore von Castelmur
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
| | - Panagiotis Baliakas
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 90185, Sweden
| | - Renata Tisi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
| | - Jörg Cammenga
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Francisca Lottersberger
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58185, Sweden
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17
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Hentschel J, Badstübner M, Choi J, Bagshaw CR, Lapointe CP, Wang J, Jansson LI, Puglisi JD, Stone MD. Real-time detection of human telomerase DNA synthesis by multiplexed single-molecule FRET. Biophys J 2023; 122:3447-3457. [PMID: 37515327 PMCID: PMC10502476 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic stability in proliferating cells critically depends on telomere maintenance by telomerase reverse transcriptase. Here we report the development and proof-of-concept results of a single-molecule approach to monitor the catalytic activity of human telomerase in real time and with single-nucleotide resolution. Using zero-mode waveguides and multicolor FRET, we recorded the processive addition of multiple telomeric repeats to individual DNA primers. Unlike existing biophysical and biochemical tools, the novel approach enables the quantification of nucleotide-binding kinetics before nucleotide incorporation. Moreover, it provides a means to dissect the unique translocation dynamics that telomerase must undergo after synthesis of each hexameric DNA repeat. We observed an unexpectedly prolonged binding dwell time of dGTP in the enzyme active site at the start of each repeat synthesis cycle, suggesting that telomerase translocation is composed of multiple rate-contributing sub-steps that evade classical biochemical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrik Hentschel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California; Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Mareike Badstübner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Junhong Choi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Clive R Bagshaw
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Christopher P Lapointe
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jinfan Wang
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Linnea I Jansson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Joseph D Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Michael D Stone
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California.
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18
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Barbour AT, Wuttke DS. RPA-like single-stranded DNA-binding protein complexes including CST serve as specialized processivity factors for polymerases. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 81:102611. [PMID: 37245465 PMCID: PMC10524659 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and other single-stranded regions of the genome require specialized management to maintain stability and for proper progression of DNA metabolism pathways. Human Replication Protein A and CTC1-STN1-TEN1 are structurally similar heterotrimeric protein complexes that have essential ssDNA-binding roles in DNA replication, repair, and telomeres. Yeast and ciliates have related ssDNA-binding proteins with strikingly conserved structural features to these human heterotrimeric protein complexes. Recent breakthrough structures have extended our understanding of these commonalities by illuminating a common mechanism used by these proteins to act as processivity factors for their partner polymerases through their ability to manage ssDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T Barbour
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Bouder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Deborah S Wuttke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Bouder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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19
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Yi M, Wang M, Xu Y, Cao Z, Ling Y, Zhang Z, Cao H. CRISPR-based m 6A modification and its potential applications in telomerase regulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1200734. [PMID: 37519297 PMCID: PMC10382234 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1200734] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase determines cell lifespan by controlling chromosome stability and cell viability, m6A epigenetic modification plays an important role in the regulation of telomerase activity. Using CRISPR epigenome editing to analyze specific m6A modification sites in telomerase will provide an important tool for analyzing the molecular mechanism of m6A modification regulating telomerase activity. In this review, we clarified the relevant applications of CRISPR system, paid special attention to the regulation of m6A modification in stem cells and cancer cells based on CRISPR system, emphasized the regulation of m6A modification on telomerase activity, pointed out that m6A modification sites regulate telomerase activity, and discussed strategies based on telomerase activity and disease treatment, which are helpful to promote the research of anti-aging and tumor related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Yi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Mingyue Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongjie Xu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhikun Cao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zijun Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongguo Cao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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20
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Lue NF, Autexier C. Orchestrating nucleic acid-protein interactions at chromosome ends: telomerase mechanisms come into focus. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:878-890. [PMID: 37400652 PMCID: PMC10539978 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a special reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein dedicated to the synthesis of telomere repeats that protect chromosome ends. Among reverse transcriptases, telomerase is unique in using a stably associated RNA with an embedded template to synthesize a specified sequence. Moreover, it is capable of iteratively copying the same template region (repeat addition processivity) through multiple rounds of RNA-DNA unpairing and reannealing, that is, the translocation reaction. Biochemical analyses of telomerase over the past 3 decades in protozoa, fungi and mammals have identified structural elements that underpin telomerase mechanisms and have led to models that account for the special attributes of telomerase. Notably, these findings and models can now be interpreted and adjudicated through recent cryo-EM structures of Tetrahymena and human telomerase holoenzyme complexes in association with substrates and regulatory proteins. Collectively, these structures reveal the intricate protein-nucleic acid interactions that potentiate telomerase's unique translocation reaction and clarify how this enzyme reconfigures the basic reverse transcriptase scaffold to craft a polymerase dedicated to the synthesis of telomere DNA. Among the many new insights is the resolution of the telomerase 'anchor site' proposed more than 3 decades ago. The structures also highlight the nearly universal conservation of a protein-protein interface between an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold regulatory protein and the telomerase catalytic subunit, which enables spatial and temporal regulation of telomerase function in vivo. In this Review, we discuss key features of the structures in combination with relevant functional analyses. We also examine conserved and divergent aspects of telomerase mechanisms as gleaned from studies in different model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal F Lue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Chantal Autexier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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21
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Kohansal F, Mobed A, Aletaha N, Ghaseminasab K, Dolati S, Hasanzadeh M. Biosensing of telomerase antigen using sandwich type immunosensor based on poly(β-Cyclodextrin) decorated by Au@Pt nanoparticles: An innovative immune-platform toward early-stage identification of cancer. Microchem J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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22
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Padmanaban S, Tesmer VM, Nandakumar J. Interaction hub critical for telomerase recruitment and primer-template handling for catalysis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201727. [PMID: 36963832 PMCID: PMC10055720 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase processively adds telomeric DNA repeats to chromosome ends using catalytic protein subunit TERT and a template on its RNA subunit TR. Mammalian telomerase is recruited to telomeres by the TEL patch and NOB regions of shelterin component TPP1. Recent cryo-EM structures of human telomerase reveal that a composite TERT TEN-(IFD-TRAP) domain interacts with TPP1. Here, we generate TERT mutants to demonstrate that a three-way TEN-(IFD-TRAP)-TPP1 interaction is critical for telomerase recruitment to telomeres and processive telomere repeat addition. Single mutations of IFD-TRAP at its interface with TR or the DNA primer impair telomerase catalysis. We further reveal the importance of TERT motif 3N and TEN domain loop 99FGF101 in telomerase action. Finally, we demonstrate that TPP1 TEL patch loop residue F172, which undergoes a structural rearrangement to bind telomerase, contributes to the human-mouse species specificity of the telomerase-TPP1 interaction. Our study provides insights into the multiple functions of TERT IFD-TRAP, reveals novel TERT and TPP1 elements critical for function, and helps explain how TPP1 binding licenses robust telomerase action at natural chromosome ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Padmanaban
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Valerie M Tesmer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jayakrishnan Nandakumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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23
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Sun S, Ma W, Mao P. Analysis of MsTERT Gene Expression Profile in Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) Indicates Their Response to Abiotic Stress and Seed Aging. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2036. [PMID: 37653953 PMCID: PMC10221914 DOI: 10.3390/plants12102036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Seed aging is always taken as a crucial factor for vigor loss due to delayed seed germination and seedling growth, which limits hay production. Many studies have found that telomeres are closely related to abiotic stress and seed vigor. However, the molecular mechanism of telomeres' response to abiotic stress, seed vigor, and the maintenance mechanism of plant telomere homeostasis still remain unclear. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) enjoys the title of "King of Forage", and is an important protein forage for the dairy industry as planted in the world. This comprehensive investigation was performed to explore the molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationship, and gene expression analysis of MsTERT under abiotic stress and during seed aging in alfalfa. In this study, MsTERT was identified from the 'Zhongmu 1' alfalfa genome and encoded a coding sequence (CDS) of 3615 bp in length, consisting of telomerase- RNA-Binding Domain (RBD) and Reverse Transcriptase (RT) domains, 1024 amino acids, an isoelectric point of 9.58, and a relative molecular mass of 138.94 kD. Subcellular localization showed that MsTERT was mainly localized in the nucleus and mitochondria. The results of the expression profile showed that MsTERT was observed to respond to various stress conditions such as salt (100 mmol/L NaCl) and drought (20% PEG 6000). Furthermore, exogenous hormones IAA, ABA, and GA3 showed the potential to affect MsTERT expression. Additionally, MsTERT also responded to seed aging. Our results revealed a marginal but significant association between relative telomere length, MsTERT expression, and seed germination percentage, suggesting that the length of telomeres was shortened, and expression of MsTERT decreased with alfalfa seed aged. These results provide some evidence for the hypothesis of relative telomere length and/or TERT expression serving as biomarkers of seed aging. Although this finding is helpful to offer a new way to elucidate the molecular mechanism of vigor loss in alfalfa seed, further investigation is required to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the MsTERT gene regulates seed vigor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peisheng Mao
- Forage Seed Laboratory, College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.S.); (W.M.)
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24
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Mohanty SK, Lobo A, Mishra SK, Cheng L. Precision Medicine in Bladder Cancer: Present Challenges and Future Directions. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050756. [PMID: 37240925 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is characterized by significant histopathologic and molecular heterogeneity. The discovery of molecular pathways and knowledge of cellular mechanisms have grown exponentially and may allow for better disease classification, prognostication, and development of novel and more efficacious noninvasive detection and surveillance strategies, as well as selection of therapeutic targets, which can be used in BC, particularly in a neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting. This article outlines recent advances in the molecular pathology of BC with a better understanding and deeper focus on the development and deployment of promising biomarkers and therapeutic avenues that may soon make a transition into the domain of precision medicine and clinical management for patients with BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambit K Mohanty
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Advanced Medical Research Institute and CORE Diagnostics, Gurgaon 122016, India
| | - Anandi Lobo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kapoor Center for Pathology and Urology, Raipur 490042, India
| | - Sourav K Mishra
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar 750017, India
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Lifespan Academic Medical Center, and the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, APC 12-105, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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25
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Welfer GA, Freudenthal BD. Recent advancements in the structural biology of human telomerase and their implications for improved design of cancer therapeutics. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad010. [PMID: 36879683 PMCID: PMC9984990 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase that synthesizes telomeric repeats at the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomerase is transiently expressed in germ and stem cells, but nearly all somatic cells silence it after differentiating. However, the vast majority of cancer cells reactivate and constitutively express telomerase to maintain replicative immortality. Because of this, telomerase has remained a promising broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic target for over 30 years. However, various challenges associated with obtaining high-resolution structural data for telomerase have limited the development of rationally designed structure-based therapeutics. Various techniques and model systems have been utilized to advance our understanding of the structural biology of telomerase. In particular, multiple high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures published within the past few years have revealed new components of the telomerase complex with near atomic resolution structural models. Additionally, these structures have provided details for how telomerase is recruited to telomeres and its mechanism of telomere synthesis. With these new pieces of evidence, and the promising outlook for future refinements to our current models, the possibility of telomerase specific chemotherapeutics is becoming more tangible than ever. This review summarizes these recent advancements and outlines outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffin A Welfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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26
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Cheng L, Zhang S, Wang M, Lopez-Beltran A. Biological and clinical perspectives of TERT promoter mutation detection on bladder cancer diagnosis and management. Hum Pathol 2023; 133:56-75. [PMID: 35700749 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are associated with increased TERT mRNA and TERT protein levels, telomerase activity, and shorter but stable telomere length. TERT promoter mutation is the most common mutation that occurs in approximately 60-80% of patients with bladder cancer. The TERT promoter mutations occur in a wide spectrum of urothelial lesions, including benign urothelial proliferation and tumor-like conditions, benign urothelial tumors, premalignant and putative precursor lesions, urothelial carcinoma and its variants, and nonurothelial malignancies. The prevalence and incidence of TERT promoter mutations in a total of 7259 cases from the urinary tract were systematically reviewed. Different platforms of TERT promoter mutation detection were presented. In this review, we also discussed the significance and clinical implications of TERT promoter mutation detection in urothelial tumorigenesis, surveillance and early detection, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment responses, and clinical outcome. Identification of TERT promoter mutations from urine or plasma cell-free DNA (liquid biopsy) will facilitate bladder cancer screening program and optimal clinical management. A better understanding of TERT promoter mutation and its pathway would open new therapeutic avenues for patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Lifespan Academic Medical Center, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mingsheng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Antonio Lopez-Beltran
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Cordoba Medical School, Cordoba, E-14004, Spain
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27
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Welfer GA, Borin VA, Cortez LM, Opresko PL, Agarwal PK, Freudenthal BD. Altered Nucleotide Insertion Mechanisms of Disease-Associated TERT Variants. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:281. [PMID: 36833208 PMCID: PMC9957172 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are a spectrum of diseases that arise from mutations in genes responsible for maintaining telomere integrity. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) adds nucleotides to chromosome ends and is frequently mutated in individuals with TBDs. Previous studies have provided insight into how relative changes in hTERT activity can lead to pathological outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms describing how disease-associated variants alter the physicochemical steps of nucleotide insertion remain poorly understood. To address this, we applied single-turnover kinetics and computer simulations to the Tribolium castaneum TERT (tcTERT) model system and characterized the nucleotide insertion mechanisms of six disease-associated variants. Each variant had distinct consequences on tcTERT's nucleotide insertion mechanism, including changes in nucleotide binding affinity, rates of catalysis, or ribonucleotide selectivity. Our computer simulations provide insight into how each variant disrupts active site organization, such as suboptimal positioning of active site residues, destabilization of the DNA 3' terminus, or changes in nucleotide sugar pucker. Collectively, this work provides a holistic characterization of the nucleotide insertion mechanisms for multiple disease-associated TERT variants and identifies additional functions of key active site residues during nucleotide insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffin A. Welfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
| | - Veniamin A. Borin
- Department of Physiological Sciences and High-Performance Computing Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74077, USA
| | - Luis M. Cortez
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
| | - Patricia L. Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Pratul K. Agarwal
- Department of Physiological Sciences and High-Performance Computing Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74077, USA
| | - Bret D. Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
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28
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Lambert-Lanteigne P, Young A, Autexier C. Complex interaction network revealed by mutation of human telomerase 'insertion in fingers' and essential N-terminal domains and the telomere protein TPP1. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102916. [PMID: 36649908 PMCID: PMC9958494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the majority of human cancer cells, cellular immortalization depends on the maintenance of telomere length by telomerase. An essential step required for telomerase function is its recruitment to telomeres, which is regulated by the interaction of the telomere protein, TPP1, with the telomerase essential N-terminal (TEN) domain of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase, hTERT. We previously reported that the hTERT 'insertion in fingers domain' (IFD) recruits telomerase to telomeres in a TPP1-dependent manner. Here, we use hTERT truncations and the IFD domain containing mutations in conserved residues or premature aging disease-associated mutations to map the interactions between the IFD and TPP1. We find that the hTERT-IFD domain can interact with TPP1. However, deletion of the IFD motif in hTERT lacking the N-terminus and the C-terminal extension does not abolish interaction with TPP1, suggesting the IFD is not essential for hTERT interaction with TPP1. Several conserved residues in the central IFD-TRAP region that we reported regulate telomerase recruitment to telomeres, and cell immortalization compromise interaction of the hTERT-IFD domain with TPP1 when mutated. Using a similar approach, we find that the IFD domain interacts with the TEN domain but is not essential for intramolecular hTERT interactions with the TEN domain. IFD-TEN interactions are not disrupted by multiple amino acid changes in the IFD or TEN, thus highlighting a complex regulation of IFD-TEN interactions as suggested by recent cryo-EM structures of human telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrian Young
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Chantal Autexier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
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29
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Xie L, Yin W, Tang F, He M. Pan-Cancer analysis of TERT and Validation in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 639:106-116. [PMID: 36476950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.11.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the possible functions of TERT in pan-cancer and OS. METHODS First, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using multi-omics data integrative analyses, including differential expression, prognosis, the correlation between infiltrating inflammatory immune cells, and mutation in pan-cancer. Furthermore, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using mRNA expression profiles related to OS based on the GEO Datasets. Various differentially expressed genes were chosen based on a fitness threshold for further investigations. Finally, the function of the TERT gene was assessed in OS cells, including cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis. RESULTS Pan-cancer research demonstrated that variable expression of TERT was not only associated with numerous types of human cancer but was also intimately linked to DNA methylation. Bioinformatic investigation revealed a link between the differential expression of TERT with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In vitro studies indicated that inhibition of TERT decreased OS cell proliferation, motility, and metastasis. CONCLUSION TERT may serve as a useful genomic biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of pan-cancer and as a prospective therapeutic target for the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Xie
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Trauma Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenhua Yin
- Trauma Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fuxing Tang
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Maolin He
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
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30
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Chen Y, Wang F, Bai S, Chen X, Han X, Cai J, Bao Z, Cao C, Zhao B, Wu X. Reproductive performance and transcriptome analysis of ovaries at different parities in female rabbits. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad156. [PMID: 37202173 PMCID: PMC10259249 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the reproductive performance and ovarian molecular regulation associated with parity in commercial rabbit systems. The pregnancy data of 658 female rabbits from the first to sixth parities (P1 to P6) under the same mating pattern were analyzed, showing a significant decrease in the conception rate in P6. Compared to P1 (N = 120) and P2 (N = 105), P6 (N = 99) had significantly lower performance indices in terms of total litter size, live litter size, survival rate at birth, and weight of 3 and 5 wk old kits (P < 0.05). Using H&E staining, we found that the ovarian primordial follicle reservoir of P6 was significantly lower than that of P1 and P2, and the number of atretic follicles at P6 was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Blood (N = 30 per group) and ovaries (N = 6 per group) in P1, P2, and P6 were collected for measurement of the serum anti-oxidant capacity and indices of ovarian function by ELISA. It was found that serum glutathione, ovarian Klotho protein, and telomeres of P1 and P2 were significantly higher than those of P6 (P < 0.05). The serum levels of ROS and MDA at P1 and P2 were significantly lower than those at P6 (P < 0.05). Additionally, transcriptome analysis showed 213 up-regulated and 747 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between P2 and P6 ovaries. Several DEGs were related to reproduction, including CYP21A2, PTGFR, SGK1, PIK3R6, and SRD5A2. These results demonstrate the influence of parity on reproduction in female rabbits, reflected in a loss of follicle reservoir, disordered levels of anti-oxidants, and indices associated with ovarian function and molecular regulation. This study provides a basis for the strategies to increase reproductive rate in female rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaocheng Bai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xudong Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiawei Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiyuan Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Cao
- Research and Development Department, Victor pharm Co., Ltd., ZhenJiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bohao Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinsheng Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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31
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Structural and functional insights into CST tethering in Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase. Structure 2022; 30:1565-1572.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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32
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He Y, Feigon J. Telomerase structural biology comes of age. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 76:102446. [PMID: 36081246 PMCID: PMC9884118 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is an RNA-protein complex comprising telomerase reverse transcriptase, a non-coding telomerase RNA, and proteins involved in biogenesis, assembly, localization, or recruitment. Telomerase synthesizes the telomeric DNA at the 3'-ends of linear chromosomes. During the past decade, structural studies have defined the architecture of Tetrahymena and human telomerase as well as protein and RNA domain structures, but high-resolution details of interactions remained largely elusive. In the past two years, several sub-4 Å cryo-electron microscopy structures of telomerase were published, including Tetrahymena telomerase at different steps of telomere repeat addition and human telomerase with telomere shelterin proteins that recruit telomerase to telomeres. These and other recent structural studies have expanded our understanding of telomerase assembly, mechanism, recruitment, and mutations leading to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao He
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Juli Feigon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA.
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33
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Functional Interactions of Kluyveromyces lactis Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase with the Three-Way Junction and the Template Domains of Telomerase RNA. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810757. [PMID: 36142669 PMCID: PMC9504884 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribonucleoprotein telomerase contains two essential components: telomerase RNA (TER) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT, Est2 in yeast). A small portion of TER, termed the template, is copied by TERT onto the chromosome ends, thus compensating for sequence loss due to incomplete DNA replication and nuclease action. Although telomerase RNA is highly divergent in sequence and length across fungi and mammals, structural motifs essential for telomerase function are conserved. Here, we show that Est2 from the budding yeast Kluyveromyces lactis (klEst2) binds specifically to an essential three-way junction (TWJ) structure in K. lactis TER, which shares a conserved structure and sequence features with the essential CR4-CR5 domain of vertebrate telomerase RNA. klEst2 also binds specifically to the template domain, independently and mutually exclusive of its interaction with TWJ. Furthermore, we present the high-resolution structure of the klEst2 telomerase RNA-binding domain (klTRBD). Mutations introduced in vivo in klTRBD based on the solved structure or in TWJ based on its predicted RNA structure caused severe telomere shortening. These results demonstrate the conservation and importance of these domains and the multiple protein–RNA interactions between Est2 and TER for telomerase function.
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34
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Qin H, Guo Y. Targeting Telomerase Enhances Cytotoxicity of Salinomycin in Cancer Cells. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:30565-30570. [PMID: 36061682 PMCID: PMC9435028 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Salinomycin exhibits significant systemic adverse reactions such as tachycardia and myoglobinuria in mammals, which hinders its application as a drug for human cancers. Although many strategies aimed at increasing salinomycin's toxicity to cancer cells have been identified to allow a lower dose of salinomycin to be used, they often cause normal cell damage by themselves. Thus, it is urgent to find more effective methods to increase salinomycin's toxicity to cancer cells with little influences on normal cells. Telomerase, which is expressed highly in most cancer cells rather than normal somatic cells, plays central roles in cancer cell fate regulation. Targeting telomerase represents a potential method for enhancing salinomycin's cytotoxicity to cancer cells with little effects on normal cells. Herein, we improve the toxicity of salinomycin against cancer cells by telomerase inhibition BIBR1532 (BIBR), which binds to the active site of telomerase reverse transcriptase. We find that a non-toxic dose of BIBR can enhance cytotoxicity of salinomycin in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, BIBR enhances mammosphere formation inhibition mediated by salinomycin in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further studies show that BIBR enhances tumor growth inhibition induced by salinomycin in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first example that targeting telomerase improves anti-cancer effects of salinomycin.
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Liu W, Fan Z, Li L, Li M. DNA-Based Nanoprobes for Simultaneous Detection of Telomerase and Correlated Biomolecules. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200307. [PMID: 35927933 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase (TE), a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase, is enzymatically activated in most tumor cells and is responsible for promoting tumor progression and malignancy by enabling replicative immortality of cancer cells. TE has become an important hallmark for cancer diagnosis and a potential therapy target. Therefore, accurate and in site detection of TE activity, especially the simultaneous imaging of TE activity and its correlated biomolecules, is highly essential to medical diagnostics and therapeutics. DNA-based nanoprobes, with their effective cell penetration capability and programmability, are the most advantageous for detection of intracellular TE activity. This concept article introduces the recent strategies for in situ sensing and imaging of TE activity, with a focus on simultaneous detection of TE and related biomolecules, and provides challenges and perspectives for the development of new strategies for such correlated imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Liu
- Capital Medical University, Beijing Chest Hospital, CHINA
| | - Zetan Fan
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, cas key lab, CHINA
| | - Lele Li
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian District, 100190, Beijing, CHINA
| | - Mengyuan Li
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, Chemistry, CHINA
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Structure of Tetrahymena telomerase-bound CST with polymerase α-primase. Nature 2022; 608:813-818. [PMID: 35831498 PMCID: PMC9728385 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04931-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are the physical ends of linear chromosomes. They are composed of short repeating sequences (such as TTGGGG in the G-strand for Tetrahymena thermophila) of double-stranded DNA with a single-strand 3' overhang of the G-strand and, in humans, the six shelterin proteins: TPP1, POT1, TRF1, TRF2, RAP1 and TIN21,2. TPP1 and POT1 associate with the 3' overhang, with POT1 binding the G-strand3 and TPP1 (in complex with TIN24) recruiting telomerase via interaction with telomerase reverse transcriptase5 (TERT). The telomere DNA ends are replicated and maintained by telomerase6, for the G-strand, and subsequently DNA polymerase α-primase7,8 (PolαPrim), for the C-strand9. PolαPrim activity is stimulated by the heterotrimeric complex CTC1-STN1-TEN110-12 (CST), but the structural basis of the recruitment of PolαPrim and CST to telomere ends remains unknown. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of Tetrahymena CST in the context of the telomerase holoenzyme, in both the absence and the presence of PolαPrim, and of PolαPrim alone. Tetrahymena Ctc1 binds telomerase subunit p50, a TPP1 orthologue, on a flexible Ctc1 binding motif revealed by cryo-EM and NMR spectroscopy. The PolαPrim polymerase subunit POLA1 binds Ctc1 and Stn1, and its interface with Ctc1 forms an entry port for G-strand DNA to the POLA1 active site. We thus provide a snapshot of four key components that are required for telomeric DNA synthesis in a single active complex-telomerase-core ribonucleoprotein, p50, CST and PolαPrim-that provides insights into the recruitment of CST and PolαPrim and the handoff between G-strand and C-strand synthesis.
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Sun H, Wu Z, Zhou Y, Lu Y, Lu H, Chen H, Shi S, Zeng Z, Wu J, Lei M. Structural insights into Pot1-ssDNA, Pot1-Tpz1 and Tpz1-Ccq1 Interactions within fission yeast shelterin complex. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010308. [PMID: 35849625 PMCID: PMC9333443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved shelterin complex caps chromosome ends to protect telomeres and regulate telomere replication. In fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, shelterin consists of telomeric single- and double-stranded DNA-binding modules Pot1-Tpz1 and Taz1-Rap1 connected by Poz1, and a specific component Ccq1. While individual structures of the two DNA-binding OB folds of Pot1 (Pot1OB1-GGTTAC and Pot1OB2-GGTTACGGT) are available, structural insight into recognition of telomeric repeats with spacers by the complete DNA-binding domain (Pot1DBD) remains an open question. Moreover, structural information about the Tpz1-Ccq1 interaction requires to be revealed for understanding how the specific component Ccq1 of S. pombe shelterin is recruited to telomeres to function as an interacting hub. Here, we report the crystal structures of Pot1DBD-single-stranded-DNA, Pot1372-555-Tpz1185-212 and Tpz1425-470-Ccq1123-439 complexes and propose an integrated model depicting the assembly mechanism of the shelterin complex at telomeres. The structure of Pot1DBD-DNA unveils how Pot1 recognizes S. pombe degenerate telomeric sequences. Our analyses of Tpz1-Ccq1 reveal structural basis for the essential role of the Tpz1-Ccq1 interaction in telomere recruitment of Ccq1 that is required for telomere maintenance and telomeric heterochromatin formation. Overall, our findings provide valuable structural information regarding interactions within fission yeast shelterin complex at 3’ ss telomeric overhang. Telomeres, composed of repetitive DNA sequences and specialized proteins, are protective structures at the ends of linear chromosomes. The telomere structure is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity and stability, and telomere dysfunction has been linked to human development, aging, cancer and a variety of degenerative diseases. An evolutionarily conserved multiple-protein complex called shelterin plays versatile roles in telomere homeostasis regulation, end protection and heterochromatin establishment. However, the highly flexible nature of shelterin complex has greatly impeded our structural and functional understanding for this important complex. In fission yeast, structures of the shelterin dsDNA-binding protein subcomplex Taz1-Rap1 and the bridge subcomplex Tpz1-Poz1-Rap1 are available. Although individual OB-fold subdomains structures have been characterized, structural information about the complete Pot1DBD bound to telomeric repeats with spacers remains to be revealed. Here, by determining the crystal structures of the telomeric overhang binding Pot1DBD-ssDNA, Pot1372-555-Tpz1185-212 and Tpz1425-470-Ccq1123-439 subcomplexes, we provide structural basis not only for the recognition of S. pombe degenerate telomeric sequences by Pot1, but also for the essential function of the Tpz1-Ccq1 interaction in Ccq1 recruitment to telomeres for telomere maintenance and telomeric heterochromatin formation. These findings provide an integrated model depicting the assembly mechanism of the shelterin complex at telomeres and its multiple roles in telomere biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (ZZ); (JW); (ML)
| | - Yuanze Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanjia Lu
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaisheng Lu
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaohua Shi
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhixiong Zeng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, College of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (ZZ); (JW); (ML)
| | - Jian Wu
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (ZZ); (JW); (ML)
| | - Ming Lei
- Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (ZZ); (JW); (ML)
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Daios S, Anogeianaki A, Kaiafa G, Kontana A, Veneti S, Gogou C, Karlafti E, Pilalas D, Kanellos I, Savopoulos C. Telomere Length as a marker of biological aging: A critical review of recent literature. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5478-5495. [PMID: 35838223 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220713123750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aging is characterized as a syndrome of deleterious, progressive, universal, and irreversible function changes affecting every structural and functional aspect of the organism and accompanied by a generalized increase in mortality. Although a substantial number of candidates for biomarkers of aging have been proposed, none has been validated or universally accepted. Human telomeres constitute hexameric repetitive DNA sequence nucleoprotein complexes that cap chromosome ends, regulating gene expression and modulating stress-related pathways. Telomere length (TL) shortening is observed both in cellular senescence and advanced age, leading to the investigation of TL as a biomarker for aging and a risk factor indicator for the development and progression of the most common age-related diseases. OBJECTIVE The present review underlines the connection between TL and the pathophysiology of the diseases associated with telomere attrition. METHODS We performed a structured search of the PubMed database for peer-reviewed research of the literature regarding leukocyte TL and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), more specifically stroke and heart disease, and focused on the relevant articles published during the last 5 years. We also applied Hill's criteria of causation to strengthen this association. RESULTS We analyzed the recent literature regarding TL length, stroke, and CVD. Although approximately one-third of the available studies support the connection, the results of different studies seem to be rather conflicting as a result of different study designs, divergent methods of TL determination, small study samples, and patient population heterogeneity. After applying Hill's criteria, we can observe that the literature conforms to them weakly, with chronology being the only Hill criterion of causality that probably cannot be contested. CONCLUSION The present review attempted to examine the purported relation between leukocyte TL and age-related diseases such as CVD and more specific stroke and heart disease in view of the best established, comprehensive, medical and epidemiological criteria that have characterized the focused recent relevant research. Although several recommendations have been made that may contribute significantly to the field, a call for novel technical approaches and studies is mandatory to further elucidate the possible association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Daios
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonia Anogeianaki
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Kaiafa
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kontana
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stavroula Veneti
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christiana Gogou
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Karlafti
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Pilalas
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ilias Kanellos
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos Savopoulos
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Cheng XR, Wang F, Liu CY, Li J, Shan C, Wang K, Wang Y, Li PF, Li XM. Sensitive naked-eye detection of telomerase activity based on exponential amplification reaction and lateral flow assay. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:6139-6147. [PMID: 35715586 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cancers. Sensitive, simple, and reliable telomerase activity detection is vital for cancer diagnosis. Herein, we developed an ultrasensitive visualized assay for telomerase activity that combined the exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) and lateral flow assay for easy and quick signal readout, which we termed as a lateral flow readout-EXPAR (LFR-EXPAR) assay. In the LFR-EXPAR assay, telomerase elongation products initiate the exponential amplification reaction, the generated trigger hybridizes with the reporter to form the recognition site of the nicking enzyme, and the nicking enzyme cuts the reporter strand. The degradation of the reporter can be detected with a universal lateral flow dipstick and read out with the naked eye. After conducting a series of proof-of-concept investigations, the LFR-EXPAR assay was found to achieve a sensitivity comparable to that of a TRAP (telomere repeat amplification protocol) assay. The LFR-EXPAR assay can be used to realize ultrasensitive and point-of-care detection of telomerase without requiring specialized instruments, holding great promise for early cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ru Cheng
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Cui-Yun Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Chan Shan
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China.
| | - Pei-Feng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China.
| | - Xin-Min Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, 1 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266073, China.
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Functional interaction between compound heterozygous TERT mutations causes severe telomere biology disorder. Blood Adv 2022; 6:3779-3791. [PMID: 35477117 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are a spectrum of multisystem inherited disorders characterized by bone marrow failure, resulting from mutations in genes encoding telomerase or other proteins involved in maintaining telomere length and integrity. Pathogenicity of variants in these genes can be hard to evaluate, since TBD mutations show highly variable penetrance and genetic anticipation due to inheritance of shorter telomeres with each generation. Thus, detailed functional analysis of newly identified variants is often essential. Here we describe a patient with compound heterozygous variants in the TERT gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT; this patient has the extremely severe Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson form of TBD, although his heterozygous parents are clinically unaffected. Molecular dynamic modeling and detailed biochemical analyses demonstrate that 1 allele (L557P) affects association of hTERT with its cognate RNA component hTR, while the other (K1050E) affects the binding of telomerase to its DNA substrate and enzyme processivity. Unexpectedly, the data demonstrate a functional interaction between the proteins encoded by the 2 alleles, with WT hTERT able to rescue the effect of K1050E on processivity, whereas L557P hTERT cannot. These data contribute to the mechanistic understanding of telomerase, indicating that RNA binding in 1 hTERT molecule affects the processivity of telomere addition by the other molecule. This work emphasizes the importance of functional characterization of TERT variants to reach a definitive molecular diagnosis for TBD patients, and in particular it illustrates the importance of analyzing the effects of compound heterozygous variants in combination to reveal interallelic effects.
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Ng GYQ, Hande V, Ong MH, Wong BWX, Loh ZWL, Ho WD, Handison LB, Tan IMSP, Fann DY, Arumugam TV, Hande MP. Effects of dietary interventions on telomere dynamics. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2022; 876-877:503472. [PMID: 35483787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2022.503472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres play a critical role in maintaining cellular fate through tight regulation of cell division and DNA damage or repair. Over the years, it is established that biological ageing is defined by a gradual derangement in functionality, productivity, and robustness of biological processes. The link between telomeres and ageing is highlighted when derangement in telomere biology often leads to premature ageing and concomitant accompaniment of numerous age-associated diseases. Unfortunately, given that ageing is a biologically complicated intricacy, measures to reduce morbidity and improve longevity are still largely in the infancy stage. Recently, it was discovered that dietary habits and interventions might play a role in promoting successful healthy ageing. The intricate relationship between dietary components and its potential to protect the integrity of telomeres may provide unprecedented health benefits and protection against age-related pathologies. However, more focused prospective and follow-up studies with and without interventions are needed to unequivocally link dietary interventions with telomere maintenance in humans. This review aims to summarise recent findings that investigate the roles of nutrition on telomere biology and provide enough evidence for further studies to consider the topic of nutrigenomics and its contributions toward healthy ageing and concomitant strategy against age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Yong-Quan Ng
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Varsha Hande
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Min Hui Ong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Beverly Wen-Xin Wong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zachary Wai-Loon Loh
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei D Ho
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lionel B Handison
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - David Y Fann
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Centre for Healthy Longevity, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
| | - Thiruma V Arumugam
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea; Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - M Prakash Hande
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India; Mangalore University, Mangalore, India.
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Liu B, He Y, Wang Y, Song H, Zhou ZH, Feigon J. Structure of active human telomerase with telomere shelterin protein TPP1. Nature 2022; 604:578-583. [PMID: 35418675 PMCID: PMC9912816 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04582-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase is a RNA-protein complex that extends the 3' end of linear chromosomes by synthesizing multiple copies of the telomeric repeat TTAGGG1. Its activity is a determinant of cancer progression, stem cell renewal and cellular aging2-5. Telomerase is recruited to telomeres and activated for telomere repeat synthesis by the telomere shelterin protein TPP16,7. Human telomerase has a bilobal structure with a catalytic core ribonuclear protein and a H and ACA box ribonuclear protein8,9. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of human telomerase catalytic core of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA (TER (also known as hTR)), and of telomerase with the shelterin protein TPP1. TPP1 forms a structured interface with the TERT-unique telomerase essential N-terminal domain (TEN) and the telomerase RAP motif (TRAP) that are unique to TERT, and conformational dynamics of TEN-TRAP are damped upon TPP1 binding, defining the requirements for recruitment and activation. The structures further reveal that the elements of TERT and TER that are involved in template and telomeric DNA handling-including the TEN domain and the TRAP-thumb helix channel-are largely structurally homologous to those in Tetrahymena telomerase10, and provide unique insights into the mechanism of telomerase activity. The binding site of the telomerase inhibitor BIBR153211,12 overlaps a critical interaction between the TER pseudoknot and the TERT thumb domain. Numerous mutations leading to telomeropathies13,14 are located at the TERT-TER and TEN-TRAP-TPP1 interfaces, highlighting the importance of TER-TERT and TPP1 interactions for telomerase activity, recruitment and as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baocheng Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yao He
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Yaqiang Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - He Song
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Z Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Juli Feigon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Liu T, Long Q, Li L, Gan H, Hu X, Long H, Yang L, Pang P, Wang S, Deng W. The NRF2-dependent transcriptional axis, XRCC5/hTERT drives tumor progression and 5-Fu insensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 24:249-261. [PMID: 35071747 PMCID: PMC8762376 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is highly expressed in many tumors and is essential for tumorigenesis and metastasis in multiple cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its high expression level in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we identified X-ray repair cross-complementing 5 (XRCC5), a novel hTERT promoter-binding protein in HCC cells, using biotin-streptavidin-agarose pull-down assay. We found that XRCC5 was highly expressed in HCC cells, in which it transcriptionally upregulated hTERT. Functionally, the transgenic expression of XRCC5 promoted HCC progression and 5-fluorouracil resistance, whereas short hairpin RNA knockdown of XRCC5 had converse effects in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, hTERT overexpression reversed XRCC5 knockdown- or 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-mediated HCC inhibition. Mechanistically, nuclear-factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) interacted with XRCC5, which in turn upregulated hTERT. However, the upregulation was insignificant when NRF2 was reduced, suggesting that the XRCC5-mediated hTERT expression was NRF2 dependent. The HCC patients with high expression levels of XRCC5 and hTERT had shorter overall survival times compared with those with low XRCC5 and hTERT levels in their tumor tissues. Collectively, our study demonstrates the molecular mechanisms of the XRCC5/NRF2/hTERT signaling in HCC metastasis, which will aid in the identification of novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianze Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
- The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Qian Long
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Luting Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Hairun Gan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xinyan Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Haoyu Long
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Lukun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000 China
| | - Pengfei Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Corresponding author Pengfei Pang, MD, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Zhuhai 519000, China.
| | - Siyang Wang
- The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Corresponding author Siyang Wang, MD, The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China.
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Corresponding author Wuguo Deng, PhD, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China.
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44
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Flexibility of telomerase in binding the RNA template and DNA telomeric repeat. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2116159118. [PMID: 34969861 PMCID: PMC8740718 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116159118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has a conserved central cavity near the active site. Using enzymatic and mutagenesis analyses, we provide experimental evidence that an artificially looped-out telomeric repeat in the DNA primer can be transiently accommodated in the cavity of Tribolium castaneum (tcTERT). Kinetically, tcTERT requires a minimum of 4 bp between the RNA template and DNA primer for efficient DNA synthesis. An RNA duplex downstream of the RNA-template region after a flexible linker enhances the efficiency of primer extension by tcTERT. In addition to the peripheral cavities that accommodate looped-out RNA during each telomeric repeat synthesis, the central cavity that can accommodate the looped-out DNA may aid RNA-template translocation between cycles of telomeric repeat synthesis. Telomerase synthesizes telomeres at the ends of linear chromosomes by repeated reverse transcription from a short RNA template. Crystal structures of Tribolium castaneum telomerase reverse transcriptase (tcTERT) and cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of human and Tetrahymena telomerase have revealed conserved features in the reverse-transcriptase domain, including a cavity near the DNA 3′ end and snug interactions with the RNA template. For the RNA template to translocate, it needs to be unpaired and separated from the DNA product. Here we investigate the potential of the structural cavity to accommodate a looped-out DNA bulge and enable the separation of the RNA/DNA hybrid. Using tcTERT as a model system, we show that a looped-out telomeric repeat in the DNA primer can be accommodated and extended by tcTERT but not by retroviral reverse transcriptase. Mutations that reduce the cavity size reduce the ability of tcTERT to extend the looped-out DNA substrate. In agreement with cryo-EM structures of telomerases, we find that tcTERT requires a minimum of 4 bp between the RNA template and DNA primer for efficient DNA synthesis. We also have determined the ternary-complex structure of tcTERT including a downstream RNA/DNA hybrid at 2.0-Å resolution and shown that a downstream RNA duplex, equivalent to the 5′ template-boundary element in telomerase RNA, enhances the efficiency of telomere synthesis by tcTERT. Although TERT has a preformed active site without the open-and-closed conformational changes, it contains cavities to accommodate looped-out RNA and DNA. The flexible RNA–DNA binding likely underlies the processivity of telomeric repeat addition.
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45
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Single-Run Catalysis and Kinetic Control of Human Telomerase Holoenzyme. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1371:109-129. [PMID: 34962637 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Genome stability in eukaryotic cells relies on proper maintenance of telomeres at the termini of linear chromosomes. Human telomerase holoenzyme is required for maintaining telomere stability in a majority of proliferative human cells, making it essential for control of cell division and aging, stem cell maintenance, and development and survival of tumor or cancer. A dividing human cell usually contains a limited number of active telomerase holoenzymes. Recently, we discovered that a human telomerase catalytic site undergoes catalysis-dependent shut-off and an inactive site can be reactivated by cellular fractions containing human intracellular telomerase-activating factors (hiTAFs). Such ON-OFF control of human telomerase activity suggests a dynamic switch between inactive and active pools of the holoenzymes. In this review, we will link the ON-OFF control to the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of human telomerase holoenzymes, and discuss its potential contributions to the maintenance of telomere length equilibrium. This treatment suggests probabilistic fluctuations in the number of active telomerase holoenzymes as well as the number of telomeres that are extended in a limited number of cell cycles, and may be an important component of a fully quantitative model for the dynamic control of telomerase activities and telomere lengths in different types of eukaryotic cells.
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46
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Zipper head mechanism of telomere synthesis by human telomerase. Cell Res 2021; 31:1275-1290. [PMID: 34782750 PMCID: PMC8648750 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00586-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, a multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein complex, is a unique reverse transcriptase that catalyzes the processive addition of a repeat sequence to extend the telomere end using a short fragment of its own RNA component as the template. Despite recent structural characterizations of human and Tetrahymena telomerase, it is still a mystery how telomerase repeatedly uses its RNA template to synthesize telomeric DNA. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human telomerase holoenzyme bound with telomeric DNA at resolutions of 3.5 Å and 3.9 Å for the catalytic core and biogenesis module, respectively. The structure reveals that a leucine residue Leu980 in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) catalytic subunit functions as a zipper head to limit the length of the short primer-template duplex in the active center. Moreover, our structural and computational analyses suggest that TERT and telomerase RNA (hTR) are organized to harbor a preformed active site that can accommodate short primer-template duplex substrates for catalysis. Furthermore, our findings unveil a double-fingers architecture in TERT that ensures nucleotide addition processivity of human telomerase. We propose that the zipper head Leu980 is a structural determinant for the sequence-based pausing signal of DNA synthesis that coincides with the RNA element-based physical template boundary. Functional analyses unveil that the non-glycine zipper head plays an essential role in both telomerase repeat addition processivity and telomere length homeostasis. In addition, we also demonstrate that this zipper head mechanism is conserved in all eukaryotic telomerases. Together, our study provides an integrated model for telomerase-mediated telomere synthesis.
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47
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Dey A, Monroy-Eklund A, Klotz K, Saha A, Davis J, Li B, Laederach A, Chakrabarti K. In vivo architecture of the telomerase RNA catalytic core in Trypanosoma brucei. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12445-12466. [PMID: 34850114 PMCID: PMC8643685 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a unique ribonucleoprotein (RNP) reverse transcriptase that utilizes its cognate RNA molecule as a template for telomere DNA repeat synthesis. Telomerase contains the reverse transcriptase protein, TERT and the template RNA, TR, as its core components. The 5'-half of TR forms a highly conserved catalytic core comprising of the template region and adjacent domains necessary for telomere synthesis. However, how telomerase RNA folding takes place in vivo has not been fully understood due to low abundance of the native RNP. Here, using unicellular pathogen Trypanosoma brucei as a model, we reveal important regional folding information of the native telomerase RNA core domains, i.e. TR template, template boundary element, template proximal helix and Helix IV (eCR4-CR5) domain. For this purpose, we uniquely combined in-cell probing with targeted high-throughput RNA sequencing and mutational mapping under three conditions: in vivo (in WT and TERT-/- cells), in an immunopurified catalytically active telomerase RNP complex and ex vivo (deproteinized). We discover that TR forms at least two different conformers with distinct folding topologies in the insect and mammalian developmental stages of T. brucei. Also, TERT does not significantly affect the RNA folding in vivo, suggesting that the telomerase RNA in T. brucei exists in a conformationally preorganized stable structure. Our observed differences in RNA (TR) folding at two distinct developmental stages of T. brucei suggest that important conformational changes are a key component of T. brucei development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Dey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Anais Monroy-Eklund
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kaitlin Klotz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Arpita Saha
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Justin Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Bibo Li
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Alain Laederach
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kausik Chakrabarti
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 704 687 1882; Fax: +1 704 687 1488;
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48
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Sanford SL, Welfer GA, Freudenthal BD, Opresko PL. How DNA damage and non-canonical nucleotides alter the telomerase catalytic cycle. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103198. [PMID: 34371388 PMCID: PMC8526386 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres at the ends of linear chromosomes are essential for genome maintenance and sustained cellular proliferation, but shorten with each cell division. Telomerase, a specialized reverse transcriptase with its own integral RNA template, compensates for this by lengthening the telomeric 3' single strand overhang. Mammalian telomerase has the unique ability to processively synthesize multiple GGTTAG repeats, by translocating along its product and reiteratively copying the RNA template, termed repeat addition processivity (RAP). This unusual form of processivity is distinct from the nucleotide addition processivity (NAP) shared by all other DNA polymerases. In this review, we focus on the minimally active human telomerase catalytic core consisting of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the integral RNA (TR), which catalyzes DNA synthesis. We review the mechanisms by which oxidatively damaged nucleotides, and anti-viral and anti-cancer nucleotide drugs affect the telomerase catalytic cycle. Finally, we offer perspective on how we can leverage telomerase's unique properties, and advancements in understanding of telomerase catalytic mechanism, to selectively manipulate telomerase activity with therapeutics, particularly in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Sanford
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Avenue, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States
| | - Griffin A Welfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Patricia L Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Avenue, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States.
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49
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Bavelaar BM, Song L, Jackson MR, Able S, Tietz O, Skaripa-Koukelli I, Waghorn PA, Gill MR, Carlisle RC, Tarsounas M, Vallis KA. Oligonucleotide-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Synchronous Telomerase Inhibition, Radiosensitization, and Delivery of Theranostic Radionuclides. Mol Pharm 2021; 18:3820-3831. [PMID: 34449222 PMCID: PMC8493550 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase represents an attractive target in oncology as it is expressed in cancer but not in normal tissues. The oligonucleotide inhibitors of telomerase represent a promising anticancer strategy, although poor cellular uptake can restrict their efficacy. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used to enhance oligonucleotide uptake. "match" oligonucleotides complementary to the telomerase RNA template subunit (hTR) and "scramble" (control) oligonucleotides were conjugated to diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) for 111In-labeling. AuNPs (15.5 nm) were decorated with a monofunctional layer of oligonucleotides (ON-AuNP) or a multifunctional layer of oligonucleotides, PEG(polethylene glycol)800-SH (to reduce AuNP aggregation) and the cell-penetrating peptide Tat (ON-AuNP-Tat). Match-AuNP enhanced the cellular uptake of radiolabeled oligonucleotides while retaining the ability to inhibit telomerase activity. The addition of Tat to AuNPs increased nuclear localization. 111In-Match-AuNP-Tat induced DNA double-strand breaks and caused a dose-dependent reduction in clonogenic survival of telomerase-positive cells but not telomerase-negative cells. hTR inhibition has been reported to sensitize cancer cells to ionizing radiation, and 111In-Match-AuNP-Tat therefore holds promise as a vector for delivery of radionuclides into cancer cells while simultaneously sensitizing them to the effects of the emitted radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas M. Bavelaar
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Lei Song
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Mark R. Jackson
- Institute
of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Sarah Able
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Ole Tietz
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Irini Skaripa-Koukelli
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Philip A. Waghorn
- Charles
River Laboratories, Elphinstone Research Centre, Elphinstone, Tranent EH33 2NE, U.K.
| | - Martin R. Gill
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Robert C. Carlisle
- Institute
of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Madalena Tarsounas
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Katherine A. Vallis
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
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50
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Gruber HJ, Semeraro MD, Renner W, Herrmann M. Telomeres and Age-Related Diseases. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1335. [PMID: 34680452 PMCID: PMC8533433 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are at the non-coding ends of linear chromosomes. Through a complex 3-dimensional structure, they protect the coding DNA and ensure appropriate separation of chromosomes. Aging is characterized by a progressive shortening of telomeres, which compromises their structure and function. Because of their protective function for genomic DNA, telomeres appear to play an important role in the development and progression of many age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), malignancies, dementia, and osteoporosis. Despite substantial evidence that links telomere length with these conditions, the nature of these observations remains insufficiently understood. Therefore, future studies should address the question of causality. Furthermore, analytical methods should be further improved with the aim to provide informative and comparable results. This review summarize the actual knowledge of telomere biology and the possible implications of telomere dysfunction for the development and progression of age-related diseases. Furthermore, we provide an overview of analytical techniques for the measurement of telomere length and telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wilfried Renner
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (H.-J.G.); (M.D.S.); (M.H.)
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