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Loe TK, Lazzerini Denchi E, Tricola GM, Azeroglu B. ALTercations at telomeres: stress, recombination and extrachromosomal affairs. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1935-1946. [PMID: 37767563 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230265] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 15% of human cancers depend on the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway to maintain telomeres and proliferate. Telomeres that are elongated using ALT display unique features raising the exciting prospect of tailored cancer therapies. ALT-mediated telomere elongation shares several features with recombination-based DNA repair. Strikingly, cells that use the ALT pathway display abnormal levels of replication stress at telomeres and accumulate abundant extrachromosomal telomeric DNA. In this review, we examine recent findings that shed light on the ALT mechanisms and the strategies currently available to suppress this telomere elongation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor K Loe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Eros Lazzerini Denchi
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
| | - Gianna M Tricola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
| | - Benura Azeroglu
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
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2
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Tsatsakis A, Oikonomopoulou T, Nikolouzakis TK, Vakonaki E, Tzatzarakis M, Flamourakis M, Renieri E, Fragkiadaki P, Iliaki E, Bachlitzanaki M, Karzi V, Katsikantami I, Kakridonis F, Hatzidaki E, Tolia M, Svistunov AA, Spandidos DA, Nikitovic D, Tsiaoussis J, Berdiaki A. Role of telomere length in human carcinogenesis (Review). Int J Oncol 2023; 63:78. [PMID: 37232367 PMCID: PMC10552730 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is considered the most important clinical, social and economic issue regarding cause‑specific disability‑adjusted life years among all human pathologies. Exogenous, endogenous and individual factors, including genetic predisposition, participate in cancer triggering. Telomeres are specific DNA structures positioned at the end of chromosomes and consist of repetitive nucleotide sequences, which, together with shelterin proteins, facilitate the maintenance of chromosome stability, while protecting them from genomic erosion. Even though the connection between telomere status and carcinogenesis has been identified, the absence of a universal or even a cancer‑specific trend renders consent even more complex. It is indicative that both short and long telomere lengths have been associated with a high risk of cancer incidence. When evaluating risk associations between cancer and telomere length, a disparity appears to emerge. Even though shorter telomeres have been adopted as a marker of poorer health status and an older biological age, longer telomeres due to increased cell growth potential are associated with the acquirement of cancer‑initiating somatic mutations. Therefore, the present review aimed to comprehensively present the multifaceted pattern of telomere length and cancer incidence association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Tatiana Oikonomopoulou
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Taxiarchis Konstantinos Nikolouzakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Manolis Tzatzarakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | | | - Elisavet Renieri
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | | | - Evaggelia Iliaki
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion
| | - Maria Bachlitzanaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Venizeleion General Hospital of Heraklion, 71409 Heraklion
| | - Vasiliki Karzi
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Ioanna Katsikantami
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Fotios Kakridonis
- Department of Spine Surgery and Scoliosis, KAT General Hospital, 14561 Athens
| | - Eleftheria Hatzidaki
- Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion
| | - Maria Tolia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andrey A. Svistunov
- Department of Pharmacology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dragana Nikitovic
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | - Aikaterini Berdiaki
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
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3
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Umaru B, Sengupta S, Senthil Kumar S, Drissi R. Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3070. [PMID: 37370681 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), are highly aggressive tumors with dismal prognoses despite multimodal therapy including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. To achieve cellular immortality cancer cells must overcome replicative senescence and apoptosis by activating telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) through the reactivation of telomerase activity or using alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) pathways. Although the ALT phenotype is more prevalent in pHGGs compared to adult HGGs, the molecular pathway and the prognostic significance of ALT activation are not well understood in pHGGs. Here, we report the heterogeneity of TMM in pHGGs and their association with genetic alterations. Additionally, we show that sensitivity to the protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia- and RAD3-related protein (ATR) inhibitor and the ATR downstream target CHK1 is not specific to pHGG ALT-positive cells. Together, these findings underscore the need for novel therapeutic strategies to target ALT in pHGG tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banlanjo Umaru
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Satarupa Sengupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Shiva Senthil Kumar
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Rachid Drissi
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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4
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Carson LM, Flynn RL. Highlighting vulnerabilities in the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 70:102380. [PMID: 37149932 PMCID: PMC10247456 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway is a telomere elongation mechanism found in a small but often aggressive subset of cancers. Dependent on break-induced replication, telomere extension in ALT-positive cells relies on a baseline level of DNA replication stress to initiate elongation events. This results in an elevated level of DNA damage and presents a possible vulnerability to be exploited in the development of ALT-targeted cancer therapies. Currently, there are no treatment options that target the ALT mechanism or that are specific for ALT-positive tumors. Here, we review recent developments and promising directions in the development of ALT-targeted therapeutics, many of which involve tipping the balance towards inhibition or exacerbation of ALT activity to selectively target these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Carson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Rachel L Flynn
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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5
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Falcinelli M, Dell'Omo G, Grassi E, Mariella E, Leto SM, Scardellato S, Lorenzato A, Arena S, Bertotti A, Trusolino L, Bardelli A, d'Adda di Fagagna F. Colorectal cancer patient-derived organoids and cell lines harboring ATRX and/or DAXX mutations lack Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:96. [PMID: 36759506 PMCID: PMC9911751 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05640-3] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is necessary to maintain cancer cell unlimited viability. However, the mechanisms maintaining telomere length in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been extensively investigated. Telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM) include the re-expression of telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT is genetically associated with somatic alterations in alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) and death domain-associated protein (DAXX) genes. Cells displaying ALT present distinctive features including C-circles made of telomeric DNA, long and heterogenous telomeric tracts, and telomeric DNA co-localized with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies forming so-called ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs). Here, we identified mutations in ATRX and/or DAXX genes in an extensive collection of CRC samples including 119 patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and 232 established CRC cell lines. C-circles measured in CRC PDOs and cell lines showed low levels overall. We also observed that CRC PDOs and cell lines did not display a significant accumulation of APBs or long telomeres with no appreciable differences between wild-type and mutated ATRX/DAXX samples. Overall, our extensive analyses indicate that CRC is not prone to engage ALT, even when carrying genetic lesions in ATRX and/or DAXX, and support the notion that ATRX/DAXX genomic footprints are not reliable predictors of ALT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Falcinelli
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Dell'Omo
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Grassi
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Mariella
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | | | | | - Annalisa Lorenzato
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Sabrina Arena
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Bertotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Alberto Bardelli
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 1060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Pavia, Italy.
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6
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Wang J, Dai M, Xing X, Wang X, Qin X, Huang T, Fang Z, Fan Y, Xu D. Genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic signatures for telomerase complex components: a pan-cancer analysis. Mol Oncol 2022; 17:150-172. [PMID: 36239411 PMCID: PMC9812836 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activation is required for malignant transformation. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have enabled the generation of complex datasets, thus providing alternative approaches to exploring telomerase biology more comprehensively, which has proven to be challenging due to the need for laborious assays required to test for telomerase activity. To solve these issues, several groups have analyzed TCGA pan-cancer tumor datasets by investigating telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit for telomerase activity, or its surrogates. However, telomerase is a multiunit complex containing not only TERT, but also numerus cofactors required for telomerase function. Here we determined genomic and molecular alterations of 10 well-characterized telomerase components in the TCGA and CCLE datasets. We calculated a telomerase score (TS) based on their expression profiles and clustered tumors into low, high, and intermediate subtypes. To validate the in silico analysis result, we used immunoblotting and telomerase assays. High TS subtypes were significantly associated with stemness, proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, hyperactivation of oncogenic signaling pathways, shorter patient survival, and infiltration of dysfunctional T-cells or poor response to immunotherapy. Copy number alterations in 10 telomerase components were widespread and associated with the level of their expression. Surprisingly, primary tumors and cancer cell lines frequently displayed a homozygous deletion of the TCAB1 gene, encoding a telomerase protein essential for telomerase trafficking, assembling, and function, as previously reported. However, tumors or cells carrying a TCAB1 deletion still exhibited telomerase activity comparable to or even higher than their wildtype counterparts. Collectively, applying telomerase component-based TS in complex datasets provided a robust tool for telomerase analyses. Our findings also reveal a tight connection between telomerase and other oncogenic signaling pathways; TCAB1 may acts as a dispensable telomerase component. Moreover, TS may serve as a useful biomarker to predict patient outcomes and response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Xiangling Xing
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Urology SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical collegeWuhuChina
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina,Department of Urology SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical collegeWuhuChina
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Dawei Xu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
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7
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Gao J, Pickett HA. Targeting telomeres: advances in telomere maintenance mechanism-specific cancer therapies. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:515-532. [PMID: 35790854 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells establish replicative immortality by activating a telomere-maintenance mechanism (TMM), be it telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Targeting telomere maintenance represents an intriguing opportunity to treat the vast majority of all cancer types. Whilst telomerase inhibitors have historically been heralded as promising anticancer agents, the reality has been more challenging, and there are currently no therapeutic options for cancer types that use ALT despite their aggressive nature and poor prognosis. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic differences between telomere maintenance by telomerase and ALT, the current methods used to detect each mechanism, the utility of these tests for clinical diagnosis, and recent developments in the therapeutic strategies being employed to target both telomerase and ALT. We present notable developments in repurposing established therapeutic agents and new avenues that are emerging to target cancer types according to which TMM they employ. These opportunities extend beyond inhibition of telomere maintenance, by finding and exploiting inherent weaknesses in the telomeres themselves to trigger rapid cellular effects that lead to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixuan Gao
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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8
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Claude E, de Lhoneux G, Pierreux CE, Marbaix E, de Ville de Goyet M, Boulanger C, Van Damme A, Brichard B, Decottignies A. Detection of alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism on tumor sections. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:32. [PMID: 35006465 PMCID: PMC8607387 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of adult cancer cells achieve cellular immortality by activating a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM). While this is mostly achieved by the de-silencing of hTERT telomerase gene expression, an alternative homologous recombination-based and telomerase-independent mechanism, known as ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres), is frequently activated in a subset of tumors, including paediatric cancers. Being absent from normal cells, the ALT mechanism offers interesting perspectives for new targeted cancer therapies. To date, however, the development of better translationally applicable tools for ALT detection in tumor sections is still needed. Here, using a newly derived ALT-positive cancer cell mouse xenograft model, we extensively examined how the previously known ALT markers could be used as reliable tools for ALT diagnosis in tumor sections. We found that, together with the detection of ultra-bright telomeric signals (UBS), an ALT hallmark, native telomeric FISH, that detects single-stranded C-rich telomeric DNA, provides a very sensitive and robust tool for ALT diagnosis in tissues. We applied these assays to paediatric tumor samples and readily identified three ALT-positive tumors for which the TMM was confirmed by the gold-standard C-circle amplification assay. Although the latter offers a robust assay for ALT detection in the context of research laboratories, it is more difficult to set up in histopathological laboratories and could therefore be conveniently replaced by the combination of UBS detection and native telomeric FISH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse Claude
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guillaume de Lhoneux
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Etienne Marbaix
- Cell Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Anatomopathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maëlle de Ville de Goyet
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cécile Boulanger
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - An Van Damme
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bénédicte Brichard
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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9
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Sung JY, Cheong JH. Pan-Cancer Analysis of Clinical Relevance via Telomere Maintenance Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011101. [PMID: 34681758 PMCID: PMC8538844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) in immortal cancer cells is vital for TMM-targeted therapies in clinical settings. In this study, we classified four telomere maintenance mechanisms into telomerase, ALT, telomerase + ALT, and non-defined telomere maintenance mechanism (NDTMM) across 31 cancer types using 10,704 transcriptomic datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results demonstrated that approximately 50% of the total cohort displayed ALT activity with high telomerase activity in most cancer types. We confirmed significant patient prognoses according to distinct TMMs in six cancer types: adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), PAAD, HNSC, SARC, GBM, and metastatic cancer. Patients with metastasis had a poor prognosis in the ALT group (p < 0.006) subjected to RAS protein signal transduction. Glioblastoma patients had poor prognosis in NDTMM (p < 0.0043) and showed high levels of myeloid leukocyte activation. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (p < 0.04) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.046) patients had a good prognosis in the ALT group with high immune cell activation. Furthermore, we showed that master transcriptional regulators might affect the selection of the TMM pathway and explained why different telomere maintenance mechanisms exist. Furthermore, they can be used to segregate patients and predict responders to different TMM-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yong Sung
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Research & Development, VeraVerse Inc., Seoul 03722, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Analysis of Telomere Maintenance Related Genes Reveals NOP10 as a New Metastatic-Risk Marker in Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194758. [PMID: 34638246 PMCID: PMC8507560 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Telomere maintenance involving TERT and ATRX genes has been recently described in metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, reinforcing the importance of immortalization mechanisms in the progression of these tumors. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze additional telomere-related genes to uncover potential new markers capable of identifying metastatic-risk patients more accurately. After analyzing 29 telomere-related genes, we were able to validate the predictive value of TERT and ATRX in mPPGL progression. In addition, we were able to identify NOP10 as a novel prognostic risk marker of mPPGLs, which also facilitates telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance in these tumors. Interestingly, NOP10 overexpression assessment by IHC could be easily included within the current battery of markers for stratifying PPGL patients to fine-tune their clinical diagnoses. Abstract One of the main problems we face with PPGL is the lack of molecular markers capable of predicting the development of metastases in patients. Telomere-related genes, such as TERT and ATRX, have been recently described in PPGL, supporting the association between the activation of immortalization mechanisms and disease progression. However, the contribution of other genes involving telomere preservation machinery has not been previously investigated. In this work, we aimed to analyze the prognostic value of a comprehensive set of genes involved in telomere maintenance. For this study, we collected 165 PPGL samples (97 non-metastatic/63 metastatic), genetically characterized, in which the expression of 29 genes of interest was studied by NGS. Three of the 29 genes studied, TERT, ATRX and NOP10, showed differential expression between metastatic and non-metastatic cases, and alterations in these genes were associated with a shorter time to progression, independent of SDHB-status. We studied telomere length by Q-FISH in patient samples and in an in vitro model. NOP10 overexpressing tumors displayed an intermediate-length telomere phenotype without ALT, and in vitro results suggest that NOP10 has a role in telomerase-dependent telomere maintenance. We also propose the implementation of NOP10 IHC to better stratify PPGL patients.
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Koneru B, Farooqi A, Nguyen TH, Chen WH, Hindle A, Eslinger C, Makena MR, Burrow TA, Wilson J, Smith A, Pilla Reddy V, Cadogan E, Durant ST, Reynolds CP. ALT neuroblastoma chemoresistance due to telomere dysfunction-induced ATM activation is reversible with ATM inhibitor AZD0156. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/607/eabd5750. [PMID: 34408079 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancers overcome replicative immortality by activating either telomerase or an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. ALT occurs in ~25% of high-risk neuroblastomas, and progression in patients with ALT neuroblastoma during or after front-line therapy is frequent and often fatal. Temozolomide + irinotecan is commonly used as salvage therapy for neuroblastoma. Patient-derived cell lines and xenografts established from patients with relapsed ALT neuroblastoma demonstrated de novo resistance to temozolomide + irinotecan [SN-38 in vitro, P < 0.05; in vivo mouse event-free survival (EFS), P < 0.0001] vs. telomerase-positive neuroblastomas. We observed that ALT neuroblastoma cells manifested constitutive ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) activation due to spontaneous telomere dysfunction which was not observed in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrated that induction of telomere dysfunction resulted in ATM activation that, in turn, conferred resistance to temozolomide + SN-38 (4.2-fold change in IC50, P < 0.001). ATM knockdown (shRNA) or inhibition using a clinical-stage small-molecule inhibitor (AZD0156) reversed resistance to temozolomide + irinotecan in ALT neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro (P < 0.001) and in four ALT xenografts in vivo (EFS, P < 0.0001). AZD0156 showed modest to no enhancement of temozolomide + irinotecan activity in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cell lines and xenografts. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibition using AZD6738 did not enhance temozolomide + SN-38 activity in ALT neuroblastoma cells. Thus, ALT neuroblastoma chemotherapy resistance occurs via ATM activation and is reversible with ATM inhibitor AZD0156. Combining AZD0156 with temozolomide + irinotecan warrants clinical testing for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ahsan Farooqi
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Thinh H Nguyen
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Wan Hsi Chen
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ashly Hindle
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Cody Eslinger
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Monish Ram Makena
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Trevor A Burrow
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Joanne Wilson
- Early Oncology, R&D AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Aaron Smith
- Early Oncology, R&D AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Venkatesh Pilla Reddy
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge SG8 6EE, UK
| | | | | | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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12
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Zaritsky A, Jamieson AR, Welf ES, Nevarez A, Cillay J, Eskiocak U, Cantarel BL, Danuser G. Interpretable deep learning uncovers cellular properties in label-free live cell images that are predictive of highly metastatic melanoma. Cell Syst 2021; 12:733-747.e6. [PMID: 34077708 PMCID: PMC8353662 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Deep learning has emerged as the technique of choice for identifying hidden patterns in cell imaging data but is often criticized as "black box." Here, we employ a generative neural network in combination with supervised machine learning to classify patient-derived melanoma xenografts as "efficient" or "inefficient" metastatic, validate predictions regarding melanoma cell lines with unknown metastatic efficiency in mouse xenografts, and use the network to generate in silico cell images that amplify the critical predictive cell properties. These exaggerated images unveiled pseudopodial extensions and increased light scattering as hallmark properties of metastatic cells. We validated this interpretation using live cells spontaneously transitioning between states indicative of low and high metastatic efficiency. This study illustrates how the application of artificial intelligence can support the identification of cellular properties that are predictive of complex phenotypes and integrated cell functions but are too subtle to be identified in the raw imagery by a human expert. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Zaritsky
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
| | - Andrew R Jamieson
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Erik S Welf
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Andres Nevarez
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin Cillay
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ugur Eskiocak
- Children's Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Brandi L Cantarel
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Gaudenz Danuser
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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13
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Ismail H, Helby J, Hölmich LR, H Chakera A, Bastholt L, Klyver H, Sjøgren P, Schmidt H, Schöllhammer L, Nordestgaard BG, Bojesen SE. Genetic predisposition to long telomeres is associated with increased mortality after melanoma: A study of 2101 melanoma patients from hospital clinics and the general population. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:946-954. [PMID: 33749133 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Whether there is an association between measured and genetically predicted telomere length and melanoma mortality is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that measured and genetically predicted telomere length is associated with mortality after a melanoma diagnosis. We followed 2,101 patients with melanoma from hospital clinics and the general population for risk of death for up to 26 years. All had telomere length measured in DNA from leukocytes, and 2052 of these were genotyped for the three single nucleotide polymorphisms rs7726159 (TERT), rs1317082 (TERC), and rs2487999 (OBFC1); all three genotypes are associated with telomere length and combined into an allele count from 0 to 6. For each telomere-lengthening allele, the hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality in the age-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted Cox analysis were 1.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.23) and 1.11 (1.01-1.23). However, for each standard deviation increase in measured telomere length, HR for mortality was 0.97 (0.88-1.08). In conclusion, in more than 2000 melanoma patients from hospital clinics and from the general population, genetically predicted long telomeres were associated with increased mortality, but measured leukocyte telomere length was not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafsa Ismail
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Jens Helby
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Hematology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lisbet R Hölmich
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark.,Department of Plastic Surgery, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Annette H Chakera
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark.,Department of Plastic Surgery, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lars Bastholt
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle Klyver
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, København, Denmark
| | - Pia Sjøgren
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Liv Schöllhammer
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Børge G Nordestgaard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark.,Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Stig E Bojesen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark.,Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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14
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Gandini S, Zanna I, De Angelis S, Palli D, Raimondi S, Ribero S, Masala G, Suppa M, Bellerba F, Corso F, Nezi L, Nagore E, Caini S. TERT promoter mutations and melanoma survival: A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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15
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Emerging Molecular Connections between NM23 Proteins, Telomeres and Telomere-Associated Factors: Implications in Cancer Metastasis and Ageing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073457. [PMID: 33801585 PMCID: PMC8036570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The metastasis suppressor function of NM23 proteins is widely understood. Multiple enzymatic activities of NM23 proteins have also been identified. However, relatively less known interesting aspects are being revealed from recent developments that corroborate the telomeric interactions of NM23 proteins. Telomeres are known to regulate essential physiological events such as metastasis, ageing, and cellular differentiation via inter-connected signalling pathways. Here, we review the literature on the association of NM23 proteins with telomeres or telomere-related factors, and discuss the potential implications of emerging telomeric functions of NM23 proteins. Further understanding of these aspects might be instrumental in better understanding the metastasis suppressor functions of NM23 proteins.
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16
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Raghunandan M, Geelen D, Majerova E, Decottignies A. NHP2 downregulation counteracts hTR-mediated activation of the DNA damage response at ALT telomeres. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106336. [PMID: 33595114 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
About 10% of cancer cells employ the "alternative lengthening of telomeres" (ALT) pathway instead of re-activating the hTERT subunit of human telomerase. The hTR RNA subunit is also abnormally silenced in some ALT+ cells not expressing hTERT, suggesting a possible negative non-canonical impact of hTR on ALT. Indeed, we show that ectopically expressed hTR reduces phosphorylation of ssDNA-binding protein RPA (p-RPAS33 ) at ALT telomeres by promoting the hnRNPA1- and DNA-PK-dependent depletion of RPA. The resulting defective ATR checkpoint signaling at telomeres impairs recruitment of the homologous recombination protein, RAD51. This induces ALT telomere fragility, increases POLD3-dependent C-circle production, and promotes the recruitment of the DNA damage marker 53BP1. In ALT+ cells that naturally retain hTR expression, NHP2 H/ACA ribonucleoprotein levels are downregulated, likely in order to restrain DNA damage response (DDR) activation at telomeres through reduced 53BP1 recruitment. This unexpected role of NHP2 is independent from hTR's non-canonical function in modulating telomeric p-RPAS33 . Collectively, our study shines new light on the interference between telomerase- and ALT-dependent pathways and unravels a crucial role for hTR and NHP2 in DDR regulation at ALT telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Raghunandan
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dan Geelen
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva Majerova
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Alternative paths to telomere elongation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 113:88-96. [PMID: 33293233 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Overcoming cellular senescence that is induced by telomere shortening is critical in tumorigenesis. A majority of cancers achieve telomere maintenance through telomerase expression. However, a subset of cancers takes an alternate route for elongating telomeres: recombination-based alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Current evidence suggests that break-induced replication (BIR), independent of RAD51, underlies ALT telomere synthesis. However, RAD51-dependent homologous recombination is required for homology search and inter-chromosomal telomere recombination in human ALT cancer cell maintenance. Accumulating evidence suggests that the breakdown of stalled replication forks, the replication stress, induces BIR at telomeres. Nevertheless, ALT research is still in its early stage and a comprehensive view is still unclear. Here, we review the current findings regarding the genesis of ALT, how this recombinant pathway is chosen, the epigenetic regulation of telomeres in ALT, and perspectives for clinical applications with the hope that this overview will generate new questions.
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18
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Goncalves T, Zoumpoulidou G, Alvarez-Mendoza C, Mancusi C, Collopy LC, Strauss SJ, Mittnacht S, Tomita K. Selective Elimination of Osteosarcoma Cell Lines with Short Telomeres by Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-Related Inhibitors. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1253-1264. [PMID: 33344901 PMCID: PMC7737214 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
To
avoid replicative senescence or telomere-induced apoptosis,
cancers employ telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) involving either
the upregulation of telomerase or the acquisition of recombination-based
alternative telomere lengthening (ALT). The choice of TMM may differentially
influence cancer evolution and be exploitable in targeted therapies.
Here, we examine TMMs in a panel of 17 osteosarcoma-derived cell lines,
defining three separate groups according to TMM and the length of
telomeres maintained. Eight were ALT-positive, including the previously
uncharacterized lines, KPD and LM7. While ALT-positive lines all showed
excessive telomere length, ALT-negative cell lines fell into two groups
according to their telomere length: HOS-MNNG, OHSN, SJSA-1, HAL, 143b,
and HOS displayed subnormally short telomere length, while MG-63,
MHM, and HuO-3N1 displayed long telomeres. Hence, we further subcategorized
ALT-negative TMM into long-telomere (LT) and short-telomere (ST) maintenance groups.
Importantly, subnormally short telomeres were significantly associated
with hypersensitivity to three different therapeutics targeting the
protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) (AZD-6738/Ceralasertib,
VE-822/Berzoserib, and BAY-1895344) compared to long telomeres maintained
via ALT or telomerase. Within 24 h of ATR inhibition, cells with short
but not long telomeres displayed chromosome bridges and underwent
cell death, indicating a selective dependency on ATR for chromosome
stability. Collectively, our work provides a resource to identify
links between the mode of telomere maintenance and drug sensitivity
in osteosarcoma and indicates that telomere length predicts ATR inhibitor
sensitivity in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Goncalves
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.,Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Zoumpoulidou
- Cancer Cell Signalling, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Alvarez-Mendoza
- Cancer Cell Signalling, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Caterina Mancusi
- Cancer Cell Signalling, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Laura C Collopy
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra J Strauss
- Department of Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom.,London Sarcoma Service, University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Sibylle Mittnacht
- Cancer Cell Signalling, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Kazunori Tomita
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.,Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
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19
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Yuan G, Song J, Li N, Song Q, Li Y, Du Y, Wang X, Jiao Y, Wu L. Telomere Maintenance Associated Mutations in the Genetic Landscape of Gynecological Mucosal Melanoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1707. [PMID: 32984050 PMCID: PMC7492295 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Gynecological melanomas (GMs) are rare tumors with a poor prognosis. Here, we performed exome sequencing to generate the mutational landscape of GMs. Methods Next-generation sequencing was carried out on mucosal melanoma samples (n = 35) obtained from gynecological sites. The alternative telomere lengthening (ALT) phenotype was verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization and the C-circle assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect ATRX protein. Copy number variations in TERT were detected by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Results In the 58 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, we identified 33 (56.9%) ALT-positive cases, with 23 showing loss of ATRX protein. TERT promoter mutation was not detected in GMs (n = 40), but copy number variations in the TERT region were observed in 20% (7/35) of the samples. TERT amplification was mutually exclusive with ALT (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier revealed that ALT relative to TERT amplification was associated with longer overall survival in GM patients without metastasis. Conclusion These findings indicate that telomere maintenance mechanisms play a critical role in the tumorigenesis of GMs and may aid in the prediction of clinical prognosis and the development of targeted therapy for the treatment of GM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangwen Yuan
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinge Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Blood Transfusion, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingxi Du
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lingying Wu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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20
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Koneru B, Lopez G, Farooqi A, Conkrite KL, Nguyen TH, Macha SJ, Modi A, Rokita JL, Urias E, Hindle A, Davidson H, Mccoy K, Nance J, Yazdani V, Irwin MS, Yang S, Wheeler DA, Maris JM, Diskin SJ, Reynolds CP. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms Define Clinical Outcome in High-Risk Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2663-2675. [PMID: 32291317 PMCID: PMC7313726 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. To comprehensively assess the impact of telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) on clinical outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma, we integrated the C-circle assay [a marker for alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)], TERT mRNA expression by RNA-sequencing, whole-genome/exome sequencing, and clinical covariates in 134 neuroblastoma patient samples at diagnosis. In addition, we assessed TMM in neuroblastoma cell lines (n = 104) and patient-derived xenografts (n = 28). ALT was identified in 23.4% of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors and genomic alterations in ATRX were detected in 60% of ALT tumors; 40% of ALT tumors lacked genomic alterations in known ALT-associated genes. Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were classified into three subgroups (TERT-high, ALT+, and TERT-low/non-ALT) based on presence of C-circles and TERT mRNA expression (above or below median TERT expression). Event-free survival was similar among TERT-high, ALT+, or TERT-low/non-ALT patients. However, overall survival (OS) for TERT-low/non-ALT patients was significantly higher relative to TERT-high or ALT patients (log-rank test; P < 0.01) independent of current clinical and molecular prognostic markers. Consistent with the observed higher OS in patients with TERT-low/non-ALT tumors, continuous shortening of telomeres and decreasing viability occurred in low TERT-expressing, non-ALT patient-derived high-risk neuroblastoma cell lines. These findings demonstrate that assaying TMM with TERT mRNA expression and C-circles provides precise stratification of high-risk neuroblastoma into three subgroups with substantially different OS: a previously undescribed TERT-low/non-ALT cohort with superior OS (even after relapse) and two cohorts of patients with poor survival that have distinct molecular therapeutic targets. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings assess telomere maintenance mechanisms with TERT mRNA and the ALT DNA biomarker C-circles to stratify neuroblastoma into three groups, with distinct overall survival independent of currently used clinical risk classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Gonzalo Lopez
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ahsan Farooqi
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Karina L Conkrite
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Thinh H Nguyen
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Shawn J Macha
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Apexa Modi
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eduardo Urias
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Ashly Hindle
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Heather Davidson
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Kristyn Mccoy
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Jonas Nance
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Vanda Yazdani
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Meredith S Irwin
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shengping Yang
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - David A Wheeler
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sharon J Diskin
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas.
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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21
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Identification of a Gene-Related Risk Signature in Melanoma Patients Using Bioinformatic Profiling. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:7526204. [PMID: 32411243 PMCID: PMC7206882 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7526204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Gene signature has been used to predict prognosis in melanoma patients. Meanwhile, the efficacy of immunotherapy was correlated with particular genes expression or mutation. In this study, we systematically explored the gene expression pattern in the melanoma-immune microenvironment and its relationship with prognosis. Methods A cohort of 122 melanoma cases with whole-genome microarray expression data were enrolled from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The findings were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A principal component analysis (PCA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and gene oncology (GO) analysis were performed to explore the bioinformatic implications. Results Different gene expression patterns were identified according to the clinical stage. All eligible gene sets were analyzed, and the 8 genes (GPR87, KIT, SH3GL3, PVRL1, ATP1B1, CDAN1, FAU, and TNFSF14) with the greatest prognostic impact on melanoma. A gene-related risk signature was developed to distinguish patients with a high or low risk of an unfavorable outcome, and this signature was validated using the TCGA database. Furthermore, the prognostic significance of the signature between the classified subgroups was verified as an independent prognostic predictor of melanoma. Additionally, the low-risk melanoma patients presented an enhanced immune phenotype compared to that of the high-risk gene signature patients. Conclusions The gene pattern differences in melanoma were profiled, and a gene signature that could independently predict melanoma patients with a high risk of poor survival was established, highlighting the relationship between prognosis and the local immune response.
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22
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Claude E, Decottignies A. Telomere maintenance mechanisms in cancer: telomerase, ALT or lack thereof. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 60:1-8. [PMID: 32114293 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells acquire replicative immortality by activating a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM), either the telomerase or the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism. ALT is frequently activated in tumors derived from mesenchymal cells, which are more frequent in childhood cancers. Recent studies showed that, occasionally, cancer cells can arise without any TMM activation. Here, we discuss the challenge in assessing which TMM is activated in tumors. We also evaluate the prevalence of ALT mechanism in pediatric cancers and review the associated survival prognosis in different tumor types. Finally, we discuss about possible anti-TMM therapies for new emerging cancer treatments.
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23
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The nuclear pore complex prevents sister chromatid recombination during replicative senescence. Nat Commun 2020; 11:160. [PMID: 31919430 PMCID: PMC6952416 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13979-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) has emerged as an important hub for processing various types of DNA damage. Here, we uncover that fusing a DNA binding domain to the NPC basket protein Nup1 reduces telomere relocalization to nuclear pores early after telomerase inactivation. This Nup1 modification also impairs the relocalization to the NPC of expanded CAG/CTG triplet repeats. Strikingly, telomerase negative cells bypass senescence when expressing this Nup1 modification by maintaining a minimal telomere length compatible with proliferation through rampant unequal exchanges between sister chromatids. We further report that a Nup1 mutant lacking 36 C-terminal residues recapitulates the phenotypes of the Nup1-LexA fusion indicating a direct role of Nup1 in the relocation of stalled forks to NPCs and restriction of error-prone recombination between repeated sequences. Our results reveal a new mode of telomere maintenance that could shed light on how 20% of cancer cells are maintained without telomerase or ALT. The Nuclear Pore Complex has been linked to DNA damage processing. Here the authors reveal that the Nup1 C-terminus is critical for the relocalization of eroded telomeres to nuclear pores and that modification of Nup1 promotes sister chromatid recombination and unleashes a new telomere maintenance mechanism.
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24
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Claude E, Episkopou H, Decottignies A. Specific death of ALT cells through TSPYL5 depletion. Mol Cell Oncol 2019; 6:e1651603. [PMID: 31692925 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2019.1651603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Some tumors acquire replicative immortality by activating an ALTernative telomerase-independent telomere maintenance mechanism. ALT offers interesting therapeutic perspectives but lacks any known specific targets. We discovered a crucial role for TSPYL5 (Testis-Specific Y-encoded-Like Protein 5) in keeping ALT cell viability by protecting POT1 (Protection Of Telomeres 1) from proteasomal degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse Claude
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harikleia Episkopou
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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25
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Nersisyan L, Hopp L, Loeffler-Wirth H, Galle J, Loeffler M, Arakelyan A, Binder H. Telomere Length Maintenance and Its Transcriptional Regulation in Lynch Syndrome and Sporadic Colorectal Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1172. [PMID: 31750255 PMCID: PMC6848383 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Activation of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) is a hallmark of most cancers, and is required to prevent genome instability and to establish cellular immortality through reconstitution of capping of chromosome ends. TMM depends on the cancer type. Comparative studies linking tumor biology and TMM have potential impact for evaluating cancer onset and development. Methods: We have studied alterations of telomere length, their sequence composition and transcriptional regulation in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancers arising in Lynch syndrome (LS-CRC) and microsatellite instable (MSI) sporadic CRC (MSI s-CRC), and for comparison, in microsatellite stable (MSS) s-CRC and in benign colon mucosa. Our study applied bioinformatics analysis of whole genome DNA and RNA sequencing data and a pathway model to study telomere length alterations and the potential effect of the "classical" telomerase (TEL-) and alternative (ALT-) TMM using transcriptomic signatures. Results: We have found progressive decrease of mean telomere length in all cancer subtypes compared with reference systems. Our results support the view that telomere attrition is an early event in tumorigenesis. TMM gets activated in all tumors studied due to concerted overexpression of a large fraction of genes with direct relation to telomere function, where only a very small fraction of them showed recurrent mutations. TEL-related transcriptional state was dominating in all CRC subtypes, showing, however, subtype-specific activation patterns; while contribution of the ALT-TMM was slightly more prominent in the hypermutated MSI s-CRC and LS-CRC. TEL-TMM is mainly activated by over-expression of DKC1 and/or TERT genes and their interaction partners, where DKC1 is more prominent in MSS than in MSI s-CRC and can serve as a transcriptomic marker of TMM activity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that transcriptional patterns are indicative for TMM pathway activation with subtle differences between TEL and ALT mechanisms in a CRC subtype-specific fashion. Sequencing data potentially provide a suited measure to study alterations of telomere length and of underlying transcriptional regulation. Further studies are needed to improve this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilit Nersisyan
- Group of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lydia Hopp
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henry Loeffler-Wirth
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Galle
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Loeffler
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Group of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hans Binder
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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26
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Denham J. Telomere regulation: lessons learnt from mice and men, potential opportunities in horses. Anim Genet 2019; 51:3-13. [PMID: 31637754 DOI: 10.1111/age.12870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are genetically conserved nucleoprotein complexes located at the ends of chromosomes that preserve genomic stability. In large mammals, somatic cell telomeres shorten with age, owing to the end replication problem and lack of telomere-lengthening events (e.g. telomerase and ALT activity). Therefore, telomere length reflects cellular replicative reserve and mitotic potential. Environmental insults can accelerate telomere attrition in response to cell division and DNA damage. As such, telomere shortening is considered one of the major hallmarks of ageing. Much effort has been dedicated to understanding the environmental perturbations that accelerate telomere attrition and therapeutic strategies to preserve or extend telomeres. As telomere dynamics seem to reflect cumulative cellular stress, telomere length could serve as a biomarker of animal welfare. The assessment of telomere dynamics (i.e. rate of shortening) in conjunction with telomere-regulating genes and telomerase activity in racehorses could monitor long-term animal health, yet it could also provide some unique opportunities to address particular limitations with the use of other animal models in telomere research. Considering the ongoing efforts to optimise the health and welfare of equine athletes, the purpose of this review is to discuss the potential utility of assessing telomere length in Thoroughbred racehorses. A brief review of telomere biology in large and small mammals will be provided, followed by discussion on the biological implications of telomere length and environmental (e.g. lifestyle) factors that accelerate or attenuate telomere attrition. Finally, the utility of quantifying telomere dynamics in horses will be offered with directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Denham
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Bundoora West Campus, RMIT University, Room 53, Level 4, Building 202, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
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27
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Graham MK, Kim J, Da J, Brosnan-Cashman JA, Rizzo A, Baena Del Valle JA, Chia L, Rubenstein M, Davis C, Zheng Q, Cope L, Considine M, Haffner MC, De Marzo AM, Meeker AK, Heaphy CM. Functional Loss of ATRX and TERC Activates Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) in LAPC4 Prostate Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:2480-2491. [PMID: 31611308 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A key hallmark of cancer, unlimited replication, requires cancer cells to evade both replicative senescence and potentially lethal chromosomal instability induced by telomere dysfunction. The majority of cancers overcome these critical barriers by upregulating telomerase, a telomere-specific reverse transcriptase. However, a subset of cancers maintains telomere lengths by the telomerase-independent Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway. The presence of ALT is strongly associated with recurrent cancer-specific somatic inactivating mutations in the ATRX-DAXX chromatin-remodeling complex. Here, we generate an ALT-positive adenocarcinoma cell line following functional inactivation of ATRX and telomerase in a telomerase-positive adenocarcinoma cell line. Inactivating mutations in ATRX were introduced using CRISPR-cas9 nickase into two prostate cancer cell lines, LAPC-4 (derived from a lymph node metastasis) and CWR22Rv1 (sourced from a xenograft established from a primary prostate cancer). In LAPC-4, but not CWR22Rv1, abolishing ATRX was sufficient to induce multiple ALT-associated hallmarks, including the presence of ALT-associated promyelocytic leukemia bodies (APB), extrachromosomal telomere C-circles, and dramatic telomere length heterogeneity. However, telomerase activity was still present in these ATRXKO cells. Telomerase activity was subsequently crippled in these LAPC-4 ATRXKO cells by introducing mutations in the TERC locus, the essential RNA component of telomerase. These LAPC-4 ATRXKO TERCmut cells continued to proliferate long-term and retained ALT-associated hallmarks, thereby demonstrating their reliance on the ALT mechanism for telomere maintenance. IMPLICATIONS: These prostate cancer cell line models provide a unique system to explore the distinct molecular alterations that occur upon induction of ALT, and may be useful tools to screen for ALT-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy K Graham
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jiyoung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joseph Da
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Anthony Rizzo
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Lionel Chia
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Rubenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christine Davis
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Qizhi Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Leslie Cope
- Department of Oncology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Considine
- Department of Oncology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael C Haffner
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Angelo M De Marzo
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alan K Meeker
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher M Heaphy
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Oncology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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28
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Lee M, Teber ET, Holmes O, Nones K, Patch AM, Dagg RA, Lau LMS, Lee JH, Napier CE, Arthur JW, Grimmond SM, Hayward NK, Johansson PA, Mann GJ, Scolyer RA, Wilmott JS, Reddel RR, Pearson JV, Waddell N, Pickett HA. Telomere sequence content can be used to determine ALT activity in tumours. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:4903-4918. [PMID: 29718321 PMCID: PMC6007693 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The replicative immortality of human cancer cells is achieved by activation of a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM). To achieve this, cancer cells utilise either the enzyme telomerase, or the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway. These distinct molecular pathways are incompletely understood with respect to activation and propagation, as well as their associations with clinical outcomes. We have identified significant differences in the telomere repeat composition of tumours that use ALT compared to tumours that do not. We then employed a machine learning approach to stratify tumours according to telomere repeat content with an accuracy of 91.6%. Importantly, this classification approach is applicable across all tumour types. Analysis of pathway mutations that were under-represented in ALT tumours, across 1,075 tumour samples, revealed that the autophagy, cell cycle control of chromosomal replication, and transcriptional regulatory network in embryonic stem cells pathways are involved in the survival of ALT tumours. Overall, our approach demonstrates that telomere sequence content can be used to stratify ALT activity in cancers, and begin to define the molecular pathways involved in ALT activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lee
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erdahl T Teber
- Bioinformatics Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Oliver Holmes
- Genome Informatics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katia Nones
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ann-Marie Patch
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca A Dagg
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Loretta M S Lau
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joyce H Lee
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine E Napier
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jonathan W Arthur
- Bioinformatics Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean M Grimmond
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas K Hayward
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Oncogenomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter A Johansson
- Oncogenomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Graham J Mann
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Cancer Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger R Reddel
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John V Pearson
- Genome Informatics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
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29
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Episkopou H, Diman A, Claude E, Viceconte N, Decottignies A. TSPYL5 Depletion Induces Specific Death of ALT Cells through USP7-Dependent Proteasomal Degradation of POT1. Mol Cell 2019; 75:469-482.e6. [PMID: 31278054 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A significant fraction (∼10%) of cancer cells maintain their telomere length via a telomerase-independent mechanism known as alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). There are no known molecular, ALT-specific, therapeutic targets. We have identified TSPYL5 (testis-specific Y-encoded-like protein 5) as a PML body component, co-localizing with ALT telomeres and critical for ALT+ cell viability. TSPYL5 was described as an inhibitor of the USP7 deubiquitinase. We report that TSPYL5 prevents the poly-ubiquitination of POT1-a shelterin component-and protects POT1 from proteasomal degradation exclusively in ALT+ cells. USP7 depletion rescued POT1 poly-ubiquitination and loss, suggesting that the deubiquitinase activates POT1 E3 ubiquitin ligase(s). Similarly, PML depletion suppressed POT1 poly-ubiquitination, suggesting an interplay between USP7 and PML to trigger POT1 degradation in TSPYL5-depleted ALT+ cells. We demonstrate that ALT telomeres need to be protected from POT1 degradation in ALT-associated PML bodies and identify TSPYL5 as an ALT+ cancer-specific therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikleia Episkopou
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Diman
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Eloïse Claude
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Nikenza Viceconte
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium.
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30
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Chromatin Bottlenecks in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:183-194. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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31
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Job S, Draskovic I, Burnichon N, Buffet A, Cros J, Lépine C, Venisse A, Robidel E, Verkarre V, Meatchi T, Sibony M, Amar L, Bertherat J, de Reyniès A, Londoño-Vallejo A, Favier J, Castro-Vega LJ, Gimenez-Roqueplo AP. Telomerase Activation and ATRX Mutations Are Independent Risk Factors for Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:760-770. [PMID: 30301828 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Whereas most PPGLs are benign, up to 20% may become metastatic with SDHB- and FH-mutated tumors showing the higher risk. We aimed at determining the contribution of immortalization mechanisms to metastatic progression.Experimental Design: Immortalization mechanisms were investigated in 200 tumors. To identify telomerase (+) tumors, we analyzed genomic alterations leading to transcriptional activation of TERT comprising promoter mutations, hypermethylation and gain copy number. To identify tumors that activated the alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) mechanism, we combined analyses of telomere length by slot blot, telomere heterogeneity by telomere FISH, and ATRX mutations by next-generation sequencing. Univariate/multivariate and metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) analyses were carried out for assessment of risk factors and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Only 37 of 200 (18.5%) tumors achieved immortalization. Telomerase activation occurred in 12 metastatic tumors and was prevalent in SDHB-mutated paragangliomas (P = 2.42e-09). ALT features were present in 25 tumors, mostly pheochromocytomas, regardless of metastatic status or molecular group (P = 0.169), yet ATRX mutations were found preferentially in SDHB/FH-mutated metastatic tumors (P = 0.0014). Telomerase activation and ATRX mutations were independent factors of poor prognosis: MFS (hazard ratio, 48.2 and 33.1; P = 6.50E-07 and 1.90E-07, respectively); OS (hazard ratio, 97.4 and 44.1; P = 4.30E-03 and 2.00E-03, respectively) and were associated with worse MFS and OS (log-rank tests P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Assessment of telomerase activation and ATRX mutations could be used to identify metastatic PPGLs, particularly in tumors at high risk of progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Job
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Irena Draskovic
- CNRS, UMR3244, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC, Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Nelly Burnichon
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Genetics, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Buffet
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Cros
- INSERM, UMR1149, Hôpital Beaujon, Department of Pathology, Clichy, France
| | - Charles Lépine
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Genetics, Paris, France
| | - Annabelle Venisse
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Genetics, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Robidel
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Verkarre
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Pathology, Paris, France
| | - Tchao Meatchi
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Pathology, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Sibony
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France. 10 CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Department of Pathology, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Amar
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Hypertension Unit, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Bertherat
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France. 10 CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Rare Adrenal Cancer Network COMETE, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien de Reyniès
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Arturo Londoño-Vallejo
- CNRS, UMR3244, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC, Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Judith Favier
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| | - Luis Jaime Castro-Vega
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France. .,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Paule Gimenez-Roqueplo
- INSERM, UMR970, Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Department of Genetics, Paris, France.,Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR3244, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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32
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Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
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33
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Exploiting TERT dependency as a therapeutic strategy for NRAS-mutant melanoma. Oncogene 2018; 37:4058-4072. [PMID: 29695835 PMCID: PMC6062502 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0247-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Targeting RAS is one of the greatest challenges in cancer therapy. Oncogenic mutations in NRAS are present in over 25% of melanomas and patients whose tumors harbor NRAS mutations have limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Thus far, there are no clinical agents available to effectively target NRAS or any other RAS oncogene. An alternative approach is to identify and target critical tumor vulnerabilities or non-oncogene addictions that are essential for tumor survival. We investigated the consequences of NRAS blockade in NRAS-mutant melanoma and show that decreased expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit, TERT, is a major consequence. TERT silencing or treatment of NRAS-mutant melanoma with the telomerase-dependent telomere uncapping agent, 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG), led to rapid cell death, along with evidence of both telomeric and non-telomeric DNA damage, increased ROS levels, and upregulation of a mitochondrial antioxidant adaptive response. Combining 6-thio-dG with the mitochondrial inhibitor Gamitrinib attenuated this adaptive response and more effectively suppressed NRAS-mutant melanoma. Our study uncovers a robust dependency of NRAS-mutant melanoma on TERT, and provides proof-of-principle for a new combination strategy to combat this class of tumors, which could be expanded to other tumor types.
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Michelini F, Jalihal AP, Francia S, Meers C, Neeb ZT, Rossiello F, Gioia U, Aguado J, Jones-Weinert C, Luke B, Biamonti G, Nowacki M, Storici F, Carninci P, Walter NG, d'Adda di Fagagna F. From "Cellular" RNA to "Smart" RNA: Multiple Roles of RNA in Genome Stability and Beyond. Chem Rev 2018; 118:4365-4403. [PMID: 29600857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coding for proteins has been considered the main function of RNA since the "central dogma" of biology was proposed. The discovery of noncoding transcripts shed light on additional roles of RNA, ranging from the support of polypeptide synthesis, to the assembly of subnuclear structures, to gene expression modulation. Cellular RNA has therefore been recognized as a central player in often unanticipated biological processes, including genomic stability. This ever-expanding list of functions inspired us to think of RNA as a "smart" phone, which has replaced the older obsolete "cellular" phone. In this review, we summarize the last two decades of advances in research on the interface between RNA biology and genome stability. We start with an account of the emergence of noncoding RNA, and then we discuss the involvement of RNA in DNA damage signaling and repair, telomere maintenance, and genomic rearrangements. We continue with the depiction of single-molecule RNA detection techniques, and we conclude by illustrating the possibilities of RNA modulation in hopes of creating or improving new therapies. The widespread biological functions of RNA have made this molecule a reoccurring theme in basic and translational research, warranting it the transcendence from classically studied "cellular" RNA to "smart" RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Michelini
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | - Ameya P Jalihal
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Sofia Francia
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy.,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
| | - Chance Meers
- School of Biological Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Zachary T Neeb
- Institute of Cell Biology , University of Bern , Baltzerstrasse 4 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | | | - Ubaldo Gioia
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | - Julio Aguado
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | | | - Brian Luke
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology , Johannes Gutenberg University , 55099 Mainz , Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) , 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Giuseppe Biamonti
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
| | - Mariusz Nowacki
- Institute of Cell Biology , University of Bern , Baltzerstrasse 4 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | - Francesca Storici
- School of Biological Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies , 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku , Yokohama City , Kanagawa 230-0045 , Japan
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy.,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
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35
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Dagg RA, Pickett HA, Neumann AA, Napier CE, Henson JD, Teber ET, Arthur JW, Reynolds CP, Murray J, Haber M, Sobinoff AP, Lau LMS, Reddel RR. Extensive Proliferation of Human Cancer Cells with Ever-Shorter Telomeres. Cell Rep 2018. [PMID: 28636942 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.05.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of replicative immortality is currently regarded as essential for malignant transformation. This is achieved by activating a telomere lengthening mechanism (TLM), either telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres, to counter normal telomere attrition. However, a substantial proportion of some cancer types, including glioblastomas, liposarcomas, retinoblastomas, and osteosarcomas, are reportedly TLM-negative. As serial samples of human tumors cannot usually be obtained to monitor telomere length changes, it has previously been impossible to determine whether tumors are truly TLM-deficient, there is a previously unrecognized TLM, or the assay results are false-negative. Here, we show that a subset of high-risk neuroblastomas (with ∼50% 5-year mortality) lacked significant TLM activity. Cancer cells derived from these highly aggressive tumors initially had long telomeres and proliferated for >200 population doublings with ever-shorter telomeres. This indicates that prevention of telomere shortening is not always required for oncogenesis, which has implications for inhibiting TLMs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Dagg
- Children's Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Axel A Neumann
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Christine E Napier
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jeremy D Henson
- Cancer Cell Immortality Group, Adult Cancer Program, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Erdahl T Teber
- Bioinformatics Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jonathan W Arthur
- Bioinformatics Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Alexander P Sobinoff
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Loretta M S Lau
- Children's Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Roger R Reddel
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
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36
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De Vitis M, Berardinelli F, Sgura A. Telomere Length Maintenance in Cancer: At the Crossroad between Telomerase and Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020606. [PMID: 29463031 PMCID: PMC5855828 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells undergo continuous telomere shortening as a consequence of multiple rounds of replications. During tumorigenesis, cells have to acquire telomere DNA maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) in order to counteract telomere shortening, to preserve telomeres from DNA damage repair systems and to avoid telomere-mediated senescence and/or apoptosis. For this reason, telomere maintenance is an essential step in cancer progression. Most human tumors maintain their telomeres expressing telomerase, whereas a lower but significant proportion activates the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. However, evidence about the coexistence of ALT and telomerase has been found both in vivo in the same cancer populations and in vitro in engineered cellular models, making the distinction between telomerase- and ALT-positive tumors elusive. Indeed, after the development of drugs able to target telomerase, the capability for some cancer cells to escape death, switching from telomerase to ALT, was highlighted. Unfortunately, to date, the mechanism underlying the possible switching or the coexistence of telomerase and ALT within the same cell or populations is not completely understood and different factors could be involved. In recent years, different studies have tried to shed light on the complex regulation network that controls the transition between the two TMMs, suggesting a role for embryonic cancer origin, epigenetic modifications, and specific genes activation—both in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we examine recent findings about the cancer-associated differential activation of the two known TMMs and the possible factors implicated in this process. Furthermore, some studies on cancers are also described that did not display any TMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Vitis
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Antonella Sgura
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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