1
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Redin E, Sridhar H, Zhan YA, Pereira Mello B, Zhong H, Durani V, Sabet A, Manoj P, Linkov I, Qiu J, Koche RP, de Stanchina E, Astorkia M, Betel D, Quintanal-Villalonga Á, Rudin CM. SMARCA4 controls state plasticity in small cell lung cancer through regulation of neuroendocrine transcription factors and REST splicing. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:58. [PMID: 39080761 PMCID: PMC11290012 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01572-3] [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: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) can be classified into transcriptional subtypes with distinct degrees of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation. Recent evidence supports plasticity among subtypes with a bias toward adoption of low-NE states during disease progression or upon acquired chemotherapy resistance. Here, we identify a role for SMARCA4, the catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, as a regulator of subtype shift in SCLC. METHODS ATACseq and RNAseq experiments were performed in SCLC cells after pharmacological inhibition of SMARCA4. DNA binding of SMARCA4 was characterized by ChIPseq in high-NE SCLC patient derived xenografts (PDXs). Enrichment analyses were applied to transcriptomic data. Combination of FHD-286 and afatinib was tested in vitro and in a set of chemo-resistant SCLC PDXs in vivo. RESULTS SMARCA4 expression positively correlates with that of NE genes in both SCLC cell lines and patient tumors. Pharmacological inhibition of SMARCA4 with FHD-286 induces the loss of NE features and downregulates neuroendocrine and neuronal signaling pathways while activating non-NE factors. SMARCA4 binds to gene loci encoding NE-lineage transcription factors ASCL1 and NEUROD1 and alters chromatin accessibility, enhancing NE programs. Enrichment analysis applied to high-confidence SMARCA4 targets confirmed neuron related pathways as the top GO Biological processes regulated by SMARCA4 in SCLC. In parallel, SMARCA4 also controls REST, a known suppressor of the NE phenotype, by regulating SRRM4-dependent REST transcript splicing. Furthermore, SMARCA4 inhibition drives ERBB pathway activation in SCLC, rendering SCLC tumors sensitive to afatinib. CONCLUSIONS This study nominates SMARCA4 as a key regulator of the NE state plasticity and defines a novel therapeutic strategy for SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Redin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harsha Sridhar
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yingqian A Zhan
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Hong Zhong
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vidushi Durani
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amin Sabet
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Parvathy Manoj
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irina Linkov
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan Qiu
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maider Astorkia
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Charles M Rudin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Rawat C, Heemers HV. Alternative splicing in prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Oncogene 2024; 43:1655-1668. [PMID: 38658776 PMCID: PMC11136669 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03036-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (CaP) remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in western men. CaP mortality results from diverse molecular mechanisms that mediate resistance to the standard of care treatments for metastatic disease. Recently, alternative splicing has been recognized as a hallmark of CaP aggressiveness. Alternative splicing events cause treatment resistance and aggressive CaP behavior and are determinants of the emergence of the two major types of late-stage treatment-resistant CaP, namely castration-resistant CaP (CRPC) and neuroendocrine CaP (NEPC). Here, we review recent multi-omics data that are uncovering the complicated landscape of alternative splicing events during CaP progression and the impact that different gene transcript isoforms can have on CaP cell biology and behavior. We discuss renewed insights in the molecular machinery by which alternative splicing occurs and contributes to the failure of systemic CaP therapies. The potential for alternative splicing events to serve as diagnostic markers and/or therapeutic targets is explored. We conclude by considering current challenges and promises associated with splicing-modulating therapies, and their potential for clinical translation into CaP patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Rawat
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Hannelore V Heemers
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
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3
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Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Nakamura BN, Das D, Iyer M, Reed M, Shao L, Bamshad D, Buckley NJ, Neman J. SRRM4-mediated REST to REST4 dysregulation promotes tumor growth and neural adaptation in breast cancer leading to brain metastasis. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:309-322. [PMID: 37716001 PMCID: PMC10836770 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad175] [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: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective control of brain metastasis remains an urgent clinical need due a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving it. Although the gain of neuro-adaptive attributes in breast-to-brain metastases (BBMs) has been described, the mechanisms that govern this neural acclimation and the resulting brain metastasis competency are poorly understood. Herein, we define the role of neural-specific splicing factor Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix Protein 4 (SRRM4) in regulating microenvironmental adaptation and brain metastasis colonization in breast cancer cells. METHODS Utilizing pure neuronal cultures and brain-naive and patient-derived BM tumor cells, along with in vivo tumor modeling, we surveyed the early induction of mediators of neural acclimation in tumor cells. RESULTS When SRRM4 is overexpressed in systemic breast cancer cells, there is enhanced BBM leading to poorer overall survival in vivo. Concomitantly, SRRM4 knockdown expression does not provide any advantage in central nervous system metastasis. In addition, reducing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells slows down proliferation and increases resistance to chemotherapy. Conversely, when SRRM4/REST4 levels are elevated, tumor cell growth is maintained even in nutrient-deprived conditions. In neuronal coculture, decreasing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells impairs their ability to adapt to the brain microenvironment, while increasing SRRM4/RE-1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST4) levels leads to greater expression of neurotransmitter and synaptic signaling mediators and a significant colonization advantage. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings identify SRRM4 as a regulator of brain metastasis colonization, and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA)
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brooke N Nakamura
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Max Reed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniella Bamshad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Noel J Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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4
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Zamora I, Freeman MR, Encío IJ, Rotinen M. Targeting Key Players of Neuroendocrine Differentiation in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13673. [PMID: 37761978 PMCID: PMC10531052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813673] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer (PC) that commonly emerges through a transdifferentiation process from prostate adenocarcinoma and evades conventional therapies. Extensive molecular research has revealed factors that drive lineage plasticity, uncovering novel therapeutic targets to be explored. A diverse array of targeting agents is currently under evaluation in pre-clinical and clinical studies with promising results in suppressing or reversing the neuroendocrine phenotype and inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. This new knowledge has the potential to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches that may enhance the clinical management and prognosis of this lethal disease. In the present review, we discuss molecular players involved in the neuroendocrine phenotype, and we explore therapeutic strategies that are currently under investigation for NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Zamora
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Michael R. Freeman
- Departments of Urology and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ignacio J. Encío
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Rotinen
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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5
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Yoshida M, Oda C, Mishima K, Tsuji I, Obika S, Shimojo M. An antisense amido-bridged nucleic acid gapmer oligonucleotide targeting SRRM4 alters REST splicing and exhibits anti-tumor effects in small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:8. [PMID: 36650528 PMCID: PMC9847160 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02842-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) medicine for clinical applications has been becoming a reality. We previously developed a gapmer ASO targeting Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4) that is abnormally expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However the detailed mechanism of ASO through repressing SRRM4 has not been completely elucidated. Further, effectiveness of SRRM4 ASO to prostate cancer (PCa) cells expressing SRRM4 similar to SCLC remains to be elucidated. RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) is a tumor suppressor, and its splicing isoform (sREST) is abnormally expressed by SRRM4 and causes carcinogenesis with neuroendocrine phenotype in SCLC. The present study aimed to understand the contribution of REST splicing by SRRM4 ASO administration. METHODS SRRM4 expression and REST splicing were analyzed by RT-qPCR and conventional RT-PCR after treating SRRM4 ASO, and cell viability was analyzed in vitro. Exogenous reconstitution of Flag-tagged REST plasmid in SCLC cells and the splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) specific for REST was analyzed for cell viability. Furthermore, we expanded the application of SRRM4 ASO in PCa cells abnormally expressing SRRM4 mRNA in vitro. RESULTS SRRM4 ASO successfully downregulated SRRM4 expression, followed by repressed cell viability of SCLC and PCa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of SRRM4 ASO then modified the alternative splicing of REST, resulting reduced cell viability. REST SSO specifically modified REST splicing increased REST expression, resulting in reduced cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that a gapmer ASO targeting SRRM4 (SRRM4 ASO) reduces cell viability through splicing changes of REST, followed by affecting REST-controlled genes in recalcitrant tumors SCLC and PCa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Yoshida
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Chihiro Oda
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Keishiro Mishima
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Itsuki Tsuji
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan ,grid.482562.fNational Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085 Japan
| | - Masahito Shimojo
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
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6
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Lothion-Roy J, Haigh DB, Harris AE, Metzler VM, Alsaleem M, Toss MS, Kariri Y, Ntekim A, Robinson BD, Khani F, Gudas LJ, Allegrucci C, James VH, Madhusudan S, Mather M, Emes RD, Archer N, Fray RG, Rakha E, Jeyapalan JN, Rutland CS, Mongan NP, Woodcock CL. Clinical and molecular significance of the RNA m 6A methyltransferase complex in prostate cancer. Front Genet 2023; 13:1096071. [PMID: 36733939 PMCID: PMC9887525 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1096071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal mRNA modification and is dynamically regulated through distinct protein complexes that methylate, demethylate, and/or interpret the m6A modification. These proteins, and the m6A modification, are involved in the regulation of gene expression, RNA stability, splicing and translation. Given its role in these crucial processes, m6A has been implicated in many diseases, including in cancer development and progression. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer in men and recent studies support a role for m6A in PCa. Despite this, the literature currently lacks an integrated analysis of the expression of key components of the m6A RNA methyltransferase complex, both in PCa patients and in well-established cell line models. For this reason, this study used immunohistochemistry and functional studies to investigate the mechanistic and clinical significance of the METTL3, METTL14, WTAP and CBLL1 components of the m6A methyltransferase complex in PCa specimens and cell lines. Expression of METTL3 and CBLL1, but not METTL14 and WTAP, was associated with poorer PCa patient outcomes. Expression of METTL3, METTL14, WTAP and CBLL1 was higher in PCa cells compared with non-malignant prostate cells, with the highest expression seen in castrate-sensitive, androgen-responsive PCa cells. Moreover, in PCa cell lines, expression of METTL3 and WTAP was found to be androgen-regulated. To investigate the mechanistic role(s) of the m6A methyltransferase complex in PCa cells, short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown coupled with next generation sequencing was used to determine the transcriptome-wide roles of METTL3, the catalytic subunit of the m6A methyltransferase complex. Functional depletion of METTL3 resulted in upregulation of the androgen receptor (AR), together with 134 AR-regulated genes. METTL3 knockdown also resulted in altered splicing, and enrichment of cell cycle, DNA repair and metabolic pathways. Collectively, this study identified the functional and clinical significance of four essential m6A complex components in PCa patient specimens and cell lines for the first time. Further studies are now warranted to determine the potential therapeutic relevance of METTL3 inhibitors in development to treat leukaemia to benefit patients with PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lothion-Roy
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Daisy B. Haigh
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Anna E. Harris
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Veronika M. Metzler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Mansour Alsaleem
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,Department of Applied Medical Science, Applied College, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael S. Toss
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yousif Kariri
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atara Ntekim
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Ibadan, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Brian D. Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Francesca Khani
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lorraine J. Gudas
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Cinzia Allegrucci
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria H. James
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Srinivasan Madhusudan
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Mather
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D. Emes
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Archer
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Rupert G. Fray
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Rakha
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jennie N. Jeyapalan
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Catrin S. Rutland
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel P. Mongan
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom,Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Nigel P. Mongan, , ; Corinne L. Woodcock,
| | - Corinne L. Woodcock
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Nigel P. Mongan, , ; Corinne L. Woodcock,
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7
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Sreekumar A, Saini S. Role of transcription factors and chromatin modifiers in driving lineage reprogramming in treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1075707. [PMID: 36711033 PMCID: PMC9879360 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1075707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly lethal variant of prostate cancer that is increasing in incidence with the increased use of next-generation of androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors. It arises via a reversible trans-differentiation process, referred to as neuroendocrine differentiation (NED), wherein prostate cancer cells show decreased expression of AR and increased expression of neuroendocrine (NE) lineage markers including enolase 2 (ENO2), chromogranin A (CHGA) and synaptophysin (SYP). NEPC is associated with poor survival rates as these tumors are aggressive and often metastasize to soft tissues such as liver, lung and central nervous system despite low serum PSA levels relative to disease burden. It has been recognized that therapy-induced NED involves a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations that act in a highly concerted manner in orchestrating lineage switching. In the recent years, we have seen a spurt in research in this area that has implicated a host of transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers that play a role in driving this lineage switching. In this article, we review the role of important transcription factors and chromatin modifiers that are instrumental in lineage reprogramming of prostate adenocarcinomas to NEPC under the selective pressure of various AR-targeted therapies. With an increased understanding of the temporal and spatial interplay of transcription factors and chromatin modifiers and their associated gene expression programs in NEPC, better therapeutic strategies are being tested for targeting NEPC effectively.
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8
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Gan Y, He Q, Li C, Alsharafi BLM, Zhou H, Long Z. A bibliometric study of the top 100 most-cited papers in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1146515. [PMID: 36959803 PMCID: PMC10027713 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1146515] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study used bibliometrics to define and analyze the characteristics of the first 100 most cited papers on the topic of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Methods We explored the Web of Science Core Collection database, and screened the top 100 most frequently cited articles and reviews with the title NEPC or small cell prostate cancer (SCPC). We conducted bibliometrics research on the screening results to identify the most influential journals and authors in the field of NEPC. Results The first 100 most cited papers have been cited a total of 14,795 times, from 73 to 833 times (mean ± standard deviation, 147.95 ± 101.68). All top 100 most cited papers were published from 1984 to 2019, and the total number of citations for papers published in 2016 was significantly higher than that for papers published in other years. The journal with the largest number of published papers is "Prostate" (n=8). "Neuroendocrine differentiation" has become the most frequently used author keyword. "Oncology" is the most popular topic in the field of NEPC. Conclusion We analyzed the first 100 most cited papers in the NEPC field by collecting detailed information, which provide guiding opinions for finding the most influential journals and authors in NEPC-related fields. We hope to help researchers and readers in this field improve their understanding of NEPC research trends and provide ideas for future research from a unique perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiangrong He
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao Li
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | | | - Hengfeng Zhou
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Hengfeng Zhou, ; Zhi Long,
| | - Zhi Long
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Hengfeng Zhou, ; Zhi Long,
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9
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Discovery of Novel Lin28 Inhibitors to Suppress Cancer Cell Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225687. [PMID: 36428779 PMCID: PMC9688808 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lin28 is a pluripotency factor that regulates cancer cell stem-like phenotypes to promote cancer development and therapy-resistant tumor progression. It acts through its cold shock domain and zinc knuckle domain (ZKD) to interact with the Let-7 pre-microRNA and block Let-7 biosynthesis. Chemical inhibition of Lin28 from interacting with Let-7 presents a therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, we present the computer-aided development of small molecules by in silico screening 18 million compounds from the ZINC20 library, followed by the biological validation of 163 predicted compounds to confirm 15 new Lin28 inhibitors. We report three lead compounds, Ln7, Ln15, and Ln115, that target the ZKD of both Lin28A and Lin28B isoforms and block Lin28 from binding Let-7. They restore Let-7 expression and suppress tumor oncogenes such as SOX2 in cancer cells and show strong inhibitory effects on cancer cell stem-like phenotypes. However, minimal impacts of these compounds were observed on Lin28-negative cells, confirming the on-target effects of these compounds. We conclude from this study the discovery of several new Lin28 inhibitors as promising candidate compounds that warrant further drug development into potential anticancer therapies.
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10
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Liu S, Alabi BR, Yin Q, Stoyanova T. Molecular mechanisms underlying the development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:57-68. [PMID: 35597438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-associated deaths among men in the United States. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care for advanced prostate cancer. While patients with advanced prostate cancer initially respond to ADT, the disease frequently progresses to a lethal metastatic form, defined as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). After multiple rounds of anti-androgen therapies, 20-25% of metastatic CRPCs develop a neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype. These tumors are classified as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). De novo NEPC is rare and accounts for less than 2% of all prostate cancers at diagnosis. NEPC is commonly characterized by the expression of NE markers and the absence of androgen receptor (AR) expression. NEPC is usually associated with tumor aggressiveness, hormone therapy resistance, and poor clinical outcome. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying the emergence of NEPC and provide insights into the future perspectives on potential therapeutic strategies for NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Busola Ruth Alabi
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Qingqing Yin
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Tanya Stoyanova
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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11
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Zhou H, He Q, Li C, Alsharafi BLM, Deng L, Long Z, Gan Y. Focus on the tumor microenvironment: A seedbed for neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:955669. [PMID: 35938167 PMCID: PMC9355504 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.955669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a microecology consisting of tumor and mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrices. The TME plays important regulatory roles in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and differentiation. Neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) is a mechanism by which castration resistance develops in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). NED is induced after androgen deprivation therapy and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is established finally. NEPC has poor prognosis and short overall survival and is a major cause of death in patients with PCa. Both the cellular and non-cellular components of the TME regulate and induce NEPC formation through various pathways. Insights into the roles of the TME in NEPC evolution, growth, and progression have increased over the past few years. These novel insights will help refine the NEPC formation model and lay the foundation for the discovery of new NEPC therapies targeting the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengfeng Zhou
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiangrong He
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Li
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Liang Deng
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Long
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi Long, ; Yu Gan,
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi Long, ; Yu Gan,
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12
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Huang J, Lin B, Li B. Anti-Androgen Receptor Therapies in Prostate Cancer: A Brief Update and Perspective. Front Oncol 2022; 12:865350. [PMID: 35372068 PMCID: PMC8965587 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.865350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a major health issue in western countries and is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Prostate cancer depends on the androgen receptor (AR), a transcriptional factor critical for prostate cancer growth and progression. Castration by surgery or medical treatment reduces androgen levels, resulting in prostatic atrophy and prostate cancer regression. Thus, metastatic prostate cancers are initially managed with androgen deprivation therapy. Unfortunately, prostate cancers rapidly relapse after castration therapy and progress to a disease stage called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Currently, clinical treatment for CRPCs is focused on suppressing AR activity with antagonists like Enzalutamide or by reducing androgen production with Abiraterone. In clinical practice, these treatments fail to yield a curative benefit in CRPC patients in part due to AR gene mutations or splicing variations, resulting in AR reactivation. It is conceivable that eliminating the AR protein in prostate cancer cells is a promising solution to provide a potential curative outcome. Multiple strategies have emerged, and several potent agents that reduce AR protein levels were reported to eliminate xenograft tumor growth in preclinical models via distinct mechanisms, including proteasome-mediated degradation, heat-shock protein inhibition, AR splicing suppression, blockage of AR nuclear localization, AR N-terminal suppression. A few small chemical compounds are undergoing clinical trials combined with existing AR antagonists. AR protein elimination by enhanced protein or mRNA degradation is a realistic solution for avoiding AR reactivation during androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Huang
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Biyun Lin
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Benyi Li
- Department of Urology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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13
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Shi M, Wang Y, Lin D, Wang Y. Patient-derived xenograft models of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Cancer Lett 2022; 525:160-169. [PMID: 34767925 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) have attracted much attention as clinically relevant models for basic and translational cancer research. PDXs retain the principal histopathological and molecular heterogeneity of their donor tumors and remain stable across passages. These characteristics allow PDXs to offer a reliable platform for better understanding cancer biology, discovering biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and developing novel therapies. A growing interest in generating neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) PDX models has been demonstrated, and such models have proven useful in several areas. This review provides a comprehensive summary of currently available NEPC PDX collections, encompassing 1) primary or secondary sites where patient samples were collected, 2) donor patients' treatment histories, 3) morphological features (i.e., small cell and large cell), and 4) genomic alterations. We also highlight suitable models for various research purposes, including identifying therapeutic targets and evaluating drug responses in models with specific genomic backgrounds. Finally, we provide perspectives on the current knowledge gaps and shed light on future applications and improvements of NEPC PDXs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchen Shi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yu Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dong Lin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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14
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Deng L, Li C, He Q, Huang C, Chen Q, Zhang S, Wang L, Gan Y, Long Z. Superselective Prostate Artery Embolization for Treatment of Severe Haematuria Secondary to Rapid Progression of Treatment-Induced Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer: A Case Report. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:67-75. [PMID: 35082500 PMCID: PMC8786387 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s345193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) represents a highly aggressive subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer that commonly arises from prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPC) after continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, current treatments for t-NEPC are limited and far from satisfactory. According to our limited knowledge, report regarding the management of t-NEPC related hemorrhage is rare. Here, we report a case of t-NEPC formation after chronic hormonal therapy accompanying with severe bleeding in primary tumor and share our experiences to deal with the severe hematuria resulting from the progression of t-NEPC tumor. Case Presentation An 80-year-old man with a significantly high prostate-specific antigen was diagnosed via pathology as advanced AdPC due to multiple bone metastases. He then received ADT including bicalutamide and goserelin. After 20 months of stable disease, the cancer rapidly progressed and presented with severe gross hematuria caused by bleeding of the primary tumor. The histopathologic analysis of a secondary biopsy of the primary tumor confirmed neuroendocrine prostate cancer, and subsequent genetic testing revealed germ-line mutations in the RB1 and FOXA1. To control the bleeding and relieve symptoms, the patient was treated with superselective prostate artery embolization (PAE). After the left internal pudendal artery and the right prostatic artery were embolized, hematuria was quickly alleviated and disappeared. However, the patient was not a suitable candidate to platinum-based chemotherapy due to weak constitution. Goserelin was continuously applied to maintain castration level of serum testosterone. Meanwhile, palliative radiotherapy to the prostate tumor, high-risk lymph node drainage areas (including iliac and para-aortic lymph nodes, internal iliac lymph nodes, presacral lymph nodes and obturator nerve lymph nodes) and bone metastases (right sacroiliac joint and thoracic vertebra) was performed and relieved the pain. Unfortunately, this patient eventually died of cachexia and multiple organ failure nearly 27 months after initial diagnosis. Conclusion To treat severe hematuria caused by progression of t-NEPC, superselective PAE may be a rapid and efficient way to stop bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Deng
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Li
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiangrong He
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenghui Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengwang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Long Wang
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yu Gan, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 87 Xiang Road, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15111140206, Fax +86 73184327332, Email
| | - Zhi Long
- Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China
- Zhi Long, Andrology Center, Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13755076226, Fax +86 73188618028 Email
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15
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Hu CY, Wu KY, Lin TY, Chen CC. The Crosstalk of Long Non-Coding RNA and MicroRNA in Castration-Resistant and Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer: Their Interaction and Clinical Importance. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010392. [PMID: 35008817 PMCID: PMC8745162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is featured by its heterogeneous nature, which indicates a different prognosis. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a hallmark of the treatment-refractory stage, and the median survival of patients is only within two years. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive variant that arises from de novo presentation of small cell carcinoma or treatment-related transformation with a median survival of 1–2 years from the time of diagnosis. The epigenetic regulators, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), have been proven involved in multiple pathologic mechanisms of CRPC and NEPC. LncRNAs can act as competing endogenous RNAs to sponge miRNAs that would inhibit the expression of their targets. After that, miRNAs interact with the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs to repress the step of translation. These interactions may modulate gene expression and influence cancer development and progression. Otherwise, epigenetic regulators and genetic mutation also promote neuroendocrine differentiation and cancer stem-like cell formation. This step may induce neuroendocrine prostate cancer development. This review aims to provide an integrated, synthesized overview under current evidence to elucidate the crosstalk of lncRNAs with miRNAs and their influence on castration resistance or neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer. Notably, we also discuss the mechanisms of lncRNA–miRNA interaction in androgen receptor-independent prostate cancer, such as growth factors, oncogenic signaling pathways, cell cycle dysregulation, and cytokines or other transmembrane proteins. Conclusively, we underscore the potential of these communications as potential therapeutic targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Yuan Hu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Kuan-Yu Wu
- Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Tsung-Yen Lin
- Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Dou-Liou Branch, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Yunlin 640, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (T.-Y.L.); (C.-C.C.); Tel.: +886-6235-3535 (ext. 5251) (T.-Y.L.); +886-5276-5041 (ext. 7521) (C.-C.C.)
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (T.-Y.L.); (C.-C.C.); Tel.: +886-6235-3535 (ext. 5251) (T.-Y.L.); +886-5276-5041 (ext. 7521) (C.-C.C.)
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16
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Slabáková E, Kahounová Z, Procházková J, Souček K. Regulation of Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation in Prostate Cancer by Non-Coding RNAs. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040075. [PMID: 34940756 PMCID: PMC8704250 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a variant of prostate cancer that occurs in response to treatment resistance or, to a much lesser extent, de novo. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind transdifferentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cancer cells is essential for development of new treatment opportunities. This review focuses on summarizing the role of small molecules, predominantly microRNAs, in this phenomenon. A published literature search was performed to identify microRNAs, which are reported and experimentally validated to modulate neuroendocrine markers and/or regulators and to affect the complex neuroendocrine phenotype. Next, available patients’ expression datasets were surveyed to identify deregulated microRNAs, and their effect on NEPC and prostate cancer progression is summarized. Finally, possibilities of miRNA detection and quantification in body fluids of prostate cancer patients and their possible use as liquid biopsy in prostate cancer monitoring are discussed. All the addressed clinical and experimental contexts point to an association of NEPC with upregulation of miR-375 and downregulation of miR-34a and miR-19b-3p. Together, this review provides an overview of different roles of non-coding RNAs in the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
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17
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Labrecque MP, Brown LG, Coleman IM, Lakely B, Brady NJ, Lee JK, Nguyen HM, Li D, Hanratty B, Haffner MC, Rickman DS, True LD, Lin DW, Lam HM, Alumkal JJ, Corey E, Nelson PS, Morrissey C. RNA splicing factors SRRM3 and SRRM4 distinguish molecular phenotypes of castration-resistant neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4736-4750. [PMID: 34312180 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an increasingly common clinical feature arising from cellular plasticity. We recently characterized two mCRPC phenotypes with NE features: androgen receptor (AR)-positive NE-positive amphicrine prostate cancer (AMPC) and AR-negative small cell or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (SCNPC). Here, we interrogated the regulation of RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), a transcriptional repressor of neuronal genes, and elucidated molecular programs driving AMPC and SCNPC biology. Analysis of prostate cancer (PC) cell lines, mCRPC specimens, and LuCaP patient-derived xenograft models detected alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and attenuated REST repressor activity in AMPC and SCNPC. The REST locus was also hypermethylated and REST expression was reduced in SCNPC. While serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein 4 (SRRM4) was previously implicated in alternative splicing of REST in mCRPC, we detected SRRM3 expression in REST4-positive, SRRM4-negative AMPC and SCNPC. In CRPC cell lines, SRRM3 induced alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and exacerbated the expression of REST-repressed genes. Furthermore, SRRM3 and SRRM4 expression defined molecular subsets of AMPC and SCNPC across species and tumor types. Two AMPC phenotypes and three SCNPC phenotypes were characterized, denoted either by REST attenuation and ASCL1 activity or by progressive activation of neuronal transcription factor programs, respectively. These results nominate SRRM3 as the principal REST splicing factor expressed in early NE differentiation and provide a framework to molecularly classify diverse NE phenotypes in mCRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
| | | | | | - John K Lee
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
| | | | | | | | | | - David S Rickman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | | | | | - Hung-Ming Lam
- Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Joshi J Alumkal
- Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
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18
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Mehterov N, Kazakova M, Sbirkov Y, Vladimirov B, Belev N, Yaneva G, Todorova K, Hayrabedyan S, Sarafian V. Alternative RNA Splicing-The Trojan Horse of Cancer Cells in Chemotherapy. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071085. [PMID: 34356101 PMCID: PMC8306420 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all transcribed human genes undergo alternative RNA splicing, which increases the diversity of the coding and non-coding cellular landscape. The resultant gene products might have distinctly different and, in some cases, even opposite functions. Therefore, the abnormal regulation of alternative splicing plays a crucial role in malignant transformation, development, and progression, a fact supported by the distinct splicing profiles identified in both healthy and tumor cells. Drug resistance, resulting in treatment failure, still remains a major challenge for current cancer therapy. Furthermore, tumor cells often take advantage of aberrant RNA splicing to overcome the toxicity of the administered chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, deciphering the alternative RNA splicing variants in tumor cells would provide opportunities for designing novel therapeutics combating cancer more efficiently. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive outline of the recent findings in alternative splicing in the most common neoplasms, including lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, glioma, colon, and blood malignancies. Molecular mechanisms developed by cancer cells to promote oncogenesis as well as to evade anticancer drug treatment and the subsequent chemotherapy failure are also discussed. Taken together, these findings offer novel opportunities for future studies and the development of targeted therapy for cancer-specific splicing variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Mehterov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Kazakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Boyan Vladimirov
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Nikolay Belev
- Medical Simulation and Training Center, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Galina Yaneva
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria;
| | - Krassimira Todorova
- Laboratory of Reproductive OMICs Technologies, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (S.H.)
| | - Soren Hayrabedyan
- Laboratory of Reproductive OMICs Technologies, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (S.H.)
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +359-882-512-952
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19
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Wang L, Li H, Li Z, Li M, Tang Q, Wu C, Lu Z. Smoothened loss is a characteristic of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Prostate 2021; 81:508-520. [PMID: 33955576 PMCID: PMC8251989 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hedgehog (Hh) signaling promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer by supporting androgen-independent prostate cancer cell development and growth; however, its role in neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) has not yet been explored. In this study, we assessed the expression of key genes involved in Hh signaling in prostate cancer and investigated the potential role of smoothened (SMO) in the pathogenesis of NEPC. METHODS Six public datasets, each containing cases of prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPC) and NEPC, were analyzed to compare the differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of six classic Hh signaling genes. The SMO, synaptophysin, chromogranin A (CHGA) and androgen receptor (AR) proteins were evaluated in human tissues from 5 cases of NEPC, 2 cases of AdPC mixed with NEPC, 2 cases of AdPC with neuroendocrine differentiation and 22 cases of high-grade AdPC as determined by an immunohistochemistry assay. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify relevant genetic signatures associated with SMO expression based on the public datasets. Stable SMO-knockdown LNCaP and C4-2B cells were established with a lentiviral system, and the expression of SMO, Gli1, AR, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and REST was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Secreted PSA in the conditioned medium was assessed by ELISA. Gli1 was ectopically expressed performed by the transfection of Gli1 complementary DNA into SMO-knockdown LNCaP cells, and western blot was used to assess of AR and PSA expression. RESULTS The mRNA level of SMO was dramatically downregulated in NEPC samples compared with AdPC samples in all 6 public datasets. SMO protein loss was observed in 100% of NEPC samples but in only 9% (2 of 22) of high-grade AdPC samples. GSEA results showed that SMO loss was closely correlated with AR signaling activity. Stable SMO knockdown significantly attenuated AR signaling activity and suppressed AR expression, while Gli1 overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SMO knockdown on AR signaling activity and AR expression in LNCaP and C4-2B cells. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that SMO loss is a characteristic of NEPC and that detecting SMO by IHC could aid pathologists in NEPC diagnosis. SMO loss may promote NEPC pathogenesis by modulating AR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Zhang Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Qi Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Chunxiao Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Zhiming Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
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20
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Head SA, Hernandez-Alias X, Yang JS, Ciampi L, Beltran-Sastre V, Torres-Méndez A, Irimia M, Schaefer MH, Serrano L. Silencing of SRRM4 suppresses microexon inclusion and promotes tumor growth across cancers. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001138. [PMID: 33621242 PMCID: PMC7935315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is widely dysregulated in cancer, frequently due to altered expression or activity of splicing factors (SFs). Microexons are extremely small exons (3–27 nucleotides long) that are highly evolutionarily conserved and play critical roles in promoting neuronal differentiation and development. Inclusion of microexons in mRNA transcripts is mediated by the SF Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix 4 (SRRM4), whose expression is largely restricted to neural tissues. However, microexons have been largely overlooked in prior analyses of splicing in cancer, as their small size necessitates specialized computational approaches for their detection. Here, we demonstrate that despite having low expression in normal nonneural tissues, SRRM4 is further silenced in tumors, resulting in the suppression of normal microexon inclusion. Remarkably, SRRM4 is the most consistently silenced SF across all tumor types analyzed, implying a general advantage of microexon down-regulation in cancer independent of its tissue of origin. We show that this silencing is favorable for tumor growth, as decreased SRRM4 expression in tumors is correlated with an increase in mitotic gene expression, and up-regulation of SRRM4 in cancer cell lines dose-dependently inhibits proliferation in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Further, this proliferation inhibition is accompanied by induction of neural-like expression and splicing patterns in cancer cells, suggesting that SRRM4 expression shifts the cell state away from proliferation and toward differentiation. We therefore conclude that SRRM4 acts as a proliferation brake, and tumors gain a selective advantage by cutting off this brake. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, this study shows that the splicing factor SRRM4 and its program of differentiation-promoting microexons are downregulated across tumor types with remarkable consistency, providing tumors with a proliferative advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Head
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
| | - Xavier Hernandez-Alias
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jae-Seong Yang
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica, Consortium CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ludovica Ciampi
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Violeta Beltran-Sastre
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Torres-Méndez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martin H. Schaefer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Department of Experimental Oncology, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
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21
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Lovnicki J, Gan Y, Feng T, Li Y, Xie N, Ho CH, Lee AR, Chen X, Nappi L, Han B, Fazli L, Huang J, Gleave ME, Dong X. LIN28B promotes the development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:5338-5348. [PMID: 32634132 DOI: 10.1172/jci135373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with poor patient survival. Emerging evidence indicates that t-NEPC can develop when prostate adenocarcinoma cells acquire cancer stem-like cell signaling in the presence of androgen receptor inhibition, followed by redifferentiation toward neuroendocrine lineage and subsequent t-NEPC progression. Whether the stem-like signaling is controlled by the core pluripotency stem cell genes (e.g., LIN28 and SOX2) remains unknown. Here, we report that the transcription of the LIN28B isoform and SOX2 were co-upregulated in t-NEPC patient tumors, patient-derived xenografts, transgenic mice, and cell models. Immunohistochemistry validated that LIN28B and SOX2 protein expression were elevated in t-NEPC patient biopsies. Using prostate adenocarcinoma and t-NEPC cell models, we demonstrated that LIN28B induced a stem-like gene network, neuroendocrine biomarkers, and neuroendocrine cell morphology. LIN28B depletion by CRISPR inhibited t-NEPC tumorigenesis and xenograft growth. These LIN28B functions were mediated mainly through the suppression of let-7 miRNA expression, resulting in de-repression of the transcription factor HMGA2 and HMGA2-mediated SOX2 expression. This study revealed a mechanism by which t-NEPC can develop through the LIN28B/let-7/SOX2 axis that regulates a cancer cell stem-like gene network, highlighting LIN28B as a potential therapeutic target in t-NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lovnicki
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yu Gan
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yinan Li
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ning Xie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chia-Hao Ho
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ahn R Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lucia Nappi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bo Han
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martin E Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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22
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Epigenetic reprogramming during prostate cancer progression: A perspective from development. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:136-151. [PMID: 33545340 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Conrad Waddington's theory of epigenetic landscape epitomize the process of cell fate and cellular decision-making during development. Wherein the epigenetic code maintains patterns of gene expression in pluripotent and differentiated cellular states during embryonic development and differentiation. Over the years disruption or reprogramming of the epigenetic landscape has been extensively studied in the course of cancer progression. Cellular dedifferentiation being a key hallmark of cancer allow us to take cues from the biological processes involved during development. Here, we discuss the role of epigenetic landscape and its modifiers in cell-fate determination, differentiation and prostate cancer progression. Lately, the emergence of RNA-modifications has also furthered our understanding of epigenetics in cancer. The overview of the epigenetic code regulating androgen signalling, and progression to aggressive neuroendocrine stage of PCa reinforces its gene regulatory functions during the development of prostate gland as well as cancer progression. Additionally, we also highlight the clinical implications of cancer cell epigenome, and discuss the recent advancements in the therapeutic strategies targeting the advanced stage disease.
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23
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Matias-Barrios VM, Radaeva M, Song Y, Alperstein Z, Lee AR, Schmitt V, Lee J, Ban F, Xie N, Qi J, Lallous N, Gleave ME, Cherkasov A, Dong X. Discovery of New Catalytic Topoisomerase II Inhibitors for Anticancer Therapeutics. Front Oncol 2021; 10:633142. [PMID: 33598437 PMCID: PMC7883873 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.633142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Poison inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2) are clinically used drugs that cause cancer cell death by inducing DNA damage, which mechanism of action is also associated with serious side effects such as secondary malignancy and cardiotoxicity. In contrast, TOP2 catalytic inhibitors induce limited DNA damage, have low cytotoxicity, and are effective in suppressing cancer cell proliferation. They have been sought after to be prospective anticancer therapies. Herein the discovery of new TOP2 catalytic inhibitors is described. A new druggable pocket of TOP2 protein at its DNA binding domain was used as a docking site to virtually screen ~6 million molecules from the ZINC15 library. The lead compound, T60, was characterized to be a catalytic TOP2 inhibitor that binds TOP2 protein and disrupts TOP2 from interacting with DNA, resulting in no DNA cleavage. It has low cytotoxicity, but strongly inhibits cancer cell proliferation and xenograft growth. T60 also inhibits androgen receptor activity and prostate cancer cell growth. These results indicate that T60 is a promising candidate compound that can be further developed into new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Matias-Barrios
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mariia Radaeva
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yi Song
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaccary Alperstein
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ahn R Lee
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Veronika Schmitt
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joseph Lee
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ning Xie
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nada Lallous
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin E Gleave
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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24
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An Assessment of InP/ZnS as Potential Anti-Cancer Therapy: Quantum Dot Treatment Increases Apoptosis in HeLa Cells. JOURNAL OF NANOTHERANOSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jnt2010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are an emerging option in QD technologies for uses of fluorescent imaging as well as targeted drug and anticancer therapies based on their customizable properties. In this study we explored effects of InP/ZnS when treated with HeLa cervical cancer cells. We employed XTT viability assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis, and apoptosis analysis to better understand cytotoxicity extents at different concentrations of InP/ZnS. In addition, we compared the transcriptome profile from the QD-treated HeLa cells with that of untreated HeLa cells to identify changes to the transcriptome in response to the QD. RT-qPCR assay was performed to confirm the findings of transcriptome analysis, and the QD mode of action was illustrated. Our study determined both IC50 concentration of 69 µg/mL and MIC concentration of 167 µg/mL of InP/ZnS. It was observed via XTT assay that cell viability was decreased significantly at the MIC. Production of superoxide, measured by ROS assay with flow cytometry, was decreased, whereas levels of nitrogen radicals increased. Using analysis of apoptosis, we found that induced cell death in the QD-treated samples was shown to be significantly increased when compared to untreated cells. We conclude InP/ZnS QD to decrease cell viability by inducing stress via ROS levels, apoptosis induction, and alteration of transcriptome.
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25
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Long Z, Deng L, Li C, He Q, He Y, Hu X, Cai Y, Gan Y. Loss of EHF facilitates the development of treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:46. [PMID: 33414441 PMCID: PMC7790822 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03326-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The rising of a highly aggressive subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) named treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is well known for its features of the neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and androgen receptor (AR) independence. However, t-NEPC is still largely unknown. Here, we found that EHF is notably depressed in t-NEPC tumors, patient-derived xenografts, transgenic mice, and cell models. Results from cell lines uncovered that ADT represses EHF expression, which is required for the ADT-induced NED. Mechanism dissection revealed that ADT decreases the EHF transcription via relieving the AR binding to different androgen-responsive elements, which then promotes the expression and enzymatic activity of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), consequently catalyzing tri-methylation lysine 27 of histone H3 for transcriptional repression of its downstream genes to promote the NED. Furthermore, preclinical studies from cell and mice models proved that recovery of EHF expression or using EZH2 inhibitor can attenuate aggressive properties of CRPC cells, hinder the progression of t-NEPC, and promote the response of CPRC cells to enzalutamide. Together, we elucidate that the ADT/AR/EHF/EZH2 signaling is required for the ADT-enhanced NED and plays a critical role in the progression of t-NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Long
- Department of Urology, Andrology Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Deng
- Department of Urology, Andrology Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Urology, Andrology Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiangrong He
- Department of Urology, Andrology Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiheng Hu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Cai
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Sox2 is necessary for androgen ablation-induced neuroendocrine differentiation from Pten null Sca-1 + prostate luminal cells. Oncogene 2020; 40:203-214. [PMID: 33110232 PMCID: PMC7796948 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Prostate adenocarcinoma undergoes neuroendocrine differentiation to acquire resistance toward anti-hormonal therapies. The underlying mechanisms have been investigated extensively, among which Sox2 has been shown to play a critical role. However, genetic evidence in mouse models for prostate cancer to support the crucial role of Sox2 is missing. The adult mouse prostate luminal cells contain both castration-resistant Sox2-expressing Sca-1+ cells and castration-responsive Sca-1− cells. We show that both types of the luminal cell are susceptible to oncogenic transformation induced by loss of function of the tumor suppressor Pten. The tumors derived from the Sca-1+ cells are predisposed to castration resistance and castration-induced neuroendocrine differentiation. Genetic ablation of Sox2 suppresses neuroendocrine differentiation but does not impact the castration resistant property. This study provides direct genetic evidence that Sox2 is necessary for androgen ablation-induced neuroendocrine differentiation of Pten null prostate adenocarcinoma, corroborates that the lineage status of the prostate cancer cells is a determinant for its propensity to exhibit lineage plasticity, and supports that the intrinsic features of cell-of-origin for prostate cancers can dictate their clinical behaviors.
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27
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Coleman DJ, Sampson DA, Sehrawat A, Kumaraswamy A, Sun D, Wang Y, Schwartzman J, Urrutia J, Lee AR, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Dong X, Morrissey C, Corey E, Xia Z, Yates JA, Alumkal JJ. Alternative splicing of LSD1+8a in neuroendocrine prostate cancer is mediated by SRRM4. Neoplasia 2020; 22:253-262. [PMID: 32403054 PMCID: PMC7218227 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is the most virulent form of prostate cancer. Importantly, our recent work examining metastatic biopsy samples demonstrates NEPC is increasing in frequency. In contrast to prostate adenocarcinomas that express a luminal gene expression program, NEPC tumors express a neuronal gene expression program. Despite this distinction, the diagnosis of NEPC is often challenging, demonstrating an urgent need to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our prior work demonstrated that the histone demethylase LSD1 (KDM1A) is important for survival of prostate adenocarcinomas, but little was known about LSD1's role in NEPC. Recently, a neural-specific transcript variant of LSD1-LSD1+8a-was discovered and demonstrated to activate neuronal gene expression in neural cells. The splicing factor SRRM4 was previously shown to promote LSD1+8a splicing in neuronal cells, and SRRM4 promotes NEPC differentiation and cell survival. Therefore, we sought to determine if LSD1+8a might play a role in NEPC and whether LSD1+8a splicing was linked to SRRM4. To investigate a potential role for LSD1+8a in NEPC, we examined a panel of prostate adenocarcinoma and NEPC patient-derived xenografts and metastatic biopsies. LSD1+8a was expressed exclusively in NEPC samples and correlated significantly with elevated expression of SRRM4. Using SRRM4-overexpressing cell lines, we determined that SRRM4 mediates alternative splicing of LSD1+8a. Finally, using gain of function studies, we confirmed that LSD1+8a and SRRM4 co-regulate target genes distinct from canonical LSD1. Our findings suggest further study of the interplay between SRRM4 and LSD1+8a and mechanisms by which LSD1+8a regulates gene expression in NEPC is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Coleman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - David A Sampson
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Archana Sehrawat
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Anbarasu Kumaraswamy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Duanchen Sun
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacob Schwartzman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joshua Urrutia
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ahn R Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zheng Xia
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joel A Yates
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshi J Alumkal
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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28
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Li H, Wang L, Li Z, Geng X, Li M, Tang Q, Wu C, Lu Z. SOX2 has dual functions as a regulator in the progression of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. J Transl Med 2020; 100:570-582. [PMID: 31772313 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-019-0343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the lineage switching from prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPC) to lethal neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) have yet to be completely elucidated. In this study, RNA sequencing data from a unique patient-derived xenograft NEPC model and a clinical NEPC cohort were used to identify the potential genes driving NEPC progression. Enrichr analysis resulted in the identification of SRY-related HMG-box gene 2 (SOX2) as a potential repressor that causes decrease in the expression of AdPC specific genes in NEPC. Assays involving the stable overexpression of SOX2 in LNCaP and CWR22RV1 cells validated this role of SOX2 in vitro. Mechanistic studies showed that the repressor role of SOX2 was attributed to the marked global hypomethylation of histone H3, which was driven by the activation of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). Furthermore, Enrichr also predicted SOX2 as a driver gene involved in the upregulation of NEPC specific genes. However, SOX2 alone could only marginally induce the expression of some neuroendocrine markers in vitro, which was consistent with previous reports. Moreover, we also elucidated the molecular features of LNCaP-SOX2 cells that may confer resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and the inclination toward neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. The results of this study reveal a novel mechanism for SOX2 in the progression of NEPC via LSD1-mediated global epigenetic modulation. This discovery suggests that LSD1 may be a selective target for the prevention of NEPC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zhang Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xu Geng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qi Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Chunxiao Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Zhiming Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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29
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Epigenetic modulations and lineage plasticity in advanced prostate cancer. Ann Oncol 2020; 31:470-479. [PMID: 32139297 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. Antiandrogen therapies are part of the standard of therapeutic regimen for advanced or metastatic prostate cancers; however, patients who receive these treatments are more likely to develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). In the development of CRPC or NEPC, numerous genetic signaling pathways have been under preclinical investigations and in clinical trials. Accumulated evidence shows that DNA methylation, chromatin integrity, and accessibility for transcriptional regulation still play key roles in prostate cancer initiation and progression. Better understanding of how epigenetic change regulates the progression of prostate cancer and the interaction between epigenetic and genetic modulators driving NEPC may help develop a better risk stratification and more effective treatment regimens for prostate cancer patients.
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30
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Dong X, Chen R. Understanding aberrant RNA splicing to facilitate cancer diagnosis and therapy. Oncogene 2019; 39:2231-2242. [PMID: 31819165 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1138-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Almost all genes in normal cells undergo alternative RNA splicing to generate a greater extent of diversification of gene products for normal cellular functions. RNA splicing is tightly regulated and closely interplays with genetic and epigenetic machinery. While DNA polymorphism and somatic mutations modulate alternative splicing patterns, RNA splicing also controls genomic stability, chromatin organization, and transcriptome. Tumor cells, in turn, often take advantage of aberrant RNA splicing to develop, grow and progress into therapy-resistant tumors. Understanding alternative RNA splicing in tumor cells would, therefore, provide us opportunities to gain further insights into tumor biology, identify diagnostic or prognosis biomarkers, as well as to design effective therapeutic means to control tumor progression. Here, we provide an overview of RNA splicing mechanisms and use prostate cancer as an example to review recent advancements in our understanding of RNA splicing in cancer progression and therapy resistance. We also discuss emerging diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of RNA splicing events or RNA splicing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesen Dong
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada. .,The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle 8, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
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31
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Nath D, Li X, Mondragon C, Post D, Chen M, White JR, Hryniewicz-Jankowska A, Caza T, Kuznetsov VA, Hehnly H, Jamaspishvili T, Berman DM, Zhang F, Kung SHY, Fazli L, Gleave ME, Bratslavsky G, Pandolfi PP, Kotula L. Abi1 loss drives prostate tumorigenesis through activation of EMT and non-canonical WNT signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:120. [PMID: 31530281 PMCID: PMC6749699 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0410-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer development involves various mechanisms, which are poorly understood but pointing to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) as the key mechanism in progression to metastatic disease. ABI1, a member of WAVE complex and actin cytoskeleton regulator and adaptor protein, acts as tumor suppressor in prostate cancer but the role of ABI1 in EMT is not clear. Methods To investigate the molecular mechanism by which loss of ABI1 contributes to tumor progression, we disrupted the ABI1 gene in the benign prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cell line and determined its phenotype. Levels of ABI1 expression in prostate organoid tumor cell lines was evaluated by Western blotting and RNA sequencing. ABI1 expression and its association with prostate tumor grade was evaluated in a TMA cohort of 505 patients and metastatic cell lines. Results Low ABI1 expression is associated with biochemical recurrence, metastasis and death (p = 0.038). Moreover, ABI1 expression was significantly decreased in Gleason pattern 5 vs. pattern 4 (p = 0.0025) and 3 (p = 0.0012), indicating an association between low ABI1 expression and highly invasive prostate tumors. Disruption of ABI1 gene in RWPE-1 cell line resulted in gain of an invasive phenotype, which was characterized by a loss of cell-cell adhesion markers and increased migratory ability of RWPE-1 spheroids. Through RNA sequencing and protein expression analysis, we discovered that ABI1 loss leads to activation of non-canonical WNT signaling and EMT pathways, which are rescued by re-expression of ABI1. Furthermore, an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation upon ABI1 inactivation and the evidence of a high-affinity interaction between the FYN SH2 domain and ABI1 pY421 support a model in which ABI1 acts as a gatekeeper of non-canonical WNT-EMT pathway activation downstream of the FZD2 receptor. Conclusions ABI1 controls prostate tumor progression and epithelial plasticity through regulation of EMT-WNT pathway. Here we discovered that ABI1 inhibits EMT through suppressing FYN-STAT3 activation downstream from non-canonical WNT signaling thus providing a novel mechanism of prostate tumor suppression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0410-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disharee Nath
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Claudia Mondragon
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Dawn Post
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Ming Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Present address: Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Julie R White
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Anita Hryniewicz-Jankowska
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.,Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, ul. F. Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tiffany Caza
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Vladimir A Kuznetsov
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.,Bioinformatics Institute, A-STAR, Singapore, 138671, Singapore
| | - Heidi Hehnly
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Tamara Jamaspishvili
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, 10 Stuart St, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - David M Berman
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, 10 Stuart St, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Sonia H Y Kung
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Martin E Gleave
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Gennady Bratslavsky
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Leszek Kotula
- Department of Urology, Upstate Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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32
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Labrecque MP, Coleman IM, Brown LG, True LD, Kollath L, Lakely B, Nguyen HM, Yang YC, da Costa RMG, Kaipainen A, Coleman R, Higano CS, Yu EY, Cheng HH, Mostaghel EA, Montgomery B, Schweizer MT, Hsieh AC, Lin DW, Corey E, Nelson PS, Morrissey C. Molecular profiling stratifies diverse phenotypes of treatment-refractory metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4492-4505. [PMID: 31361600 DOI: 10.1172/jci128212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a heterogeneous disease with diverse drivers of disease progression and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. We conducted deep phenotypic characterization of CRPC metastases and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) lines using whole genome RNA sequencing, gene set enrichment analysis and immunohistochemistry. Our analyses revealed five mCRPC phenotypes based on the expression of well-characterized androgen receptor (AR) or neuroendocrine (NE) genes: (i) AR-high tumors (ARPC), (ii) AR-low tumors (ARLPC), (iii) amphicrine tumors composed of cells co-expressing AR and NE genes (AMPC), (iv) double-negative tumors (i.e. AR-/NE-; DNPC) and (v) tumors with small cell or NE gene expression without AR activity (SCNPC). RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) activity, which suppresses NE gene expression, was lost in AMPC and SCNPC PDX models. However, knockdown of REST in cell lines revealed that attenuated REST activity drives the AMPC phenotype but is not sufficient for SCNPC conversion. We also identified a subtype of DNPC tumors with squamous differentiation and generated an encompassing 26-gene transcriptional signature that distinguished the five mCRPC phenotypes. Together, our data highlight the central role of AR and REST in classifying treatment-resistant mCRPC phenotypes. These molecular classifications could potentially guide future therapeutic studies and clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Labrecque
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lisha G Brown
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Lori Kollath
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bryce Lakely
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Holly M Nguyen
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yu C Yang
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rui M Gil da Costa
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Arja Kaipainen
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roger Coleman
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Celestia S Higano
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Evan Y Yu
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Heather H Cheng
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elahe A Mostaghel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bruce Montgomery
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael T Schweizer
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew C Hsieh
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel W Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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33
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Braadland PR, Urbanucci A. Chromatin reprogramming as an adaptation mechanism in advanced prostate cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:R211-R235. [PMID: 30844748 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tumor evolution is based on the ability to constantly mutate and activate different pathways under the selective pressure of targeted therapies. Epigenetic alterations including those of the chromatin structure are associated with tumor initiation, progression and drug resistance. Many cancers, including prostate cancer, present enlarged nuclei, and chromatin appears altered and irregular. These phenotypic changes are likely to result from epigenetic dysregulation. High-throughput sequencing applied to bulk samples and now to single cells has made it possible to study these processes in unprecedented detail. It is therefore timely to review the impact of chromatin relaxation and increased DNA accessibility on prostate cancer growth and drug resistance, and their effects on gene expression. In particular, we focus on the contribution of chromatin-associated proteins such as the bromodomain-containing proteins to chromatin relaxation. We discuss the consequence of this for androgen receptor transcriptional activity and briefly summarize wider gain-of-function effects on other oncogenic transcription factors and implications for more effective prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Rustøen Braadland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alfonso Urbanucci
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership, Forskningsparken, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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34
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Takayama KI. Splicing Factors Have an Essential Role in Prostate Cancer Progression and Androgen Receptor Signaling. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9040131. [PMID: 30939845 PMCID: PMC6523118 DOI: 10.3390/biom9040131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although inhibition of the androgen–androgen receptor (AR) axis effectively represses the growth of prostate cancer, most of all cases eventually become castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs). Enhancement of the expression of AR and its variants along with the downstream signals is important for disease progression. AR-V7, a constitutive active form of AR, is generated as a result of RNA splicing. RNA splicing creates multiple transcript variants from one pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) by removing introns/exons to allow mRNA translation. The molecular mechanisms leading to marked increases of AR and generation of AR-V7 have been unclear. However, recent papers highlighted the roles of RNA splicing factors which promote AR expression and production of variants. Notably, a broad range of splicing components were aberrantly regulated in CRPC tissues. Interestingly, expression of various spliceosome genes is enhanced by RNA-binding protein splicing factor proline- and glutamine-rich (PSF/SFPQ), leading to changes in the expression of AR transcript variants. Moreover, inhibition of several splicing factors repressed tumor growth in vivo. Altered expression of splicing factors is correlated to biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients. Thus, these findings suggest that splicing factors would be a potential therapeutic target. This review focuses on the emerging roles of splicing factors in prostate cancer progression and AR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Takayama
- Department of Functional Biogerontology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Japan.
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35
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Li Y, Xie N, Chen R, Lee AR, Lovnicki J, Morrison EA, Fazli L, Zhang Q, Musselman CA, Wang Y, Huang J, Gleave ME, Collins C, Dong X. RNA Splicing of the BHC80 Gene Contributes to Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer Progression. Eur Urol 2019; 76:157-166. [PMID: 30910347 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPC) progression to treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) is associated with poor patient survival. While AdPC and t-NEPC share similar genomes, they possess distinct transcriptomes, suggesting that RNA splicing and epigenetic mechanisms may regulate t-NEPC development. OBJECTIVE To characterize the role of alternative RNA splicing of the histone demethylase BHC80 during t-NEPC progression. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The expression of BHC80 splice variants (BHC80-1 and BHC80-2) were compared between AdPC and t-NEPC patient tumors. Regulatory mechanisms of RNA splicing of the BHC80 gene were studied, and the signal pathways mediated by BHC80 splice variants were investigated in t-NEPC cell and xenograft models. RESULTS Global transcriptome analyses identified that the BHC80-2 variant is highly expressed in t-NEPC. Compared with the known histone demethylation activities of the BHC80 gene, we discovered a novel nonepigenetic action of BHC80-2, whereby BHC80-2 is localized in the cytoplasm to trigger the MyD88-p38-TTP pathway, which results in increased RNA stability of multiple tumor-promoting cytokines. While BHC80-2 does not induce neuroendocrine differentiation of cancer cells, it stimulates cell proliferation and tumor progression independent of androgen receptor signaling. Blockade of BHC80-2-regulated MyD88 signaling suppresses growth of several t-NEPC cell spheroid and xenograft models. CONCLUSIONS Gain of function of BHC80-2 through alternative RNA splicing activates immune responses of cancer cells to promote t-NEPC development. PATIENT SUMMARY The main obstacle to develop effective therapies for patients with t-NEPC is the lack of understanding on how t-NEPC is developed. Our study not only identifies a previously unknown BHC80-2-MyD88 signaling pathway that plays an important role during t-NEPC development, but also provides a proof of principle that targeting this signal pathway may offer an avenue to treat t-NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Li
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ning Xie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ahn R Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica Lovnicki
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emma A Morrison
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Qingfu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Catherine A Musselman
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Martin E Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colin Collins
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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36
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Lee AR, Gan Y, Xie N, Ramnarine VR, Lovnicki JM, Dong X. Alternative RNA splicing of the GIT1 gene is associated with neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:245-255. [PMID: 30417466 PMCID: PMC6317919 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Potent androgen receptor pathway inhibition (ARPI) therapies have given rise to a lethal, aggressive subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) called treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC). Now, t-NEPC poses a major clinical problem as approximately 20% of CRPC cases bear this subtype-a rate of occurrence that is predicted to rise with the widespread use of ARPI therapies. Unfortunately, there are no targeted therapies currently available to treat t-NEPC as the origin and molecular underpinnings of t-NEPC development remain unclear. In the present study, we identify that RNA splicing of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) gene is a unique event in t-NEPC patients. Specifically, upregulation of the GIT1-A splice variant and downregulation of the GIT1-C variant expressions are associated with t-NEPC patient tumors, patient-derived xenografts, and cell models. RNA-binding assays show that RNA splicing of GIT1 is directly driven by SRRM4 and is associated with the neuroendocrine phenotype in CRPC cohorts. We show that GIT1-A and GIT1-C regulate differential transcriptomes in prostate cancer cells, where GIT1-A regulates genes associated with morphogenesis, neural function, environmental sensing via cell-adhesion processes, and epigenetic regulation. Consistent with our transcriptomic analyses, we report opposing functions of GIT1-A and GIT1-C in the stability of focal adhesions, whereby GIT1-A promotes focal adhesion stability. In summary, our study is the first to report that alternative RNA splicing of the GIT1 gene is associated with t-NEPC and reprograms its function involving FA-mediated signaling and cell processes, which may contribute to t-NEPC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahn R. Lee
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Yu Gan
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ning Xie
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Varune R. Ramnarine
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Jessica M. Lovnicki
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate CentreDepartment of Urologic SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
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37
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Zhang D, Tang DG. "Splice" a way towards neuroendocrine prostate cancer. EBioMedicine 2018; 35:12-13. [PMID: 30177243 PMCID: PMC6161471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dingxiao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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