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Parreno V, Loubiere V, Schuettengruber B, Fritsch L, Rawal CC, Erokhin M, Győrffy B, Normanno D, Di Stefano M, Moreaux J, Butova NL, Chiolo I, Chetverina D, Martinez AM, Cavalli G. Transient loss of Polycomb components induces an epigenetic cancer fate. Nature 2024; 629:688-696. [PMID: 38658752 PMCID: PMC11096130 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07328-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Although cancer initiation and progression are generally associated with the accumulation of somatic mutations1,2, substantial epigenomic alterations underlie many aspects of tumorigenesis and cancer susceptibility3-6, suggesting that genetic mechanisms might not be the only drivers of malignant transformation7. However, whether purely non-genetic mechanisms are sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis irrespective of mutations has been unknown. Here, we show that a transient perturbation of transcriptional silencing mediated by Polycomb group proteins is sufficient to induce an irreversible switch to a cancer cell fate in Drosophila. This is linked to the irreversible derepression of genes that can drive tumorigenesis, including members of the JAK-STAT signalling pathway and zfh1, the fly homologue of the ZEB1 oncogene, whose aberrant activation is required for Polycomb perturbation-induced tumorigenesis. These data show that a reversible depletion of Polycomb proteins can induce cancer in the absence of driver mutations, suggesting that tumours can emerge through epigenetic dysregulation leading to inheritance of altered cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Parreno
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - V Loubiere
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - B Schuettengruber
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - L Fritsch
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - C C Rawal
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Erokhin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - B Győrffy
- Semmelweis University Department of Bioinformatics, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - D Normanno
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - M Di Stefano
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - J Moreaux
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- UFR Medicine, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - N L Butova
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - I Chiolo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D Chetverina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A-M Martinez
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - G Cavalli
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Ramos C, Bonasera D, Saggau J, Kabiljo J, Lin P, Tishina S, Rincón MG. 12th Tuscany Retreat on Cancer Research and Apoptosis: Genetic profiling, resistance mechanisms and novel treatment concepts in cancer and neurodegeneration. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119677. [PMID: 38266659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The 12th Tuscany Retreat on Cancer Research and Apoptosis was held on August 19-26, 2023. The biennial retreat aims to bring together scientists who advance research in cancer, cell death, and neurodegenerative diseases. Topics covered ranged from drug resistance in cancer to insights into novel molecular cell signaling mechanisms and targets, all related to the pathways and molecules that regulate programmed cell death and the diseases that result from the dysregulation of programmed cell death. In this meeting review, we summarize the content of the most recent retreat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Ramos
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Debora Bonasera
- Cell death, inflammation and immunity laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry I, Centre for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Genetic instability, cell death and inflammation laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry I, Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia Saggau
- Cell death, inflammation and immunity laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry I, Centre for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Genetic instability, cell death and inflammation laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry I, Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Julijan Kabiljo
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Lin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sofya Tishina
- Department of Translational Genomics, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Weyertal 115b, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Aging- Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph- Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - María G Rincón
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Stefan Meier Strasse 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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Terekhanova NV, Karpova A, Liang WW, Strzalkowski A, Chen S, Li Y, Southard-Smith AN, Iglesia MD, Wendl MC, Jayasinghe RG, Liu J, Song Y, Cao S, Houston A, Liu X, Wyczalkowski MA, Lu RJH, Caravan W, Shinkle A, Naser Al Deen N, Herndon JM, Mudd J, Ma C, Sarkar H, Sato K, Ibrahim OM, Mo CK, Chasnoff SE, Porta-Pardo E, Held JM, Pachynski R, Schwarz JK, Gillanders WE, Kim AH, Vij R, DiPersio JF, Puram SV, Chheda MG, Fuh KC, DeNardo DG, Fields RC, Chen F, Raphael BJ, Ding L. Epigenetic regulation during cancer transitions across 11 tumour types. Nature 2023; 623:432-441. [PMID: 37914932 PMCID: PMC10632147 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility is essential in regulating gene expression and cellular identity, and alterations in accessibility have been implicated in driving cancer initiation, progression and metastasis1-4. Although the genetic contributions to oncogenic transitions have been investigated, epigenetic drivers remain less understood. Here we constructed a pan-cancer epigenetic and transcriptomic atlas using single-nucleus chromatin accessibility data (using single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin) from 225 samples and matched single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-sequencing expression data from 206 samples. With over 1 million cells from each platform analysed through the enrichment of accessible chromatin regions, transcription factor motifs and regulons, we identified epigenetic drivers associated with cancer transitions. Some epigenetic drivers appeared in multiple cancers (for example, regulatory regions of ABCC1 and VEGFA; GATA6 and FOX-family motifs), whereas others were cancer specific (for example, regulatory regions of FGF19, ASAP2 and EN1, and the PBX3 motif). Among epigenetically altered pathways, TP53, hypoxia and TNF signalling were linked to cancer initiation, whereas oestrogen response, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apical junction were tied to metastatic transition. Furthermore, we revealed a marked correlation between enhancer accessibility and gene expression and uncovered cooperation between epigenetic and genetic drivers. This atlas provides a foundation for further investigation of epigenetic dynamics in cancer transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda V Terekhanova
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alla Karpova
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wen-Wei Liang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Siqi Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin N Southard-Smith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael D Iglesia
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael C Wendl
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reyka G Jayasinghe
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jingxian Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yizhe Song
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Song Cao
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew Houston
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xiuting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matthew A Wyczalkowski
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rita Jui-Hsien Lu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wagma Caravan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew Shinkle
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nataly Naser Al Deen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - John M Herndon
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacqueline Mudd
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Cong Ma
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Hirak Sarkar
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kazuhito Sato
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Omar M Ibrahim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chia-Kuei Mo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sara E Chasnoff
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Eduard Porta-Pardo
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jason M Held
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Russell Pachynski
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julie K Schwarz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - William E Gillanders
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Albert H Kim
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ravi Vij
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - John F DiPersio
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sidharth V Puram
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Milan G Chheda
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Katherine C Fuh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - David G DeNardo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Benjamin J Raphael
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA.
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