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Ghasemi N, Azizi H. Exploring Myc puzzle: Insights into cancer, stem cell biology, and PPI networks. Gene 2024; 916:148447. [PMID: 38583818 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
"The grand orchestrator," "Universal Amplifier," "double-edged sword," and "Undruggable" are just some of the Myc oncogene so-called names. It has been around 40 years since the discovery of the Myc, and it remains in the mainstream of cancer treatment drugs. Myc is part of basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) superfamily proteins, and its dysregulation can be seen in many malignant human tumors. It dysregulates critical pathways in cells that are connected to each other, such as proliferation, growth, cell cycle, and cell adhesion, impacts miRNAs action, intercellular metabolism, DNA replication, differentiation, microenvironment regulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Myc, surprisingly, is used in stem cell research too. Its family includes three members, MYC, MYCN, and MYCL, and each dysfunction was observed in different cancer types. This review aims to introduce Myc and its function in the body. Besides, Myc deregulatory mechanisms in cancer cells, their intricate aspects will be discussed. We will look at promising drugs and Myc-based therapies. Finally, Myc and its role in stemness, Myc pathways based on PPI network analysis, and future insights will be explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Ghasemi
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran.
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2
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Krenz B, Lee J, Kannan T, Eilers M. Immune evasion: An imperative and consequence of MYC deregulation. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38957016 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of human tumors and has been described for many years as a transcription factor that regulates genes with pleiotropic functions to promote tumorigenic growth. However, despite extensive efforts to identify specific target genes of MYC that alone could be responsible for promoting tumorigenesis, the field is yet to reach a consensus whether this is the crucial function of MYC. Recent work shifts the view on MYC's function from being a gene-specific transcription factor to an essential stress resilience factor. In highly proliferating cells, MYC preserves cell integrity by promoting DNA repair at core promoters, protecting stalled replication forks, and/or preventing transcription-replication conflicts. Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence demonstrates that MYC not only promotes tumorigenesis by driving cell-autonomous growth, but also enables tumors to evade the host's immune system. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of how MYC impairs antitumor immunity and why this function is evolutionarily hard-wired to the biology of the MYC protein family. We show why the cell-autonomous and immune evasive functions of MYC are mutually dependent and discuss ways to target MYC proteins in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Krenz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jongkuen Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Toshitha Kannan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Papadopoulos D, Ha SA, Fleischhauer D, Uhl L, Russell TJ, Mikicic I, Schneider K, Brem A, Valanju OR, Cossa G, Gallant P, Schuelein-Voelk C, Maric HM, Beli P, Büchel G, Vos SM, Eilers M. The MYCN oncoprotein is an RNA-binding accessory factor of the nuclear exosome targeting complex. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2070-2086.e20. [PMID: 38703770 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The MYCN oncoprotein binds active promoters in a heterodimer with its partner protein MAX. MYCN also interacts with the nuclear exosome, a 3'-5' exoribonuclease complex, suggesting a function in RNA metabolism. Here, we show that MYCN forms stable high-molecular-weight complexes with the exosome and multiple RNA-binding proteins. MYCN binds RNA in vitro and in cells via a conserved sequence termed MYCBoxI. In cells, MYCN associates with thousands of intronic transcripts together with the ZCCHC8 subunit of the nuclear exosome targeting complex and enhances their processing. Perturbing exosome function results in global re-localization of MYCN from promoters to intronic RNAs. On chromatin, MYCN is then replaced by the MNT(MXD6) repressor protein, inhibiting MYCN-dependent transcription. RNA-binding-deficient alleles show that RNA-binding limits MYCN's ability to activate cell growth-related genes but is required for MYCN's ability to promote progression through S phase and enhance the stress resilience of neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Papadopoulos
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Anh Ha
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Fleischhauer
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Uhl
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Timothy J Russell
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ivan Mikicic
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Schneider
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Annika Brem
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Omkar Rajendra Valanju
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Building D15, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giacomo Cossa
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gallant
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Schuelein-Voelk
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Core Unit High-Content Microscopy, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans Michael Maric
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Building D15, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Petra Beli
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Büchel
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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4
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Vogt M, Dudvarski Stankovic N, Cruz Garcia Y, Hofstetter J, Schneider K, Kuybu F, Hauck T, Adhikari B, Hamann A, Rocca Y, Grysczyk L, Martin B, Gebhardt-Wolf A, Wiegering A, Diefenbacher M, Gasteiger G, Knapp S, Saur D, Eilers M, Rosenfeldt M, Erhard F, Vos SM, Wolf E. Targeting MYC effector functions in pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the ATPase RUVBL1/2. Gut 2024:gutjnl-2023-331519. [PMID: 38821858 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The hallmark oncogene MYC drives the progression of most tumours, but direct inhibition of MYC by a small-molecule drug has not reached clinical testing. MYC is a transcription factor that depends on several binding partners to function. We therefore explored the possibility of targeting MYC via its interactome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). DESIGN To identify the most suitable targets among all MYC binding partners, we constructed a targeted shRNA library and performed screens in cultured PDAC cells and tumours in mice. RESULTS Unexpectedly, many MYC binding partners were found to be important for cultured PDAC cells but dispensable in vivo. However, some were also essential for tumours in their natural environment and, among these, the ATPases RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 ranked first. Degradation of RUVBL1 by the auxin-degron system led to the arrest of cultured PDAC cells but not untransformed cells and to complete tumour regression in mice, which was preceded by immune cell infiltration. Mechanistically, RUVBL1 was required for MYC to establish oncogenic and immunoevasive gene expression identifying the RUVBL1/2 complex as a druggable vulnerability in MYC-driven cancer. CONCLUSION One implication of our study is that PDAC cell dependencies are strongly influenced by the environment, so genetic screens should be performed in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the auxin-degron system can be applied in a PDAC model, allowing target validation in living mice. Finally, by revealing the nuclear functions of the RUVBL1/2 complex, our study presents a pharmaceutical strategy to render pancreatic cancers potentially susceptible to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Vogt
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nevenka Dudvarski Stankovic
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Yiliam Cruz Garcia
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Julia Hofstetter
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Schneider
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Filiz Kuybu
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Theresa Hauck
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bikash Adhikari
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Anton Hamann
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yamila Rocca
- Max Planck Research Group and Institute of Systems Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lara Grysczyk
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Martin
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anneli Gebhardt-Wolf
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Diefenbacher
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC)/Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI), Helmholtz Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL/CPC-M), Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Gasteiger
- Max Planck Research Group and Institute of Systems Immunology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Institute of Translational Cancer Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Florian Erhard
- Computational Systems Virology and Bioinformatics, Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elmar Wolf
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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5
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Yazaki J, Yamanashi T, Nemoto S, Kobayashi A, Han YW, Hasegawa T, Iwase A, Ishikawa M, Konno R, Imami K, Kawashima Y, Seita J. Mapping adipocyte interactome networks by HaloTag-enrichment-mass spectrometry. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae039. [PMID: 38884001 PMCID: PMC11180226 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Mapping protein interaction complexes in their natural state in vivo is arguably the Holy Grail of protein network analysis. Detection of protein interaction stoichiometry has been an important technical challenge, as few studies have focused on this. This may, however, be solved by artificial intelligence (AI) and proteomics. Here, we describe the development of HaloTag-based affinity purification mass spectrometry (HaloMS), a high-throughput HaloMS assay for protein interaction discovery. The approach enables the rapid capture of newly expressed proteins, eliminating tedious conventional one-by-one assays. As a proof-of-principle, we used HaloMS to evaluate the protein complex interactions of 17 regulatory proteins in human adipocytes. The adipocyte interactome network was validated using an in vitro pull-down assay and AI-based prediction tools. Applying HaloMS to probe adipocyte differentiation facilitated the identification of previously unknown transcription factor (TF)-protein complexes, revealing proteome-wide human adipocyte TF networks and shedding light on how different pathways are integrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshi Yazaki
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Genome Biology, Setsunan University, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamanashi
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Medical Data Deep Learning Team, Advanced Data Science Project, RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters, RIKEN, Tokyo, 103-0027, Japan
- School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Shino Nemoto
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Atsuo Kobayashi
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yong-Woon Han
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Tomoko Hasegawa
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Akira Iwase
- Cell Function Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masaki Ishikawa
- Department of Applied Genomics, Technology Development Team, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Konno
- Department of Applied Genomics, Technology Development Team, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Koshi Imami
- Proteome Homeostasis Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kawashima
- Department of Applied Genomics, Technology Development Team, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Jun Seita
- Laboratory for Integrative Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Medical Data Deep Learning Team, Advanced Data Science Project, RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters, RIKEN, Tokyo, 103-0027, Japan
- School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
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6
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Tao Y, Li L, Yang X, Yin S, Zhang Z, Wang H, Pu R, Wang Z, Zhang Q, Mu H, Wu C, He J, Yang L. Magnetic-driven hydrogel microrobots for promoting osteosarcoma chemo-therapy with synthetic lethality strategy. Front Chem 2024; 12:1386076. [PMID: 38638876 PMCID: PMC11024356 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1386076] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The advancements in the field of micro-robots for drug delivery systems have garnered considerable attention. In contrast to traditional drug delivery systems, which are dependent on blood circulation to reach their target, these engineered micro/nano robots possess the unique ability to navigate autonomously, thereby enabling the delivery of drugs to otherwise inaccessible regions. Precise drug delivery systems can improve the effectiveness and safety of synthetic lethality strategies, which are used for targeted therapy of solid tumors. MYC-overexpressing tumors show sensitivity to CDK1 inhibition. This study delves into the potential of Ro-3306 loaded magnetic-driven hydrogel micro-robots in the treatment of MYC-dependent osteosarcoma. Ro-3306, a specific inhibitor of CDK1, has been demonstrated to suppress tumor growth across various types of cancer. We have designed and fabricated this micro-robot, capable of delivering Ro-3306 precisely to tumor cells under the influence of a magnetic field, and evaluated its chemosensitizing effects, thereby augmenting the therapeutic efficacy and introducing a novel possibility for osteosarcoma treatment. The clinical translation of this method necessitates further investigation and validation. In summary, the Ro-3306-loaded magnetic-driven hydrogel micro-robots present a novel strategy for enhancing the chemosensitivity of MYC-dependent osteosarcoma, paving the way for new possibilities in future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Leike Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xiyu Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyu Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruochen Pu
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
- Jintan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zongyi Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoran Mu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenqiong Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin He
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Jintan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China
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7
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Jakobsen ST, Jensen RAM, Madsen MS, Ravnsborg T, Vaagenso CS, Siersbæk MS, Einarsson H, Andersson R, Jensen ON, Siersbæk R. MYC activity at enhancers drives prognostic transcriptional programs through an epigenetic switch. Nat Genet 2024; 56:663-674. [PMID: 38454021 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01676-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor MYC is overexpressed in most cancers, where it drives multiple hallmarks of cancer progression. MYC is known to promote oncogenic transcription by binding to active promoters. In addition, MYC has also been shown to invade distal enhancers when expressed at oncogenic levels, but this enhancer binding has been proposed to have low gene-regulatory potential. Here, we demonstrate that MYC directly regulates enhancer activity to promote cancer type-specific gene programs predictive of poor patient prognosis. MYC induces transcription of enhancer RNA through recruitment of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), rather than regulating RNAPII pause-release, as is the case at promoters. This process is mediated by MYC-induced H3K9 demethylation and acetylation by GCN5, leading to enhancer-specific BRD4 recruitment through its bromodomains, which facilitates RNAPII recruitment. We propose that MYC drives prognostic cancer type-specific gene programs through induction of an enhancer-specific epigenetic switch, which can be targeted by BET and GCN5 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon T Jakobsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rikke A M Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria S Madsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina Ravnsborg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Majken S Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hjorleifur Einarsson
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robin Andersson
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ole N Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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8
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MYC activates transcriptional enhancers to drive cancer progression. Nat Genet 2024; 56:567-568. [PMID: 38480925 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01677-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
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9
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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10
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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11
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Lama D, Vosselman T, Sahin C, Liaño-Pons J, Cerrato CP, Nilsson L, Teilum K, Lane DP, Landreh M, Arsenian Henriksson M. A druggable conformational switch in the c-MYC transactivation domain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1865. [PMID: 38424045 PMCID: PMC10904854 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC oncogene is activated in over 70% of all human cancers. The intrinsic disorder of the c-MYC transcription factor facilitates molecular interactions that regulate numerous biological pathways, but severely limits efforts to target its function for cancer therapy. Here, we use a reductionist strategy to characterize the dynamic and structural heterogeneity of the c-MYC protein. Using probe-based Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning, we identify a conformational switch in the c-MYC amino-terminal transactivation domain (termed coreMYC) that cycles between a closed, inactive, and an open, active conformation. Using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to modulate the conformational landscape of coreMYC, we show through biophysical and cellular assays that the induction of a closed conformation impedes its interactions with the transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) and the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) which are essential for the transcriptional and oncogenic activities of c-MYC. Together, these findings provide insights into structure-activity relationships of c-MYC, which open avenues towards the development of shape-shifting compounds to target c-MYC as well as other disordered transcription factors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilraj Lama
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thibault Vosselman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmine P Cerrato
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14813, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kaare Teilum
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David P Lane
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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12
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Gaballa A, Gebhardt-Wolf A, Krenz B, Mattavelli G, John M, Cossa G, Andreani S, Schülein-Völk C, Montesinos F, Vidal R, Kastner C, Ade CP, Kneitz B, Gasteiger G, Gallant P, Rosenfeldt M, Riedel A, Eilers M. PAF1c links S-phase progression to immune evasion and MYC function in pancreatic carcinoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1446. [PMID: 38365788 PMCID: PMC10873513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), endogenous MYC is required for S-phase progression and escape from immune surveillance. Here we show that MYC in PDAC cells is needed for the recruitment of the PAF1c transcription elongation complex to RNA polymerase and that depletion of CTR9, a PAF1c subunit, enables long-term survival of PDAC-bearing mice. PAF1c is largely dispensable for normal proliferation and regulation of MYC target genes. Instead, PAF1c limits DNA damage associated with S-phase progression by being essential for the expression of long genes involved in replication and DNA repair. Surprisingly, the survival benefit conferred by CTR9 depletion is not due to DNA damage, but to T-cell activation and restoration of immune surveillance. This is because CTR9 depletion releases RNA polymerase and elongation factors from the body of long genes and promotes the transcription of short genes, including MHC class I genes. The data argue that functionally distinct gene sets compete for elongation factors and directly link MYC-driven S-phase progression to tumor immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Gaballa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anneli Gebhardt-Wolf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Krenz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Greta Mattavelli
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mara John
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giacomo Cossa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Andreani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Schülein-Völk
- Core Unit High-Content Microscopy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Francisco Montesinos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Raphael Vidal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Kastner
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carsten P Ade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard Kneitz
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Georg Gasteiger
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gallant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mathias Rosenfeldt
- Institute of Pathology, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angela Riedel
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyy, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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13
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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14
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Schütz S, Bergsdorf C, Hänni-Holzinger S, Lingel A, Renatus M, Gossert AD, Jahnke W. Intrinsically Disordered Regions in the Transcription Factor MYC:MAX Modulate DNA Binding via Intramolecular Interactions. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 38264995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) transcription factor (TF) MYC is in large part an intrinsically disordered oncoprotein. In complex with its obligate heterodimerization partner MAX, MYC preferentially binds E-Box DNA sequences (CANNTG). At promoters containing these sequence motifs, MYC controls fundamental cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, metabolism, and apoptosis. A vast network of proteins in turn regulates MYC function via intermolecular interactions. In this work, we establish another layer of MYC regulation by intramolecular interactions. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify and map multiple binding sites for the C-terminal MYC:MAX DNA-binding domain (DBD) on the intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in the MYC N-terminus. We find that these binding events in trans are driven by electrostatic attraction, that they have distinct affinities, and that they are competitive with DNA binding. Thereby, we observe the strongest effects for the N-terminal MYC box 0 (Mb0), a conserved motif involved in MYC transactivation and target gene induction. We prepared recombinant full-length MYC:MAX complex and demonstrate that the interactions identified in this work are also relevant in cis, i.e., as intramolecular interactions. These findings are supported by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments, which revealed that intramolecular IDR:DBD interactions in MYC decelerate the association of MYC:MAX complexes to DNA. Our work offers new insights into how bHLH-LZ TFs are regulated by intramolecular interactions, which open up new possibilities for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schütz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Bergsdorf
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Hänni-Holzinger
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lingel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Renatus
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolfgang Jahnke
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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15
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Hofstetter J, Ogunleye A, Kutschke A, Buchholz LM, Wolf E, Raabe T, Gallant P. Spt5 interacts genetically with Myc and is limiting for brain tumor growth in Drosophila. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302130. [PMID: 37935464 PMCID: PMC10629571 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SPT5 physically interacts with MYC oncoproteins and is essential for efficient transcriptional activation of MYC targets in cultured cells. Here, we use Drosophila to address the relevance of this interaction in a living organism. Spt5 displays moderate synergy with Myc in fast proliferating young imaginal disc cells. During later development, Spt5-knockdown has no detectable consequences on its own, but strongly enhances eye defects caused by Myc overexpression. Similarly, Spt5-knockdown in larval type 2 neuroblasts has only mild effects on brain development and survival of control flies, but dramatically shrinks the volumes of experimentally induced neuroblast tumors and significantly extends the lifespan of tumor-bearing animals. This beneficial effect is still observed when Spt5 is knocked down systemically and after tumor initiation, highlighting SPT5 as a potential drug target in human oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hofstetter
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ayoola Ogunleye
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - André Kutschke
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Buchholz
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elmar Wolf
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Raabe
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Molecular Genetics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gallant
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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16
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Lin P, Lourenco C, Cruickshank J, Palomero L, van Leeuwen JE, Tong AHY, Chan K, El Ghamrasni S, Pujana MA, Cescon DW, Moffat J, Penn LZ. Topoisomerase 1 Inhibition in MYC-Driven Cancer Promotes Aberrant R-Loop Accumulation to Induce Synthetic Lethality. Cancer Res 2023; 83:4015-4029. [PMID: 37987734 PMCID: PMC10722143 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
MYC is a central regulator of gene transcription and is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. As targeting MYC directly is challenging, an alternative strategy is to identify specific proteins or processes required for MYC to function as a potent cancer driver that can be targeted to result in synthetic lethality. To identify potential targets in MYC-driven cancers, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen using an isogenic pair of breast cancer cell lines in which MYC dysregulation is the switch from benign to transformed tumor growth. Proteins that regulate R-loops were identified as a potential class of synthetic lethal targets. Dysregulated MYC elevated global transcription and coincident R-loop accumulation. Topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), a regulator of R-loops by DNA topology, was validated to be a vulnerability in cells with high MYC activity. Genetic knockdown of TOP1 in MYC-transformed cells resulted in reduced colony formation compared with control cells, demonstrating synthetic lethality. Overexpression of RNaseH1, a riboendonuclease that specifically degrades R-loops, rescued the reduction in clonogenicity induced by TOP1 deficiency, demonstrating that this vulnerability is driven by aberrant R-loop accumulation. Genetic and pharmacologic TOP1 inhibition selectively reduced the fitness of MYC-transformed tumors in vivo. Finally, drug response to TOP1 inhibitors (i.e., topotecan) significantly correlated with MYC levels and activity across panels of breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids. Together, these results highlight TOP1 as a promising target for MYC-driven cancers. SIGNIFICANCE CRISPR screening reveals topoisomerase 1 as an immediately actionable vulnerability in cancers harboring MYC as a driver oncoprotein that can be targeted with clinically approved inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Corey Lourenco
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Luis Palomero
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenna E. van Leeuwen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Samah El Ghamrasni
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Miquel Angel Pujana
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David W. Cescon
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason Moffat
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Linda Z. Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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Wang H, Stevens T, Lu J, Roberts A, Land CV, Muzumdar R, Gong Z, Vockley J, Prochownik EV. The Myc-Like Mlx Network Impacts Aging and Metabolism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.26.568749. [PMID: 38076995 PMCID: PMC10705233 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.26.568749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The "Mlx" and "Myc" Networks share many common gene targets. Just as Myc's activity depends upon its heterodimerization with Max, the Mlx Network requires that the Max-like factor Mlx associate with the Myc-like factors MondoA or ChREBP. We show here that body-wide Mlx inactivation, like that of Myc, accelerates numerous aging-related phenotypes pertaining to body habitus and metabolism. The deregulation of numerous aging-related Myc target gene sets is also accelerated. Among other functions, these gene sets often regulate ribosomal and mitochondrial structure and function, genomic stability and aging. Whereas "MycKO" mice have an extended lifespan because of a lower cancer incidence, "MlxKO" mice have normal lifespans and a somewhat higher cancer incidence. Like Myc, Mlx, MondoA and ChREBP expression and that of their target genes, deteriorate with age in both mice and humans, underscoring the importance of life-long and balanced cross-talk between the two Networks to maintain normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huabo Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Taylor Stevens
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Jie Lu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Alexander Roberts
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | | | - Radhika Muzumdar
- Division of Endocrinology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Zhenwei Gong
- Division of Endocrinology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Jerry Vockley
- Division of Medical Genetics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
| | - Edward V. Prochownik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UPMC
- The Hillman Cancer Center of UPMC
- The Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA. 15224
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18
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Liu F, Liao Z, Zhang Z. MYC in liver cancer: mechanisms and targeted therapy opportunities. Oncogene 2023; 42:3303-3318. [PMID: 37833558 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02861-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
MYC, a major oncogenic transcription factor, regulates target genes involved in various pathways such as cell proliferation, metabolism and immune evasion, playing a critical role in the tumor initiation and development in multiple types of cancer. In liver cancer, MYC and its signaling pathways undergo significant changes, exerting a profound impact on liver cancer progression, including tumor proliferation, metastasis, dedifferentiation, metabolism, immune microenvironment, and resistance to comprehensive therapies. This makes MYC an appealing target, despite it being previously considered an undruggable protein. In this review, we discuss the role and mechanisms of MYC in liver physiology, chronic liver diseases, hepatocarcinogenesis, and liver cancer progression, providing a theoretical basis for targeting MYC as an ideal therapeutic target for liver cancer. We also summarize and prospect the strategies for targeting MYC, including direct and indirect approaches to abolish the oncogenic function of MYC in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furong Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhibin Liao
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhanguo Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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19
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Liu F, Liao Z, Qin L, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Han S, Zeng W, Zhang H, Liu Y, Song J, Chen W, Zhu H, Liang H, Chen X, Zhang B, Zhang Z. Targeting VPS72 inhibits ACTL6A/MYC axis activity in HCC progression. Hepatology 2023; 78:1384-1401. [PMID: 36631007 PMCID: PMC10581431 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HCC is a highly heterogeneous disease that is caused largely by genomic copy number variations. Herein, the mechanistic and therapeutically targeted role of vacuolar protein sorting 72 homologue (VPS72), a novel copy number variation cis-driven gained gene identified by genome-wide copy number variation and transcriptome analyses in HCC, is not well understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS First, overexpression of VPS72 enhanced the initiation and progression of HCC in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, VPS72 interacted with the oncoproteins MYC and actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) and promoted the formation of the ACTL6A/MYC complex. Furthermore, ACTL6A regulated VPS72 protein stability by weakening the interaction between tripartite motif containing 21 (TRIM21) and VPS72. Thus, the interaction between VPS72 and ACTL6A enhanced the affinity of MYC for its target gene promoters and promoted their transcription, thereby contributing to HCC progression, which was inhibited by adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against VPS72. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals the molecular mechanism of ACTL6A/VPS72/MYC in HCC, providing a theoretical basis and therapeutic target for this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furong Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhibin Liao
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiaofeng Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shenqi Han
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weifeng Zeng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yachong Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jia Song
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - He Zhu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huifang Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhanguo Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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20
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Jha RK, Kouzine F, Levens D. MYC function and regulation in physiological perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1268275. [PMID: 37941901 PMCID: PMC10627926 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1268275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC, a key member of the Myc-proto-oncogene family, is a universal transcription amplifier that regulates almost every physiological process in a cell including cell cycle, proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYC interacts with several cofactors, chromatin modifiers, and regulators to direct gene expression. MYC levels are tightly regulated, and deregulation of MYC has been associated with numerous diseases including cancer. Understanding the comprehensive biology of MYC under physiological conditions is an utmost necessity to demark biological functions of MYC from its pathological functions. Here we review the recent advances in biological mechanisms, functions, and regulation of MYC. We also emphasize the role of MYC as a global transcription amplifier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Levens
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, United States
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21
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Jourdeuil K, Neilson KM, Cousin H, Tavares ALP, Majumdar HD, Alfandari D, Moody SA. Zmym4 is required for early cranial gene expression and craniofacial cartilage formation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1274788. [PMID: 37854072 PMCID: PMC10579616 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Six1 transcription factor plays important roles in the development of cranial sensory organs, and point mutations underlie craniofacial birth defects. Because Six1's transcriptional activity can be modulated by interacting proteins, we previously screened for candidate interactors and identified zinc-finger MYM-containing protein 4 (Zmym4) by its inclusion of a few domains with a bona fide cofactor, Sine oculis binding protein (Sobp). Although Zmym4 has been implicated in regulating early brain development and certain cancers, its role in craniofacial development has not previously been described. Methods: We used co-immunoprecipitation and luciferase-reporter assays in cultured cells to test interactions between Zmym4 and Six1. We used knock-down and overexpression of Zmym4 in embryos to test for its effects on early ectodermal gene expression, neural crest migration and craniofacial cartilage formation. Results: We found no evidence that Zmym4 physically or transcriptionally interacts with Six1 in cultured cells. Nonetheless, knockdown of endogenous Zmym4 in embryos resulted in altered early cranial gene expression, including those expressed in the neural border, neural plate, neural crest and preplacodal ectoderm. Experimentally increasing Zmym4 levels had minor effects on neural border or neural plate genes, but altered the expression of neural crest and preplacodal genes. At larval stages, genes expressed in the otic vesicle and branchial arches showed reduced expression in Zmym4 morphants. Although we did not detect defects in neural crest migration into the branchial arches, loss of Zmym4 resulted in aberrant morphology of several craniofacial cartilages. Discussion: Although Zmym4 does not appear to function as a Six1 transcriptional cofactor, it plays an important role in regulating the expression of embryonic cranial genes in tissues critical for normal craniofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn Jourdeuil
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Karen M. Neilson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Helene Cousin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Andre L. P. Tavares
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Himani D. Majumdar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dominique Alfandari
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Sally A. Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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22
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Papadopoulos D, Uhl L, Ha SA, Eilers M. Beyond gene expression: how MYC relieves transcription stress. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:805-816. [PMID: 37422352 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
MYC oncoproteins are key drivers of tumorigenesis. As transcription factors, MYC proteins regulate transcription by all three nuclear polymerases and gene expression. Accumulating evidence shows that MYC proteins are also crucial for enhancing the stress resilience of transcription. MYC proteins relieve torsional stress caused by active transcription, prevent collisions between the transcription and replication machineries, resolve R-loops, and repair DNA damage by participating in a range of protein complexes and forming multimeric structures at sites of genomic instability. We review the key complexes and multimerization properties of MYC proteins that allow them to mitigate transcription-associated DNA damage, and propose that the oncogenic functions of MYC extend beyond the modulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Papadopoulos
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Uhl
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Anh Ha
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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23
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Hurd M, Pino J, Jang K, Allevato MM, Vorontchikhina M, Ichikawa W, Zhao Y, Gates R, Villalpando E, Hamilton MJ, Faiola F, Pan S, Qi Y, Hung YW, Girke T, Ann D, Seewaldt V, Martinez E. MYC acetylated lysine residues drive oncogenic cell transformation and regulate select genetic programs for cell adhesion-independent growth and survival. Genes Dev 2023; 37:865-882. [PMID: 37852796 PMCID: PMC10691474 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350736.123] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The MYC oncogenic transcription factor is acetylated by the p300 and GCN5 histone acetyltransferases. The significance of MYC acetylation and the functions of specific acetylated lysine (AcK) residues have remained unclear. Here, we show that the major p300-acetylated K148(149) and K157(158) sites in human (or mouse) MYC and the main GCN5-acetylated K323 residue are reversibly acetylated in various malignant and nonmalignant cells. Oncogenic overexpression of MYC enhances its acetylation and alters the regulation of site-specific acetylation by proteasome and deacetylase inhibitors. Acetylation of MYC at different K residues differentially affects its stability in a cell type-dependent manner. Lysine-to-arginine substitutions indicate that although none of the AcK residues is required for MYC stimulation of adherent cell proliferation, individual AcK sites have gene-specific functions controlling select MYC-regulated processes in cell adhesion, contact inhibition, apoptosis, and/or metabolism and are required for the malignant cell transformation activity of MYC. Each AcK site is required for anchorage-independent growth of MYC-overexpressing cells in vitro, and both the AcK148(149) and AcK157(158) residues are also important for the tumorigenic activity of MYC transformed cells in vivo. The MYC AcK site-specific signaling pathways identified may offer new avenues for selective therapeutic targeting of MYC oncogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hurd
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Jeffrey Pino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Kay Jang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael M Allevato
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Marina Vorontchikhina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Wataru Ichikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yifan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Ryan Gates
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Emily Villalpando
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael J Hamilton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Francesco Faiola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Songqin Pan
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yue Qi
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Hung
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Thomas Girke
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - David Ann
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Victoria Seewaldt
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Ernest Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA;
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
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24
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Doha ZO, Sears RC. Unraveling MYC's Role in Orchestrating Tumor Intrinsic and Tumor Microenvironment Interactions Driving Tumorigenesis and Drug Resistance. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2023; 30:400-419. [PMID: 37755397 PMCID: PMC10537413 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology30030031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor MYC plays a pivotal role in regulating various cellular processes and has been implicated in tumorigenesis across multiple cancer types. MYC has emerged as a master regulator governing tumor intrinsic and tumor microenvironment interactions, supporting tumor progression and driving drug resistance. This review paper aims to provide an overview and discussion of the intricate mechanisms through which MYC influences tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance in cancer. We delve into the signaling pathways and molecular networks orchestrated by MYC in the context of tumor intrinsic characteristics, such as proliferation, replication stress and DNA repair. Furthermore, we explore the impact of MYC on the tumor microenvironment, including immune evasion, angiogenesis and cancer-associated fibroblast remodeling. Understanding MYC's multifaceted role in driving drug resistance and tumor progression is crucial for developing targeted therapies and combination treatments that may effectively combat this devastating disease. Through an analysis of the current literature, this review's goal is to shed light on the complexities of MYC-driven oncogenesis and its potential as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinab O. Doha
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rosalie C. Sears
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
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25
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Guan Q, Chen Z, Yu F, Liu L, Huang Y, Wei G, Chiang CM, Wong J, Li J. MYC promotes global transcription in part by controlling P-TEFb complex formation via DNA-binding independent inhibition of CDK9 SUMOylation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2167-2184. [PMID: 37115490 PMCID: PMC10524883 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2281-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
MYC is an oncogenic transcription factor with a novel role in enhancing global transcription when overexpressed. However, how MYC promotes global transcription remains controversial. Here, we used a series of MYC mutants to dissect the molecular basis for MYC-driven global transcription. We found that MYC mutants deficient in DNA binding or known transcriptional activation activities can still promote global transcription and enhance serine 2 phosphorylation (Ser2P) of the RNA polymerase (Pol) II C-terminal domain (CTD), a hallmark of active elongating RNA Pol II. Two distinct regions within MYC can promote global transcription and Ser2P of Pol II CTD. The ability of various MYC mutants to promote global transcription and Ser2P correlates with their ability to suppress CDK9 SUMOylation and enhance positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex formation. We showed that MYC suppresses CDK9 SUMOylation by inhibiting the interaction between CDK9 and SUMO enzymes including UBC9 and PIAS1. Furthermore, MYC's activity in enhancing global transcription positively contributes to its activity in promoting cell proliferation and transformation. Together, our study demonstrates that MYC promotes global transcription, at least in part, by promoting the formation of the active P-TEFb complex via a sequence-specific DNA-binding activity-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Guan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Fengxian District Central Hospital-ECNU Joint Center of Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhaosu Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Fengxian District Central Hospital-ECNU Joint Center of Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Department of Medicine, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Lingling Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuanyong Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Fengxian District Central Hospital-ECNU Joint Center of Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Gang Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jiemin Wong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Fengxian District Central Hospital-ECNU Joint Center of Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Jiwen Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Fengxian District Central Hospital-ECNU Joint Center of Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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26
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Wang H, Lu J, Stevens T, Roberts A, Mandel J, Avula R, Ma B, Wu Y, Wang J, Land CV, Finkel T, Vockley JE, Airik M, Airik R, Muzumdar R, Gong Z, Torbenson MS, Prochownik EV. Premature aging and reduced cancer incidence associated with near-complete body-wide Myc inactivation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112830. [PMID: 37481724 PMCID: PMC10591215 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112830] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC proto-oncogene dysregulation alters metabolism, translation, and other functions in ways that support tumor induction and maintenance. Although Myc+/- mice are healthier and longer-lived than control mice, the long-term ramifications of more complete Myc loss remain unknown. We now describe the chronic consequences of body-wide Myc inactivation initiated postnatally. "MycKO" mice acquire numerous features of premature aging, including altered body composition and habitus, metabolic dysfunction, hepatic steatosis, and dysregulation of gene sets involved in functions that normally deteriorate with aging. Yet, MycKO mice have extended lifespans that correlate with a 3- to 4-fold lower lifetime cancer incidence. Aging tissues from normal mice and humans also downregulate Myc and gradually alter many of the same Myc target gene sets seen in MycKO mice. Normal aging and its associated cancer predisposition are thus highly linked via Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huabo Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jie Lu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Taylor Stevens
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Alexander Roberts
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jordan Mandel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Raghunandan Avula
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Bingwei Ma
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijen Wu
- Department of Developmental Biology, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Central South University, Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Clinton Van't Land
- Division of Medical Genetics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Toren Finkel
- Division of Cardiology, The Department of Internal Medicine and the UPMC Aging Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jerry E Vockley
- Division of Medical Genetics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Merlin Airik
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Rannar Airik
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Radhika Muzumdar
- Division of Endocrinology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Zhenwei Gong
- Division of Endocrinology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Michel S Torbenson
- Division of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Edward V Prochownik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Hillman Cancer Center of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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27
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Prochownik EV, Wang H. Lessons in aging from Myc knockout mouse models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1244321. [PMID: 37621775 PMCID: PMC10446843 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1244321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite MYC being among the most intensively studied oncogenes, its role in normal development has not been determined as Myc-/- mice do not survival beyond mid-gestation. Myc ± mice live longer than their wild-type counterparts and are slower to accumulate many age-related phenotypes. However, Myc haplo-insufficiency likely conceals other important phenotypes as many high-affinity Myc targets genes continue to be regulated normally. By delaying Myc inactivation until after birth it has recently been possible to study the consequences of its near-complete total body loss and thus to infer its normal function. Against expectation, these "MycKO" mice lived significantly longer than control wild-type mice but manifested a marked premature aging phenotype. This seemingly paradoxical behavior was potentially explained by a >3-fold lower lifetime incidence of cancer, normally the most common cause of death in mice and often Myc-driven. Myc loss accelerated the accumulation of numerous "Aging Hallmarks", including the loss of mitochondrial and ribosomal structural and functional integrity, the generation of reactive oxygen species, the acquisition of genotoxic damage, the detrimental rewiring of metabolism and the onset of senescence. In both mice and humans, normal aging in many tissues was accompaniued by the downregulation of Myc and the loss of Myc target gene regulation. Unlike most mouse models of premature aging, which are based on monogenic disorders of DNA damage recognition and repair, the MycKO mouse model directly impacts most Aging Hallmarks and may therefore more faithfully replicate the normal aging process of both mice and humans. It further establishes that the strong association between aging and cancer can be genetically separated and is maintained by a single gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward V. Prochownik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- The Hillman Cancer Center of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- The Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Huabo Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Pan Y, van der Watt PJ, Kay SA. E-box binding transcription factors in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1223208. [PMID: 37601651 PMCID: PMC10437117 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1223208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
E-boxes are important regulatory elements in the eukaryotic genome. Transcription factors can bind to E-boxes through their basic helix-loop-helix or zinc finger domain to regulate gene transcription. E-box-binding transcription factors (EBTFs) are important regulators of development and essential for physiological activities of the cell. The fundamental role of EBTFs in cancer has been highlighted by studies on the canonical oncogene MYC, yet many EBTFs exhibit common features, implying the existence of shared molecular principles of how they are involved in tumorigenesis. A comprehensive analysis of TFs that share the basic function of binding to E-boxes has been lacking. Here, we review the structure of EBTFs, their common features in regulating transcription, their physiological functions, and their mutual regulation. We also discuss their converging functions in cancer biology, their potential to be targeted as a regulatory network, and recent progress in drug development targeting these factors in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhong Pan
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pauline J. van der Watt
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Steve A. Kay
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Illi B, Nasi S. Myc beyond Cancer: Regulation of Mammalian Tissue Regeneration. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2023; 30:346-365. [PMID: 37606389 PMCID: PMC10443299 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology30030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Myc is one of the most well-known oncogenes driving tumorigenesis in a wide variety of tissues. From the brain to blood, its deregulation derails physiological pathways that grant the correct functioning of the cell. Its action is carried out at the gene expression level, where Myc governs basically every aspect of transcription. Indeed, in addition to its role as a canonical, chromatin-bound transcription factor, Myc rules RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcriptional pause-release, elongation and termination and mRNA capping. For this reason, it is evident that minimal perturbations of Myc function mirror malignant cell behavior and, consistently, a large body of literature mainly focuses on Myc malfunctioning. In healthy cells, Myc controls molecular mechanisms involved in pivotal functions, such as cell cycle (and proliferation thereof), apoptosis, metabolism and cell size, angiogenesis, differentiation and stem cell self-renewal. In this latter regard, Myc has been found to also regulate tissue regeneration, a hot topic in the research fields of aging and regenerative medicine. Indeed, Myc appears to have a role in wound healing, in peripheral nerves and in liver, pancreas and even heart recovery. Herein, we discuss the state of the art of Myc's role in tissue regeneration, giving an overview of its potent action beyond cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Illi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Nasi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Abazari N, Stefanucci MR, Bossi LE, Trojani A, Cairoli R, Beghini A. Cordycepin (3'dA) Induces Cell Death of AC133 + Leukemia Cells via Re-Expression of WIF1 and Down-Modulation of MYC. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3931. [PMID: 37568748 PMCID: PMC10417454 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critically required for the development and maintenance of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by constitutive activation of myeloid regeneration-related pathways. Cell-intrinsic activation of canonical Wnt signaling propagates in the nucleus by β-catenin translocation, where it induces expression of target oncogenes such as JUN, MYC and CCND1. As the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is now well established to be a key oncogenic signaling pathway promoting leukemic myelopoiesis, targeting it would be an effective strategy to impair LSC functionality. Although the effects of the adenosine analogue cordycepin in repressing β-catenins and destabilizing the LSC niche have been highlighted, the cellular and molecular effects on AML-LSC have not been fully clarified. In the present study, we evaluated the potency and efficacy of cordycepin, a selective repressor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with anti-leukemia properties, on the AC133+ LSC fraction. Cordycepin effectively reduces cell viability of the AC133+ LSCs in the MUTZ-2 cell model and patient-derived cells through the induction of apoptosis. By Wnt-targeted RNA sequencing panel, we highlighted the re-expression of WIF1 and DKK1 among others, and the consequent downregulation of MYC and PROM1 (CD133) following MUTZ-2 cell exposure to increasing doses of cordycepin. Our results provide new insights into the molecular circuits involved in pharmacological inhibition mediated by cordycepin reinforcing the potential of targeting the Wnt/β-catenin and co-regulatory complexes in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Abazari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy; (N.A.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Marta Rachele Stefanucci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy; (N.A.); (M.R.S.)
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy; (L.E.B.); (A.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Luca Emanuele Bossi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy; (L.E.B.); (A.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessandra Trojani
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy; (L.E.B.); (A.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Cairoli
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy; (L.E.B.); (A.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessandro Beghini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy; (N.A.); (M.R.S.)
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Shukla S, Riveros C, Al-Toubat M, Chardon-Robles J, Osumi T, Serrano S, Kase AM, Petit JL, Meurice N, Gleba J, Copland JA, Chauhan J, Fletcher S, Balaji KC. The Bivalent Bromodomain Inhibitor MT-1 Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3851. [PMID: 37568667 PMCID: PMC10416835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153851] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomains (BD) are epigenetic readers of histone acetylation involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation of several genes including protooncogene cellular myelocytomatosis (c-Myc). c-Myc is difficult to target directly by agents due to its disordered alpha helical protein structure and predominant nuclear localization. The epigenetic targeting of c-Myc by BD inhibitors is an attractive therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer (PC) associated with increased c-Myc upregulation with advancing disease. MT-1 is a bivalent BD inhibitor that is 100-fold more potent than the first-in-class BD inhibitor JQ1. MT-1 decreased cell viability and causes cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in castration-sensitive and resistant PC cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition of c-Myc function by MT-1 was molecularly corroborated by the de-repression of Protein Kinase D1 (PrKD) and increased phosphorylation of PrKD substrate proteins: threonine 120, serine 11, and serine 216 amino acid residues in β-Catenin, snail, and cell division cycle 25c (CDC25c) proteins, respectively. The treatment of 3D cell cultures derived from three unique clinically annotated heavily pretreated patient-derived PC xenografts (PDX) mice models with increasing doses of MT-1 demonstrated the lowest IC50 in tumors with c-Myc amplification and clinically resistant to Docetaxel, Cabazitaxel, Abiraterone, and Enzalutamide. An intraperitoneal injection of either MT-1 or in combination with 3jc48-3, an inhibitor of obligate heterodimerization with MYC-associated protein X (MAX), in mice implanted with orthotopic PC PDX, decreased tumor growth. This is the first pre-clinical study demonstrating potential utility of MT-1 in the treatment of PC with c-Myc dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Shukla
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Carlos Riveros
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Mohammed Al-Toubat
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Jonathan Chardon-Robles
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Teruko Osumi
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Samuel Serrano
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Adam M. Kase
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Joachim L. Petit
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Nathalie Meurice
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Justyna Gleba
- Cancer Biology Department, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - John A. Copland
- Cancer Biology Department, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Jay Chauhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Steven Fletcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - K. C. Balaji
- Department of Urology, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
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32
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Alekseyenko AA, Zee BM, Dhoondia Z, Kang H, Makofske JL, Kuroda MI. Cell state-dependent chromatin targeting in NUT carcinoma. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad083. [PMID: 37119804 PMCID: PMC10691748 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant transcriptional programming and chromatin dysregulation are common to most cancers. Whether by deranged cell signaling or environmental insult, the resulting oncogenic phenotype is typically manifested in transcriptional changes characteristic of undifferentiated cell growth. Here we analyze targeting of an oncogenic fusion protein, BRD4-NUT, composed of 2 normally independent chromatin regulators. The fusion causes the formation of large hyperacetylated genomic regions or megadomains, mis-regulation of c-MYC, and an aggressive carcinoma of squamous cell origin. Our previous work revealed largely distinct megadomain locations in different NUT carcinoma patient cell lines. To assess whether this was due to variations in individual genome sequences or epigenetic cell state, we expressed BRD4-NUT in a human stem cell model and found that megadomains formed in dissimilar patterns when comparing cells in the pluripotent state with the same cell line following induction along a mesodermal lineage. Thus, our work implicates initial cell state as the critical factor in the locations of BRD4-NUT megadomains. These results, together with our analysis of c-MYC protein-protein interactions in a patient cell line, are consistent with a cascade of chromatin misregulation underlying NUT carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom A Alekseyenko
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Disease Biology Department, Triana Biomedicine, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Barry M Zee
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Proteomics Department, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
| | - Zuzer Dhoondia
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hyuckjoon Kang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jessica L Makofske
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Oncology Department, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mitzi I Kuroda
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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33
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Alekseyenko AA, Zee BM, Dhoondia Z, Kang H, Makofske JL, Kuroda MI. Cell state-dependent chromatin targeting in NUT carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537367. [PMID: 37131839 PMCID: PMC10153199 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant transcriptional programming and chromatin dysregulation are common to most cancers. Whether by deranged cell signaling or environmental insult, the resulting oncogenic phenotype is typically manifested in transcriptional changes characteristic of undifferentiated cell growth. Here we analyze targeting of an oncogenic fusion protein, BRD4-NUT, composed of two normally independent chromatin regulators. The fusion causes the formation of large hyperacetylated genomic regions or megadomains, mis-regulation of c-MYC , and an aggressive carcinoma of squamous cell origin. Our previous work revealed largely distinct megadomain locations in different NUT carcinoma patient cell lines. To assess whether this was due to variations in individual genome sequences or epigenetic cell state, we expressed BRD4-NUT in a human stem cell model and found that megadomains formed in dissimilar patterns when comparing cells in the pluripotent state with the same cell line following induction along a mesodermal lineage. Thus, our work implicates initial cell state as the critical factor in the locations of BRD4-NUT megadomains. These results, together with our analysis of c-MYC protein-protein interactions in a patient cell line, are consistent with a cascade of chromatin misregulation underlying NUT carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom A Alekseyenko
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Triana Biomedicine, Lexington, MA
| | - Barry M Zee
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA
| | - Zuzer Dhoondia
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Hyuckjoon Kang
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jessica L Makofske
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Mitzi I Kuroda
- Div. of Genetics, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dept. of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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34
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Abbasi S, Bayat L, Schild-Poulter C. Analysis of Ku70 S155 Phospho-Specific BioID2 Interactome Identifies Ku Association with TRIP12 in Response to DNA Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087041. [PMID: 37108203 PMCID: PMC10138931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087041] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ku heterodimer, composed of subunits Ku70 and Ku80, is known for its essential role in repairing double-stranded DNA breaks via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). We previously identified Ku70 S155 as a novel phosphorylation site within the von Willebrand A-like (vWA) domain of Ku70 and documented an altered DNA damage response in cells expressing a Ku70 S155D phosphomimetic mutant. Here, we conducted proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID2) screening using wild-type Ku70, Ku70 S155D mutant, and Ku70 with a phosphoablative substitution (S155A) to identify Ku70 S155D-specific candidate proteins that may rely on this phosphorylation event. Using the BioID2 screen with multiple filtering approaches, we compared the protein interactor candidate lists for Ku70 S155D and S155A. TRIP12 was exclusive to the Ku70 S155D list, considered a high confidence interactor based on SAINTexpress analysis, and appeared in all three biological replicates of the Ku70 S155D-BioID2 mass spectrometry results. Using proximity ligation assays (PLA), we demonstrated a significantly increased association between Ku70 S155D-HA and TRIP12 compared to wild-type Ku70-HA cells. In addition, we were able to demonstrate a robust PLA signal between endogenous Ku70 and TRIP12 in the presence of double-stranded DNA breaks. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation analyses showed an enhanced interaction between TRIP12 and Ku70 upon treatment with ionizing radiation, suggesting a direct or indirect association in response to DNA damage. Altogether, these results suggest an association between Ku70 phospho-S155 and TRIP12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Abbasi
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Laila Bayat
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Caroline Schild-Poulter
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
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35
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MYCN Amplification, along with Wild-Type RB1 Expression, Enhances CDK4/6 Inhibitors’ Efficacy in Neuroblastoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065408. [PMID: 36982482 PMCID: PMC10049239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the primary causes of death for pediatric malignancies. Given the high heterogeneity in NB’s mutation landscape, optimizing individualized therapies is still challenging. In the context of genomic alterations, MYCN amplification is the most correlated event with poor outcomes. MYCN is involved in the regulation of several cellular mechanisms, including cell cycle. Thus, studying the influence of MYCN overexpression in the G1/S transition checkpoint of the cell cycle may unveil novel druggable targets for the development of personalized therapeutical approaches. Here, we show that high expression of E2F3 and MYCN correlate with poor prognosis in NB despite the RB1 mRNA levels. Moreover, we demonstrate through luciferase reporter assays that MYCN bypasses RB function by incrementing E2F3-responsive promoter activity. We showed that MYCN overexpression leads to RB inactivation by inducing RB hyperphosphorylation during the G1 phase through cell cycle synchronization experiments. Moreover, we generated two MYCN-amplified NB cell lines conditionally knockdown (cKD) for the RB1 gene through a CRISPRi approach. Indeed, RB KD did not affect cell proliferation, whereas cell proliferation was strongly influenced when a non-phosphorylatable RB mutant was expressed. This finding revealed the dispensable role of RB in regulating MYCN-amplified NB’s cell cycle. The described genetic interaction between MYCN and RB1 provides the rationale for using cyclin/CDK complexes inhibitors in NBs carrying MYCN amplification and relatively high levels of RB1 expression.
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Kamran DES, Hussain M, Mirza T. Investigating In Situ Expression of c-MYC and Candidate Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases in DLBCL and Assessment for Peptidyl Disruptor Molecule against c-MYC-USP37 Complex. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062441. [PMID: 36985413 PMCID: PMC10058055 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062441] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Elevated expression of c-MYC in DLBCL is associated with poor prognosis of the disease. In different cancers, c-MYC has been found regulated by different ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), but to date, the role of USPs in c-MYC regulation has not been investigated in DLBCL. In this study, in situ co expression of c-MYC and three candidates USPs, USP28, USP36 and USP37, have been investigated in both the ABC and GCB subtypes of DLBCL. This shows that USP37 expression is positively correlated with the c-MYC expression in the ABC subtype of DLBCL. Structurally, both c-MYC and USP37 has shown large proportion of intrinsically disordered regions, minimizing their chances for full structure crystallization. Peptide array and docking simulations has shown that N-terminal region of c-MYC interacts directly with residues within and in proximity of catalytically active C19 domain of the USP37. Given the structural properties of the interaction sites in the c-MYC-USP37 complex, a peptidyl inhibitor has been designed. Molecular docking has shown that the peptide fits well in the targeted site of c-MYC, masking most of its residues involved in the binding with USP37. The findings could further be exploited to develop therapeutic interventions against the ABC subtype of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durr E Sameen Kamran
- Department of Pathology, Dow Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Mushtaq Hussain
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Talat Mirza
- Department of Research, Ziauddin University, Karachi 75000, Pakistan
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37
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Das SK, Lewis BA, Levens D. MYC: a complex problem. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:235-246. [PMID: 35963793 PMCID: PMC9911561 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The MYC protooncogene functions as a universal amplifier of transcription through interaction with numerous factors and complexes that regulate almost every cellular process. However, a comprehensive model that explains MYC's actions and the interplay governing the complicated dynamics of components of the transcription and replication machinery is still lacking. Here, we review the potency of MYC as an oncogenic driver and how it regulates the broad spectrum of complexes (effectors and regulators). We propose a 'hand-over model' for differential partitioning and trafficking of unstructured MYC via a loose interaction network between various gene-regulatory complexes and factors. Additionally, the article discusses how unstructured-MYC energetically favors efficient modulation of the energy landscape of the transcription cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhendu K Das
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA
| | - Brian A Lewis
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA
| | - David Levens
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA.
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38
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The "Superoncogene" Myc at the Crossroad between Metabolism and Gene Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044217. [PMID: 36835628 PMCID: PMC9966483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044217] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of the Myc (c-myc, n-myc, l-myc) oncogene as a canonical, DNA-bound transcription factor has consistently changed over the past few years. Indeed, Myc controls gene expression programs at multiple levels: directly binding chromatin and recruiting transcriptional coregulators; modulating the activity of RNA polymerases (RNAPs); and drawing chromatin topology. Therefore, it is evident that Myc deregulation in cancer is a dramatic event. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal, still incurable, brain cancer in adults, and it is characterized in most cases by Myc deregulation. Metabolic rewiring typically occurs in cancer cells, and GBM undergoes profound metabolic changes to supply increased energy demand. In nontransformed cells, Myc tightly controls metabolic pathways to maintain cellular homeostasis. Consistently, in Myc-overexpressing cancer cells, including GBM cells, these highly controlled metabolic routes are affected by enhanced Myc activity and show substantial alterations. On the other hand, deregulated cancer metabolism impacts Myc expression and function, placing Myc at the intersection between metabolic pathway activation and gene expression. In this review paper, we summarize the available information on GBM metabolism with a specific focus on the control of the Myc oncogene that, in turn, rules the activation of metabolic signals, ensuring GBM growth.
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Karadkhelkar NM, Lin M, Eubanks LM, Janda KD. Demystifying the Druggability of the MYC Family of Oncogenes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3259-3269. [PMID: 36734615 PMCID: PMC10182829 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The MYC family of oncogenes (MYC, MYCN, and MYCL) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHLZ) transcriptional regulator that is responsible for moving the cell through the restriction point. Through the HLHZIP domain, MYC heterodimerizes with the bHLHLZ protein MAX, which enables this MYC-MAX complex to bind to E-box regulatory DNA elements thereby controlling transcription of a large group of genes and their proteins. Translationally, MYC is one of the foremost oncogenic targets, and deregulation of expression of the MYC family gene/proteins occurs in over half of all human tumors and is recognized as a hallmark of cancer initiation and maintenance. Additionally, unexpected roles for this oncoprotein have been found in cancers that nominally have a non-MYC etiology. Although MYC is rarely mutated, its gain of function in cancer results from overexpression or from amplification. Moreover, MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor possessing broad pathogenic prominence making it a coveted cancer target. A widely held notion within the biomedical research community is that the reliable modulation of MYC represents a tremendous therapeutic opportunity given its role in directly potentiating oncogenesis. However, the MYC-MAX heterodimer interaction contains a large surface area with a lack of well-defined binding sites creating the perception that targeting of MYC-MAX is forbidding. Here, we discuss the biochemistry behind MYC and MYC-MAX as it relates to cancer progression associated with these transcription factors. We also discuss the notion that MYC should no longer be regarded as undruggable, providing examples that a therapeutic window is achievable despite global MYC inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant M. Karadkhelkar
- Departments of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Mingliang Lin
- Departments of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Lisa M. Eubanks
- Departments of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Kim D. Janda
- Departments of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Worm Institute of Research and Medicine (WIRM), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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Morelli E, Fulciniti M, Samur MK, Ribeiro CF, Wert-Lamas L, Henninger JE, Gullà A, Aktas-Samur A, Todoerti K, Talluri S, Park WD, Federico C, Scionti F, Amodio N, Bianchi G, Johnstone M, Liu N, Gramegna D, Maisano D, Russo NA, Lin C, Tai YT, Neri A, Chauhan D, Hideshima T, Shammas MA, Tassone P, Gryaznov S, Young RA, Anderson KC, Novina CD, Loda M, Munshi NC. A MIR17HG-derived long noncoding RNA provides an essential chromatin scaffold for protein interaction and myeloma growth. Blood 2023; 141:391-405. [PMID: 36126301 PMCID: PMC10082365 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can drive tumorigenesis and are susceptible to therapeutic intervention. Here, we used a large-scale CRISPR interference viability screen to interrogate cell-growth dependency to lncRNA genes in multiple myeloma (MM) and identified a prominent role for the miR-17-92 cluster host gene (MIR17HG). We show that an MIR17HG-derived lncRNA, named lnc-17-92, is the main mediator of cell-growth dependency acting in a microRNA- and DROSHA-independent manner. Lnc-17-92 provides a chromatin scaffold for the functional interaction between c-MYC and WDR82, thus promoting the expression of ACACA, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme of de novo lipogenesis acetyl-coA carboxylase 1. Targeting MIR17HG pre-RNA with clinically applicable antisense molecules disrupts the transcriptional and functional activities of lnc-17-92, causing potent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in 3 preclinical animal models, including a clinically relevant patient-derived xenograft NSG mouse model. This study establishes a novel oncogenic function of MIR17HG and provides potent inhibitors for translation to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Morelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mariateresa Fulciniti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mehmet K. Samur
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Caroline F. Ribeiro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Leon Wert-Lamas
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Jon E. Henninger
- Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Annamaria Gullà
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Anil Aktas-Samur
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Katia Todoerti
- Department of Hematology, Fondazione Cà Granda IRCCS Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Srikanth Talluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
| | - Woojun D. Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Cinzia Federico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Clinical Research Development and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giada Bianchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Megan Johnstone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Doriana Gramegna
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Domenico Maisano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nicola A. Russo
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche “G. Salvatore,” Biogem s.c.ar.l., Avellino, Italy
| | - Charles Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yu-Tzu Tai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Antonino Neri
- Department of Hematology, Fondazione Cà Granda IRCCS Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Scientific Directorate, Azienda USL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Dharminder Chauhan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Teru Hideshima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Masood A. Shammas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Richard A. Young
- Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Kenneth C. Anderson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Carl D. Novina
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Nikhil C. Munshi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
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Lemaitre F, Chakrama F, O’Grady T, Peulen O, Rademaker G, Deward A, Chabot B, Piette J, Colige A, Lambert C, Dequiedt F, Habraken Y. The transcription factor c-Jun inhibits RBM39 to reprogram pre-mRNA splicing during genotoxic stress. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:12768-12789. [PMID: 36477312 PMCID: PMC9825188 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genotoxic agents, that are used in cancer therapy, elicit the reprogramming of the transcriptome of cancer cells. These changes reflect the cellular response to stress and underlie some of the mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Here, we profiled genome-wide changes in pre-mRNA splicing induced by cisplatin in breast cancer cells. Among the set of cisplatin-induced alternative splicing events we focused on COASY, a gene encoding a mitochondrial enzyme involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis. Treatment with cisplatin induces the production of a short isoform of COASY lacking exons 4 and 5, whose depletion impedes mitochondrial function and decreases sensitivity to cisplatin. We identified RBM39 as a major effector of the cisplatin-induced effect on COASY splicing. RBM39 also controls a genome-wide set of alternative splicing events partially overlapping with the cisplatin-mediated ones. Unexpectedly, inactivation of RBM39 in response to cisplatin involves its interaction with the AP-1 family transcription factor c-Jun that prevents RBM39 binding to pre-mRNA. Our findings therefore uncover a novel cisplatin-induced interaction between a splicing regulator and a transcription factor that has a global impact on alternative splicing and contributes to drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tina O’Grady
- Laboratory of Gene Expression and Cancer, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, B34, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Olivier Peulen
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA-Cancer, B23, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Gilles Rademaker
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA-Cancer, B23, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Adeline Deward
- Laboratory of Virology and Immunology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, B34, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Benoit Chabot
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques Piette
- Laboratory of Virology and Immunology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, B34, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Alain Colige
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, B23, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Charles Lambert
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, B23, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Franck Dequiedt
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Franck Dequiedt. Tel: +32 366 9028;
| | - Yvette Habraken
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +32 4 366 2447; Fax: +32 4 366 4198;
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42
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Donati G, Amati B. MYC and therapy resistance in cancer: risks and opportunities. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3828-3854. [PMID: 36214609 PMCID: PMC9627787 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The MYC transcription factor, encoded by the c-MYC proto-oncogene, is activated by growth-promoting signals, and is a key regulator of biosynthetic and metabolic pathways driving cell growth and proliferation. These same processes are deregulated in MYC-driven tumors, where they become critical for cancer cell proliferation and survival. As other oncogenic insults, overexpressed MYC induces a series of cellular stresses (metabolic, oxidative, replicative, etc.) collectively known as oncogenic stress, which impact not only on tumor progression, but also on the response to therapy, with profound, multifaceted consequences on clinical outcome. On one hand, recent evidence uncovered a widespread role for MYC in therapy resistance in multiple cancer types, with either standard chemotherapeutic or targeted regimens. Reciprocally, oncogenic MYC imparts a series of molecular and metabolic dependencies to cells, thus giving rise to cancer-specific vulnerabilities that may be exploited to obtain synthetic-lethal interactions with novel anticancer drugs. Here we will review the current knowledge on the links between MYC and therapeutic responses, and will discuss possible strategies to overcome resistance through new, targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Donati
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) – IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Bruno Amati
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) – IRCCSMilanItaly
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43
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Siddaway R, Milos S, Coyaud É, Yun HY, Morcos SM, Pajovic S, Campos EI, Raught B, Hawkins C. The in vivo Interaction Landscape of Histones H3.1 and H3.3. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100411. [PMID: 36089195 PMCID: PMC9540345 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin structure, transcription, DNA replication, and repair are regulated via locus-specific incorporation of histone variants and posttranslational modifications that guide effector chromatin-binding proteins. Here we report unbiased, quantitative interactomes for the replication-coupled (H3.1) and replication-independent (H3.3) histone H3 variants based on BioID proximity labeling, which allows interactions in intact, living cells to be detected. Along with a significant proportion of previously reported interactions detected by affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry, three quarters of the 608 histone-associated proteins that we identified are new, uncharacterized histone associations. The data reveal important biological nuances not captured by traditional biochemical means. For example, we found that the chromatin assembly factor-1 histone chaperone not only deposits the replication-coupled H3.1 histone variant during S-phase but also associates with H3.3 throughout the cell cycle in vivo. We also identified other variant-specific associations, such as with transcription factors, chromatin regulators, and with the mitotic machinery. Our proximity-based analysis is thus a rich resource that extends the H3 interactome and reveals new sets of variant-specific associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Siddaway
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Division of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott Milos
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Étienne Coyaud
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192 - Protéomique Réponse Inflammatoire Spectrométrie de Masse - PRISM, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Hwa Young Yun
- Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shahir M. Morcos
- Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sanja Pajovic
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric I. Campos
- Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Division of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,For correspondence: Cynthia Hawkins
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44
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Takada I, Hidano S, Takahashi S, Yanaka K, Ogawa H, Tsuchiya M, Yokoyama A, Sato S, Ochi H, Nakagawa T, Kobayashi T, Nakagawa S, Makishima M. Transcriptional coregulator Ess2 controls survival of post-thymic CD4 + T cells through the Myc and IL-7 signaling pathways. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102342. [PMID: 35933014 PMCID: PMC9436822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ess2, also known as Dgcr14, is a transcriptional co-regulator of CD4+ T cells. Ess2 is located in a chromosomal region, the loss of which has been associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), which causes heart defects, skeletal abnormalities, and immunodeficiency. However, the specific association of Ess2 with 22q11DS remains unclear. To elucidate the role of Ess2 in T-cell development, we generated Ess2 floxed (Ess2fl/fl) and CD4+ T cell-specific Ess2 KO (Ess2ΔCD4/ΔCD4) mice using the Cre/loxP system. Interestingly, Ess2ΔCD4/ΔCD4 mice exhibited reduced naïve T-cell numbers in the spleen, while the number of thymocytes (CD4-CD8-, CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD8-, and CD4-CD8+) in the thymus remained unchanged. Furthermore, Ess2ΔCD4/ΔCD4 mice had decreased NKT cells and increased γδT cells in the thymus and spleen. A genome-wide expression analysis using RNA-seq revealed that Ess2 deletion alters the expression of many genes in CD4 single-positive thymocytes, including genes related to the immune system and Myc target genes. In addition, Ess2 enhanced the transcriptional activity of c-Myc. Some genes identified as Ess2 targets in mice show expressional correlation with ESS2 in human immune cells. Moreover, Ess2ΔCD4/ΔCD4 naïve CD4+ T cells did not maintain survival in response to IL-7. Our results suggest that Ess2 plays a critical role in post-thymic T-cell survival through the Myc and IL-7 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Takada
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shinya Hidano
- Department of Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Sayuri Takahashi
- Department of Urology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Yanaka
- RNA Biology Laboratory, RIKEN Advanced Research Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hidesato Ogawa
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Megumi Tsuchiya
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yokoyama
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shingo Sato
- Center for Innovative Cancer Treatment, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Medical Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ochi
- Department of Rehabilitation for Movement Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tohru Nakagawa
- Department of Urology, Teikyo University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Makoto Makishima
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Hinds JW, Feris EJ, Wilkins OM, Deary LT, Wang X, Cole MD. S146L in MYC is a context-dependent activating substitution in cancer development. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272771. [PMID: 36018850 PMCID: PMC9417018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most dysregulated oncogenes and is thought to be fundamental to tumor formation and/or maintenance in many cancer types. This dominant pro-tumor activity makes MYC an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, MYC is a transcription factor lacking enzymatic activity, and the structure of one of its two domains is unknown e.g., its transactivation domain. Consequently, few direct MYC-targeting therapies have been developed, and none have been successful in the clinic. Nevertheless, significant effort has been devoted to understanding the mechanisms of oncogenic MYC activity with the objective of uncovering novel vulnerabilities of MYC-dependent cancers. These extensive investigations have revealed in detail how MYC translocation, amplification, and other upstream perturbations contribute to MYC activity in cancer. However, missense mutations of the MYC gene have remained relatively understudied for their potential role in MYC-mediated oncogenesis. While the function of several low-frequency mutations in MYC have been described, our understanding of other equally or more frequent mutations is incomplete. Herein, we define the function of a recurrent missense mutation in MYC resulting in the substitution S146L. This mutation enhances the interaction between MYC and its cofactor TRRAP and may enhance oncogenic MYC activity in certain cellular contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Hinds
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Edmond J. Feris
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Owen M. Wilkins
- Center for Quantitative Biology (CQB), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Luke T. Deary
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Michael D. Cole
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
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46
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Novel dual-targeting c-Myc inhibitor D347-2761 represses myeloma growth via blocking c-Myc/Max heterodimerization and disturbing its stability. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:73. [PMID: 35619182 PMCID: PMC9137135 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00868-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcription factor c-Myc plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological events. c-Myc gene rearrangement is closely associated with multiple myeloma (MM) progression and drug resistance. Thereby, targeting c-Myc is expected to be a useful therapeutic strategy for hematological disease, especially in MM.
Methods Molecular docking-based virtual screening and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were used to identify novel c-Myc inhibitors. Cell viability and flow cytometry were performed for evaluating myeloma cytotoxicity. Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, GST pull down and Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay were performed for protein expression and interaction between c-Myc and Max. c-Myc downstream targets were measured by Q-PCR and Chromatin immunoprecipitation methods. Animal experiments were used to detect myeloma xenograft and infiltration in vivo. Results We successfully identified a novel c-Myc inhibitor D347-2761, which hindered the formation of c-Myc/Max heterodimer and disturbed c-Myc protein stability simultaneously. Compound D347-2761 dose-and time-dependently inhibited myeloma cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Dual knockout Bak/Bax partially restored D347-2761-mediated cell death. Additionally, compound D347-2761 could, in combination with bortezomib (BTZ), enhance MM cell DNA damage and overcome BTZ drug resistance. Our in vivo studies also showed that compound D347-2761 repressed myeloma growth and distal infiltration by downregulating c-Myc expression. Mechanistically, novel dual-targeting c-Myc inhibitor D347-2761 promoted c-Myc protein degradation via stimulating c-Myc Thr58 phosphorylation levels, which ultimately led to transcriptional repression of CDK4 promoter activity. Conclusions We identified a novel dual-targeting c-Myc small molecular inhibitor D347-2761. And this study may provide a solid foundation for developing a novel therapeutic agent targeting c-Myc. Video Abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00868-6.
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47
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Luo S, Su T, Zhou X, Hu WX, Hu J. Chromosome 1 instability in multiple myeloma: Aberrant gene expression, pathogenesis, and potential therapeutic target. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22341. [PMID: 35579877 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), the terminally differentiated B cells malignancy, is widely considered to be incurable since many patients have either developed drug resistance or experienced an eventual relapse. To develop precise and efficient therapeutic strategies, we must understand the pathogenesis of MM. Thus, unveiling the driver events of MM and its further clonal evolution will help us understand this complicated disease. Chromosome 1 instabilities are the most common genomic alterations that participate in MM pathogenesis, and these aberrations of chromosome 1 mainly include copy number variations and structural changes. The chromosome 1q gains/amplifications and 1p deletions are the most frequent structural changes of chromosomes in MM. In this review, we intend to focus on the genes that are affected by chromosome 1 instability: some tumor suppressors were lost or down regulated in 1p deletions, and others that contributed to tumorigenesis were upregulated in 1q gains/amplifications. We have summarized their biological function as well as their roles in the MM pathogenesis, hoping to uncover potential novel therapeutical targets and promote the development of future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saiqun Luo
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Su
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei-Xin Hu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingping Hu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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48
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Holmes AG, Parker JB, Sagar V, Truica MI, Soni PN, Han H, Schiltz GE, Abdulkadir SA, Chakravarti D. A MYC inhibitor selectively alters the MYC and MAX cistromes and modulates the epigenomic landscape to regulate target gene expression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabh3635. [PMID: 35476451 PMCID: PMC9045724 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh3635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
MYC regulates multiple gene programs, raising questions about the potential selectivity and downstream transcriptional consequences of MYC inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. Here, we examined the effect of a small-molecule MYC inhibitor, MYCi975, on the MYC/MAX cistromes, epigenome, transcriptome, and tumorigenesis. Integrating these data revealed three major classes of MYCi975-modulated gene targets: type 1 (down-regulated), type 2 (up-regulated), and type 3 (unaltered). While cell cycle and signal transduction pathways were heavily targeted by MYCi, RNA biogenesis and core transcriptional pathway genes were spared. MYCi975 altered chromatin binding of MYC and the MYC network family proteins, and chromatin accessibility and H3K27 acetylation alterations revealed MYCi975 suppression of MYC-regulated lineage factors AR/ARv7, FOXA1, and FOXM1. Consequently, MYCi975 synergistically sensitized resistant prostate cancer cells to enzalutamide and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells to 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Our results demonstrate that MYCi975 selectively inhibits MYC target gene expression and provide a mechanistic rationale for potential combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin G. Holmes
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - J. Brandon Parker
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Vinay Sagar
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mihai I. Truica
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Pritin N. Soni
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Huiying Han
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Gary E. Schiltz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sarki A. Abdulkadir
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Division of Reproductive Sciences in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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49
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Xiao JF, Kua LF, Ding LW, Sun QY, Myint KN, Chia XR, Venkatachalam N, Loh X, Duex JE, Neang V, Zhou S, Li Y, Yang H, Koeffler HP, Theodorescu D. KDM6A Depletion in Breast Epithelial Cells Leads to Reduced Sensitivity to Anticancer Agents and Increased TGFβ Activity. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:637-649. [PMID: 35022315 PMCID: PMC10030164 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
KDM6A, an X chromosome-linked histone lysine demethylase, was reported to be frequently mutated in many tumor types including breast and bladder cancer. However, the functional role of KDM6A is not fully understood. Using MCF10A as a model of non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cells, we found that silencing KDM6A promoted cell migration and transformation demonstrated by the formation of tumor-like acini in three-dimensional culture. KDM6A loss reduced the sensitivity of MCF10A cells to therapeutic agents commonly used to treat patients with triple-negative breast cancer and also induced TGFβ extracellular secretion leading to suppressed expression of cytotoxic genes in normal human CD8+ T cells in vitro. Interestingly, when cells were treated with TGFβ, de novo synthesis of KDM6A protein was suppressed while TGFB1 transcription was enhanced, indicating a TGFβ/KDM6A-negative regulatory axis. Furthermore, both KDM6A deficiency and TGFβ treatment promoted disorganized acinar structures in three-dimensional culture, as well as transcriptional profiles associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis, suggesting KDM6A depletion and TGFβ drive tumor progression. IMPLICATIONS Our study provides the preclinical rationale for evaluating KDM6A and TGFβ in breast tumor samples as predictors for response to chemo and immunotherapy, informing personalized therapy based on these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Fen Xiao
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Corresponding authors: Dan Theodorescu, Address: 8700 Beverly Blvd, NT-Plaza Level 2429C, Los Angeles, CA 90048; , Phone: +1(310)-423-8431; Jin-Fen Xiao, Address: Davis Research Building RM3057, 110 N George Burns Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90048; ; Phone: 1(310)423-1326
| | - Ley-Fang Kua
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ling-Wen Ding
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiao-Yang Sun
- Department of Hematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Khine Nyein Myint
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiu-Rong Chia
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Xinyi Loh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jason E. Duex
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vanessa Neang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Siqin Zhou
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ying Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - H. Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Corresponding authors: Dan Theodorescu, Address: 8700 Beverly Blvd, NT-Plaza Level 2429C, Los Angeles, CA 90048; , Phone: +1(310)-423-8431; Jin-Fen Xiao, Address: Davis Research Building RM3057, 110 N George Burns Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90048; ; Phone: 1(310)423-1326
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50
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Wei Y, Redel C, Ahlner A, Lemak A, Johansson-Åkhe I, Houliston S, Kenney TMG, Tamachi A, Morad V, Duan S, Andrews DW, Wallner B, Sunnerhagen M, Arrowsmith CH, Penn LZ. The MYC oncoprotein directly interacts with its chromatin cofactor PNUTS to recruit PP1 phosphatase. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3505-3522. [PMID: 35244724 PMCID: PMC8989513 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite MYC dysregulation in most human cancers, strategies to target this potent oncogenic driver remain an urgent unmet need. Recent evidence shows the PP1 phosphatase and its regulatory subunit PNUTS control MYC phosphorylation, chromatin occupancy, and stability, however the molecular basis remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that MYC interacts directly with PNUTS through the MYC homology Box 0 (MB0), a highly conserved region recently shown to be important for MYC oncogenic activity. By NMR we identified a distinct peptide motif within MB0 that interacts with PNUTS residues 1–148, a functional unit, here termed PNUTS amino-terminal domain (PAD). Using NMR spectroscopy we determined the solution structure of PAD, and characterised its MYC-binding patch. Point mutations of residues at the MYC-PNUTS interface significantly weaken their interaction both in vitro and in vivo, leading to elevated MYC phosphorylation. These data demonstrate that the MB0 region of MYC directly interacts with the PAD of PNUTS, which provides new insight into the control mechanisms of MYC as a regulator of gene transcription and a pervasive cancer driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wei
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Cornelia Redel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Alexandra Ahlner
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Alexander Lemak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Isak Johansson-Åkhe
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Scott Houliston
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Tristan M G Kenney
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aaliya Tamachi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Vivian Morad
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - David W Andrews
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Björn Wallner
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Sunnerhagen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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