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Yongprayoon V, Wattanakul N, Khomate W, Apithanangsiri N, Kasitipradit T, Nantajit D, Tavassoli M. Targeting BRD4: Potential therapeutic strategy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:74. [PMID: 38606512 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8733] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As a member of BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) protein family, BRD4 (bromodomain‑containing protein 4) is a chromatin‑associated protein that interacts with acetylated histones and actively recruits regulatory proteins, leading to the modulation of gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The cellular and epigenetic functions of BRD4 implicate normal development, fibrosis and inflammation. BRD4 has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target as it is often overexpressed and plays a critical role in regulating gene expression programs that drive tumor cell proliferation, survival, migration and drug resistance. To address the roles of BRD4 in cancer, several drugs that specifically target BRD4 have been developed. Inhibition of BRD4 has shown promising results in preclinical models, with several BRD4 inhibitors undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a heterogeneous group of cancers, remains a health challenge with a high incidence rate and poor prognosis. Conventional therapies for HNSCC often cause adverse effects to the patients. Targeting BRD4, therefore, represents a promising strategy to sensitize HNSCC to chemo‑ and radiotherapy allowing de‑intensification of the current therapeutic regime and subsequent reduced side effects. However, further studies are required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of action of BRD4 in HNSCC in order to determine the optimal dosing and administration of BRD4‑targeted drugs for the treatment of patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Voraporn Yongprayoon
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Napasporn Wattanakul
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Winnada Khomate
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Nathakrit Apithanangsiri
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Tarathip Kasitipradit
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Danupon Nantajit
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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2
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Gold S, Shilatifard A. Therapeutic targeting of BET bromodomain and other epigenetic acetylrecognition domain-containing factors. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102181. [PMID: 38564841 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Development of cancer therapies targeting chromatin modifiers and transcriptional regulatory factors is rapidly expanding to include new targets and novel targeting strategies. At the same time, basic molecular research continues to refine our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating transcription, gene expression, and oncogenesis. This mini-review focuses on cancer therapies targeting the chromatin-associated factors that recognize histone lysine acetylation. Recently reported safety and efficacy are discussed for inhibitors targeting the bromodomains of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family proteins. In light of recent results indicating that the transcriptional regulator BRD4-PTEFb can function independently of BRD4's bromodomains, the clinical trial performance of these BET inhibitors is placed in a broader context of existing and potential strategies for targeting BRD4-PTEFb. Recently developed therapies targeting bromodomain-containing factors within the SWI/SNF (BAF) family of chromatin remodeling complexes are discussed, as is the potential for targeting the bromodomain-containing transcription factor TAF1 and the YEATS acetylrecognition domain-containing factor GAS41. Recent findings regarding the selectivity and combinatorial specificity of acetylrecognition are highlighted. In conclusion, the potential for further development is discussed with a focus on proximity-based therapies targeting this class of epigenetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. https://twitter.com/@rwx_life
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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3
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Wu Z, Pope SD, Ahmed NS, Leung DL, Hajjar S, Yue Q, Anand DM, Kopp EB, Okin D, Ma W, Kagan JC, Hargreaves DC, Medzhitov R, Zhou X. Control of Inflammatory Response by Tissue Microenvironment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.592432. [PMID: 38798655 PMCID: PMC11118380 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.592432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Inflammation is an essential defense response but operates at the cost of normal functions. Whether and how the negative impact of inflammation is monitored remains largely unknown. Acidification of the tissue microenvironment is associated with inflammation. Here we investigated whether macrophages sense tissue acidification to adjust inflammatory responses. We found that acidic pH restructured the inflammatory response of macrophages in a gene-specific manner. We identified mammalian BRD4 as a novel intracellular pH sensor. Acidic pH disrupts the transcription condensates containing BRD4 and MED1, via histidine-enriched intrinsically disordered regions. Crucially, decrease in macrophage intracellular pH is necessary and sufficient to regulate transcriptional condensates in vitro and in vivo, acting as negative feedback to regulate the inflammatory response. Collectively, these findings uncovered a pH-dependent switch in transcriptional condensates that enables environmental sensing to directly control inflammation, with a broader implication for calibrating the magnitude and quality of inflammation by the inflammatory cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyang Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Scott D. Pope
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Nasiha S. Ahmed
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Diana L. Leung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Stephanie Hajjar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Qiuyu Yue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Diya M. Anand
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Elizabeth B. Kopp
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Daniel Okin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
| | - Weiyi Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan C. Kagan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Diana C. Hargreaves
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ruslan Medzhitov
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
- Tananbaum Center for Theoretical and Analytical Human Biology, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Xu Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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4
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Qiang Y, Fan J, Xie C, Yan L, Song X, Zhang N, Lin Y, Xiong J, Zhang W, Liu Y, Wei L, Li Y, Chen S, Liang K, Li F. KDM5C-Mediated Recruitment of BRD4 to Chromatin Regulates Enhancer Activation and BET Inhibitor Sensitivity. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1252-1269. [PMID: 38285760 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The BET family member BRD4 is a bromodomain-containing protein that plays a vital role in driving oncogene expression. Given their pivotal role in regulating oncogenic networks in various cancer types, BET inhibitors (BETi) have been developed, but the clinical application has been impeded by dose-limiting toxicity and resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of BRD4 activity and identifying predictive biomarkers could facilitate the successful clinical use of BETis. Herein, we show that KDM5C and BRD4 cooperate to sustain tumor cell growth. Mechanistically, KDM5C interacted with BRD4 and stimulated BRD4 enhancer recruitment. Moreover, binding of the BRD4 C-terminus to KDM5C stimulated the H3K4 demethylase activity of KDM5C. The abundance of both KDM5C-associated BRD4 and H3K4me1/3 determined the transcriptional activation of many oncogenes. Notably, depletion or pharmacologic degradation of KDM5C dramatically reduced BRD4 chromatin enrichment and significantly increased BETi efficacy across multiple cancer types in both tumor cell lines and patient-derived organoid models. Furthermore, targeting KDM5C in combination with BETi suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, this work reveals a KDM5C-mediated mechanism by which BRD4 regulates transcription, providing a rationale for incorporating BETi into combination therapies with KDM5C inhibitors to enhance treatment efficacy. SIGNIFICANCE BRD4 is recruited to enhancers in a bromodomain-independent manner by binding KDM5C and stimulates KDM5C H3K4 demethylase activity, leading to synergistic effects of BET and KDM5C inhibitor combinations in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Qiang
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiachen Fan
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuanshuai Xie
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Leilei Yan
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Song
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Wei
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Shizhen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiwei Liang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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5
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Soliman SHA, Iwanaszko M, Zheng B, Gold S, Howard BC, Das M, Chakrabarty RP, Chandel NS, Shilatifard A. Transcriptional elongation control of hypoxic response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321502121. [PMID: 38564636 PMCID: PMC11009653 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321502121] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The release of paused RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from promoter-proximal regions is tightly controlled to ensure proper regulation of gene expression. The elongation factor PTEF-b is known to release paused RNAPII via phosphorylation of the RNAPII C-terminal domain by its cyclin-dependent kinase component, CDK9. However, the signal and stress-specific roles of the various RNAPII-associated macromolecular complexes containing PTEF-b/CDK9 are not yet clear. Here, we identify and characterize the CDK9 complex required for transcriptional response to hypoxia. Contrary to previous reports, our data indicate that a CDK9 complex containing BRD4 but not AFF1/4 is essential for this hypoxic stress response. We demonstrate that BRD4 bromodomains (BET) are dispensable for the release of paused RNAPII at hypoxia-activated genes and that BET inhibition by JQ1 is insufficient to impair hypoxic gene response. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the C-terminal region of BRD4 is required for Polymerase-Associated Factor-1 Complex (PAF1C) recruitment to establish an elongation-competent RNAPII complex at hypoxia-responsive genes. PAF1C disruption using a small-molecule inhibitor (iPAF1C) impairs hypoxia-induced, BRD4-mediated RNAPII release. Together, our results provide insight into potentially targetable mechanisms that control the hypoxia-responsive transcriptional elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa Hassan AbdelAziz Soliman
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Marta Iwanaszko
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Bin Zheng
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Sarah Gold
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Benjamin Charles Howard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Madhurima Das
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Ram Prosad Chakrabarty
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Navdeep S. Chandel
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
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6
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Mbonye U, Karn J. The cell biology of HIV-1 latency and rebound. Retrovirology 2024; 21:6. [PMID: 38580979 PMCID: PMC10996279 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-024-00639-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcriptionally latent forms of replication-competent proviruses, present primarily in a small subset of memory CD4+ T cells, pose the primary barrier to a cure for HIV-1 infection because they are the source of the viral rebound that almost inevitably follows the interruption of antiretroviral therapy. Over the last 30 years, many of the factors essential for initiating HIV-1 transcription have been identified in studies performed using transformed cell lines, such as the Jurkat T-cell model. However, as highlighted in this review, several poorly understood mechanisms still need to be elucidated, including the molecular basis for promoter-proximal pausing of the transcribing complex and the detailed mechanism of the delivery of P-TEFb from 7SK snRNP. Furthermore, the central paradox of HIV-1 transcription remains unsolved: how are the initial rounds of transcription achieved in the absence of Tat? A critical limitation of the transformed cell models is that they do not recapitulate the transitions between active effector cells and quiescent memory T cells. Therefore, investigation of the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 latency reversal and LRA efficacy in a proper physiological context requires the utilization of primary cell models. Recent mechanistic studies of HIV-1 transcription using latently infected cells recovered from donors and ex vivo cellular models of viral latency have demonstrated that the primary blocks to HIV-1 transcription in memory CD4+ T cells are restrictive epigenetic features at the proviral promoter, the cytoplasmic sequestration of key transcription initiation factors such as NFAT and NF-κB, and the vanishingly low expression of the cellular transcription elongation factor P-TEFb. One of the foremost schemes to eliminate the residual reservoir is to deliberately reactivate latent HIV-1 proviruses to enable clearance of persisting latently infected cells-the "Shock and Kill" strategy. For "Shock and Kill" to become efficient, effective, non-toxic latency-reversing agents (LRAs) must be discovered. Since multiple restrictions limit viral reactivation in primary cells, understanding the T-cell signaling mechanisms that are essential for stimulating P-TEFb biogenesis, initiation factor activation, and reversing the proviral epigenetic restrictions have become a prerequisite for the development of more effective LRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Mbonye
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Jonathan Karn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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7
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Su BG, Vos SM. Distinct negative elongation factor conformations regulate RNA polymerase II promoter-proximal pausing. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1243-1256.e5. [PMID: 38401543 PMCID: PMC10997474 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.023] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Metazoan gene expression regulation involves pausing of RNA polymerase (Pol II) in the promoter-proximal region of genes and is stabilized by DSIF and NELF. Upon depletion of elongation factors, NELF appears to accompany elongating Pol II past pause sites; however, prior work indicates that NELF prevents Pol II elongation. Here, we report cryoelectron microscopy structures of Pol II-DSIF-NELF complexes with NELF in two distinct conformations corresponding to paused and poised states. The paused NELF state supports Pol II stalling, whereas the poised NELF state enables transcription elongation as it does not support a tilted RNA-DNA hybrid. Further, the poised NELF state can accommodate TFIIS binding to Pol II, allowing for Pol II reactivation at paused or backtracking sites. Finally, we observe that the NELF-A tentacle interacts with the RPB2 protrusion and is necessary for pausing. Our results define how NELF can support pausing, reactivation, and elongation by Pol II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie G Su
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building 68, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building 68, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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8
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Zhao F, Wang Y, Zuo H, Ru Y, Wang Y. Cyclin-Dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor Atuveciclib ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like dermatitis in mice by inhibiting various inflammation factors via STAT3 signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111652. [PMID: 38335657 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease characterized by the deregulated secretion of inflammatory factors in multiple organs. The aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is vital for the pathology of psoriasis, leading to the accumulation of inflammatory factors and the progression of skin damage. In this study, we explored the effect of CDK9 inhibition on attenuating the secretion of inflammatory factors and alleviating skin damage in psoriasis models both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that Atuveciclib, a highly selective CDK9 inhibitor, significantly relieved skin lesions in Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mice models by lowering the expression of CDK9 and p-RNA Pol II Ser2. Meanwhile, Atuveciclib significantly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in mice skin and reduced the levels of key inflammatory cytokines in mice skin, plasma and spleen. In addition to suppressing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, Atuveciclib ablated the activation of STAT3 induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Overall, our findings indicated that the overexpression and hyperfunction of CDK9 promote the progression of psoriasis. Moreover, Atuveciclib interfered with the abnormal STAT3 signaling pathway through the inhibition of CDK9, which ultimately ameliorated psoriatic-like skin inflammation. These suggested that CDK9 inhibition is a potential strategy for batting psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Haojie Zuo
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yiming Ru
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
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9
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Hardtke HA, Zhang YJ. Collaborators or competitors: the communication between RNA polymerase II and the nucleosome during eukaryotic transcription. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 59:1-19. [PMID: 38288999 PMCID: PMC11209794 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2306365] [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: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Decades of scientific research have been devoted to unraveling the intricacies of eukaryotic transcription since the groundbreaking discovery of eukaryotic RNA polymerases in the late 1960s. RNA polymerase II, the polymerase responsible for mRNA synthesis, has always attracted the most attention. Despite its structural resemblance to its bacterial counterpart, eukaryotic RNA polymerase II faces a unique challenge in progressing transcription due to the presence of nucleosomes that package DNA in the nuclei. In this review, we delve into the impact of RNA polymerase II and histone signaling on the progression of eukaryotic transcription. We explore the pivotal points of interactions that bridge the RNA polymerase II and histone signaling systems. Finally, we present an analysis of recent cryo-electron microscopy structures, which captured RNA polymerase II-nucleosome complexes at different stages of the transcription cycle. The combination of the signaling crosstalk and the direct visualization of RNA polymerase II-nucleosome complexes provides a deeper understanding of the communication between these two major players in eukaryotic transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley A. Hardtke
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin
| | - Y. Jessie Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin
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10
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Radzisheuskaya A, Peña‐Rømer I, Lorenzini E, Koche R, Zhan Y, Shliaha PV, Cooper AJ, Fan Z, Shlyueva D, Johansen JV, Hendrickson RC, Helin K. An alternative NURF complex sustains acute myeloid leukemia by regulating the accessibility of insulator regions. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114221. [PMID: 37987160 PMCID: PMC10711654 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients remains a challenge despite recent therapeutic advances. Here, using a CRISPRi screen targeting chromatin factors, we identified the nucleosome-remodeling factor (NURF) subunit BPTF as an essential regulator of AML cell survival. We demonstrate that BPTF forms an alternative NURF chromatin remodeling complex with SMARCA5 and BAP18, which regulates the accessibility of a large set of insulator regions in leukemic cells. This ensures efficient CTCF binding and boundary formation between topologically associated domains that is essential for maintaining the leukemic transcriptional programs. We also demonstrate that the well-studied PHD2-BROMO chromatin reader domains of BPTF, while contributing to complex recruitment to chromatin, are dispensable for leukemic cell growth. Taken together, our results uncover how the alternative NURF complex contributes to leukemia and provide a rationale for its targeting in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliaksandra Radzisheuskaya
- Division of Cancer BiologyThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Epigenetics ResearchMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
- Cell Biology ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Isabel Peña‐Rømer
- Division of Cancer BiologyThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eugenia Lorenzini
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Richard Koche
- Center for Epigenetics ResearchMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Yingqian Zhan
- Center for Epigenetics ResearchMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Pavel V Shliaha
- Microchemistry & Proteomics CoreMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | - Zheng Fan
- Division of Cancer BiologyThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Daria Shlyueva
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Epigenetics ResearchMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
- Cell Biology ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Jens V Johansen
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ronald C Hendrickson
- Microchemistry & Proteomics CoreMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Kristian Helin
- Division of Cancer BiologyThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
- Biotech Research & Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Epigenetics ResearchMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
- Cell Biology ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
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Aoi Y, Shilatifard A. Transcriptional elongation control in developmental gene expression, aging, and disease. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3972-3999. [PMID: 37922911 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The elongation stage of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is central to the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental cues in metazoan. Dysregulated transcriptional elongation has been associated with developmental defects as well as disease and aging processes. Decades of genetic and biochemical studies have painstakingly identified and characterized an ensemble of factors that regulate RNA Pol II elongation. This review summarizes recent findings taking advantage of genetic engineering techniques that probe functions of elongation factors in vivo. We propose a revised model of elongation control in this accelerating field by reconciling contradictory results from the earlier biochemical evidence and the recent in vivo studies. We discuss how elongation factors regulate promoter-proximal RNA Pol II pause release, transcriptional elongation rate and processivity, RNA Pol II stability and RNA processing, and how perturbation of these processes is associated with developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Aoi
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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