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Salvati A, Giurato G, Lamberti J, Terenzi I, Crescenzo L, Melone V, Palo L, Giordano A, Sabbatino F, Roscigno G, Quintavalle C, Condorelli G, Rizzo F, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Weisz A. Essential gene screening identifies the bromodomain-containing protein BRPF1 as a new actionable target for endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancers. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:160. [PMID: 39113071 PMCID: PMC11304578 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02071-2] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying master epigenetic factors controlling proliferation and survival of cancer cells allows to discover new molecular targets exploitable to overcome resistance to current pharmacological regimens. In breast cancer (BC), resistance to endocrine therapy (ET) arises from aberrant Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) signaling caused by genetic and epigenetic events still mainly unknown. Targeting key upstream components of the ERα pathway provides a way to interfere with estrogen signaling in cancer cells independently from any other downstream event. By combining computational analysis of genome-wide 'drop-out' screenings with siRNA-mediated gene knock-down (kd), we identified a set of essential genes in luminal-like, ERα + BC that includes BRPF1, encoding a bromodomain-containing protein belonging to a family of epigenetic readers that act as chromatin remodelers to control gene transcription. To gather mechanistic insights into the role of BRPF1 in BC and ERα signaling, we applied chromatin and transcriptome profiling, gene ablation and targeted pharmacological inhibition coupled to cellular and functional assays. Results indicate that BRPF1 associates with ERα onto BC cell chromatin and its blockade inhibits cell cycle progression, reduces cell proliferation and mediates transcriptome changes through the modulation of chromatin accessibility. This effect is elicited by a widespread inhibition of estrogen signaling, consequent to ERα gene silencing, in antiestrogen (AE) -sensitive and -resistant BC cells and pre-clinical patient-derived models (PDOs). Characterization of the functional interplay of BRPF1 with ERα reveals a new regulator of estrogen-responsive BC cell survival and suggests that this epigenetic factor is a potential new target for treatment of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, Rete Oncologica Campana, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Ilaria Terenzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Laura Crescenzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Luigi Palo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giordano
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Roscigno
- Department of Biology, "Federico II", University of Naples, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology 'G. Salvatore' (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Napoli, 80131, Italy
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology 'G. Salvatore' (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, Rete Oncologica Campana, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
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Chomiak AA, Tiedemann RL, Liu Y, Kong X, Cui Y, Wiseman AK, Thurlow KE, Cornett EM, Topper MJ, Baylin SB, Rothbart SB. Select EZH2 inhibitors enhance viral mimicry effects of DNMT inhibition through a mechanism involving NFAT:AP-1 signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4423. [PMID: 38536911 PMCID: PMC10971413 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) efficacy in solid tumors is limited. Colon cancer cells exposed to DNMTi accumulate lysine-27 trimethylation on histone H3 (H3K27me3). We propose this Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2)-dependent repressive modification limits DNMTi efficacy. Here, we show that low-dose DNMTi treatment sensitizes colon cancer cells to select EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2is). Integrative epigenomic analysis reveals that DNMTi-induced H3K27me3 accumulates at genomic regions poised with EZH2. Notably, combined EZH2i and DNMTi alters the epigenomic landscape to transcriptionally up-regulate the calcium-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT):activating protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathway. Blocking this pathway limits transcriptional activating effects of these drugs, including transposable element and innate immune response gene expression involved in viral defense. Analysis of primary human colon cancer specimens reveals positive correlations between DNMTi-, innate immune response-, and calcium signaling-associated transcription profiles. Collectively, we show that compensatory EZH2 activity limits DNMTi efficacy in colon cancer and link NFAT:AP-1 signaling to epigenetic therapy-induced viral mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Chomiak
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | - Yanqing Liu
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Xiangqian Kong
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ying Cui
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ashley K. Wiseman
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kate E. Thurlow
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Evan M. Cornett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael J. Topper
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Scott B. Rothbart
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Cevatemre B, Bulut I, Dedeoglu B, Isiklar A, Syed H, Bayram OY, Bagci-Onder T, Acilan C. Exploiting epigenetic targets to overcome taxane resistance in prostate cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:132. [PMID: 38346967 PMCID: PMC10861560 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06422-1] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The development of taxane resistance remains a major challenge for castration resistant prostate cancer (CR-PCa), despite the effectiveness of taxanes in prolonging patient survival. To uncover novel targets, we performed an epigenetic drug screen on taxane (docetaxel and cabazitaxel) resistant CR-PCa cells. We identified BRPF reader proteins, along with several epigenetic groups (CBP/p300, Menin-MLL, PRMT5 and SIRT1) that act as targets effectively reversing the resistance mediated by ABCB1. Targeting BRPFs specifically resulted in the resensitization of resistant cells, while no such effect was observed on the sensitive compartment. These cells were successfully arrested at the G2/M phase of cell cycle and underwent apoptosis upon BRPF inhibition, confirming the restoration of taxane susceptibility. Pharmacological inhibition of BRPFs reduced ABCB1 activity, indicating that BRPFs may be involved in an efflux-related mechanism. Indeed, ChIP-qPCR analysis confirmed binding of BRPF1 to the ABCB1 promoter suggesting direct regulation of the ABCB1 gene at the transcriptional level. RNA-seq analysis revealed that BRPF1 knockdown affects the genes enriched in mTORC1 and UPR signaling pathways, revealing potential mechanisms underlying its functional impact, which is further supported by the enhancement of taxane response through the combined inhibition of ABCB1 and mTOR pathways, providing evidence for the involvement of multiple BRPF1-regulated pathways. Beyond clinical attributes (Gleason score, tumor stage, therapy outcome, recurrence), metastatic PCa databases further supported the significance of BRPF1 in taxane resistance, as evidenced by its upregulation in taxane-exposed PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buse Cevatemre
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ipek Bulut
- Koc University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Beyza Dedeoglu
- Koc University Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arda Isiklar
- Koc University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hamzah Syed
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- Koc University School of Medicine, Sariyer, Turkey
| | | | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- Koc University School of Medicine, Sariyer, Turkey
| | - Ceyda Acilan
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Koc University School of Medicine, Sariyer, Turkey.
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Dreier MR, Walia J, de la Serna IL. Targeting SWI/SNF Complexes in Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches and Implications. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:7. [PMID: 38390898 PMCID: PMC10885108 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010007] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
SWI/SNF enzymes are heterogeneous multi-subunit complexes that utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to remodel chromatin structure, facilitating transcription, DNA replication, and repair. In mammalian cells, distinct sub-complexes, including cBAF, ncBAF, and PBAF exhibit varying subunit compositions and have different genomic functions. Alterations in the SWI/SNF complex and sub-complex functions are a prominent feature in cancer, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Current strategies in cancer therapeutics involve the use of pharmacological agents designed to bind and disrupt the activity of SWI/SNF complexes or specific sub-complexes. Inhibitors targeting the catalytic subunits, SMARCA4/2, and small molecules binding SWI/SNF bromodomains are the primary approaches for suppressing SWI/SNF function. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) were generated by the covalent linkage of the bromodomain or ATPase-binding ligand to an E3 ligase-binding moiety. This engineered connection promotes the degradation of specific SWI/SNF subunits, enhancing and extending the impact of this pharmacological intervention in some cases. Extensive preclinical studies have underscored the therapeutic potential of these drugs across diverse cancer types. Encouragingly, some of these agents have progressed from preclinical research to clinical trials, indicating a promising stride toward the development of effective cancer therapeutics targeting SWI/SNF complex and sub-complex functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Dreier
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
| | - Jasmine Walia
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
| | - Ivana L de la Serna
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
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