1
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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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2
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Graham MK, Xu B, Davis C, Meeker AK, Heaphy CM, Yegnasubramanian S, Dyer MA, Zeineldin M. The TERT Promoter is Polycomb-Repressed in Neuroblastoma Cells with Long Telomeres. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1533-1547. [PMID: 38837897 PMCID: PMC11188873 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Acquiring a telomere maintenance mechanism is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma and commonly occurs by expressing telomerase (TERT). Telomerase-negative neuroblastoma has long telomeres and utilizes the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. Conversely, no discernable telomere maintenance mechanism is detected in a fraction of neuroblastoma with long telomeres. Here, we show, unlike most cancers, DNA of the TERT promoter is broadly hypomethylated in neuroblastoma. In telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells, the hypomethylated DNA promoter is approximately 1.5 kb. The TERT locus shows active chromatin marks with low enrichment for the repressive mark, H3K27me3. MYCN, a commonly amplified oncogene in neuroblstoma, binds to the promoter and induces TERT expression. Strikingly, in neuroblastoma with long telomeres, the hypomethylated region spans the entire TERT locus, including multiple nearby genes with enrichment for the repressive H3K27me3 chromatin mark. Furthermore, subtelomeric regions showed enrichment of repressive chromatin marks in neuroblastomas with long telomeres relative to those with short telomeres. These repressive marks were even more evident at the genic loci, suggesting a telomere position effect (TPE). Inhibiting H3K27 methylation by three different EZH2 inhibitors induced the expression of TERT in cell lines with long telomeres and H3K27me3 marks in the promoter region. EZH2 inhibition facilitated MYCN binding to the TERT promoter in neuroblastoma cells with long telomeres. Taken together, these data suggest that epigenetic regulation of TERT expression differs in neuroblastoma depending on the telomere maintenance status, and H3K27 methylation is important in repressing TERT expression in neuroblastoma with long telomeres. SIGNIFICANCE The epigenetic landscape of the TERT locus is unique in neuroblastoma. The DNA at the TERT locus, unlike other cancer cells and similar to normal cells, are hypomethylated in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells. The TERT locus is repressed by polycomb repressive complex-2 complex in neuroblastoma cells that have long telomeres and do not express TERT. Long telomeres in neuroblastoma cells are also associated with repressive chromatin states at the chromosomal termini, suggesting TPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy K. Graham
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Christine Davis
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alan K. Meeker
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher M. Heaphy
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael A. Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Maged Zeineldin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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3
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Hussein R, Abou-Shanab AM, Badr E. A multi-omics approach for biomarker discovery in neuroblastoma: a network-based framework. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:52. [PMID: 38760476 PMCID: PMC11101461 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00371-3] [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] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death in children. MYCN amplification is a prominent genetic marker for NB, and its targeting to halt NB progression is difficult to achieve. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the molecular interactome of NB is needed to improve treatment outcomes. Analysis of NB multi-omics unravels valuable insight into the interplay between MYCN transcriptional and miRNA post-transcriptional modulation. Moreover, it aids in the identification of various miRNAs that participate in NB development and progression. This study proposes an integrated computational framework with three levels of high-throughput NB data (mRNA-seq, miRNA-seq, and methylation array). Similarity Network Fusion (SNF) and ranked SNF methods were utilized to identify essential genes and miRNAs. The specified genes included both miRNA-target genes and transcription factors (TFs). The interactions between TFs and miRNAs and between miRNAs and their target genes were retrieved where a regulatory network was developed. Finally, an interaction network-based analysis was performed to identify candidate biomarkers. The candidate biomarkers were further analyzed for their potential use in prognosis and diagnosis. The candidate biomarkers included three TFs and seven miRNAs. Four biomarkers have been previously studied and tested in NB, while the remaining identified biomarkers have known roles in other types of cancer. Although the specific molecular role is yet to be addressed, most identified biomarkers possess evidence of involvement in NB tumorigenesis. Analyzing cellular interactome to identify potential biomarkers is a promising approach that can contribute to optimizing efficient therapeutic regimens to target NB vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Hussein
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Abou-Shanab
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Eman Badr
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt.
- Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
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4
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Li M. Half century of cancer research: In honor of Dr.rer.nat Manfred Schwab, the former Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Letters. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216722. [PMID: 38341126 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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5
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Dawber RS, Gimenez D, Batchelor M, Miles JA, Wright MH, Bayliss R, Wilson AJ. Inhibition of Aurora-A/N-Myc Protein-Protein Interaction Using Peptidomimetics: Understanding the Role of Peptide Cyclization. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300649. [PMID: 37907395 PMCID: PMC10962542 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300649] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Using N-Myc61-89 as a starting template we showcase the systematic use of truncation and maleimide constraining to develop peptidomimetic inhibitors of the N-Myc/Aurora-A protein-protein interaction (PPI); a potential anticancer drug discovery target. The most promising of these - N-Myc73-94-N85C/G89C-mal - is shown to favour a more Aurora-A compliant binding ensemble in comparison to the linear wild-type sequence as observed through fluorescence anisotropy competition assays, circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Further in silico investigation of this peptide in its Aurora-A bound state, by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, imply (i) the bound conformation is more stable as a consequence of the constraint, which likely suppresses dissociation and (ii) the constraint may make further stabilizing interactions with the Aurora-A surface. Taken together this work unveils the first orthosteric N-Myc/Aurora-A inhibitor and provides useful insights on the biophysical properties and thus design of constrained peptides, an attractive therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S. Dawber
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Diana Gimenez
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Matthew Batchelor
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Jennifer A. Miles
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Megan H. Wright
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Richard Bayliss
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Andrew J. Wilson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbaston, BirminghamB15 2TTUK
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6
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Cherkaoui S, Yang L, McBride M, Turn CS, Lu W, Eigenmann C, Allen GE, Panasenko OO, Zhang L, Vu A, Liu K, Li Y, Gandhi OH, Surrey L, Wierer M, White E, Rabinowitz JD, Hogarty MD, Morscher RJ. Reprogramming neuroblastoma by diet-enhanced polyamine depletion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.07.573662. [PMID: 38260457 PMCID: PMC10802427 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.07.573662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a highly lethal childhood tumor derived from differentiation-arrested neural crest cells1,2. Like all cancers, its growth is fueled by metabolites obtained from either circulation or local biosynthesis3,4. Neuroblastomas depend on local polyamine biosynthesis, with the inhibitor difluoromethylornithine showing clinical activity5. Here we show that such inhibition can be augmented by dietary restriction of upstream amino acid substrates, leading to disruption of oncogenic protein translation, tumor differentiation, and profound survival gains in the TH-MYCN mouse model. Specifically, an arginine/proline-free diet decreases the polyamine precursor ornithine and augments tumor polyamine depletion by difluoromethylornithine. This polyamine depletion causes ribosome stalling, unexpectedly specifically at adenosine-ending codons. Such codons are selectively enriched in cell cycle genes and low in neuronal differentiation genes. Thus, impaired translation of these codons, induced by the diet-drug combination, favors a pro-differentiation proteome. These results suggest that the genes of specific cellular programs have evolved hallmark codon usage preferences that enable coherent translational rewiring in response to metabolic stresses, and that this process can be targeted to activate differentiation of pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cherkaoui
- Pediatric Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lifeng Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Matthew McBride
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Christina S. Turn
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wenyun Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Caroline Eigenmann
- Pediatric Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - George E. Allen
- Bioinformatics Support Platform, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva 1211, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olesya O. Panasenko
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- BioCode: RNA to proteins (R2P) Platform, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lu Zhang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Annette Vu
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kangning Liu
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Om H. Gandhi
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lea Surrey
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael Wierer
- Proteomics Research Infrastructure, Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3B, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eileen White
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Joshua D. Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Michael D. Hogarty
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Raphael J. Morscher
- Pediatric Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Children’s Research Center, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Human Genetics, Medical University Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Str. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Wang L, Tan TK, Kim H, Kappei D, Tan SH, Look AT, Sanda T. ASCL1 characterizes adrenergic neuroblastoma via its pioneer function and cooperation with core regulatory circuit factors. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113541. [PMID: 38060444 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113541] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma originates from developing neural crest and can interconvert between the mesenchymal (MES) and adrenergic (ADRN) states, each of which are controlled by different sets of transcription factors forming the core regulatory circuit (CRC). However, the roles of CRC factors in induction and maintenance of specific state are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of ASCL1, an ADRN CRC factor, in MES neuroblastoma cells opens closed chromatin at the promoters of key ADRN genes, accompanied by epigenetic activation and establishment of enhancer-promoter interactions, initiating the ADRN gene expression program. ASCL1 inhibits the transforming growth factor β-SMAD2/3 pathway but activates the bone morphogenetic protein SMAD1-ID3/4 pathway. ASCL1 and other CRC members potentiate each other's activity, increasing the expression of the original targets and inducing a new set of genes, thereby fully inducing the ADRN program. Our results demonstrate that ASCL1 serves as a pioneer factor and cooperates with CRC factors to characterize the ADRN gene expression program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Hyoju Kim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Dennis Kappei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02216, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
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8
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Ren S, Wu D, Shen X, Wu Q, Li C, Xiong H, Xiong Z, Gong R, Liu Z, Wang W, Chen J. Deciphering the role of extrachromosomal circular DNA in adipose stem cells from old and young donors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:341. [PMID: 38017497 PMCID: PMC10683086 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03575-2] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The functional impairment of adipose stem cells (ASCs) during aging limits their clinical transformation. Studies have shown that extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are associated with tumor progression and cell aging, but the roles of eccDNAs in ASCs remain unknown. METHOD We conducted Circle sequencing (Circle-seq) to identify eccDNAs in ASCs isolated from young and old donors. The differentially expressed eccDNAs were calculated, annotated and validated via polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Thousands of eccDNAs were identified and comprehensively characterized. Most of them were GC-rich, < 1000 base pairs in size, and were enriched on chromosome 19 and 17 with a high density of Alu elements and genes, 2 kb upstream/downstream of genes and satellites. In total, 3025 eccDNAs were differentially expressed among the two ASC groups. Conjoint analysis of the Circle-seq results and previous RNA-seq results revealed that 73 eccDNAs and 55 genes exhibited the same differential expression between the two groups. KEGG and GO analyses revealed that genes encoding differentially expressed eccDNAs were enriched for cell adhesion, cellular senescence and TGF-β receptor signaling pathway. We also found that aged ASCs exhibited loss of eccDNAs, including CAMK2G (chr10: 75577899-75578176), TRABD2B (chr1: 48305638-48307008) and TRABD2B (chr1: 48305425-48307091). CONCLUSION In this study, we elucidated the first eccDNA profile relating to ASCs and demonstrated that three eccDNAs are lost in aged ASCs, which may be potential biomarkers of stem cell aging and valuable targets for stem cell rejuvenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Du Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaoyong Shen
- Hospital of Stomatology Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chengcheng Li
- Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hewei Xiong
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhongwei Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rui Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Jincao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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9
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Schoof M, Godbole S, Albert TK, Dottermusch M, Walter C, Ballast A, Qin N, Olivera MB, Göbel C, Neyazi S, Holdhof D, Kresbach C, Peter LS, Epplen GD, Thaden V, Spohn M, Blattner-Johnson M, Modemann F, Mynarek M, Rutkowski S, Sill M, Varghese J, Afflerbach AK, Eckhardt A, Münter D, Verma A, Struve N, Jones DTW, Remke M, Neumann JE, Kerl K, Schüller U. Mouse models of pediatric high-grade gliomas with MYCN amplification reveal intratumoral heterogeneity and lineage signatures. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7717. [PMID: 38001143 PMCID: PMC10673884 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43564-w] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas of the subclass MYCN (HGG-MYCN) are highly aggressive tumors frequently carrying MYCN amplifications, TP53 mutations, or both alterations. Due to their rarity, such tumors have only recently been identified as a distinct entity, and biological as well as clinical characteristics have not been addressed specifically. To gain insights into tumorigenesis and molecular profiles of these tumors, and to ultimately suggest alternative treatment options, we generated a genetically engineered mouse model by breeding hGFAP-cre::Trp53Fl/Fl::lsl-MYCN mice. All mice developed aggressive forebrain tumors early in their lifetime that mimic human HGG-MYCN regarding histology, DNA methylation, and gene expression. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a high intratumoral heterogeneity with neuronal and oligodendroglial lineage signatures. High-throughput drug screening using both mouse and human tumor cells finally indicated high efficacy of Doxorubicin, Irinotecan, and Etoposide as possible therapy options that children with HGG-MYCN might benefit from.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Shweta Godbole
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas K Albert
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Matthias Dottermusch
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Walter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Annika Ballast
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nan Qin
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- High-Throughput Drug Screening Core Facility, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marlena Baca Olivera
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- High-Throughput Drug Screening Core Facility, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carolin Göbel
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sina Neyazi
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catena Kresbach
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Levke-Sophie Peter
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gefion Dorothea Epplen
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Thaden
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Blattner-Johnson
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Modemann
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone marrow transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Mynarek
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rutkowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Varghese
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Afflerbach
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alicia Eckhardt
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum-University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCCH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Münter
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Archana Verma
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nina Struve
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum-University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCCH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Remke
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- High-Throughput Drug Screening Core Facility, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia E Neumann
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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10
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Altiner P, Çınaroğlu SS, Timucin AC, Timucin E. Computational completion of the Aurora interaction region of N-Myc in the Aurora a kinase complex. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18399. [PMID: 37884585 PMCID: PMC10603048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45272-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting protein-protein interactions of the Myc family is a viable pharmacological strategy for modulation of the levels of Myc oncoproteins in cancer. Aurora A kinase (AurA) and N-Myc interaction is one of the most attractive targets of this strategy because formation of this complex blocks proteasomal degradation of N-Myc in neuroblastoma. Two crystallization studies have captured this complex (PDB IDs: 5g1x, 7ztl), partially resolving the AurA interaction region (AIR) of N-Myc. Prompted by the missing N-Myc fragment in these crystal structures, we modeled the complete structure between AurA and N-Myc, and comprehensively analyzed how the incomplete and complete N-Myc behave in complex by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular dynamics simulations of the incomplete PDB complex (5g1x) repeatedly showed partial dissociation of the short N-Myc fragment (61-89) from the kinase. The missing N-Myc (19-60) fragment was modeled utilizing the N-terminal lobe of AurA as the protein-protein interaction surface, wherein TPX2, a well-known partner of AurA, also binds. Binding free energy calculations along with flexibility analysis confirmed that the complete AIR of N-Myc stabilizes the complex, accentuating the N-terminal lobe of AurA as a binding site for the missing N-Myc fragment (19-60). We further generated additional models consisting of only the missing N-Myc (19-60), and the fused form of TPX2 (7-43) and N-Myc (61-89). These partners also formed more stable interactions with the N-terminal lobe of AurA than did the incomplete N-Myc fragment (61-89) in the 5g1x complex. Altogether, this study provides structural insights into the involvement of the N-terminus of the AIR of N-Myc and the N-terminal lobe of AurA in formation of a stable complex, reflecting its potential for effective targeting of N-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Altiner
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), 31077, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Ahmet Can Timucin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emel Timucin
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
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11
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Pouliou M, Koutsi MA, Champezou L, Giannopoulou AI, Vatsellas G, Piperi C, Agelopoulos M. MYCN Amplifications and Metabolic Rewiring in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4803. [PMID: 37835497 PMCID: PMC10571721 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194803] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease caused by (epi)genomic and gene expression abnormalities and characterized by metabolic phenotypes that are substantially different from the normal phenotypes of the tissues of origin. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the key features of tumors, including those established in the human nervous system. In this work, we emphasize a well-known cancerous genomic alteration: the amplification of MYCN and its downstream effects in neuroblastoma phenotype evolution. Herein, we extend our previous computational biology investigations by conducting an integrative workflow applied to published genomics datasets and comprehensively assess the impact of MYCN amplification in the upregulation of metabolism-related transcription factor (TF)-encoding genes in neuroblastoma cells. The results obtained first emphasized overexpressed TFs, and subsequently those committed in metabolic cellular processes, as validated by gene ontology analyses (GOs) and literature curation. Several genes encoding for those TFs were investigated at the mechanistic and regulatory levels by conducting further omics-based computational biology assessments applied on published ChIP-seq datasets retrieved from MYCN-amplified- and MYCN-enforced-overexpression within in vivo systems of study. Hence, we approached the mechanistic interrelationship between amplified MYCN and overexpression of metabolism-related TFs in neuroblastoma and showed that many are direct targets of MYCN in an amplification-inducible fashion. These results illuminate how MYCN executes its regulatory underpinnings on metabolic processes in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialena Pouliou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Marianna A. Koutsi
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Lydia Champezou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Angeliki-Ioanna Giannopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street Bldg 16, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Giannis Vatsellas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street Bldg 16, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Marios Agelopoulos
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.); (G.V.)
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12
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Zhu K, Xia Y, Tian X, He Y, Zhou J, Han R, Guo H, Song T, Chen L, Tian X. Characterization and therapeutic perspectives of differentiation-inducing therapy in malignant tumors. Front Genet 2023; 14:1271381. [PMID: 37745860 PMCID: PMC10514561 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1271381] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health issue globally and is one of the leading causes of death. Although available treatments improve the survival rate of some cases, many advanced tumors are insensitive to these treatments. Cancer cell differentiation reverts the malignant phenotype to its original state and may even induce differentiation into cell types found in other tissues. Leveraging differentiation-inducing therapy in high-grade tumor masses offers a less aggressive strategy to curb tumor progression and heightens chemotherapy sensitivity. Differentiation-inducing therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in a variety of tumor cells. For example, differentiation therapy has become the first choice for acute promyelocytic leukemia, with the cure rate of more than 90%. Although an appealing concept, the mechanism and clinical drugs used in differentiation therapy are still in their nascent stage, warranting further investigation. In this review, we examine the current differentiation-inducing therapeutic approach and discuss the clinical applications as well as the underlying biological basis of differentiation-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangwei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuren Xia
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xindi Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuchao He
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Chiyoda, Japan
| | - Ruyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianqiang Song
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangdong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
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13
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Bhardwaj N, Rohilla M, Trehan A, Bansal D, Kakkar N, Srinivasan R. MYCN amplification and International Neuroblastoma Risk Group stratification on fine-needle aspiration biopsy and their correlation to survival in neuroblastoma. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:599-605. [PMID: 35414524 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2022-208177] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Risk stratification as per the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) stratification is important for management of neuroblastoma. INRG incorporates various parameters including histological category as per the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC) and MYCN amplification, which were evaluated in fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) samples of neuroblastoma patients to ascertain their impact in our population. METHODS This was a retrospective study including 60 neuroblastoma cases diagnosed on FNAB, staged and stratified by INRG. Mitosis Karyorrhexis Index (MKI), INPC morphological category and MYCN status by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (n=46) were evaluated and correlated to outcome. RESULTS The mean age was 29 months (21 days to 9 years) with 27 and 33 children ≥18 months; male: female ratio of 1.6: 1; INRG stage-30(M), 20(L2), 2(L1) and 2(MS); INRG-36 high-risk, 13 intermediate-risk and 11 low-risk categories, respectively. MKI was high, intermediate and low in 39, 4 and 7 cases, respectively. INPC morphological type included 2 ganglioneuroblastomas and 58 neuroblastomas, graded further as 25 undifferentiated and 33 poorly differentiated tumours. MYCN was amplified in 48% (22/46) cases and correlated with undifferentiated morphology (p=0.01). At a mean follow-up of 469 (7-835) days, 22/50 were disease free and 28/50 had relapsed/died. The overall survival correlated with age (p=0.03), stage (p=0.01), INRG group (p=0.0001) and tumour grade (p=0.036). MYCN status independently did not correlate with age (p=0.5), INRG stage (p=0.2) and overall survival (p=0.4). CONCLUSION FNAB is a complete modality for diagnosing neuroblastoma and providing all information required for risk stratification as per INRG including MKI, MYCN amplification, INPC category. Our cohort with predominant high-risk neuroblastoma cases highlights regional variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bhardwaj
- Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manish Rohilla
- Cytology & Gynecological Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amita Trehan
- Department of Pediatrics (Hematology-Oncology Division), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Deepak Bansal
- Department of Pediatrics (Hematology-Oncology Division), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nandita Kakkar
- Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Radhika Srinivasan
- Cytology & Gynecological Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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14
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Bhardwaj N, Das G, Srinivasan R. Neuroblastoma-derived v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene or MYCN gene. J Clin Pathol 2023:jcp-2022-208476. [PMID: 37221048 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2022-208476] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The MYCN gene belongs to the MYC family of transcription factors. Amplification of MYCN, first discovered in neuroblastoma cells, ushered in the era of cancer genomics. The MYCN gene and MYCN protein are extensively studied in the context of neuroblastoma. As demonstrated in transgenic mouse models, MYCN gene shows a restricted spatiotemporal expression predominantly in the neural crest cells which explains the associated neoplasms including neuroblastoma and central nervous system tumours. In neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification is a marker of aggressive tumours with poor prognosis and survival and forms the basis of risk stratification classifications.MYCN dysregulated expression occurs by several mechanisms at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. These include massive gene amplification which occurs in an extrachromosomal location, upregulated transcription and stabilisation of the protein increasing its half-life. MYCN protein, a basic loop-helix-loop leucine zipper transcription factor, has many regions which bind to several proteins foremost of which is MAX forming the MYC:MAX heterodimer. Overall, MYCN controls multiple aspects of cell fate, foremost of which is cellular proliferation besides cell differentiation, apoptosis and cellular metabolism, all of which are the focus of this brief review. In addition to amplification, other mechanisms of MYCN overexpression include activating missense mutations as reported in basal cell carcinoma and Wilms tumour. A better understanding of this molecule will help in the discovery of novel strategies for its indirect targeting to improve the outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma and other MYCN-associated neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bhardwaj
- Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gargi Das
- Medical Oncology (Pediatric Oncology), Cancer Institute-WIA, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Radhika Srinivasan
- Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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15
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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16
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Karapurkar JK, Kim MS, Colaco JC, Suresh B, Sarodaya N, Kim DH, Park CH, Hong SH, Kim KS, Ramakrishna S. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-wide screening of the deubiquitinase subfamily identifies USP3 as a protein stabilizer of REST blocking neuronal differentiation and promotes neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:121. [PMID: 37170124 PMCID: PMC10176696 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), a master transcriptional repressor, is essential for maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation in neuroblastoma. An elevated expression of REST is associated with impaired neuronal differentiation, which results in aggressive neuroblastoma formation. E3 ligases are known to regulate REST protein abundance through the 26 S proteasomal degradation pathway in neuroblastoma. However, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which counteract the function of E3 ligase-mediated REST protein degradation and their impact on neuroblastoma tumorigenesis have remained unexplored. METHODS We employed a CRISPR/Cas9 system to perform a genome-wide knockout of ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) and used western blot analysis to screen for DUBs that regulate REST protein abundance. The interaction between USP3 and REST was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and Duolink in situ proximity assays. The deubiquitinating effect of USP3 on REST protein degradation, half-life, and neuronal differentiation was validated by immunoprecipitation, in vitro deubiquitination, protein-turnover, and immunostaining assays. The correlation between USP3 and REST expression was assessed using patient neuroblastoma datasets. The USP3 gene knockout in neuroblastoma cells was performed using CRISPR/Cas9, and the clinical relevance of USP3 regulating REST-mediated neuroblastoma tumorigenesis was confirmed by in vitro and in vivo oncogenic experiments. RESULTS We identified a deubiquitinase USP3 that interacts with, stabilizes, and increases the half-life of REST protein by counteracting its ubiquitination in neuroblastoma. An in silico analysis showed a correlation between USP3 and REST in multiple neuroblastoma cell lines and identified USP3 as a prognostic marker for overall survival in neuroblastoma patients. Silencing of USP3 led to a decreased self-renewal capacity and promoted retinoic acid-induced differentiation in neuroblastoma. A loss of USP3 led to attenuation of REST-mediated neuroblastoma tumorigenesis in a mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicate that USP3 is a critical factor that blocks neuronal differentiation, which can lead to neuroblastoma. We envision that targeting USP3 in neuroblastoma tumors might provide an effective therapeutic differentiation strategy for improved survival rates of neuroblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min-Seong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Jencia Carminha Colaco
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Bharathi Suresh
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Neha Sarodaya
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Dong-Ho Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Chang-Hwan Park
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
- College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Seok-Ho Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Kye-Seong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
- College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
- College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
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17
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Gundem G, Levine MF, Roberts SS, Cheung IY, Medina-Martínez JS, Feng Y, Arango-Ossa JE, Chadoutaud L, Rita M, Asimomitis G, Zhou J, You D, Bouvier N, Spitzer B, Solit DB, Dela Cruz F, LaQuaglia MP, Kushner BH, Modak S, Shukla N, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA, Kung AL, Cheung NKV, Papaemmanuil E. Clonal evolution during metastatic spread in high-risk neuroblastoma. Nat Genet 2023:10.1038/s41588-023-01395-x. [PMID: 37169874 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01395-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma generally present with widely metastatic disease and often relapse despite intensive therapy. As most studies to date focused on diagnosis-relapse pairs, our understanding of the genetic and clonal dynamics of metastatic spread and disease progression remain limited. Here, using genomic profiling of 470 sequential and spatially separated samples from 283 patients, we characterize subtype-specific genetic evolutionary trajectories from diagnosis through progression and end-stage metastatic disease. Clonal tracing timed disease initiation to embryogenesis. Continuous acquisition of structural variants at disease-defining loci (MYCN, TERT, MDM2-CDK4) followed by convergent evolution of mutations targeting shared pathways emerged as the predominant feature of progression. At diagnosis metastatic clones were already established at distant sites where they could stay dormant, only to cause relapses years later and spread via metastasis-to-metastasis and polyclonal seeding after therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunes Gundem
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Max F Levine
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen S Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irene Y Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan S Medina-Martínez
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan E Arango-Ossa
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Loic Chadoutaud
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mathieu Rita
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Georgios Asimomitis
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joe Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nancy Bouvier
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara Spitzer
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David B Solit
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Filemon Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael P LaQuaglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian H Kushner
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shakeel Modak
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neerav Shukla
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A Iacobuzio-Donahue
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew L Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elli Papaemmanuil
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Chen C, Liu X, Chang CY, Wang HY, Wang RF. The Interplay between T Cells and Cancer: The Basis of Immunotherapy. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051008. [PMID: 37239368 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to cancer treatment. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has resulted in impressive and durable clinical responses in the treatment of various cancers. Additionally, immunotherapy utilizing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells has produced robust responses in blood cancers, and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells are showing promising results in the treatment of solid cancers. Despite these noteworthy advancements in cancer immunotherapy, numerous challenges remain. Some patient populations are unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and CAR T cell therapy has yet to show efficacy against solid cancers. In this review, we first discuss the significant role that T cells play in the body's defense against cancer. We then delve into the mechanisms behind the current challenges facing immunotherapy, starting with T cell exhaustion due to immune checkpoint upregulation and changes in the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes of dysfunctional T cells. We then discuss cancer-cell-intrinsic characteristics, including molecular alterations in cancer cells and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which collectively facilitate tumor cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and immune evasion. Finally, we examine recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy, with a specific emphasis on T-cell-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Che-Yu Chang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Helen Y Wang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Rong-Fu Wang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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19
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Talapatra J, Reddy MM. Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming in Embryonal Neoplasms with MYCN Amplification. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072144. [PMID: 37046804 PMCID: PMC10093342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072144] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells reprogram their metabolism, including glucose, glutamine, nucleotide, lipid, and amino acids to meet their enhanced energy demands, redox balance, and requirement of biosynthetic substrates for uncontrolled cell proliferation. Altered lipid metabolism in cancer provides lipids for rapid membrane biogenesis, generates the energy required for unrestricted cell proliferation, and some of the lipids act as signaling pathway mediators. In this review, we focus on the role of lipid metabolism in embryonal neoplasms with MYCN dysregulation. We specifically review lipid metabolic reactions in neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, medulloblastoma, Wilms tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma and the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism. Additionally, the regulation of lipid metabolism by the MYCN oncogene is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmayee Talapatra
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
| | - Mamatha M Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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20
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Zhang Y, Chen M, Huang D, Gu H, Yi Y, Meng X. Correlation between ARID1B gene mutation (p.A460, p.V215G) and prognosis of high-risk refractory neuroblastoma. Cell Biol Int 2023. [PMID: 36883912 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12013] [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: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
In a few reports, ARID1B/A mutation was found in neuroblastoma. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, clinical efficacy, and prognosis of three children with high-risk refractory neuroblastoma (NB) with somatic ARID1B gene mutation. The whole exon sequencing results showed that there were involved in transcription, DNA synthesis, and repair of ARID1B gene mutations. All mutation sites were located in the promoter region of the exon: ARID1B (p.A460) mutation was found in cases 1 and 2, and ARID1B (p.V215G) mutation was found in cases 1 and 3. The nucleic acid site of ARID1B (p.A460) mutation was c.1379 (exon1) C > G, and the nucleic acid site of ARID1B (p.V215G) mutation was c.644 (exon1) T > G. The meningeal metastasis in case 1 turned negative after 4 cycles of intrathecal injection combined with chemotherapy. However, the child died of agranulocytosis combined with sepsis during the 5th cycle of chemotherapy. Case 2 achieved complete remission (CR). Case 3 achieved CR after chemotherapy, surgery, metaiodobenzylguanidine, and 3F-8 (Naxitamab) immunotherapy after the initial diagnosis. The mediastinum and lymph node metastasis occurred during the 6-month observation period after stopping treatment. He achieved very good partial remission after individualized chemotherapy and surgical treatment. ARID1B is a component protein of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex that participates in the occurrence of a variety of tumors by regulating DNA repair and synthesis. ARID1B nucleic acid mutation (p.A460, p.V215G) in the promoter region of three children may contribute to the poor prognosis of NB children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Moyi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huali Gu
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - You Yi
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Meng
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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21
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When Just One Phosphate Is One Too Many: The Multifaceted Interplay between Myc and Kinases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054746. [PMID: 36902175 PMCID: PMC10003727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myc transcription factors are key regulators of many cellular processes, with Myc target genes crucially implicated in the management of cell proliferation and stem pluripotency, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. Given the wide involvement of Myc in cellular dynamics, it is not surprising that its overexpression is frequently associated with cancer. Noteworthy, in cancer cells where high Myc levels are maintained, the overexpression of Myc-associated kinases is often observed and required to foster tumour cells' proliferation. A mutual interplay exists between Myc and kinases: the latter, which are Myc transcriptional targets, phosphorylate Myc, allowing its transcriptional activity, highlighting a clear regulatory loop. At the protein level, Myc activity and turnover is also tightly regulated by kinases, with a finely tuned balance between translation and rapid protein degradation. In this perspective, we focus on the cross-regulation of Myc and its associated protein kinases underlying similar and redundant mechanisms of regulation at different levels, from transcriptional to post-translational events. Furthermore, a review of the indirect effects of known kinase inhibitors on Myc provides an opportunity to identify alternative and combined therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
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22
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Bagci O, Tumer S, Altungoz O. Chromosome 1p status in neuroblastoma correlates with higher expression levels of miRNAs targeting neuronal differentiation pathway. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2023; 59:100-108. [PMID: 36800078 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-023-00750-w] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is characterized by acquired segmental and numerical chromosome aberrations. Although deletions of distal 1p and 11q are frequent alterations, no candidate tumor suppressor gene residing in these chromosomal sites could be identified so far. In the present study, we detected the genomic imbalances of six neuroblastoma cell lines using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique and the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of the cell lines by a microarray study. According to MLPA results, we aimed to assess the miRNA expression profiles of the cell lines harboring 11q and 1p deletions. The cell lines with 1p deletions revealed statistically significant higher levels of expression for 29 miRNAs in contrast to the cell lines without 1p deletion in microarray study. We also performed GO enrichment analysis for predicted targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs. According to GO enrichment analysis, miRNAs that showed the high change in expression was associated with neuronal differentiation. We showed that hsa-miR-494, hsa-miR-495, and hsa-miR-543 target most of mRNAs in neuronal differentiation pathway. Although limited to the cell lines, our results highly suggest that NBs with different segmental chromosome abnormalities may have different dysregulated miRNA expression signatures that target the genes involved in neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozkan Bagci
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Sait Tumer
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.,Acibadem Genetic Diagnosis Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Oguz Altungoz
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.
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23
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Veluvolu SM, Grohar PJ. Importance of pharmacologic considerations in the development of targeted anticancer agents for children. Curr Opin Pediatr 2023; 35:91-96. [PMID: 36562272 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001208] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to describe key pharmacologic considerations to inform strategies in drug development for pediatric cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Main themes that will be discussed include considering patient specific factors, epigenetic/genetic tumor context, and drug schedule when optimizing protocols to treat pediatric cancers. SUMMARY Considering these factors will allow us to more effectively translate novel targeted therapies to benefit pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar M Veluvolu
- Division of Oncology, Center of Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Division of Oncology, Center of Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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24
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Abstract
Deregulation of transcription factors is critical to hallmarks of cancer. Genetic mutations, gene fusions, amplifications or deletions, epigenetic alternations, and aberrant post-transcriptional modification of transcription factors are involved in the regulation of various stages of carcinogenesis, including cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Thus, targeting the dysfunctional transcription factors may lead to new cancer therapeutic strategies. However, transcription factors are conventionally considered as "undruggable." Here, we summarize the recent progresses in understanding the regulation of transcription factors in cancers and strategies to target transcription factors and co-factors for preclinical and clinical drug development, particularly focusing on c-Myc, YAP/TAZ, and β-catenin due to their significance and interplays in cancer.
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25
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Deciphering the Role of p53 and TAp73 in Neuroblastoma: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246212. [PMID: 36551697 PMCID: PMC9777536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246212] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic cancer that develops from neural crest stem cells, being one of the most common malignancies in children. The clinical manifestation of this disease is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to increased aggressiveness, which makes it a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. The p53 family proteins p53 and TAp73 play a key role in protecting cells against genomic instability and malignant transformation. However, in NB, their activities are commonly inhibited by interacting proteins such as murine double minute (MDM)2 and MDMX, mutant p53, ΔNp73, Itch, and Aurora kinase A. The interplay between the p53/TAp73 pathway and N-MYC, a known biomarker of poor prognosis and drug resistance in NB, also proves to be decisive in the pathogenesis of this tumor. More recently, a strong crosstalk between microRNAs (miRNAs) and p53/TAp73 has been established, which has been the focused of great attention because of its potential for developing new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this review provides an updated overview about the critical role of the p53/TAp73 pathway in the pathogenesis of NB, highlighting encouraging clues for the advance of alternative NB targeted therapies.
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26
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Mansisidor AR, Risca VI. Chromatin accessibility: methods, mechanisms, and biological insights. Nucleus 2022; 13:236-276. [PMID: 36404679 PMCID: PMC9683059 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2022.2143106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to DNA is a prerequisite to the execution of essential cellular processes that include transcription, replication, chromosomal segregation, and DNA repair. How the proteins that regulate these processes function in the context of chromatin and its dynamic architectures is an intensive field of study. Over the past decade, genome-wide assays and new imaging approaches have enabled a greater understanding of how access to the genome is regulated by nucleosomes and associated proteins. Additional mechanisms that may control DNA accessibility in vivo include chromatin compaction and phase separation - processes that are beginning to be understood. Here, we review the ongoing development of accessibility measurements, we summarize the different molecular and structural mechanisms that shape the accessibility landscape, and we detail the many important biological functions that are linked to chromatin accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés R. Mansisidor
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Viviana I. Risca
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
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27
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London WB. WANTED: Better neuroblastoma biomarkers and better stratification. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104358. [PMID: 36434948 PMCID: PMC9699935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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28
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Noorani I, Mischel PS, Swanton C. Leveraging extrachromosomal DNA to fine-tune trials of targeted therapy for glioblastoma: opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:733-743. [PMID: 36131011 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00679-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma evolution is facilitated by intratumour heterogeneity, which poses a major hurdle to effective treatment. Evidence indicates a key role for oncogene amplification on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in accelerating tumour evolution and thus resistance to treatment, particularly in glioblastomas. Oncogenes contained within ecDNA can reach high copy numbers and expression levels, and their unequal segregation can result in more rapid copy number changes in response to therapy than is possible through natural selection of intrachromosomal genomic loci. Notably, targeted therapies inhibiting oncogenic pathways have failed to improve glioblastoma outcomes. In this Perspective, we outline reasons for this disappointing lack of clinical translation and present the emerging evidence implicating ecDNA as an important driver of tumour evolution. Furthermore, we suggest that through detection of ecDNA, patient selection for clinical trials of novel agents can be optimized to include those most likely to benefit based on current understanding of resistance mechanisms. We discuss the challenges to successful translation of this approach, including accurate detection of ecDNA in tumour tissue with novel technologies, development of faithful preclinical models for predicting the efficacy of novel agents in the presence of ecDNA oncogenes, and understanding the mechanisms of ecDNA formation during cancer evolution and how they could be attenuated therapeutically. Finally, we evaluate the feasibility of routine ecDNA characterization in the clinic and how this process could be integrated with other methods of molecular stratification to maximize the potential for clinical translation of precision medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Noorani
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
| | - Paul S Mischel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine and Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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29
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Extrachromosomal circular DNA: biogenesis, structure, functions and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:342. [PMID: 36184613 PMCID: PMC9527254 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), ranging in size from tens to millions of base pairs, is independent of conventional chromosomes. Recently, eccDNAs have been considered an unanticipated major source of somatic rearrangements, contributing to genomic remodeling through chimeric circularization and reintegration of circular DNA into the linear genome. In addition, the origin of eccDNA is considered to be associated with essential chromatin-related events, including the formation of super-enhancers and DNA repair machineries. Moreover, our understanding of the properties and functions of eccDNA has continuously and greatly expanded. Emerging investigations demonstrate that eccDNAs serve as multifunctional molecules in various organisms during diversified biological processes, such as epigenetic remodeling, telomere trimming, and the regulation of canonical signaling pathways. Importantly, its special distribution potentiates eccDNA as a measurable biomarker in many diseases, especially cancers. The loss of eccDNA homeostasis facilitates tumor initiation, malignant progression, and heterogeneous evolution in many cancers. An in-depth understanding of eccDNA provides novel insights for precision cancer treatment. In this review, we summarized the discovery history of eccDNA, discussed the biogenesis, characteristics, and functions of eccDNA. Moreover, we emphasized the role of eccDNA during tumor pathogenesis and malignant evolution. Therapeutically, we summarized potential clinical applications that target aberrant eccDNA in multiple diseases.
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30
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Single-cell profiling of peripheral neuroblastic tumors identifies an aggressive transitional state that bridges an adrenergic-mesenchymal trajectory. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111455. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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31
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MYCN and Metabolic Reprogramming in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174113. [PMID: 36077650 PMCID: PMC9455056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer responsible for approximately 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Aberrant MYCN activation, as a result of genomic MYCN amplification, is a major driver of high-risk neuroblastoma, which has an overall survival rate of less than 50%, despite the best treatments currently available. Metabolic reprogramming is an integral part of the growth-promoting program driven by MYCN, which fuels cell growth and proliferation by increasing the uptake and catabolism of nutrients, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and production of energy. This reprogramming process also generates metabolic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for therapy. In this review, we present our current understanding of metabolic reprogramming in neuroblastoma, focusing on transcriptional regulation as a key mechanism in driving the reprogramming process. We also highlight some important areas that need to be explored for the successful development of metabolism-based therapy against high-risk neuroblastoma.
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32
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Baranowska-Kortylewicz J, Kortylewicz ZP, McIntyre EM, Sharp JG, Coulter DW. Multifarious Functions of Butyrylcholinesterase in Neuroblastoma: Impact of BCHE Deletion on the Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:293-304. [PMID: 34486544 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002285] [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: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The physiological functions of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its role in malignancy remain unexplained. Our studies in children newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma indicated that BChE expressions is proportional to MYCN amplification suggesting that pathogenesis of high-risk disease may be related to the persistent expression of abnormally high levels of tumor-associated BChE. BChE-deficient neuroblastoma cells (KO [knockout]) were produced from MYCN -amplified BE(2)-C cells (WT [wild-type]) by the CRISPR-Cas9 targeted disruption of the BCHE locus. KO cells have no detectable BChE activity. The compensatory acetylcholinesterase activity was not detected. The average population doubling time of KO cells is 47.0±2.4 hours, >2× longer than WT cells. Reduced proliferation rates of KO cells were accompanied by the loss of N-Myc protein and a significant deactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors associated with the aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype including Ros1, TrkB, and Ltk. Tumorigenicity of WT and KO cells in male mice was essentially identical. In contrast, KO xenografts in female mice were very small (0.37±0.10 g), ~3× smaller compared with WT xenografts (1.11±0.30 g). Unexpectedly, KO xenografts produced changes in plasma BChE similarly to WT tumors but lesser in magnitude. The disruption of BCHE locus in MYCN -amplified neuroblastoma cells decelerates proliferation and produces neuroblastoma cells that are less aggressive in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John G Sharp
- Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Don W Coulter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Pediatrics
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33
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Wu P, Liu Y, Zhou R, Liu L, Zeng H, Xiong F, Zhang S, Gong Z, Zhang W, Guo C, Wang F, Zhou M, Zu X, Zeng Z, Li Y, Li G, Huang H, Xiong W. Extrachromosomal Circular DNA: A New Target in Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:814504. [PMID: 35494014 PMCID: PMC9046939 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.814504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and amplification are intrinsically important traits determining the development and heterogeneity of tumors. The role of extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) in tumors has recently been highlighted. EccDNAs are unique genetic materials located off the chromosomal DNA. They have been detected in a variety of tumors. This review analyzes the mechanisms involved in the formation of eccDNAs and their genetic characteristics. In addition, the high-copy number and transcriptional levels of oncogenes located in eccDNA molecules contribute to the acceleration of tumor evolution and drug resistance and drive the development of genetic heterogeneity. Understanding the specific genomic forms of eccDNAs and characterizing their potential functions will provide new strategies for tumor therapy. Further research may yield new targets and molecular markers for the early diagnosis and treatment of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuhang Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruijia Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingyun Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hongli Zeng
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Fang Xiong
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaojian Gong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Can Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - He Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: He Huang, ; Wei Xiong,
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: He Huang, ; Wei Xiong,
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The Thermal Dose of Photothermal Therapy Generates Differential Immunogenicity in Human Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061447. [PMID: 35326601 PMCID: PMC8945975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an effective method for tumor eradication and has been successfully combined with immunotherapy. However, besides its cytotoxic effects, little is known about the effect of the PTT thermal dose on the immunogenicity of treated tumor cells. Therefore, we administered a range of thermal doses using Prussian blue nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy (PBNP-PTT) and assessed their effects on tumor cell death and concomitant immunogenicity correlates in two human neuroblastoma cell lines: SH-SY5Y (MYCN-non-amplified) and LAN-1 (MYCN-amplified). PBNP-PTT generated thermal dose-dependent tumor cell killing and immunogenic cell death (ICD) in both tumor lines in vitro. However, the effect of the thermal dose on ICD and the expression of costimulatory molecules, immune checkpoint molecules, major histocompatibility complexes, an NK cell-activating ligand, and a neuroblastoma-associated antigen were significantly more pronounced in SH-SY5Y cells compared with LAN-1 cells, consistent with the high-risk phenotype of LAN-1 cells. In functional co-culture studies in vitro, T cells exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity toward SH-SY5Y cells relative to LAN-1 cells at equivalent thermal doses. This preliminary report suggests the importance of moving past the traditional focus of using PTT solely for tumor eradication to one that considers the immunogenic effects of PTT thermal dose to facilitate its success in cancer immunotherapy.
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Ponzoni M, Bachetti T, Corrias MV, Brignole C, Pastorino F, Calarco E, Bensa V, Giusto E, Ceccherini I, Perri P. Recent advances in the developmental origin of neuroblastoma: an overview. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:92. [PMID: 35277192 PMCID: PMC8915499 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02281-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor that originates from neural crest-derived cells undergoing a defective differentiation due to genomic and epigenetic impairments. Therefore, NB may arise at any final site reached by migrating neural crest cells (NCCs) and their progeny, preferentially in the adrenal medulla or in the para-spinal ganglia. NB shows a remarkable genetic heterogeneity including several chromosome/gene alterations and deregulated expression of key oncogenes that drive tumor initiation and promote disease progression. NB substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality, with a survival rate of only 40% for high-risk patients suffering chemo-resistant relapse. Hence, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology and the need of designing new therapies targeted to specific genetic/epigenetic alterations become imperative to improve the outcome of high-risk NB patients with refractory disease or chemo-resistant relapse. In this review, we give a broad overview of the latest advances that have unraveled the developmental origin of NB and its complex epigenetic landscape. Single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and lineage tracing have identified the NCC progeny involved in normal development and in NB oncogenesis, revealing that adrenal NB cells transcriptionally resemble immature neuroblasts or their closest progenitors. The comparison of adrenal NB cells from patients classified into risk subgroups with normal sympatho-adrenal cells has highlighted that tumor phenotype severity correlates with neuroblast differentiation grade. Transcriptional profiling of NB tumors has identified two cell identities that represent divergent differentiation states, i.e. undifferentiated mesenchymal (MES) and committed adrenergic (ADRN), able to interconvert by epigenetic reprogramming and to confer intra-tumoral heterogeneity and high plasticity to NB. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing has disclosed the existence of two super-enhancers and their associated transcription factor networks underlying MES and ADRN identities and controlling NB gene expression programs. The discovery of NB-specific regulatory circuitries driving oncogenic transformation and maintaining the malignant state opens new perspectives on the design of innovative therapies targeted to the genetic and epigenetic determinants of NB. Remodeling the disrupted regulatory networks from a dysregulated expression, which blocks differentiation and enhances proliferation, toward a controlled expression that prompts the most differentiated state may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
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Noer JB, Hørsdal OK, Xiang X, Luo Y, Regenberg B. Extrachromosomal circular DNA in cancer: history, current knowledge, and methods. Trends Genet 2022; 38:766-781. [PMID: 35277298 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a closed-circle, nuclear, nonplasmid DNA molecule found in all tested eukaryotes. eccDNA plays important roles in cancer pathogenesis, evolution of tumor heterogeneity, and therapeutic resistance. It is known under many names, including very large cancer-specific circular extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), which carries oncogenes and is often amplified in cancer cells. Our understanding of eccDNA has historically been limited and fragmented. To provide better a context of new and previous research on eccDNA, in this review we give an overview of the various names given to eccDNA at different times. We describe the different mechanisms for formation of eccDNA and the methods used to study eccDNA thus far. Finally, we explore the potential clinical value of eccDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B Noer
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oskar K Hørsdal
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Xi Xiang
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China; Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Ung CY, Levee TM, Zhang C, Correia C, Yeo KS, Li H, Zhu S. Gene utility recapitulates chromosomal aberrancies in advanced stage neuroblastoma. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3291-3303. [PMID: 35832612 PMCID: PMC9251784 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Although only a few recurrent somatic mutations have been identified, chromosomal abnormalities, including the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the chromosome 1p and gains of chromosome 17q, are often seen in the high-risk cases. The biological basis and evolutionary forces that drive such genetic abnormalities remain enigmatic. Here, we conceptualize the Gene Utility Model (GUM) that seeks to identify genes driving biological signaling via their collective gene utilities and apply it to understand the impact of those differentially utilized genes on constraining the evolution of NB karyotypes. By employing a computational process-guided flow algorithm to model gene utility in protein–protein networks that built based on transcriptomic data, we conducted several pairwise comparative analyses to uncover genes with differential utilities in stage 4 NBs with distinct classification. We then constructed a utility karyotype by mapping these differentially utilized genes to their respective chromosomal loci. Intriguingly, hotspots of the utility karyotype, to certain extent, can consistently recapitulate the major chromosomal abnormalities of NBs and also provides clues to yet identified predisposition sites. Hence, our study not only provides a new look, from a gene utility perspective, into the known chromosomal abnormalities detected by integrative genomic sequencing efforts, but also offers new insights into the etiology of NB and provides a framework to facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for this devastating childhood cancer.
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Hassiepen C, Soni A, Rudolf I, Boron V, Oeck S, Iliakis G, Schramm A. NTRK1/TrkA Activation Overrides the G 2/M-Checkpoint upon Irradiation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236023. [PMID: 34885133 PMCID: PMC8657035 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236023] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
High expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase TrkA/NTRK1 is associated with a favorable outcome in several solid tumors of childhood including neuroblastoma. During development, TrkA/NTRK1 governs migration and differentiation of neuronal precursor cells, while it is associated with mitotic dysfunction and altered DNA damage response, among others, in neuroblastoma. Here, we used human neuroblastoma cell lines with inducible TrkA/NTRK1 expression to mechanistically explore the role of TrkA/NTRK1 signaling in checkpoint activation after DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR). TrkA/NTRK1 activated cells showed increased short-term cell viability upon IR compared to vector control cells. This was accompanied by a deficient G2/M-checkpoint at both low (1 Gy) and high doses (4 Gy) of IR. In a tightly controlled setting, we confirmed that this effect was strictly dependent on activation of TrkA/NTRK1 by its ligand, nerve growth factor (NGF). TrkA/NTRK1-expressing cells displayed impaired ATM and CHK1 phosphorylation, resulting in stabilization of CDC25B. In line with these findings, ATM or ATR inhibition recapitulated the effects of TrkA/NTRK1 activation on the IR-induced G2/M-checkpoint. In conclusion, we here provide first evidence for a previously unrecognized function of NTRK signaling in checkpoint regulation and the response to IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Hassiepen
- West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.H.); (I.R.); (V.B.); (S.O.)
| | - Aashish Soni
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (G.I.)
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Ines Rudolf
- West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.H.); (I.R.); (V.B.); (S.O.)
| | - Vivian Boron
- West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.H.); (I.R.); (V.B.); (S.O.)
| | - Sebastian Oeck
- West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.H.); (I.R.); (V.B.); (S.O.)
| | - George Iliakis
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (G.I.)
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Schramm
- West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.H.); (I.R.); (V.B.); (S.O.)
- Correspondence:
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Robert M, Crasta K. Breaking the vicious circle: Extrachromosomal circular DNA as an emerging player in tumour evolution. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 123:140-150. [PMID: 34857471 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) or double minutes have gained renewed interest since its discovery more than five decades ago, emerging as potent drivers of tumour evolution. This has largely been motivated by recent discovery that the tumour-exclusive ecDNA are highly prevalent in almost all cancers unlike previously thought. EcDNAs contribute to elevated oncogene expression, intratumoural heterogeneity, tumour adaptation and therapy resistance independently of canonical chromosomal alterations. Importantly, ecDNAs play a critical role in patient survival as ecDNA-based oncogene amplification adversely affects clinical outcome to a significantly greater extent than intrachromosomal amplification. Chromothripsis, a major driver of ecDNA biogenesis and gene amplification, is a mutational process characterised by chromosomal shattering and localised complex genome rearrangement. Chemotherapeutic drugs can lead to chromothriptic rearrangements and therapy resistance. In this review, we examine how ecDNAs mediate oncogene overexpression, facilitate accelerated tumour malignancy and enhance rapid adaptation independently of linear chromosomes. We delve into discoveries pertaining to mechanisms of biogenesis, distinctive features of ecDNA, gene regulation and topological interactions with active chromatin. We also discuss the critical role of chromothripsis in engendering ecDNA amplification and evolution. One envisions that insights into ecDNA biology not only hold importance for the cancer genome and tumour evolutionary dynamics, but could also inform prognostication and clinical intervention, particularly for cancers characterised by high oncogene amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matius Robert
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Karen Crasta
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A⁎STAR), Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore.
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High Grade of Amplification of Six Regions on Chromosome 2p in a Neuroblastoma Patient with Very Poor Outcome: The Putative New Oncogene TSSC1. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225792. [PMID: 34830942 PMCID: PMC8616235 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225792] [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: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Here, a case of neuroblastoma (NB) carrying a high-grade amplification of six loci besides MYCN is described. Since the patient had a very poor outcome, we postulated that these DNA co-amplifications might have a synergistic effect in increasing NB cell proliferation. In order to verify this hypothesis, we analyzed in silico the impact of high expression of the genes located within the amplifications on the NB patients’ outcome using a large dataset integrating three different platforms. These analyses disclosed that high expression of the TSSC1 gene was the most significantly associated with reduced overall survival of NB patients, suggesting that it may have a potential prognostic role in NB in both MYCN amplified and MYCN not amplified tumors. Further studies on TSSC1 interactions and functioning could lead to possible focused therapies for high-risk NB patients. Abstract We observed a case of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) carried by a 28-month-old girl, displaying metastatic disease and a rapid decline of clinical conditions. By array-CGH analysis of the tumor tissue and of the metastatic bone marrow aspirate cells, we found a high-grade amplification of six regions besides MYCN on bands 2p25.3–p24.3. The genes involved in these amplifications were MYT1L, TSSC1, CMPK2, RSAD2, RNF144A, GREB1, NTSR2, LPIN1, NBAS, and the two intergenic non-protein coding RNAs LOC730811 and LOC339788. We investigated if these DNA co-amplifications may have an effect on enhancing tumor aggressiveness. We evaluated the association between the high expression of the amplified genes and NB patient’s outcome using the integration of gene expression data of 786 NB samples profiled with different public platforms from patients with at least five-year follow-up. NB patients with high expression of the TSSC1 gene were associated with a reduced survival rate. Immunofluorescence staining on primary tumor tissues confirmed that the TSSC1 protein expression was high in the relapsed or dead stage 4 cases, but it was generally low in NB patients in complete remission. TSSC1 appears as a putative new oncogene in NB.
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Perri P, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV, Ceccherini I, Candiani S, Bachetti T. A Focus on Regulatory Networks Linking MicroRNAs, Transcription Factors and Target Genes in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5528. [PMID: 34771690 PMCID: PMC8582685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system that substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. NB originates from neural crest cells (NCCs) undergoing a defective sympathetic neuronal differentiation and although the starting events leading to the development of NB remain to be fully elucidated, the master role of genetic alterations in key oncogenes has been ascertained: (1) amplification and/or over-expression of MYCN, which is strongly associated with tumor progression and invasion; (2) activating mutations, amplification and/or over-expression of ALK, which is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis and invasion; (3) amplification and/or over-expression of LIN28B, promoting proliferation and suppression of neuroblast differentiation; (4) mutations and/or over-expression of PHOX2B, which is involved in the regulation of NB differentiation, stemness maintenance, migration and metastasis. Moreover, altered microRNA (miRNA) expression takes part in generating pathogenetic networks, in which the regulatory loops among transcription factors, miRNAs and target genes lead to complex and aberrant oncogene expression that underlies the development of a tumor. In this review, we have focused on the circuitry linking the oncogenic transcription factors MYCN and PHOX2B with their transcriptional targets ALK and LIN28B and the tumor suppressor microRNAs let-7, miR-34 and miR-204, which should act as down-regulators of their expression. We have also looked at the physiologic role of these genetic and epigenetic determinants in NC development, as well as in terminal differentiation, with their pathogenic dysregulation leading to NB oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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MYCN in Neuroblastoma: "Old Wine into New Wineskins". Diseases 2021; 9:diseases9040078. [PMID: 34842635 PMCID: PMC8628738 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (MYCN) has been one of the most studied genes in neuroblastoma. It is known for its oncogenetic mechanisms, as well as its role in the prognosis of the disease and it is considered one of the prominent targets for neuroblastoma therapy. In the present work, we attempted to review the literature, on the relation between MYCN and neuroblastoma from all possible mechanistic sites. We have searched the literature for the role of MYCN in neuroblastoma based on the following topics: the references of MYCN in the literature, the gene's anatomy, along with its transcripts, the protein's anatomy, the epigenetic mechanisms regulating MYCN expression and function, as well as MYCN amplification. MYCN plays a significant role in neuroblastoma biology. Its functions and properties range from the forming of G-quadraplexes, to the interaction with miRNAs, as well as the regulation of gene methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. Although MYCN is one of the most primary genes studied in neuroblastoma, there is still a lot to be learned. Our knowledge on the exact mechanisms of MYCN amplification, etiology and potential interventions is still limited. The knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of MYCN in neuroblastoma, could have potential prognostic and therapeutic advantages.
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Stainczyk SA, Westermann F. Neuroblastoma-Telomere maintenance, deregulated signaling transduction and beyond. Int J Cancer 2021; 150:903-915. [PMID: 34636058 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The childhood malignancy neuroblastoma belongs to the group of embryonal tumors and originates from progenitor cells of the sympathoadrenal lineage. Treatment options for children with high-risk and relapsed disease are still very limited. In recent years, an ever-growing molecular diversity was identified using (epi)-genetic profiling of neuroblastoma tumors, indicating that molecularly targeted therapies could be a promising therapeutic option. In this review article, we summarize the various molecular subtypes and genetic events associated with neuroblastoma and describe recent advances in targeted therapies. We lay a strong emphasis on the importance of telomere maintenance mechanisms for understanding tumor progression and risk classification of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine A Stainczyk
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Westermann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Chen J, Guan Z. Function of Oncogene Mycn in Adult Neurogenesis and Oligodendrogenesis. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:77-92. [PMID: 34625907 PMCID: PMC8786763 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02584-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human MYCN is an oncogene amplified in neuroblastoma and many other tumors. Both human MYCN and mouse Mycn genes are important in embryonic brain development, but their functions in adult healthy nerve system are completely unknown. Here, with Mycn-eGFP mice and quantitative RT-PCR, we found that Mycn was expressed in specific brain regions of young adult mice, including subventricular zone (SVZ), subgranular zone (SGZ), olfactory bulb (OB), subcallosal zone (SCZ), and corpus callosum (CC). With immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found that many Mycn-expressing cells expressed neuroblast marker doublecortin (DCX) and proliferation marker Ki67. With Dcx-creER and Mki67-creER mouse lines, we fate mapped Dcx-expressing neuroblasts and Mki67-expressing proliferation cells, along with deleting Mycn from these cells in adult mice. We found that knocking out Mycn from adult neuroblasts or proliferating cells significantly reduced cells in proliferation in SVZ, SGZ, OB, SCZ, and CC. We also demonstrated that the Mycn-deficient neuroblasts in SGZ matured quicker than wild-type neuroblasts, and that Mycn-deficient proliferating cells were more likely to survive in SVZ, SGZ, OB, SCZ, and CC compared to wild type. Thus, our results demonstrate that, in addition to causing tumors in the nervous system, oncogene Mycn has a crucial function in neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in adult healthy brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Chen
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Zhonghui Guan
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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Karami Fath M, Akbari Oryani M, Ramezani A, Barjoie Mojarad F, Khalesi B, Delazar S, Anjomrooz M, Taghizadeh A, Taghizadeh S, Payandeh Z, Pourzardosht N. Extra chromosomal DNA in different cancers: Individual genome with important biological functions. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 166:103477. [PMID: 34534658 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer can be caused by various factors, including the malfunction of tumor suppressor genes and the hyper-activation of proto-oncogenes. Tumor-associated extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has been shown to adversely affect human health and accelerate malignant actions. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on different cancer types suggested that the amplification of ecDNA has increased the oncogene copy number in various cancers. The unique structure and function of ecDNA, its profound significance in cancer, and its help in the comprehension of current cancer genome maps, renders it as a hotspot to explore the tumor pathogenesis and evolution. Illumination of the basic mechanisms of ecDNA may provide more insights into cancer therapeutics. Despite the recent advances, different features of ecDNA require further elucidation. In the present review, we primarily discussed the characteristics, biogenesis, genesis, and origin of ecDNA and later highlighted its functions in both tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance of different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Karami Fath
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Akbari Oryani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arefeh Ramezani
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Barjoie Mojarad
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sina Delazar
- Department of Radiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Anjomrooz
- Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arvin Taghizadeh
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Taghizadeh
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Payandeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Navid Pourzardosht
- Biochemistry Department, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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46
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Jurcă MC, Ivaşcu ME, Jurcă AA, Kozma K, Magyar I, Şandor MI, Jurcă AD, Zaha DC, Albu CC, Pantiş C, Bembea M, Petcheşi CD. Genetics of congenital solid tumors. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:1039-1049. [PMID: 34171053 PMCID: PMC8343493 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.4.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
When we discuss the genetics of tumors, we cannot fail to remember that in the second decade of the twentieth century, more precisely in 1914, Theodore Boveri defined for the first time the chromosomal bases of cancer. In the last 30 years, progresses in genetics have only confirmed Boveri's remarkable predictions made more than 80 years ago. Before the cloning of the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene, the existence of a genetic component in most, if not all, solid childhood tumors were well known. The existence of familial tumor aggregations has been found much more frequently than researchers expected to find at random. Sometimes, the demonstration of this family predisposition was very difficult, because the survival of children diagnosed as having a certain tumor, up to an age at which reproduction and procreation is possible, was very rare. In recent years, advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases have made it possible for these children to survive until the age when they were able to start their own families, including the ability to procreate. Four distinct groups of so-called cancer genes have been identified: oncogenes, which promote tumor cell proliferation; tumor suppressor genes, which inhibit this growth/proliferation; anti-mutational genes, with a role in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) stability; and micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) genes, with a role in the posttranscriptional process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia Jurcă
- Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Romania; ,
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47
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Naso FD, Boi D, Ascanelli C, Pamfil G, Lindon C, Paiardini A, Guarguaglini G. Nuclear localisation of Aurora-A: its regulation and significance for Aurora-A functions in cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:3917-3928. [PMID: 33981003 PMCID: PMC8195736 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01766-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Aurora-A kinase regulates cell division, by controlling centrosome biology and spindle assembly. Cancer cells often display elevated levels of the kinase, due to amplification of the gene locus, increased transcription or post-translational modifications. Several inhibitors of Aurora-A activity have been developed as anti-cancer agents and are under evaluation in clinical trials. Although the well-known mitotic roles of Aurora-A point at chromosomal instability, a hallmark of cancer, as a major link between Aurora-A overexpression and disease, recent evidence highlights the existence of non-mitotic functions of potential relevance. Here we focus on a nuclear-localised fraction of Aurora-A with oncogenic roles. Interestingly, this pool would identify not only non-mitotic, but also kinase-independent functions of the kinase. We review existing data in the literature and databases, examining potential links between Aurora-A stabilisation and localisation, and discuss them in the perspective of a more effective targeting of Aurora-A in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Davide Naso
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dalila Boi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Georgiana Pamfil
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Catherine Lindon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Giulia Guarguaglini
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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48
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Pan C, Zhu Y, Yu M, Zhao Y, Zhang C, Zhang X, Yao Y. Control Analysis of Protein-Protein Interaction Network Reveals Potential Regulatory Targets for MYCN. Front Oncol 2021; 11:633579. [PMID: 33968733 PMCID: PMC8096904 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.633579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MYCN is an oncogenic transcription factor of the MYC family and plays an important role in the formation of tissues and organs during development before birth. Due to the difficulty in drugging MYCN directly, revealing the molecules in MYCN regulatory networks will help to identify effective therapeutic targets. METHODS We utilized network controllability theory, a recent developed powerful tool, to identify the potential drug target around MYCN based on Protein-Protein interaction network of MYCN. First, we constructed a Protein-Protein interaction network of MYCN based on public databases. Second, network control analysis was applied on network to identify driver genes and indispensable genes of the MYCN regulatory network. Finally, we developed a novel integrated approach to identify potential drug targets for regulating the function of the MYCN regulatory network. RESULTS We constructed an MYCN regulatory network that has 79 genes and 129 interactions. Based on network controllability theory, we analyzed driver genes which capable to fully control the network. We found 10 indispensable genes whose alternation will significantly change the regulatory pathways of the MYCN network. We evaluated the stability and correlation analysis of these genes and found EGFR may be the potential drug target which closely associated with MYCN. CONCLUSION Together, our findings indicate that EGFR plays an important role in the regulatory network and pathways of MYCN and therefore may represent an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Pan
- Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine of China Medical University and Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyan Zhu
- Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine of China Medical University and Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Transgenic Animal, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yongkang Zhao
- National Institute of Health and Medical Big Data, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | | | - Xizhe Zhang
- Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine of China Medical University and Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yao
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
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49
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Nagy Z, Seneviratne JA, Kanikevich M, Chang W, Mayoh C, Venkat P, Du Y, Jiang C, Salib A, Koach J, Carter DR, Mittra R, Liu T, Parker MW, Cheung BB, Marshall GM. An ALYREF-MYCN coactivator complex drives neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through effects on USP3 and MYCN stability. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1881. [PMID: 33767157 PMCID: PMC7994381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To achieve the very high oncoprotein levels required to drive the malignant state cancer cells utilise the ubiquitin proteasome system to upregulate transcription factor levels. Here our analyses identify ALYREF, expressed from the most common genetic copy number variation in neuroblastoma, chromosome 17q21-ter gain as a key regulator of MYCN protein turnover. We show strong co-operativity between ALYREF and MYCN from transgenic models of neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo. The two proteins form a nuclear coactivator complex which stimulates transcription of the ubiquitin specific peptidase 3, USP3. We show that increased USP3 levels reduce K-48- and K-63-linked ubiquitination of MYCN, thus driving up MYCN protein stability. In the MYCN-ALYREF-USP3 signal, ALYREF is required for MYCN effects on the malignant phenotype and that of USP3 on MYCN stability. This data defines a MYCN oncoprotein dependency state which provides a rationale for future pharmacological studies. Neuroblastoma (NB) is often driven by MYCN amplification. Here, the authors show that the most frequent genetic lesion, gain of 17q21-ter in NB leads to overexpression of ALYREF, which forms a complex with MYCN, regulating MYCN stability via the deubiquitinating enzyme, USP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Janith A Seneviratne
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maxwell Kanikevich
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William Chang
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yanhua Du
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alice Salib
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Koach
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rituparna Mittra
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael W Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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50
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Li S, Yeo KS, Levee TM, Howe CJ, Her ZP, Zhu S. Zebrafish as a Neuroblastoma Model: Progress Made, Promise for the Future. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030580. [PMID: 33800887 PMCID: PMC8001113 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For nearly a decade, researchers in the field of pediatric oncology have been using zebrafish as a model for understanding the contributions of genetic alternations to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma (NB), and exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neuroblastoma initiation and metastasis. In this review, we will enumerate and illustrate the key advantages of using the zebrafish model in NB research, which allows researchers to: monitor tumor development in real-time; robustly manipulate gene expression (either transiently or stably); rapidly evaluate the cooperative interactions of multiple genetic alterations to disease pathogenesis; and provide a highly efficient and low-cost methodology to screen for effective pharmaceutical interventions (both alone and in combination with one another). This review will then list some of the common challenges of using the zebrafish model and provide strategies for overcoming these difficulties. We have also included visual diagram and figures to illustrate the workflow of cancer model development in zebrafish and provide a summary comparison of commonly used animal models in cancer research, as well as key findings of cooperative contributions between MYCN and diverse singling pathways in NB pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Kok Siong Yeo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Taylor M. Levee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Cassie J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Zuag Paj Her
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Correspondence:
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