1
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Gödecke N, Herrmann S, Weichelt V, Wirth D. A Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element and DNA Demethylation Facilitate Doxycycline-Controlled Expression during Differentiation and in Transgenic Mice. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:482-491. [PMID: 36755406 PMCID: PMC9942253 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00450] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic expression cassettes provide the ability to control transgene expression in experimental animal models through external triggers, enabling the study of gene function and the modulation of endogenous regulatory networks in vivo. The performance of synthetic expression cassettes in transgenic animals critically depends on the regulatory properties of the respective chromosomal integration sites, which are affected by the remodeling of the chromatin structure during development. The epigenetic status may affect the transcriptional activity of the synthetic cassettes and even lead to transcriptional silencing, depending on the chromosomal sites and the tissue. In this study, we investigated the influence of the ubiquitous chromosome opening element (UCOE) HNRPA2B1-CBX3 and its subfragments A2UCOE and CBX3 on doxycycline-controlled expression modules within the chromosomal Rosa26 locus. While HNRPA2B1-CBX3 and A2UCOE reduced the expression of the synthetic cassettes in mouse embryonic stem cells, CBX3 stabilized the expression and facilitated doxycycline-controlled expression after in vitro differentiation. In transgenic mice, the CBX3 element protected the cassettes from overt silencing although the expression was moderate and only partially controlled by doxycycline. We demonstrate that CBX3-flanked synthetic cassettes can be activated by decitabine-mediated blockade of DNA methylation or by specific recruitment of the catalytic demethylation domain of the ten-eleven translocation protein TET1 to the synthetic promoter. This suggests that CBX3 renders the synthetic cassettes permissive for subsequent epigenetic activation, thereby supporting doxycycline-controlled expression. Together, this study reveals a strategy for overcoming epigenetic constraints of synthetic expression cassettes, facilitating externally controlled transgene expression in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Gödecke
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Herrmann
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Viola Weichelt
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany,Institute
of Experimental Hematology, Medical University
Hannover (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany,
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2
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Crncec A, Hochegger H. Degron Tagging Using mAID and SMASh Tags in RPE-1 Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2415:183-197. [PMID: 34972955 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1904-9_14] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Degron tags allow the precise and well-controlled analysis of essential genes by rapidly inducing degradation of the protein of interest. This is critical when the consequences of loss of gene function needs to be analyzed in a strictly defined time window such as a specific cell cycle phase. We have recently published the successful application of degron tags to analyze cell cycle genes such as CDC6, CCNA2, and CCNB1. A critical aspect of our approach was to combine two tags to generate a synergy in the degradation dynamics. Here we outline our approach and describe some of the essential steps to generate double-degron-tagged genes in RPE-1 cells. Similar procedures can easily be applied to other cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrijana Crncec
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Helfrid Hochegger
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
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3
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Raab CA, Raab M, Becker S, Strebhardt K. Non-mitotic functions of polo-like kinases in cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1875:188467. [PMID: 33171265 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of mitotic protein kinases are currently being developed as non-neurotoxic alternatives of microtubule-targeting agents (taxanes, vinca alkaloids) which provide a substantial survival benefit for patients afflicted with different types of solid tumors. Among the mitotic kinases, the cyclin-dependent kinases, the Aurora kinases, the kinesin spindle protein and Polo-like kinases (PLKs) have emerged as attractive targets of cancer therapeutics. The functions of mammalian PLK1-5 are traditionally linked to the regulation of the cell cycle and to the stress response. Especially the key role of PLK1 and PLK4 in cellular growth and proliferation, their overexpression in multiple types of human cancer and their druggability, make them appealing targets for cancer therapy. Inhibitors for PLK1 and PLK4 are currently being tested in multiple cancer trials. The clinical success of microtubule-targeting agents is attributed not solely to the induction of a mitotic arrest in cancer cells, but also to non-mitotic effects like targeting intracellular trafficking on microtubules. This raises the question whether new cancer targets like PLK1 and PLK4 regulate critical non-mitotic functions in tumor cells. In this article we summarize the important roles of PLK1-5 for the regulation of non-mitotic signaling. Due to these functions it is conceivable that inhibitors for PLK1 or PLK4 can target interphase cells, which underscores their attractive potential as cancer drug targets. Moreover, we also describe the contribution of the tumor-suppressors PLK2, PLK3 and PLK5 to cancer cell signaling outside of mitosis. These observations highlight the urgent need to develop highly specific ATP-competitive inhibitors for PLK4 and for PLK1 like the 3rd generation PLK-inhibitor Onvansertib to prevent the inhibition of tumor-suppressor PLKs in- and outside of mitosis. The remarkable feature of PLKs to encompass a unique druggable domain, the polo-box-domain (PBD) that can be found only in PLKs offers the opportunity for the development of inhibitors that target PLKs exclusively. Beyond the development of mono-specific ATP-competitive PLK inhibitors, the PBD as drug target will support the design of new drugs that eradicate cancer cells based on the mitotic and non-mitotic function of PLK1 and PLK4.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Raab
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center, Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
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4
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Mckay A, Burgio G. Harnessing CRISPR-Cas system diversity for gene editing technologies. J Biomed Res 2021; 35:91-106. [PMID: 33797415 PMCID: PMC8038530 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.35.20200184] [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] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and utilization of RNA-guided surveillance complexes, such as CRISPR-Cas9, for sequence-specific DNA or RNA cleavage, has revolutionised the process of gene modification or knockdown. To optimise the use of this technology, an exploratory race has ensued to discover or develop new RNA-guided endonucleases with the most flexible sequence targeting requirements, coupled with high cleavage efficacy and specificity. Here we review the constraints of existing gene editing and assess the merits of exploiting the diversity of CRISPR-Cas effectors as a methodology for surmounting these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mckay
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Gaetan Burgio
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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5
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Rödel F, Zhou S, Győrffy B, Raab M, Sanhaji M, Mandal R, Martin D, Becker S, Strebhardt K. The Prognostic Relevance of the Proliferation Markers Ki-67 and Plk1 in Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer Patients With Serous, Low-Grade Carcinoma Based on mRNA and Protein Expression. Front Oncol 2020; 10:558932. [PMID: 33117692 PMCID: PMC7577119 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.558932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since type and duration of an appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are still being debated, novel markers for a better stratification of these patients are of utmost importance for the design of an improved chemotherapeutical strategy. In contrast to numerous cancer studies on cellular proliferation based on the immunohistochemistry-driven evaluation of protein expression, we compared mRNA and protein expression of two independent markers of cellular proliferation, Ki-67 and Plk1, in a large cohort of 243 early-stage OC and their relationship with clinicopathological features and survival. Based on marker expression we demonstrate that early-stage OC patients (stages I/II, low-grade, serous) with high expression (Ki-67, Plk1) had a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to patients with low expression (Ki-67, Plk1). Remarkably, based on mRNA expression this significant difference got lost in advanced stages (III/IV): At least for PFS, high levels of Ki-67 and Plk1 correlate with moderately better survival compared to patients with low expressing tumors. Our data suggest that in addition to Ki-67, Plk1 is a novel marker for the stratification of early-stage OC patients to maximize therapeutic efforts. Both, Ki-67 and Plk1, seem to be better suited in early-stages (I/II) as therapeutical targets compared to advanced-stages (III/IV) OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Rödel
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site: Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shengtao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Balász Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics and 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,TTK Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Monika Raab
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mourad Sanhaji
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ranadip Mandal
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniel Martin
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site: Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Gynecology, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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6
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Matthes S, Mosienko V, Popova E, Rivalan M, Bader M, Alenina N. Targeted Manipulation of Brain Serotonin: RNAi-Mediated Knockdown of Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3207-3217. [PMID: 30977636 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of the biogenic monoamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Two existing TPH isoforms are responsible for the generation of two distinct serotonergic systems in vertebrates. TPH1, predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and pineal gland, mediates 5-HT biosynthesis in non-neuronal tissues, while TPH2, mainly found in the raphe nuclei of the brain stem, is accountable for the production of 5-HT in the brain. Neuronal 5-HT is a key regulator of mood and behavior and its deficiency has been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g., depression and anxiety. To gain further insights into the complexity of central 5-HT modulations of physiological and pathophysiological processes, a new transgenic rat model, allowing an inducible gene knockdown of Tph2, was established based on doxycycline-inducible shRNA-expression. Biochemical phenotyping revealed a functional knockdown of Tph2 mRNA expression following oral doxycycline administration, with subsequent reductions in the corresponding levels of TPH2 enzyme expression and activity. Transgenic rats showed also significantly decreased tissue levels of 5-HT and its degradation product 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the raphe nuclei, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cortex, while peripheral 5-HT concentrations in the blood remained unchanged. In summary, this novel transgenic rat model allows inducible manipulation of 5-HT biosynthesis specifically in the brain and may help to elucidate the role of 5-HT in the pathophysiology of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Matthes
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Valentina Mosienko
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
- College of Medicine and Health, Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Building, Prince of Wales Rd., EX4 4PS Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Popova
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Marion Rivalan
- Charité University Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Charité University Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, 13316 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, 13316 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
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7
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Park SK, Hwang BJ, Kee Y. Promoter cross-talk affects the inducible expression of intronic shRNAs from the tetracycline response element. Genes Genomics 2019; 41:483-490. [PMID: 30656518 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-019-00784-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi), defined as double-stranded, RNA-mediated gene silencing, is a useful tool for functional genomic studies. Along with increasing information about genomic sequences due to the innovative development of genome-sequencing technologies, functional genomic technologies are needed to annotate the genome and determine the processes by which each gene is regulated. Lentiviral vectors have been used to efficiently deliver reagents, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), into cells and tissues for functional genomic analyses. OBJECTIVE We developed a lentiviral vector that efficiently expresses intronic shRNA from the tetracycline regulatory element (TRE) promoter in a doxycycline-dependent manner. METHODS We developed a lentiviral vector system that contains reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator 3 (rtTA3) and the TRE promoter, which are necessary for the doxycycline-inducible expression of shRNAs that are expressed as intronic miR-30a precursors. We then measured the cross-talk between the cytomegalovirus (CMV) and TRE promoters in the vector. RESULTS We found that nearby promoters influence each other and that the TRE promoter should be located far from other promoters, such as the CMV promoter, in a vector. The orientation of a promoter with respect to other promoters also influences its transcriptional activity. A head-to-head orientation of the CMV and TRE promoters maintains the lowest level of transcription from TRE in the absence of doxycycline, compared to the tail-to-tail and head-to-tail orientations. CONCLUSION Based on these findings, we were able to construct a lentiviral vector that faithfully expresses intronic miR-30a shRNA precursors in a doxycycline-inducible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Kyun Park
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Joon Hwang
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Kee
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Noack S, Raab M, Matthess Y, Sanhaji M, Krämer A, Győrffy B, Kaderali L, El-Balat A, Becker S, Strebhardt K. Synthetic lethality in CCNE1-amplified high grade serous ovarian cancer through combined inhibition of Polo-like kinase 1 and microtubule dynamics. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25842-25859. [PMID: 29899826 PMCID: PMC5995225 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The taxanes are effective microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapy drugs that inhibit mitosis, induce apoptosis, and produce regression in a fraction of cancers that arise at many sites including the ovary. Novel therapeutic targets that augment taxane effects are needed to improve clinical chemotherapy response in CCNE1-amplified high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cells. In this study, we conducted an siRNA-based kinome screen to identify modulators of mitotic progression in CCNE1-amplified HGSOC cells that may influence clinical paclitaxel response. PLK1 is overexpressed in many types of cancer, which correlates with poor prognosis. Here, we identified a novel synthetic lethal interaction of the clinical PLK1 inhibitor BI6727 and the microtubule-targeting drug paclitaxel in HGSOC cell lines with CCNE1-amplification and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms of this synergism. BI6727 synergistically induces apoptosis together with paclitaxel in different cell lines including a patient-derived primary ovarian cancer culture. Moreover, the inhibition of PLK1 reduced the paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity in a neurite outgrowth assay. Mechanistically, the combinatorial treatment with BI6727/paclitaxel triggers mitotic arrest, which initiates mitochondrial apoptosis by inactivation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, followed by significant loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase-dependent effector pathways. This conclusion is supported by data showing that BI6727/paclitaxel-co-treatment stabilizes FBW7, a component of SCF-type ubiquitin ligases that bind and regulate key modulators of cell division and growth including MCL-1 and Cyclin E. This identification of a novel synthetic lethality of PLK1 inhibitors and a microtubule-stabilizing drug has important implications for developing PLK1 inhibitor-based combination treatments in CCNE1-amplified HGSOC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Noack
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Monika Raab
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yves Matthess
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium DKTK, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mourad Sanhaji
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrea Krämer
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ahmed El-Balat
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium DKTK, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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Raab M, Sanhaji M, Matthess Y, Hörlin A, Lorenz I, Dötsch C, Habbe N, Waidmann O, Kurunci-Csacsko E, Firestein R, Becker S, Strebhardt K. PLK1 has tumor-suppressive potential in APC-truncated colon cancer cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1106. [PMID: 29549256 PMCID: PMC5856809 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03494-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) acts as a molecular safeguard in ensuring faithful chromosome transmission during mitosis, which is regulated by a complex interplay between phosphatases and kinases including PLK1. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) germline mutations cause aneuploidy and are responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Here we study the role of PLK1 in colon cancer cells with chromosomal instability promoted by APC truncation (APC-ΔC). The expression of APC-ΔC in colon cells reduces the accumulation of mitotic cells upon PLK1 inhibition, accelerates mitotic exit and increases the survival of cells with enhanced chromosomal abnormalities. The inhibition of PLK1 in mitotic, APC-∆C-expressing cells reduces the kinetochore levels of Aurora B and hampers the recruitment of SAC component suggesting a compromised mitotic checkpoint. Furthermore, Plk1 inhibition (RNAi, pharmacological compounds) promotes the development of adenomatous polyps in two independent Apc Min/+ mouse models. High PLK1 expression increases the survival of colon cancer patients expressing a truncated APC significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Raab
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mourad Sanhaji
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yves Matthess
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/ German Cancer Research Center, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Hörlin
- Institute of Pathology at the Department of Pathology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ioana Lorenz
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christina Dötsch
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nils Habbe
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Oliver Waidmann
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Ron Firestein
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, AU 31681, Australia
- Department of Molecular Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/ German Cancer Research Center, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Bertero A, Yiangou L, Brown S, Ortmann D, Pawlowski M, Vallier L. Conditional Manipulation of Gene Function in Human Cells with Optimized Inducible shRNA. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 44:5C.4.1-5C.4.48. [PMID: 29512130 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The difficulties involved in conditionally perturbing complex gene expression networks represent major challenges toward defining the mechanisms controlling human development, physiology, and disease. We developed an OPTimized inducible KnockDown (OPTiKD) platform that addresses the limitations of previous approaches by allowing streamlined, tightly-controlled, and potent loss-of-function experiments for both single and multiple genes. The method relies on single-step genetic engineering of the AAVS1 genomic safe harbor with an optimized tetracycline-responsive cassette driving one or more inducible short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). OPTiKD provides homogeneous, dose-responsive, and reversible gene knockdown. When implemented in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), the approach can be then applied to a broad range of hPSC-derived mature cell lineages that include neurons, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. Generation of OPTiKD hPSCs in commonly used culture conditions is simple (plasmid based), rapid (two weeks), and highly efficient (>95%). Overall, this method facilitates the functional annotation of the human genome in health and disease. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bertero
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Loukia Yiangou
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Brown
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ortmann
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Pawlowski
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ludovic Vallier
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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11
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Zaccagnini G, Maimone B, Fuschi P, Maselli D, Spinetti G, Gaetano C, Martelli F. Overexpression of miR-210 and its significance in ischemic tissue damage. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9563. [PMID: 28842599 PMCID: PMC5573334 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09763-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-induced miR-210 displays a pro-survival, cytoprotective and pro-angiogenic role in several in vitro systems. In vivo, we previously found that miR-210 inhibition increases ischemic damage. Here we describe the generation of a versatile transgenic mouse model allowing the evaluation of miR-210 therapeutic potential in ischemic cardiovascular diseases. We generated a Tet-On miR-210 transgenic mouse strain (TG-210) by targeted transgenesis in the ROSA26 locus. To functionally validate miR-210 transgenic mice, hindlimb ischemia was induced by femoral artery dissection. Blood perfusion was evaluated by power Doppler while tissue damage and inflammation were assessed by histological evaluation. We found that miR-210 levels were rapidly increased in TG-210 mice upon doxycycline administration. miR-210 overexpression was maintained over time and remained within physiological levels in multiple tissues. When hindlimb ischemia was induced, miR-210 overexpression protected from both muscular and vascular ischemic damage, decreased inflammatory cells density and allowed to maintain a better calf perfusion. In conclusion, we generated and functionally validated a miR-210 transgenic mouse model. Albeit validated in the context of a specific cardiovascular ischemic disease, miR-210 transgenic mice may also represent a useful model to assess the function of miR-210 in other physio-pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Zaccagnini
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Policlinico San Donato-IRCCS, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - B Maimone
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Policlinico San Donato-IRCCS, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - P Fuschi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Policlinico San Donato-IRCCS, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - D Maselli
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, MultiMedica-IRCCS, 20138, Milan, Italy
| | - G Spinetti
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, MultiMedica-IRCCS, 20138, Milan, Italy
| | - C Gaetano
- Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Department of Cardiology, Internal Medicine Clinic III, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - F Martelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Policlinico San Donato-IRCCS, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
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12
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Tokgun O, Fiorentino FP, Tokgun PE, Yokota J, Akca H. Design of a Lentiviral Vector for the Inducible Expression of MYC: A New Strategy for Construction Approach. Mol Biotechnol 2017; 59:200-206. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-017-0006-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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13
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Kundu N, Domingues CC, Chou C, Ahmadi N, Houston S, Jerry DJ, Sen S. Use of p53-Silenced Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Treat Ischemia in Diabetic Peripheral Vascular Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:e005146. [PMID: 28365567 PMCID: PMC5533015 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.005146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral vascular disease is a major diabetes mellitus-related complication. In this study, we noted that expressions of proapoptotic p53 gene and its downstream cascade gene such as p21 are upregulated in hyperglycemia. Therefore, we investigated whether p53- and p21-silenced endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were able to survive in hyperglycemic milieu, and whether transplantation of either p53 knockout (KO) or p21KO or p53- and p21-silenced EPCs could improve collateral vessel formation and blood flow in diabetic vaso-occlusive peripheral vascular disease mouse models. METHODS AND RESULTS We transplanted p53 and p21KO mouse EPCs (mEPCs) into streptozotocin-induced diabetic (type 1 diabetes mellitus model) C57BL/6J and db/db (B6.BKS(D)-Leprdb/J) (type 2 model) post-femoral artery occlusion. Similarly, Ad-p53-silenced and Ad-p21-silenced human EPCs (CD34+) cells were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J mice. We measured blood flow at 3, 7, and 10 days and hindlimb muscles were obtained postsacrifice for mRNA estimation and CD31 staining. Enhanced blood flow was noted with delivery of p53 and p21KO mEPCs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice. Similar results were obtained when human Ad-p53shEPCs(CD34+) and Ad-p21shEPCs(CD34+) were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Gene expression analysis of p53 and p21KO EPCs transplanted hindlimb muscles showed increased expression of endothelial markers such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1. Similarly, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of human Ad-p53shEPCs (CD34+)- and Ad-p21shEPCs (CD34+)-transplanted hindlimb muscles also showed increased expression of endothelial markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor A, noted primarily in the p53-silenced EPCs group. However, such beneficial effect was not noted in the db/db type 2 diabetic mouse models. CONCLUSIONS Transient silencing of p53 using adenoviral vector in EPCs may have a therapeutic role in diabetic peripheral vascular disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications
- Diabetic Angiopathies/etiology
- Diabetic Angiopathies/metabolism
- Diabetic Angiopathies/therapy
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/transplantation
- Gene Silencing
- Hindlimb/blood supply
- Ischemia/etiology
- Ischemia/metabolism
- Ischemia/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Physiologic
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases/etiology
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases/metabolism
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases/therapy
- Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism
- Regional Blood Flow
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Kundu
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | | | - Cyril Chou
- Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
| | - Neeki Ahmadi
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Sara Houston
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
| | - Sabyasachi Sen
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
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14
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Lin J, Liu Y, Zhan Y, Zhuang C, Liu L, Fu X, Xu W, Li J, Chen M, Cai Z, Huang W. Synthetic Tet-inducible small hairpin RNAs targeting hTERT or Bcl-2 inhibit malignant phenotypes of bladder cancer T24 and 5637 cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3115-21. [PMID: 26427661 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4122-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) can inhibit the malignant phenotypes of tumor cell through ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi). However, it is hardly to be regulated and it may induce few phenotypic changes. Here, we build a type of tetracycline (Tet)-inducible vectors which can achieve regulatable expression of shRNA in a time-dependent manner by using synthetic biology approach. In order to prove the effectiveness of this device, we chose hTERT and Bcl-2 as target genes and test the utility of the device on 5637 and T24 cell lines. The experiments show that the Tet-inducible small hairpin RNA can effectively suppress their target genes and generate anti-cancer effects on both 5637 and T24 cell lines. The device we build not only can inhibit proliferation but also can induce apoptosis and suppress migration of the bladder cancer cell lines 5637 and T24. The Tet-inducible small hairpin RNAs may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of human bladder cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China.
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Yonghao Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Chengle Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Xing Fu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jianfa Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Mingwei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China.
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
| | - Weiren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China.
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
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15
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Shimanovich U, Lipovsky A, Eliaz D, Zigdon S, Knowles TPJ, Nitzan Y, Michaeli S, Gedanken A. Tetracycline nanoparticles as antibacterial and gene-silencing agents. Adv Healthc Mater 2015; 4:723-8. [PMID: 25425122 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201400631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and parasites calls for the development of new therapeutic strategies with could potentially reverse this trend. Here, a proposal is presented to exploit a sonochemical method to restore the antibiotic activity of tetracycline (TTCL) against resistant bacteria by converting the antibiotic into a nanoparticulate form. The demonstrated sonochemical method allows nanoscale TTCL assembly to be driven by supramolecular hydrogen bond formation, with no further modification to the antibiotic's chemical structure. It is shown that tetracycline nanoparticles (TTCL NPs) can act as antibacterial agents, both against TTCL sensitive and against resistant bacterial strains. Moreover, the synthesized antibiotic nanoparticles (NPs) can act as effective gene-silencing agents through the use of a TTCL repressor in Trypanosome brucei parasites. It is demonstrated that the NPs are nontoxic to human cells and T. brucei parasites and are able to release their monomer components in an active form in a manner that results in enhanced antimicrobial activity relative to a homogeneous solution of the precursor monomer. As the TTCL NPs are biocompatible and biodegradable, sonochemical formation of TTCL NPs represents a new promising approach for generation of pharmaceutically active nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulyana Shimanovich
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cambridge; Lensfield road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Anat Lipovsky
- Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Dror Eliaz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Sally Zigdon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department of Chemistry; University of Cambridge; Lensfield road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Yeshayahu Nitzan
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Shulamit Michaeli
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Aharon Gedanken
- Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 52900 Israel
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16
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Strebhardt K, Becker S, Matthess Y. Thoughts on the current assessment of Polo-like kinase inhibitor drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 10:1-8. [PMID: 25263688 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.962510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) plays a key role in regulating a broad spectrum of critical cell cycle events. Plk1 is a marker of cellular proliferation and has prognostic potential in different types of human tumors. In a series of preclinical studies, Plk1 has been validated as a cancer target. This prompted many pharmaceutical companies to develop small-molecule inhibitors targeting the classical ATP-binding site of Plk1 for anticancer drug development. Recently, FDA has granted a Breakthrough Therapy designation to the Plk inhibitor BI 6727 (volasertib), which provided a survival benefit for patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. Remarkably, a new generation of Plk1 inhibitors that target the second druggable domain of Plk1, the Polo-box domain, is currently being tested preclinically. Since various ATP-competitive compounds of Plk1 inhibit also the activities of Plk2 and Plk3, which act as tumor suppressors, the roles of closely related Plk-family members in cancer cells need to be considered carefully. In this article, the authors highlight recent insights into the biology of Plks in cancer cells and discuss the progress in the development of small-molecule Plk1 inhibitors. The authors believe that the greatest therapeutic benefit might come through leukemic cells that are in direct contact with the inhibitor in the blood stream. The identification of biomarkers and studies that document Plk activities in treated patients would also be beneficial to better understand the role of Plk inhibition in tumor development and anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Strebhardt
- J.W. Goethe University, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt , Germany +49 69 6301 6894 ; +49 69 6301 6364 ;
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17
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Hoeller O, Gong D, Weiner OD. How to understand and outwit adaptation. Dev Cell 2014; 28:607-616. [PMID: 24697896 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Adaptation is the ability of a system to respond and reset itself even in the continuing presence of a stimulus. On one hand, adaptation is a physiological necessity that enables proper neuronal signaling and cell movement. On the other hand, adaptation can be a source of annoyance, as it can make biological systems resistant to experimental perturbations. Here we speculate where adaptation might live in eukaryotic chemotaxis and how it can be encoded in the signaling network. We then discuss tools and strategies that can be used to both understand and outwit adaptation in a wide range of cellular contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hoeller
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Delquin Gong
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Orion D Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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18
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Development of a multipurpose GATEWAY-based lentiviral tetracycline-regulated conditional RNAi system (GLTR). PLoS One 2014; 9:e97764. [PMID: 24841113 PMCID: PMC4026376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has become an essential technology for functional gene analysis. Its success, however, depends on the effective expression of RNAi-inducing small double-stranded interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) in target cells. In many cell types, RNAi can be achieved by transfection of chemically synthesised siRNAs, which results in transient knockdown of protein expression. Expression of double-stranded short hairpin RNA (shRNA) provides another means to induce RNAi in cells that are hard to transfect. To facilitate the generation of stable, conditional RNAi cell lines, we have developed novel one- and two-component vector GATEWAY-compatible lentiviral tetracycline-regulated RNAi (GLTR) systems. The combination of a modified RNA-polymerase-III-dependent H1 RNA promoter (designated ‘THT’) for conditional shRNA expression with different lentiviral delivery vectors allows (1) the use of fluorescent proteins for colour-coded combinatorial RNAi or for monitoring RNAi induction (pGLTR-FP), (2) selection of transduced cells (pGLTR-S), and (3) the generation of conditional cell lines using a one vector system (pGLTR-X). All three systems were found to be suitable for the analysis of essential genes, such as CDC27, a component of the mitotic ubiquitin ligase APC/C, in cell lines and primary human cells.
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19
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Mandal R, Raab M, Matthess Y, Becker S, Knecht R, Strebhardt K. pERK 1/2 inhibit Caspase-8 induced apoptosis in cancer cells by phosphorylating it in a cell cycle specific manner. Mol Oncol 2013; 8:232-49. [PMID: 24342355 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ERK 1/2 are found to be hyperactive in many cancers. Active ERK 1/2 (pERK 1/2) are known to protect cancer cells from undergoing death receptor-mediated apoptosis, although the mechanism(s) behind this is poorly understood. Through in vitro kinase assays and mass-spectrometry we demonstrate that pERK 1/2 can phosphorylate pro-Caspase-8 at S387. Also, in EGFR-overexpressing Type I and II ovarian and breast cancer cell lines respectively, ERK 1/2 remain active only during the interphase. During this period, pERK 1/2 could inhibit Trail-induced apoptosis, most effectively during the G1/S phase. By knocking-down the endogenous pro-Caspase-8 using RNAi and replacing it with its non-phosphorylatable counterpart (S387A), a significant increase in Caspase-8 activity upon Trail stimulation was observed, even in the presence of pERK 1/2. Taken together, we propose that a combination of Trail and an inhibitor of ERK 1/2 activities could potentially enhance of Trail's effectiveness as an anti-cancer agent in ERK 1/2 hyperactive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranadip Mandal
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Monika Raab
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Clinic and Polyclinic for Ear, Nose and Throat, UKE Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yves Matthess
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rainald Knecht
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Ear, Nose and Throat, UKE Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Glover JD, Taylor L, Sherman A, Zeiger-Poli C, Sang HM, McGrew MJ. A novel piggyBac transposon inducible expression system identifies a role for AKT signalling in primordial germ cell migration. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77222. [PMID: 24223709 PMCID: PMC3817190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, we describe a single piggyBac transposon system containing both a tet-activator and a doxycycline-inducible expression cassette. We demonstrate that a gene product can be conditionally expressed from the integrated transposon and a second gene can be simultaneously targeted by a short hairpin RNA contained within the transposon, both in vivo and in mammalian and avian cell lines. We applied this system to stably modify chicken primordial germ cell (PGC) lines in vitro and induce a reporter gene at specific developmental stages after injection of the transposon-modified germ cells into chicken embryos. We used this vector to express a constitutively-active AKT molecule during PGC migration to the forming gonad. We found that PGC migration was retarded and cells could not colonise the forming gonad. Correct levels of AKT activation are thus essential for germ cell migration during early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Glover
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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21
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Hirai T, Enomoto M, Kaburagi H, Sotome S, Yoshida-Tanaka K, Ukegawa M, Kuwahara H, Yamamoto M, Tajiri M, Miyata H, Hirai Y, Tominaga M, Shinomiya K, Mizusawa H, Okawa A, Yokota T. Intrathecal AAV serotype 9-mediated delivery of shRNA against TRPV1 attenuates thermal hyperalgesia in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury. Mol Ther 2013; 22:409-419. [PMID: 24322332 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy for neuropathic pain requires efficient gene delivery to both central and peripheral nervous systems. We previously showed that an adenoassociated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector expressing short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) could suppress target molecule expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord upon intrathecal injection. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of this approach, we constructed an AAV9 vector encoding shRNA against vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1), which is an important target gene for acute pain, but its role in chronic neuropathic pain remains unclear. We intrathecally injected it into the subarachnoid space at the upper lumbar spine of mice 3 weeks after spared nerve injury (SNI). Delivered shTRPV1 effectively suppressed mRNA and protein expression of TRPV1 in the DRG and spinal cord, and it attenuated nerve injury-induced thermal allodynia 10-28 days after treatment. Our study provides important evidence for the contribution of TRPV1 to thermal hypersensitivity in neuropathic pain and thus establishes intrathecal AAV9-mediated gene delivery as an investigative and potentially therapeutic platform for the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hirai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Enomoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hidetoshi Kaburagi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sotome
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kie Yoshida-Tanaka
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Madoka Ukegawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kuwahara
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Yamamoto
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mio Tajiri
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruka Miyata
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Hirai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Tominaga
- Division of Cell Signaling, Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Kenichi Shinomiya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Mizusawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Okawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Yokota
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
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22
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Lee KH, Onitsuka M, Honda K, Ohtake H, Omasa T. Rapid construction of transgene-amplified CHO cell lines by cell cycle checkpoint engineering. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:5731-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4923-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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23
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Ren Y, Cheung HW, von Maltzhan G, Agrawal A, Cowley GS, Weir BA, Boehm JS, Tamayo P, Karst AM, Liu JF, Hirsch MS, Mesirov JP, Drapkin R, Root DE, Lo J, Fogal V, Ruoslahti E, Hahn WC, Bhatia SN. Targeted tumor-penetrating siRNA nanocomplexes for credentialing the ovarian cancer oncogene ID4. Sci Transl Med 2012; 4:147ra112. [PMID: 22896676 PMCID: PMC3633234 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The comprehensive characterization of a large number of cancer genomes will eventually lead to a compendium of genetic alterations in specific cancers. Unfortunately, the number and complexity of identified alterations complicate endeavors to identify biologically relevant mutations critical for tumor maintenance because many of these targets are not amenable to manipulation by small molecules or antibodies. RNA interference provides a direct way to study putative cancer targets; however, specific delivery of therapeutics to the tumor parenchyma remains an intractable problem. We describe a platform for the discovery and initial validation of cancer targets, composed of a systematic effort to identify amplified and essential genes in human cancer cell lines and tumors partnered with a novel modular delivery technology. We developed a tumor-penetrating nanocomplex (TPN) that comprised small interfering RNA (siRNA) complexed with a tandem tumor-penetrating and membrane-translocating peptide, which enabled the specific delivery of siRNA deep into the tumor parenchyma. We used TPN in vivo to evaluate inhibitor of DNA binding 4 (ID4) as a novel oncogene. Treatment of ovarian tumor-bearing mice with ID4-specific TPN suppressed growth of established tumors and significantly improved survival. These observations not only credential ID4 as an oncogene in 32% of high-grade ovarian cancers but also provide a framework for the identification, validation, and understanding of potential therapeutic cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ren
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Hiu Wing Cheung
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Geoffrey von Maltzhan
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Amit Agrawal
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Tamayo
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Alison M. Karst
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Joyce F. Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Michelle S. Hirsch
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jill P. Mesirov
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David E. Root
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Justin Lo
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Valentina Fogal
- Center for Nanomedicine, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9610
- Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Erkki Ruoslahti
- Center for Nanomedicine, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9610
- Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - William C. Hahn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Sangeeta N. Bhatia
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
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24
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Hirai T, Enomoto M, Machida A, Yamamoto M, Kuwahara H, Tajiri M, Hirai Y, Sotome S, Mizusawa H, Shinomiya K, Okawa A, Yokota T. Intrathecal shRNA-AAV9 inhibits target protein expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of adult mice. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2012; 23:119-27. [PMID: 22583159 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy for neurological diseases requires efficient gene delivery to target tissues in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although adeno-associated virus is one of the most promising vectors for clinical use against neurological diseases, it is difficult to get it across the blood-brain barrier. A clinically practical approach to using a vector based on adeno-associated virus to decrease the expression of a specific gene in both the central and the peripheral nervous system has yet to be established. Here, we analyzed whether upper lumbar intrathecal administration of a therapeutic vector incorporating adeno-associated virus and short-hairpin RNA against superoxide dismutase-1 bypassed the blood-brain barrier to target the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. The therapeutic vector effectively suppressed mRNA and protein expression of endogenous superoxide dismutase-1 in the lumbar spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Moreover, neither neurological side effects nor toxicity due to the incorporated short-hairpin RNA occurred after the injection. We propose that this approach could be developed into novel therapies for motor neuron diseases and chronic pain conditions, such as complex regional pain syndrome, through silencing of the genes responsible for pathologies in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hirai
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
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25
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Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small physiological non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through an RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. The expression of miRNAs is tightly controlled both spatially and temporally. Aberrant miRNA expression has been correlated with various cancers. Recent findings suggest that some miRNAs can function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In model experiments, the cancer phenotype of some cells can be reverted to normal when the cells are treated with miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Here, we discuss in brief the potential utility of miRNA-based cancer therapy as well as the current limitations thwarting their useful clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Lung Yeung
- Department of Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kuan-Teh Jeang
- Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0460, USA
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26
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Raab M, Kappel S, Krämer A, Sanhaji M, Matthess Y, Kurunci-Csacsko E, Calzada-Wack J, Rathkolb B, Rozman J, Adler T, Busch DH, Esposito I, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, Klingenspor M, Wolf E, Sänger N, Prinz F, Angelis MHD, Seibler J, Yuan J, Bergmann M, Knecht R, Kreft B, Strebhardt K. Toxicity modelling of Plk1-targeted therapies in genetically engineered mice and cultured primary mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2011; 2:395. [PMID: 21772266 PMCID: PMC3144583 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
High attrition rates of novel anti-cancer drugs highlight the need for improved models to predict toxicity. Although polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) inhibitors are attractive candidates for drug development, the role of Plk1 in primary cells remains widely unexplored. Therefore, we evaluated the utility of an RNA interference-based model to assess responses to an inducible knockdown (iKD) of Plk1 in adult mice. Here we show that Plk1 silencing can be achieved in several organs, although adverse events are rare. We compared responses in Plk1-iKD mice with those in primary cells kept under controlled culture conditions. In contrast to the addiction of many cancer cell lines to the non-oncogene Plk1, the primary cells' proliferation, spindle assembly and apoptosis exhibit only a low dependency on Plk1. Responses to Plk1-depletion, both in cultured primary cells and in our iKD-mouse model, correspond well and thus provide the basis for using validated iKD mice in predicting responses to therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Raab
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, UKE Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Sven Kappel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Andrea Krämer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mourad Sanhaji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yves Matthess
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kurunci-Csacsko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Calzada-Wack
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Birgit Rathkolb
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Rozman
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Technische Universität München, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Thure Adler
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstrasse 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstrasse 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Irene Esposito
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Fuchs
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Valérie Gailus-Durner
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Technische Universität München, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 2, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole Sänger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Prinz
- Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Global Drug Discovery, Therapeutic Research Group Oncology, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse, 85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
- Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, Emil-Ramann-Strasse 8, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Jost Seibler
- TaconicArtemis GmbH, Neurather Ring 1, 51063 Köln, Germany
| | - Juping Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Giessen, Frankfurterstrasse 98, 35392GiessenGermany
| | - Rainald Knecht
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, UKE Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bertolt Kreft
- Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Global Drug Discovery, Therapeutic Research Group Oncology, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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27
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Koornneef A, Maczuga P, van Logtenstein R, Borel F, Blits B, Ritsema T, van Deventer S, Petry H, Konstantinova P. Apolipoprotein B knockdown by AAV-delivered shRNA lowers plasma cholesterol in mice. Mol Ther 2011; 19:731-40. [PMID: 21304496 PMCID: PMC3070114 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are proportionate to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In order to reduce serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in mice, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to inhibit expression of the structural protein of LDL-C, apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB). We developed and screened 19 short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting conserved sequences in human, mouse, and macaque ApoB mRNAs (shApoB) and subsequently narrowed our focus to one candidate for in vivo testing. Self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (scAAV8) was used for long-term transduction of murine liver with shApoB. A strong dose-dependent knockdown of ApoB mRNA and protein was observed, which correlated with a reduction in total cholesterol levels, without obvious signs of toxicity. Furthermore, shApoB was found to specifically reduce LDL-C in diet-induced dyslipidemic mice, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) remained unaffected. Finally, elevated lipid accumulation was shown in murine liver transduced with shApoB, a known phenotypic side effect of lowering ApoB levels. These results demonstrate a robust dose-dependent knockdown of ApoB by AAV-delivered shRNA in murine liver, thus providing an excellent candidate for development of RNAi-based gene therapy for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemart Koornneef
- Department of Research and Development, Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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28
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Cdk1/cyclin B1 controls Fas-mediated apoptosis by regulating caspase-8 activity. Mol Cell Biol 2010; 30:5726-40. [PMID: 20937773 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00731-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspase activation is a hallmark of apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of caspase-8 activation within the extrinsic death pathway are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that procaspase-8 is phosphorylated in mitotic cells by Cdk1/cyclin B1 on Ser-387, which is located at the N terminus of the catalytic subunit p10. This phosphorylation of procaspase-8 on Ser-387 occurs in cancer cell lines, as well as in primary breast tissues and lymphocytes. Furthermore, RNA interference-mediated silencing of cyclin B1 or treatment with the Cdk1 inhibitor RO-3306 enhances the Fas-mediated activation and processing of procaspase-8 in mitotic cells. A nonphosphorylatable procaspase-8 (S387A) facilitates Fas-induced apoptosis during mitosis. Our findings suggest that Cdk1/cyclin B1 activity shields human cells against extrinsic death stimuli and unravel the molecular details of the cross talk between cell cycle and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Finally, this new mechanism may also contribute to tumorigenesis.
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29
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Pastuszka MK, Mackay JA. Biomolecular engineering of intracellular switches in eukaryotes. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2010; 20:163-169. [PMID: 21209849 DOI: 10.1016/s1773-2247(10)50025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tools to selectively and reversibly control gene expression are useful to study and model cellular functions. When optimized, these cellular switches can turn a protein's function "on" and "off" based on cues designated by the researcher. These cues include small molecules, drugs, hormones, and even temperature variations. Here we review three distinct areas in gene expression that are commonly targeted when designing cellular switches. Transcriptional switches target gene expression at the level of mRNA polymerization, with examples including the tetracycline gene induction system as well as nuclear receptors. Translational switches target the process of turning the mRNA signal into protein, with examples including riboswitches and RNA interference. Post-translational switches control how proteins interact with one another to attenuate or relay signals. Examples of post-translational modification include dimerization and intein splicing. In general, the delay times between switch and effect decreases from transcription to translation to post-translation; furthermore, the fastest switches may offer the most elegant opportunities to influence and study cell behavior. We discuss the pros and cons of these strategies, which directly influence their usefulness to study and implement drug targeting at the tissue and cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Pastuszka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9121, United States
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kurreck
- Institut für Industrielle Genetik, Universität Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart (Deutschland), Fax: (+49) 711‐685 66973 http://www.uni‐stuttgart.de/iig/institut/staff/kurreck/index.html
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31
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Abstract
An efficient mechanism for the sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression is RNA interference. In this process, double-stranded RNA molecules induce cleavage of a selected target RNA (see picture). This technique has in recent years developed into a standard method of molecular biology. Successful applications in animal models have already led to the initiation of RNAi-based clinical trials as a new therapeutic option.Only ten years ago Andrew Fire and Craig Mello were able to show that double-stranded RNA molecules could inhibit the expression of homologous genes in eukaryotes. This process, termed RNA interference, has developed into a standard method of molecular biology. This Review provides an overview of the molecular processes involved, with a particular focus on the posttranscriptional inhibition of gene expression in mammalian cells, the possible applications in research, and the results of the first clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kurreck
- Institute of Industrial Genetics, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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32
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Abstract
Non-human primates have been used to model psychiatric disease for several decades. The success of this paradigm has issued from comparable cognitive skills, brain morphology, and social complexity in adult monkeys and humans. Recently, interest in biological psychiatry has focused on similar brain, social, and emotional developmental processes in monkeys. In part, this is related to evidence that early postnatal experiences in human development may have profound implications for subsequent mental health. Non-human primate studies of postnatal phenomenon have generally fallen into three basic categories: experiential manipulation (largely manipulations of rearing), pharmacological manipulation (eg drug-induced psychosis), and anatomical localization (defined by strategic surgical damage). Although these efforts have been very informative each of them has certain limitations. In this review we highlight general findings from the non-human primate postnatal developmental literature and their implications for primate models in psychiatry. We argue that primates are uniquely capable of uncovering interactions between genes, environmental challenges, and development resulting in altered risk for psychopathology.
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