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Luo X, Zhang R, Schefczyk S, Liang Y, Lin SS, Liu S, Baba HA, Lange CM, Wedemeyer H, Lu M, Broering R. Nuclear translocation of YAP drives BMI-associated hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis B virus infection. Liver Int 2023; 43:2002-2016. [PMID: 37312627 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. The aim of this study was to mechanistically investigate the involvement of Hippo signalling in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-dependent neoplastic transformation. METHODS Liver tissue and hepatocytes from HBsAg-transgenic mice were examined for the Hippo cascade and proliferative events. Functional experiments in mouse hepatoma cells included knockdown, overexpression, luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results were validated in HBV-related HCC biopsies. RESULTS Hepatic expression signatures in HBsAg-transgenic mice correlated with YAP responses, cell cycle control, DNA damage and spindle events. Polyploidy and aneuploidy occurred in HBsAg-transgenic hepatocytes. Suppression and inactivation of MST1/2 led to the loss of YAP phosphorylation and the induction of BMI1 expression in vivo and in vitro. Increased BMI1 directly mediated cell proliferation associated with decreased level of p16INK4a , p19ARF , p53 and Caspase 3 as well as increased Cyclin D1 and γ-H2AX expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and the analysis of mutated binding sites in dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the YAP/TEAD4 transcription factor complex bound and activated the Bmi1 promoter. In chronic hepatitis B patients, paired liver biopsies of non-tumour and tumour tissue indicated a correlation between YAP expression and the abundance of BMI1. In a proof-of-concept, treatment of HBsAg-transgenic mice with YAP inhibitor verteporfin directly suppressed the BMI1-related cell cycle. CONCLUSION HBV-associated proliferative HCC might be related to the HBsAg-YAP-BMI1 axis and offer a potential target for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Luo
- Institute for Lymphoma Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stefan Schefczyk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yaojie Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Shu S Lin
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hideo A Baba
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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2
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Genetic Alterations and Deregulation of Hippo Pathway as a Pathogenetic Mechanism in Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246211. [PMID: 36551696 PMCID: PMC9776600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved modulator of developmental biology with a key role in tissue and organ size regulation under homeostatic conditions. Like other signaling pathways with a significant role in embryonic development, the deregulation of Hippo signaling contributes to oncogenesis. Central to the Hippo pathway is a conserved cascade of adaptor proteins and inhibitory kinases that converge and regulate the activity of the oncoproteins YAP and TAZ, the final transducers of the pathway. Elevated levels and aberrant activation of YAP and TAZ have been described in many cancers. Though most of the studies describe their pervasive activation in epithelial neoplasms, there is increasing evidence pointing out its relevance in mesenchymal malignancies as well. Interestingly, somatic or germline mutations in genes of the Hippo pathway are scarce compared to other signaling pathways that are frequently disrupted in cancer. However, in the case of sarcomas, several examples of genetic alteration of Hippo members, including gene fusions, have been described during the last few years. Here, we review the current knowledge of Hippo pathway implication in sarcoma, describing mechanistic hints recently reported in specific histological entities and how these alterations represent an opportunity for targeted therapy in this heterogeneous group of neoplasm.
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3
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Rohban MH, Fuller AM, Tan C, Goldstein JT, Syangtan D, Gutnick A, DeVine A, Nijsure MP, Rigby M, Sacher JR, Corsello SM, Peppler GB, Bogaczynska M, Boghossian A, Ciotti GE, Hands AT, Mekareeya A, Doan M, Gale JP, Derynck R, Turbyville T, Boerckel JD, Singh S, Kiessling LL, Schwarz TL, Varelas X, Wagner FF, Kafri R, Eisinger-Mathason TSK, Carpenter AE. Virtual screening for small-molecule pathway regulators by image-profile matching. Cell Syst 2022; 13:724-736.e9. [PMID: 36057257 PMCID: PMC9509476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the chemical regulators of biological pathways is a time-consuming bottleneck in developing therapeutics and research compounds. Typically, thousands to millions of candidate small molecules are tested in target-based biochemical screens or phenotypic cell-based screens, both expensive experiments customized to each disease. Here, our uncustomized, virtual, profile-based screening approach instead identifies compounds that match to pathways based on the phenotypic information in public cell image data, created using the Cell Painting assay. Our straightforward correlation-based computational strategy retrospectively uncovered the expected, known small-molecule regulators for 32% of positive-control gene queries. In prospective, discovery mode, we efficiently identified new compounds related to three query genes and validated them in subsequent gene-relevant assays, including compounds that phenocopy or pheno-oppose YAP1 overexpression and kill a Yap1-dependent sarcoma cell line. This image-profile-based approach could replace many customized labor- and resource-intensive screens and accelerate the discovery of biologically and therapeutically useful compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rohban
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashley M Fuller
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ceryl Tan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Deepsing Syangtan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amos Gutnick
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann DeVine
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Madhura P Nijsure
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery & Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Megan Rigby
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Joshua R Sacher
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven M Corsello
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Grace B Peppler
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marta Bogaczynska
- Departments of Cell/Tissue Biology and Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Boghossian
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle E Ciotti
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Allison T Hands
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aroonroj Mekareeya
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Minh Doan
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer P Gale
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rik Derynck
- Departments of Cell/Tissue Biology and Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Turbyville
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Joel D Boerckel
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery & Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shantanu Singh
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura L Kiessling
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Thomas L Schwarz
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xaralabos Varelas
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Florence F Wagner
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ran Kafri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - T S Karin Eisinger-Mathason
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Anne E Carpenter
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Fayzullina D, Tsibulnikov S, Stempen M, Schroeder BA, Kumar N, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Timashev P, Ulasov I. Novel Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081988. [PMID: 35454895 PMCID: PMC9032664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Therapy has increased the 5-year survival rate in the last 40 years, although the recurrence rate has remained high. There is an immediate and unmet need for the development of novel Ewing sarcoma therapies. We offer new prospective targets for the therapy of Ewing sarcoma. The EWSR1/FLI1 fusion protein, which is identified in 85–90% of Ewing sarcoma tumors, and its direct targets are given special focus in this study. Experimantal therapy that targets multiple signaling pathways activated during ES progression, alone or in combination with existing regimens, may become the new standard of care for Ewing sarcoma patients, improving patient survival. Abstract Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Amplifications in genomic, proteomic, and metabolism are characteristics of sarcoma, and targeting altered cancer cell molecular processes has been proposed as the latest promising strategy to fight cancer. Recent technological advancements have elucidated some of the underlying oncogenic characteristics of Ewing sarcoma. Offering new insights into the physiological basis for this phenomenon, our current review examines the dynamics of ES signaling as it related to both ES and the microenvironment by integrating genomic and proteomic analyses. An extensive survey of the literature was performed to compile the findings. We have also highlighted recent and ongoing studies integrating metabolomics and genomics aimed at better understanding the complex interactions as to how ES adapts to changing biochemical changes within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Sergey Tsibulnikov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Mikhail Stempen
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Brett A. Schroeder
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur 222146, India;
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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Shim J, Goldsmith KC. A New Player in Neuroblastoma: YAP and Its Role in the Neuroblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184650. [PMID: 34572875 PMCID: PMC8472533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-727-2655
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6
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Damerell V, Pepper MS, Prince S. Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:246. [PMID: 34188019 PMCID: PMC8241855 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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7
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Shields CE, Potlapalli S, Cuya-Smith SM, Chappell SK, Chen D, Martinez D, Pogoriler J, Rathi KS, Patel SA, Oristian KM, Linardic CM, Maris JM, Haynes KA, Schnepp RW. Epigenetic regulator BMI1 promotes alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma proliferation and constitutes a novel therapeutic target. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2156-2171. [PMID: 33523558 PMCID: PMC8333775 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. There are two main subtypes of RMS, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. ARMS typically encompasses fusion‐positive rhabdomyosarcoma, which expresses either PAX3‐FOXO1 or PAX7‐FOXO1 fusion proteins. There are no targeted therapies for ARMS; however, recent studies have begun to illustrate the cooperation between epigenetic proteins and the PAX3‐FOXO1 fusion, indicating that epigenetic proteins may serve as targets in ARMS. Here, we investigate the contribution of BMI1, given the established role of this epigenetic regulator in sustaining aggression in cancer. We determined that BMI1 is expressed across ARMS tumors, patient‐derived xenografts, and cell lines. We depleted BMI1 using RNAi and inhibitors (PTC‐209 and PTC‐028) and found that this leads to a decrease in cell growth/increase in apoptosis in vitro, and delays tumor growth in vivo. Our data suggest that BMI1 inhibition activates the Hippo pathway via phosphorylation of LATS1/2 and subsequent reduction in YAP levels and YAP/TAZ target genes. These results identify BMI1 as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in ARMS and warrant further investigation of BMI1 in ARMS and other sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E Shields
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sindhu Potlapalli
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Selma M Cuya-Smith
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah K Chappell
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Pogoriler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shiv A Patel
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karmella A Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert W Schnepp
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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8
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YAP/TAZ inhibition reduces metastatic potential of Ewing sarcoma cells. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:2. [PMID: 33419969 PMCID: PMC7794350 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a highly metastatic bone cancer characterized by the ETS fusion oncoprotein EWS-FLI1. EwS cells are phenotypically highly plastic and switch between functionally distinct cell states dependent on EWS-FLI1 fluctuations. Whereas EWS-FLI1high cells proliferate, EWS-FLI1low cells are migratory and invasive. Recently, we reported activation of MRTFB and TEAD, effectors of RhoA and Hippo signalling, upon low EWS-FLI1, orchestrating key steps of the EwS migratory gene expression program. TEAD and its co-activators YAP and TAZ are commonly overexpressed in cancer, providing attractive therapeutic targets. We find TAZ levels to increase in the migratory EWS-FLI1low state and to associate with adverse prognosis in EwS patients. We tested the effects of the potent YAP/TAZ/TEAD complex inhibitor verteporfin on EwS cell migration in vitro and on metastasis in vivo. Verteporfin suppressed expression of EWS-FLI1 regulated cytoskeletal genes involved in actin signalling to the extracellular matrix, effectively blocked F-actin and focal-adhesion assembly and inhibited EwS cell migration at submicromolar concentrations. In a mouse EwS xenograft model, verteporfin treatment reduced relapses at the surgical site and delayed lung metastasis. These data suggest that YAP/TAZ pathway inhibition may prevent EwS cell dissemination and metastasis, justifying further preclinical development of YAP/TAZ inhibitors for EwS treatment.
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9
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Kovar H, Bierbaumer L, Radic-Sarikas B. The YAP/TAZ Pathway in Osteogenesis and Bone Sarcoma Pathogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:E972. [PMID: 32326412 PMCID: PMC7227004 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
YAP and TAZ are intracellular messengers communicating multiple interacting extracellular biophysical and biochemical cues to the transcription apparatus in the nucleus and back to the cell/tissue microenvironment interface through the regulation of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix components. Their activity is negatively and positively controlled by multiple phosphorylation events. Phenotypically, they serve an important role in cellular plasticity and lineage determination during development. As they regulate self-renewal, proliferation, migration, invasion and differentiation of stem cells, perturbed expression of YAP/TAZ signaling components play important roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Despite their high structural similarity, YAP and TAZ are functionally not identical and may play distinct cell type and differentiation stage-specific roles mediated by a diversity of downstream effectors and upstream regulatory molecules. However, YAP and TAZ are frequently looked at as functionally redundant and are not sufficiently discriminated in the scientific literature. As the extracellular matrix composition and mechanosignaling are of particular relevance in bone formation during embryogenesis, post-natal bone elongation and bone regeneration, YAP/TAZ are believed to have critical functions in these processes. Depending on the differentiation stage of mesenchymal stem cells during endochondral bone development, YAP and TAZ serve distinct roles, which are also reflected in bone tumors arising from the mesenchymal lineage at different developmental stages. Efforts to clinically translate the wealth of available knowledge of the pathway for cancer diagnostic and therapeutic purposes focus mainly on YAP and TAZ expression and their role as transcriptional co-activators of TEAD transcription factors but rarely consider the expression and activity of pathway modulatory components and other transcriptional partners of YAP and TAZ. As there is a growing body of evidence for YAP and TAZ as potential therapeutic targets in several cancers, we here interrogate the applicability of this concept to bone tumors. To this end, this review aims to summarize our current knowledge of YAP and TAZ in cell plasticity, normal bone development and bone cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (L.B.); (B.R.-S.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Bierbaumer
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (L.B.); (B.R.-S.)
| | - Branka Radic-Sarikas
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (L.B.); (B.R.-S.)
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Hippo/YAP Signaling Pathway: A Promising Therapeutic Target in Bone Paediatric Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030645. [PMID: 32164350 PMCID: PMC7139637 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are the most prevalent bone pediatric tumors. Despite intensive basic and medical research studies to discover new therapeutics and to improve current treatments, almost 40% of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma patients succumb to the disease. Patients with poor prognosis are related to either the presence of metastases at diagnosis or resistance to chemotherapy. Over the past ten years, considerable interest for the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway has taken place within the cancer research community. This signaling pathway operates at different steps of tumor progression: Primary tumor growth, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastatic dissemination. This review discusses the current knowledge about the involvement of the Hippo signaling pathway in cancer and specifically in paediatric bone sarcoma progression.
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11
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Clinical and biological implications of Hippo pathway dysregulation in sarcomas. FORUM OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/fco-2018-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sarcomas are mesenchymal malignant tumors with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Hippo pathway is a recently discovered pathway normally involved in organ development and wound healing. Hippo signaling is often altered in solid tumors. The molecular elements of Hippo signaling include MST1/2 and LATS1/2 kinases which phosphorylate and regulate the activity of YAP and TAZ co-transcriptional activators. Hippo pathway cross-talks with several molecular pathways with known oncogenic function. In sarcomas Hippo signaling plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, evolution and resistance in chemotherapy regimens. Targeting Hippo pathway could potentially improve prognosis and outcome of sarcoma patients.
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12
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Zhang Q, Fang X, Zhao W, Liang Q. The transcriptional coactivator YAP1 is overexpressed in osteoarthritis and promotes its progression by interacting with Beclin-1. Gene 2018; 689:210-219. [PMID: 30496783 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.11.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes the most common disease of degenerative joints, with chondrocytes playing an important role in disease progression. However, the underlying pathobiological mechanisms have not been fully characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1)-regulated autophagy in chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. The data showed that YAP1, a transcriptional coactivator, was overexpressed in OA tissues from a murine model of OA, as analyzed by real time PCR and western blot. Overexpression of YAP1 significantly suppressed ATDC5 chondrogenic cell proliferation and decreased the expression of differentiation-related genes including Runx2, osteocalcin, and collagen I, and elevated cell apoptosis, whereas these cellular processes were reversed by knockdown of YAP1. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that YAP1 co-localized with the autophagy regulator beclin1. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that this interaction was enhanced in OA tissues. In contrast, YAP1 lacking the internal WW domains failed to interact with beclin1 and was unable to inhibit beclin1 ubiquitination. This resulted in upregulated autophagy, which significantly improved OA by increasing chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Notably, YAP1 expression was significantly downregulated by various anti-OA drugs. Finally, the Yap1 promoter was activated by transcriptional factors AP2α and SP1, whereas its 3'UTR was targeted by miR-5624-5p, miR-33-3p, and miR-6918-5p. In conclusion, inhibition of YAP1 could facilitate beclin1-regulated autophagy in OA, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach to combat OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, PR China; Department of Orthopedics, Benxi Central Hospital of China Medical University, Benxi, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Orthopedics, Benxi Central Hospital of China Medical University, Benxi, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Qingwei Liang
- Department of Sports Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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13
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Goss KL, Gordon DJ. Gene expression signature based screening identifies ribonucleotide reductase as a candidate therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:63003-63019. [PMID: 27557498 PMCID: PMC5325343 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need in cancer therapeutics to identify targeted therapies that will improve outcomes and decrease toxicities compared to conventional, cytotoxic chemotherapy. Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive bone and soft tissue cancer that is caused by the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein. Although EWS-FLI1 is specific for cancer cells, and required for tumorigenesis, directly targeting this transcription factor has proven challenging. Consequently, targeting unique dependencies or key downstream mediators of EWS-FLI1 represent important alternative strategies. We used gene expression data derived from a genetically defined model of Ewing sarcoma to interrogate the Connectivity Map and identify a class of drugs, iron chelators, that downregulate a significant number of EWS-FLI1 target genes. We then identified ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2), the iron-dependent subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), as one mediator of iron chelator toxicity in Ewing sarcoma cells. Inhibition of RNR in Ewing sarcoma cells caused apoptosis in vitro and attenuated tumor growth in an in vivo, xenograft model. Additionally, we discovered that the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to inhibition or suppression of RNR is mediated, in part, by high levels of SLFN11, a protein that sensitizes cells to DNA damage. This work demonstrates a unique dependency of Ewing sarcoma cells on RNR and supports further investigation of RNR inhibitors, which are currently used in clinical practice, as a novel approach for treating Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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14
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Bouvier C, Macagno N, Nguyen Q, Loundou A, Jiguet-Jiglaire C, Gentet JC, Jouve JL, Rochwerger A, Mattei JC, Bouvard D, Salas S. Prognostic value of the Hippo pathway transcriptional coactivators YAP/TAZ and β1-integrin in conventional osteosarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:64702-64710. [PMID: 27608849 PMCID: PMC5323109 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, very few studies are available concerning the mammalian Hippo pathway in bone sarcomas. YAP/TAZ transcription co-activators are key downstream effectors of this pathway and may also have oncogenic properties. Additionally, recent in-vitro experiments showed that expression of β1-integrin promoted metastasis in osteosarcomas. This study investigated the expression of YAP/TAZ and β1-integrin in human osteosarcomas. Materials and methods We performed automated immunohistochemistry on tissue-microarrays (TMA) in which 69 conventional osteosarcomas biopsies performed prior to chemotherapy were embedded. Cellular localization and semi-quantitative analysis of each immunostain was performed using Immunoreactive Score (IRS) and correlated to clinico-pathological data. Results Cytoplasmic expression of β1-integrin was noted in 54/59 osteosarcomas (92%), with 33/59 cases (56%) displaying membranous staining. YAP/TAZ was expressed in 27/45 osteosarcomas (60%), with 14 cases (31%) showing cytoplasmic expression while 13 other cases (28%) displayed nuclear expression. No link was found between YAP/TAZ or β1-integrin expression and response to chemotherapy. In univariate analysis, YAP/TAZ immunoreactive score was pejoratively correlated with overall survival (p = 0.01). Expression of β1-integrin on cell membrane was also pejorative for OS (p = 0.045). In multivariate analysis, YAP/TAZ nuclear expression was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.035). Conclusion this study indicates that β1-integrin and YAP/TAZ proteins are linked to prognosis and therefore could be therapeutic targets in conventional osteosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Bouvier
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France.,Department of Pathology, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France.,Department of Pathology, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Quy Nguyen
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France
| | - Anderson Loundou
- Department of Public Health, Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, EA 3270 Research Unit, Marseille, France.,Department of Research and Innovation, APHM, Timone Hospital, Support Unit for Clinical Research and Economic Evaluation, Marseille, France
| | - Carine Jiguet-Jiglaire
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Claude Gentet
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Luc Jouve
- Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jean-Camille Mattei
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France.,Department of Adult Orthopaedic Surgery, APHM, Nord Hospital, Marseille, France
| | | | - Sébastien Salas
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Faculty of Medecine, CRO2, UMR 911 (Equipe IV), Marseille, France.,Department of Pathology, APHM, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
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15
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Ahmed AA, Mohamed AD, Gener M, Li W, Taboada E. YAP and the Hippo pathway in pediatric cancer. Mol Cell Oncol 2017; 4:e1295127. [PMID: 28616573 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2017.1295127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an important signaling pathway that controls cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is evolutionarily conserved in mammals and is stimulated by cell-cell contact, inhibiting cell proliferation in response to increased cell density. During early embryonic development, the Hippo signaling pathway regulates organ development and size, and its functions result in the coordinated balance between proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Its principal effectors, YAP and TAZ, regulate signaling by the embryonic stem cells and determine cell fate and histogenesis. Dysfunction of this pathway contributes to cancer development in adults and children. Emerging studies have shed light on the upregulation of Hippo pathway members in several pediatric cancers and may offer prognostic information on rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other brain gliomas. We review the results of such published studies and highlight the potential clinical application of this pathway in pediatric oncologic and pathologic studies. These studies support targeting this pathway as a novel treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif A Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Melissa Gener
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Weijie Li
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Eugenio Taboada
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
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16
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Ryland KE, Hawkins AG, Weisenberger DJ, Punj V, Borinstein SC, Laird PW, Martens JR, Lawlor ER. Promoter Methylation Analysis Reveals That KCNA5 Ion Channel Silencing Supports Ewing Sarcoma Cell Proliferation. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 14:26-34. [PMID: 26573141 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Polycomb proteins are essential regulators of gene expression in stem cells and development. They function to reversibly repress gene transcription via posttranslational modification of histones and chromatin compaction. In many human cancers, genes that are repressed by polycomb in stem cells are subject to more stable silencing via DNA methylation of promoter CpG islands. Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive bone and soft-tissue tumor that is characterized by overexpression of polycomb proteins. This study investigates the DNA methylation status of polycomb target gene promoters in Ewing sarcoma tumors and cell lines and observes that the promoters of differentiation genes are frequent targets of CpG-island DNA methylation. In addition, the promoters of ion channel genes are highly differentially methylated in Ewing sarcoma compared with nonmalignant adult tissues. Ion channels regulate a variety of biologic processes, including proliferation, and dysfunction of these channels contributes to tumor pathogenesis. In particular, reduced expression of the voltage-gated Kv1.5 channel has been implicated in tumor progression. These data show that DNA methylation of the KCNA5 promoter contributes to stable epigenetic silencing of the Kv1.5 channel. This epigenetic repression is reversed by exposure to the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine, which inhibits Ewing sarcoma cell proliferation through mechanisms that include restoration of the Kv1.5 channel function. IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrates that promoters of ion channels are aberrantly methylated in Ewing sarcoma and that epigenetic silencing of KCNA5 contributes to tumor cell proliferation, thus providing further evidence of the importance of ion channel dysregulation to tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Ryland
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Translational Oncology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Allegra G Hawkins
- Translational Oncology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel J Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Vasu Punj
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Peter W Laird
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Jeffrey R Martens
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Elizabeth R Lawlor
- Translational Oncology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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17
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Slemmons KK, Crose LES, Rudzinski E, Bentley RC, Linardic CM. Role of the YAP Oncoprotein in Priming Ras-Driven Rhabdomyosarcoma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140781. [PMID: 26496700 PMCID: PMC4619859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer characterized by features of skeletal muscle histogenesis, is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence. Survival for high-risk groups is less than 30% at 5 years. RMS also occurs during adulthood, with a lower incidence but higher mortality. Recently, mutational profiling has revealed a correlation between activating Ras mutations in the embryonal (eRMS) and pleomorphic (pRMS) histologic variants of RMS, and a poorer outcome for those patients. Independently, the YAP transcriptional coactivator, an oncoprotein kept in check by the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, is upregulated in eRMS. Here we show that YAP promotes cell proliferation and antagonizes apoptosis and myogenic differentiation of human RMS cells bearing oncogenic Ras mutations in cell culture studies in vitro and in murine xenografts in vivo. Pharmacologic inhibition of YAP by the benzoporphyrin derivative verteporfin decreased cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo. To interrogate the temporal contribution of YAP in eRMS tumorigenesis, we used a primary human cell-based genetic model of Ras-driven RMS. Constitutively active YAP functioned as an early genetic lesion, permitting bypass of senescence and priming myoblasts to tolerate subsequent expression of hTERT and oncogenic Ras, which were necessary and sufficient to generate murine xenograft tumors mimicking RMS in vivo. This work provides evidence for cooperation between YAP and oncogenic Ras in RMS tumorigenesis, laying the foundation for preclinical co-targeting of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K. Slemmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lisa E. S. Crose
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erin Rudzinski
- Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rex C. Bentley
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Corinne M. Linardic
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Deel MD, Li JJ, Crose LES, Linardic CM. A Review: Molecular Aberrations within Hippo Signaling in Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcomas. Front Oncol 2015; 5:190. [PMID: 26389076 PMCID: PMC4557106 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved developmental network vital for the regulation of organ size, tissue homeostasis, repair and regeneration, and cell fate. The Hippo pathway has also been shown to have tumor suppressor properties. Hippo transduction involves a series of kinases and scaffolding proteins that are intricately connected to proteins in developmental cascades and in the tissue microenvironment. This network governs the downstream Hippo transcriptional co-activators, YAP and TAZ, which bind to and activate the output of TEADs, as well as other transcription factors responsible for cellular proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation, and survival. Surprisingly, there are few oncogenic mutations within the core components of the Hippo pathway. Instead, dysregulated Hippo signaling is a versatile accomplice to commonly mutated cancer pathways. For example, YAP and TAZ can be activated by oncogenic signaling from other pathways, or serve as co-activators for classical oncogenes. Emerging evidence suggests that Hippo signaling couples cell density and cytoskeletal structural changes to morphogenic signals and conveys a mesenchymal phenotype. While much of Hippo biology has been described in epithelial cell systems, it is clear that dysregulated Hippo signaling also contributes to malignancies of mesenchymal origin. This review will summarize the known molecular alterations within the Hippo pathway in sarcomas and highlight how several pharmacologic compounds have shown activity in modulating Hippo components, providing proof-of-principle that Hippo signaling may be harnessed for therapeutic application in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Deel
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Jenny J Li
- Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Lisa E S Crose
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC , USA ; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC , USA
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19
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Ahmed AA, Abedalthagafi M, Anwar AE, Bui MM. Akt and Hippo Pathways in Ewing's Sarcoma Tumors and Their Prognostic Significance. J Cancer 2015; 6:1005-10. [PMID: 26366214 PMCID: PMC4565850 DOI: 10.7150/jca.12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ewing's sarcoma tumor is an aggressive malignancy of bone and soft tissue in children and young adults. Despite advances in modern therapy, metastasis occurs and results in high mortality. Intracellular molecules Yap, Akt, mTOR, and Erk are signaling pathway members that regulate the proliferation of tumor cells. Objective and Methods: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of these proteins in 36 tumor samples from adult and pediatric patients with Ewing's sarcoma tumors. Patients' age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, clinical stage and survival (overall and disease-free survival) were collected. Tissue microarrays slides were stained with antibodies against Yap, Akt, mTOR, and Erk proteins. Results: Tumors exhibited variable expression of Yap, Akt, mTOR, and Erk (from negative, low to high), with high levels of expression present in 31%, 53%, 77% and 0% respectively. Immunohistochemical expression of Akt was associated with worse overall and disease-free survival (p<0.05). The other biomarkers did not demonstrate any difference in survival between low versus high expression. Conclusion: Although Yap, Akt, mTOR, and Erk protein are all expressed in Ewing's sarcoma by immunohistochemistry, only Akt expression is associated with worse prognosis. Larger studies are needed to verify these results and plan targeted therapy, particularly against Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif A Ahmed
- 1. Department of Pathology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmed E Anwar
- 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marilyn M Bui
- 3. Department of Anatomic Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center/University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States
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Developmental pathways hijacked by osteosarcoma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 804:93-118. [PMID: 24924170 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04843-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer of any type often can be described by an arrest, alteration or disruption in the normal development of a tissue or organ, and understanding of the normal counterpart's development can aid in understanding the malignant state. This is certainly true for osteosarcoma and the normal developmental pathways that guide osteoblast development that are changed in the genesis of osteogenic sarcoma. A carefully regulated crescendo-decrescendo expression of RUNX2 accompanies the transition from mesenchymal stem cell to immature osteoblast to mature osteoblast. This pivotal role is controlled by several pathways, including bone morphogenic protein (BMP), Wnt/β-catenin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and protein kinase C (PKC). The HIPPO pathway and its downstream target YAP help to regulate proliferation of immature osteoblasts and their maturation into non-proliferating mature osteoblasts. This pathway also helps regulate expression of the mature osteoblast protein osteocalcin. YAP also regulates expression of MT1-MMP, a membrane-bound matrix metalloprotease responsible for remodeling the extracellular matrix surrounding the osteoblasts. YAP, in turn, can be regulated by the ERBB family protein Her-4. Osteosarcoma may be thought of as a cell held at the immature osteoblast stage, retaining some of the characteristics of that developmental stage. Disruptions of several of these pathways have been described in osteosarcoma, including BMP, Wnt/b-catenin, RUNX2, HIPPO/YAP, and Her-4. Further, PKC can be activated by several receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in osteosarcoma, including the ERBB family (EGFR, Her-2 and Her-4 in osteosarcoma), IGF1R, FGF, and others. Understanding these functions may aid in the understanding the mechanisms underpinning clinical observations in osteosarcoma, including both the lytic and blastic phenotypes of tumors, the invasiveness of the disease, and the tendency for treated tumors to ossify rather than shrink. Through a better understanding of the relationship between normal osteoblast development and osteosarcoma, we may gain insights into novel therapeutic avenues and improved outcomes.
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21
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Kim SK, Jung WH, Koo JS. Expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in breast phyllodes tumor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2014; 7:5997-6005. [PMID: 25337244 PMCID: PMC4203215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify expression profiles of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its phosphorylated form (pYAP) in phyllodes tumor (PT) of human breast and verify the clinical implications. We selected PTs from the pathologic archive and reviewed the histologic features (141 benign, 27 borderline, and 15 malignant). We made tissue microarray (TMA) block from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue corresponding to the representative section. Using TMA block, we performed immunohistochemical staining of YAP and pYAP. In the stromal component, expressions of YAP and pYAP were increased in borderline/malignant PT with comparison of benign PT (P = 0.002, and P < 0.001, respectively). In the epithelial component, cytoplasmic expression of YAP was highest in borderline PT (P = 0.001). Stromal YAP expression (P < 0.001) and stromal pYAP expression (P = 0.042) were associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and stromal pYAP expression (P = 0.001) was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in univariate Cox analysis. In multivariate Cox analysis, stromal YAP expression was an independent prognostic factor associated with shorter DFS (Hazard ration: 3.206, 95% CI: 1.000-10.27, P = 0.050). In conclusion, expression level of YAP in stromal component was increased along with histologic grade of PT and YAP expression in PT was related to tumor progression and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Kyum Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woo Hee Jung
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ja Seung Koo
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
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22
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Zhang YH, Li B, Shen L, Shen Y, Chen XD. The role and clinical significance of YES-associated protein 1 in human osteosarcoma. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2013; 26:157-67. [PMID: 23527718 DOI: 10.1177/039463201302600115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an oncogene that plays multiple roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of many malignances. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of YAP1 expression in human osteosarcoma (OS) and explore the molecular mechanisms of YAP1 activity in OS MG-63 cells. The expression of YAP1 was assessed by immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure. A loss-of-function approach was used to investigate the effects of small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of YAP1 on the expression of RUNX2, CyclinD1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as the proliferative activities and invasive potential in OS MG-63 cells (evaluated by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively). The expression of YAP1 protein in OS tissues was significantly higher than that in ANCT, and was closely associated with gender (P = 0.013) and Enneking staging (P = 0.035), but it did not correlate with age, tumor location, or distant metastases of OS patients (P greater than 0.05, each). Knockdown of YAP1 resulted in downregulation of the expression of RUNX2, CyclinD1, and MMP-9 and inhibited the proliferation and invasion of MG-63 cells. Our findings suggest that YAP1 is highly expressed in OS tissues, and increased expression of this molecule is correlated with the gender and Enneking staging of osteosarcoma patients. Knockdown of YAP1 may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of OS cells through downregulation of the RUNX2 pathway, thereby representing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-H Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Lawlor ER, Thiele CJ. Epigenetic changes in pediatric solid tumors: promising new targets. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:2768-79. [PMID: 22589485 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is being reinterpreted in the light of recent discoveries related to the histone code and the dynamic nature of epigenetic regulation and control of gene programs during development, as well as insights gained from whole cancer genome sequencing. Somatic mutations in or deregulated expression of genes that encode chromatin-modifying enzymes are being identified with high frequency. Nowhere is this more relevant than in pediatric embryonal solid tumors. A picture is emerging that shows that classic genetic alterations associated with these tumors ultimately converge on the epigenome to dysregulate developmental programs. In this review, we relate how alterations in components of the transcriptional machinery and chromatin modifier genes contribute to the initiation and progression of pediatric solid tumors. We also discuss how dramatic progress in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that contribute to epigenetic deregulation in cancer is providing novel avenues for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Lawlor
- Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Zhi X, Zhao D, Zhou Z, Liu R, Chen C. YAP promotes breast cell proliferation and survival partially through stabilizing the KLF5 transcription factor. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 180:2452-61. [PMID: 22632819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 01/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Yes-associated protein (YAP), an oncoprotein in the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, regulates tumorigenesis and has been found in a variety of tumors, including breast, ovarian, and hepatocellular cancers. Although YAP functions through its WW domains, the YAP WW domain-binding partners have not yet been completely determined. With this study, we demonstrate that YAP functions partially through its binding to KLF5, a transcription factor that promotes breast cell proliferation and survival. YAP interacted with the KLF5 PY motif through its WW domains, preventing the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1 from ubiquitinating KLF5. Overexpression of the wild-type YAP but not the WW domain-mutated YAP up-regulated KLF5 protein levels and mRNA expression levels of KLF5 downstream target genes, including FGFBP1 (alias FGF-BP) and ITGB2. In addition, knockdown of YAP decreased expression levels of KLF5, FGF-BP, and ITGB2. Depletion of either YAP or KLF5 decreased breast cell proliferation and survival in MCF10A and SW527 breast cell lines, and stable knockdown of either YAP or KLF5 suppressed SW527 xenograft growth in mice. The YAP upstream kinase LATS1 suppressed the KLF5-FGF-BP axis, as well as cell growth through YAP signaling. Both YAP and KLF5 are coexpressed in estrogen receptor ERα-negative breast cell lines. These findings suggest that KLF5 could be an important transcription factor partner for YAP and may contribute to the Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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Bennani-Baiti IM. Epigenetic and epigenomic mechanisms shape sarcoma and other mesenchymal tumor pathogenesis. Epigenomics 2012; 3:715-32. [PMID: 22126291 DOI: 10.2217/epi.11.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas comprise a large number of rare, histogenetically heterogeneous, mesenchymal tumors. Cancers such as Ewing's sarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma can be generated by the transduction of mesenchymal stem cell progenitors with sarcoma-pathognomonic oncogenic fusions, a neoplastic transformation process accompanied by profound locus-specific and pangenomic epigenetic alterations. The epigenetic activities of histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling enzymes such as SUV39H1/KMT1A, EZH2/KMT6A and BMI1 are central to epigenetic-regulated transformation, a property we coin oncoepigenic. Sarcoma-specific oncoepigenic aberrations modulate critical signaling pathways that control cell growth and differentiation including several miRNAs, Wnt, PI3K/AKT, Sav-RASSF1-Hpo and regulators of the G1 and G2/M checkpoints of the cell cycle. Herein an overview of the current knowledge of this rapidly evolving field that will undoubtedly uncover additional oncoepigenic mechanisms and yield druggable targets in the near future is discussed.
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