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Wang ZY, Ge LP, Ouyang Y, Jin X, Jiang YZ. Targeting transposable elements in cancer: developments and opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189143. [PMID: 38936517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs), comprising nearly 50% of the human genome, have transitioned from being perceived as "genomic junk" to key players in cancer progression. Contemporary research links TE regulatory disruptions with cancer development, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Advances in long-read sequencing, computational analytics, single-cell sequencing, proteomics, and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have enriched our understanding of TEs' clinical implications, notably their impact on genome architecture, gene regulation, and evolutionary processes. In cancer, TEs, including long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1), Alus, and long terminal repeat (LTR) elements, demonstrate altered patterns, influencing both tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive mechanisms. TE-derived nucleic acids and tumor antigens play critical roles in tumor immunity, bridging innate and adaptive responses. Given their central role in oncology, TE-targeted therapies, particularly through reverse transcriptase inhibitors and epigenetic modulators, represent a novel avenue in cancer treatment. Combining these TE-focused strategies with existing chemotherapy or immunotherapy regimens could enhance efficacy and offer a new dimension in cancer treatment. This review delves into recent TE detection advancements, explores their multifaceted roles in tumorigenesis and immune regulation, discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches centered on TEs, and anticipates future directions in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yu Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Ping Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Ouyang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Li X, Li X, Yang B, Sun S, Wang S, Yu F, Wang T. Enhancing breast cancer outcomes with machine learning-driven glutamine metabolic reprogramming signature. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369289. [PMID: 38756785 PMCID: PMC11097668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to identify precise biomarkers for breast cancer to improve patient outcomes, addressing the limitations of traditional staging in predicting treatment responses. Methods Our analysis encompassed data from over 7,000 breast cancer patients across 14 datasets, which included in-house clinical data and single-cell data from 8 patients (totaling 43,766 cells). We utilized an integrative approach, applying 10 machine learning algorithms in 54 unique combinations to analyze 100 existing breast cancer signatures. Immunohistochemistry assays were performed for empirical validation. The study also investigated potential immunotherapies and chemotherapies. Results Our research identified five consistent glutamine metabolic reprogramming (GMR)-related genes from multi-center cohorts, forming the foundation of a novel GMR-model. This model demonstrated superior accuracy in predicting recurrence and mortality risks compared to existing clinical and molecular features. Patients classified as high-risk by the model exhibited poorer outcomes. IHC validation in 30 patients reinforced these findings, suggesting the model's broad applicability. Intriguingly, the model indicates a differential therapeutic response: low-risk patients may benefit more from immunotherapy, whereas high-risk patients showed sensitivity to specific chemotherapies like BI-2536 and ispinesib. Conclusions The GMR-model marks a significant leap forward in breast cancer prognosis and the personalization of treatment strategies, offering vital insights for the effective management of diverse breast cancer patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xukui Li
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Songyang Sun
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Fuxun Yu
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Research Laboratory Center, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Sánchez-Marín D, Silva-Cázares MB, Porras-Reyes FI, García-Román R, Campos-Parra AD. Breaking paradigms: Long non-coding RNAs forming gene fusions with potential implications in cancer. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101136. [PMID: 38292185 PMCID: PMC10825296 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides with dynamic regulatory functions. They interact with a wide range of molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins to modulate diverse cellular functions through several mechanisms and, if deregulated, they can lead to cancer development and progression. Recently, it has been described that lncRNAs are susceptible to form gene fusions with mRNAs or other lncRNAs, breaking the paradigm of gene fusions consisting mainly of protein-coding genes. However, their biological significance in the tumor phenotype is still uncertain. Therefore, their recent identification opens a new line of research to study their biological role in tumorigenesis, and their potential as biomarkers with clinical relevance or as therapeutic targets. The present study aimed to review the lncRNA fusions identified so far and to know which of them have been associated with a potential function. We address the current challenges to deepen their study as well as the reasons why they represent a future therapeutic window in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sánchez-Marín
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, C.P. 04360, México
| | - Macrina Beatriz Silva-Cázares
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Región Altiplano, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), Carretera a Cedral Km 5+600, Ejido San José de la Trojes, Matehuala, San Luis Potosí, C.P. 78760, México
| | - Fany Iris Porras-Reyes
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), Niño Jesús, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, C.P. 14080, México
| | - Rebeca García-Román
- Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Av. Dr Luis, Dr. Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, Xalapa, Veracruz, C.P. 91190, México
| | - Alma D. Campos-Parra
- Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Av. Dr Luis, Dr. Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, Xalapa, Veracruz, C.P. 91190, México
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Karimi B, Mokhtari K, Rozbahani H, Peymani M, Nabavi N, Entezari M, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Ghaedi K, Hashemi M. Pathological roles of miRNAs and pseudogene-derived lncRNAs in human cancers, and their comparison as prognosis/diagnosis biomarkers. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:155014. [PMID: 38128189 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
This review examines and compares the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of miRNAs and lncRNAs derived from pseudogenes in cancer patients. Additionally, it delves into their roles in cancer pathogenesis. Both miRNAs and pseudogene-derived lncRNAs have undergone thorough investigation as remarkably sensitive and specific cancer biomarkers, offering significant potential for cancer detection and monitoring. . Extensive research is essential to gain a complete understanding of the precise roles these non-coding RNAs play in cancer, allowing the development of novel targeted therapies and biomarkers for improved cancer detection and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Karimi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Khatere Mokhtari
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Rozbahani
- Department of Psychology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Psychology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Peymani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kamran Ghaedi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhao YQ, Zhang HH, Wu J, Li L, Li J, Zhong H, Jin Y, Lei TY, Zhao XY, Xu B, Song QB, He J. Prediction of Tumor Microenvironment Characteristics and Treatment Response in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Pseudogene OR7E47P-related Immune Genes. Curr Med Sci 2023; 43:1133-1150. [PMID: 38015361 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pseudogenes are initially regarded as nonfunctional genomic sequences, but some pseudogenes regulate tumor initiation and progression by interacting with other genes to modulate their transcriptional activities. Olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily E member 47 pseudogene (OR7E47P) is expressed broadly in lung tissues and has been identified as a positive regulator in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between OR7E47P and tumor immunity in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). METHODS Clinical and molecular information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUSC cohort was used to identify OR7E47P-related immune genes (ORIGs) by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Based on the ORIGs, 2 OR7E47P clusters were identified using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering, and the stability of the clustering was tested by an extreme gradient boosting classifier (XGBoost). LASSO-Cox and stepwise regressions were applied to further select prognostic ORIGs and to construct a predictive model (ORPScore) for immunotherapy. The Botling cohorts and 8 immunotherapy cohorts (the Samstein, Braun, Jung, Gide, IMvigor210, Lauss, Van Allen, and Cho cohorts) were included as independent validation cohorts. RESULTS OR7E47P expression was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration and enrichment of immune-related pathways in LUSC. A total of 57 ORIGs were identified to classify the patients into 2 OR7E47P clusters (Cluster 1 and Cluster 2) with distinct immune, mutation, and stromal programs. Compared to Cluster 1, Cluster 2 had more infiltration by immune and stromal cells, lower mutation rates of driver genes, and higher expression of immune-related proteins. The clustering performed well in the internal and 5 external validation cohorts. Based on the 7 ORIGs (HOPX, STX2, WFS, DUSP22, SLFN13, GGCT, and CCSER2), the ORPScore was constructed to predict the prognosis and the treatment response. In addition, the ORPScore was a better prognostic factor and correlated positively with the immunotherapeutic response in cancer patients. The area under the curve values ranged from 0.584 to 0.805 in the 6 independent immunotherapy cohorts. CONCLUSION Our study suggests a significant correlation between OR7E47P and TME modulation in LUSC. ORIGs can be applied to molecularly stratify patients, and the ORPScore may serve as a biomarker for clinical decision-making regarding individualized prognostication and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qi Zhao
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Hao-Han Zhang
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Lan Li
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jing Li
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Hao Zhong
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Tian-Yu Lei
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xin-Yi Zhao
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Qi-Bin Song
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
| | - Jie He
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100032, China.
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Nemtsova MV, Kuznetsova EB, Bure IV. Chromosomal Instability in Gastric Cancer: Role in Tumor Development, Progression, and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16961. [PMID: 38069284 PMCID: PMC10707305 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), gastric cancers are classified into four molecular subtypes: Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+), tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI), tumors with chromosomal instability (CIN), and genomically stable (GS) tumors. However, the gastric cancer (GC) with chromosomal instability remains insufficiently described and does not have effective markers for molecular and histological verification and diagnosis. The CIN subtype of GC is characterized by chromosomal instability, which is manifested by an increased frequency of aneuploidies and/or structural chromosomal rearrangements in tumor cells. Structural rearrangements in the CIN subtype of GC are not accidental and are commonly detected in chromosomal loci, being abnormal because of specific structural organization. The causes of CIN are still being discussed; however, according to recent data, aberrations in the TP53 gene may cause CIN development or worsen its phenotype. Clinically, patients with the CIN subtype of GC demonstrate poor survival, but receive the maximum benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. In the review, we consider the molecular mechanisms and possible causes of chromosomal instability in GC, the common rearrangements of chromosomal loci and their impact on the development and clinical course of the disease, as well as the driver genes, their functions, and perspectives on their targeting in the CIN subtype of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V. Nemtsova
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.N.); (E.B.K.)
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina B. Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.N.); (E.B.K.)
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Bure
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.N.); (E.B.K.)
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, 125993 Moscow, Russia
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Lou J, Geng S, He W, Liu S, Shi X, Chang Y, Han S, Qian P, Amin HM, Song Y, Li Y, Zhou J. Zyxin inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in gastric cancer by upregulating SIRT1. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e357. [PMID: 37667739 PMCID: PMC10475219 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor development relies on the stemness of cancer stem cells, which is regulated by environmental cues. Previous studies have shown that zyxin can inhibit the expression of genes for embryonic stem cell status. In the present study, the expression levels of zyxin protein in cancer tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues from 73 gastric cancer patients with different clinical stages were analyzed by Western blot. We showed that the relative expression levels of zyxin in gastric cancer tissues (cancer tissues/adjacent tissues) were significantly downregulated in advanced clinical stages. Overexpression of zyxin inhibited the stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes in gastric cancer cells. Zyxin also inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion but increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to drugs. Overexpression of zyxin in MKN45 cells inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. We show that the interactions between zyxin and SIRT1 led to the upregulation of SIRT1, reduced acetylation levels of histone H3 K9 and K23, decreased transcription levels of SNAI 1/2, and inhibition of the EMT process. This study demonstrated that zyxin negatively regulates the progression of gastric cancer by inhibiting the stemness of cancer stem cells and EMT. Our findings shed new light on the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lou
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Sha Geng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Wei He
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Song‐Bai Liu
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Medical BiotechnologySuzhou Vocational Health CollegeSuzhouChina
| | - Xinghong Shi
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Ying Chang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Shiyuan Han
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Panting Qian
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Hesham M Amin
- Department of HematopathologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Yao‐Hua Song
- Cyrus Tang Hematology CenterCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yangxin Li
- Institute for Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryFirst Affiliated Hospital and Medical College of Soochow UniversityCollaborative Innovation Center of HematologySoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of General Surgerythe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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Chen W, He Q, Liu J, Li N, Xiao K, Chen H. PLAGL2 promotes Snail expression and gastric cancer progression via UCA1/miR-145-5p/YTHDF1 axis. Carcinogenesis 2023; 44:328-340. [PMID: 36999803 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although great progress has made in gastric cancer (GC) in the past years, the overall 5-year survival rate remains to be low for advanced GC patients. A recent study showed that PLAGL2 was increased in GC and enhanced the proliferation and metastasis of GC. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism still needs to be investigated. METHODS Gene and protein expressions were assessed using RT-qPCR and western blot. The migration, proliferation and invasion of GC cells were examined using scratch assay, CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. ChIP-PCR, dual-luciferase assay, RIP-qPCR and CoiP were utilized to confirm the interaction among PLAGL2, UCA1, miR-145-5p and YTHDF1 as well as METTL3, YTHDF1 and eEF-2. A mouse xenograft model was used utilized to further confirm the regulatory network. RESULTS PLAGL2 bound to the upstream promoter of UCA1, which regulated YTHDF1 by sponging miR-145-5p. METTL3 can mediate the m6A modification level of Snail. YTHDF1 recognized m6A-modified Snail by interacting with eEF-2 and thus promoted Snail expression, which eventually induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells and metastasis of GC. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study demonstrates that PLAGL2 enhances Snail expression and GC progression via the UCA1/miR-145-5p/YTHDF1 axis, suggesting that PLAGL2 may become a therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Qunjun He
- Department of Quality Management and Information Statistics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Ni Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Kai Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Honghui Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
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Camargo-Forero N, Orozco-Arias S, Perez Agudelo JM, Guyot R. HERV-K (HML-2) insertion polymorphisms in the 8q24.13 region and their potential etiological associations with acute myeloid leukemia. Arch Virol 2023; 168:125. [PMID: 36988711 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05747-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are LTR retrotransposons that are present in the human genome. Among them, members of the HERV-K (HML-2) group are suspected to play a role in the development of different types of cancer, including lung, ovarian, and prostate cancer, as well as leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an important disease that causes 1% of cancer deaths in the United States and has a survival rate of 28.7%. Here, we describe a method for assessing the statistical association between HERV-K (HML-2) transposable element insertion polymorphisms (or TIPs) and AML, using whole-genome sequencing and read mapping using TIP_finder software. Our results suggest that 101 polymorphisms involving HERV-K (HML-2) elements were correlated with AML, with a percentage between 44.4 to 56.6%, most of which (70) were located in the region from 8q24.13 to 8q24.21. Moreover, it was found that the TRIB1, LRATD2, POU5F1B, MYC, PCAT1, PVT1, and CCDC26 genes could be displaced or fragmented by TIPs. Furthermore, a general method was devised to facilitate analysis of the correlation between transposable element insertions and specific diseases. Finally, although the relationship between HERV-K (HML-2) TIPs and AML remains unclear, the data reported in this study indicate a statistical correlation, as supported by the χ2 test with p-values < 0.05.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Camargo-Forero
- School of Biology, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Simon Orozco-Arias
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
- Department of Systems and Informatics, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
| | | | - Romain Guyot
- UMR DIADE, Université de Montpellier, Institut de recherche pour le développement, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
- Department of Electronics and Automation, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
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10
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Gagliardi A, Francescato G, Ferrero G, Birolo G, Tarallo S, Francavilla A, Piaggeschi G, Di Battista C, Gallo G, Realis Luc A, Sacerdote C, Matullo G, Vineis P, Naccarati A, Pardini B. The 8q24 region hosts miRNAs altered in biospecimens of colorectal and bladder cancer patients. Cancer Med 2023; 12:5859-5873. [PMID: 36366788 PMCID: PMC10028171 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 8q24 locus is enriched in cancer-associated polymorphisms and, despite containing relatively few protein-coding genes, it hosts the MYC oncogene and other genetic elements connected to tumorigenesis, including microRNAs (miRNAs). Research on miRNAs may provide insights into the transcriptomic regulation of this multiple cancer-associated region. MATERIAL AND METHODS We profiled all miRNAs located in the 8q24 region in 120 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 80 controls. miRNA profiling was performed on cancer/non-malignant adjacent mucosa, stool, and plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the results validated with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. To verify if the 8q24-annotated miRNAs altered in CRC were dysregulated in other cancers and biofluids, we evaluated their levels in bladder cancer (BC) cases from the TCGA dataset and in urine and plasma EVs from a set of BC cases and healthy controls. RESULTS Among the detected mature miRNAs in the region, 12 were altered between CRC and adjacent mucosa (adj. p < 0.05). Five and four miRNAs were confirmed as dysregulated in the CRC and BC TCGA dataset, respectively. A co-expression analysis of tumor/adjacent tissue data from the CRC group revealed a correlation between the dysregulated miRNAs and CRC-related genes (PVT1 and MYC) annotated in 8q24 region. miR-30d-5p and miR-151a-3p, altered in CRC tissue, were also dysregulated in stool of CRC patients and urine of BC cases, respectively. Functional enrichment of dysregulated miRNA target genes highlighted terms related to TP53-mediated cell cycle control. CONCLUSIONS Altered expression of 8q24-annotated miRNAs may be relevant for the initiation and/or progression of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Gagliardi
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Department of Computer Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Francescato
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulio Ferrero
- Department of Computer Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birolo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonia Tarallo
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Francavilla
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggeschi
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Carla Di Battista
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Gaetano Gallo
- Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) Campus de los Jerónimos, Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Clinica S. Rita, Vercelli, Italy
- Department of Surgical Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlotta Sacerdote
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Center for Cancer Prevention (CPO-Piemonte), Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Matullo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Alessio Naccarati
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Pardini
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
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11
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Marx AF, Kallert SM, Brunner TM, Villegas JA, Geier F, Fixemer J, Abreu-Mota T, Reuther P, Bonilla WV, Fadejeva J, Kreutzfeldt M, Wagner I, Aparicio-Domingo P, Scarpellino L, Charmoy M, Utzschneider DT, Hagedorn C, Lu M, Cornille K, Stauffer K, Kreppel F, Merkler D, Zehn D, Held W, Luther SA, Löhning M, Pinschewer DD. The alarmin interleukin-33 promotes the expansion and preserves the stemness of Tcf-1 + CD8 + T cells in chronic viral infection. Immunity 2023; 56:813-828.e10. [PMID: 36809763 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
T cell factor 1 (Tcf-1) expressing CD8+ T cells exhibit stem-like self-renewing capacity, rendering them key for immune defense against chronic viral infection and cancer. Yet, the signals that promote the formation and maintenance of these stem-like CD8+ T cells (CD8+SL) remain poorly defined. Studying CD8+ T cell differentiation in mice with chronic viral infection, we identified the alarmin interleukin-33 (IL-33) as pivotal for the expansion and stem-like functioning of CD8+SL as well as for virus control. IL-33 receptor (ST2)-deficient CD8+ T cells exhibited biased end differentiation and premature loss of Tcf-1. ST2-deficient CD8+SL responses were restored by blockade of type I interferon signaling, suggesting that IL-33 balances IFN-I effects to control CD8+SL formation in chronic infection. IL-33 signals broadly augmented chromatin accessibility in CD8+SL and determined these cells' re-expansion potential. Our study identifies the IL-33-ST2 axis as an important CD8+SL-promoting pathway in the context of chronic viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Friederike Marx
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra M Kallert
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias M Brunner
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - José A Villegas
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Florian Geier
- Department of Biomedicine, Bioinformatics Core Facility, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Fixemer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tiago Abreu-Mota
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Reuther
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Weldy V Bonilla
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jelizaveta Fadejeva
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Kreutzfeldt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ingrid Wagner
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Leo Scarpellino
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Charmoy
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniel T Utzschneider
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Claudia Hagedorn
- Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Min Lu
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karen Cornille
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karsten Stauffer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Doron Merkler
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Zehn
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Werner Held
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sanjiv A Luther
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Max Löhning
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Daniel D Pinschewer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
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12
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Simó-Riudalbas L, Offner S, Planet E, Duc J, Abrami L, Dind S, Coudray A, Coto-Llerena M, Ercan C, Piscuoglio S, Andersen CL, Bramsen JB, Trono D. Transposon-activated POU5F1B promotes colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4913. [PMID: 35987910 PMCID: PMC9392749 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32649-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is an unmet medical need in absence of early diagnosis. Here, upon characterizing cancer-specific transposable element-driven transpochimeric gene transcripts (TcGTs) produced by this tumor in the SYSCOL cohort, we find that expression of the hominid-restricted retrogene POU5F1B through aberrant activation of a primate-specific endogenous retroviral promoter is a strong negative prognostic biomarker. Correlating this observation, we demonstrate that POU5F1B fosters the proliferation and metastatic potential of CRC cells. We further determine that POU5F1B, in spite of its phylogenetic relationship with the POU5F1/OCT4 transcription factor, is a membrane-enriched protein that associates with protein kinases and known targets or interactors as well as with cytoskeleton-related molecules, and induces intracellular signaling events and the release of trans-acting factors involved in cell growth and cell adhesion. As POU5F1B is an apparently non-essential gene only lowly expressed in normal tissues, and as POU5F1B-containing TcGTs are detected in other tumors besides CRC, our data provide interesting leads for the development of cancer therapies.
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13
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Ahmed M, Mäkinen VP, Mulugeta A, Shin J, Boyle T, Hyppönen E, Lee SH. Considering hormone-sensitive cancers as a single disease in the UK biobank reveals shared aetiology. Commun Biol 2022; 5:614. [PMID: 35729236 PMCID: PMC9213416 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03554-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormone-related cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate, ovaries, uterine, and thyroid, globally contribute to the majority of cancer incidence. We hypothesize that hormone-sensitive cancers share common genetic risk factors that have rarely been investigated by previous genomic studies of site-specific cancers. Here, we show that considering hormone-sensitive cancers as a single disease in the UK Biobank reveals shared genetic aetiology. We observe that a significant proportion of variance in disease liability is explained by the genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e., SNP-based heritability on the liability scale is estimated as 10.06% (SE 0.70%). Moreover, we find 55 genome-wide significant SNPs for the disease, using a genome-wide association study. Pair-wise analysis also estimates positive genetic correlations between some pairs of hormone-sensitive cancers although they are not statistically significant. Our finding suggests that heritable genetic factors may be a key driver in the mechanism of carcinogenesis shared by hormone-sensitive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muktar Ahmed
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia. .,UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. .,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Ville-Petteri Mäkinen
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Computational Systems Biology Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anwar Mulugeta
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jisu Shin
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Terry Boyle
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elina Hyppönen
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sang Hong Lee
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. .,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia. .,UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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14
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Osman N, Shawky AEM, Brylinski M. Exploring the effects of genetic variation on gene regulation in cancer in the context of 3D genome structure. BMC Genom Data 2022; 23:13. [PMID: 35176995 PMCID: PMC8851830 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-021-01021-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted to date revealed genetic variants associated with various diseases, including breast and prostate cancers. Despite the availability of these large-scale data, relatively few variants have been functionally characterized, mainly because the majority of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) map to the non-coding regions of the human genome. The functional characterization of these non-coding variants and the identification of their target genes remain challenging. Results In this communication, we explore the potential functional mechanisms of non-coding SNPs by integrating GWAS with the high-resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data for breast and prostate cancers. We show that more genetic variants map to regulatory elements through the 3D genome structure than the 1D linear genome lacking physical chromatin interactions. Importantly, the association of enhancers, transcription factors, and their target genes with breast and prostate cancers tends to be higher when these regulatory elements are mapped to high-risk SNPs through spatial interactions compared to simply using a linear proximity. Finally, we demonstrate that topologically associating domains (TADs) carrying high-risk SNPs also contain gene regulatory elements whose association with cancer is generally higher than those belonging to control TADs containing no high-risk variants. Conclusions Our results suggest that many SNPs may contribute to the cancer development by affecting the expression of certain tumor-related genes through long-range chromatin interactions with gene regulatory elements. Integrating large-scale genetic datasets with the 3D genome structure offers an attractive and unique approach to systematically investigate the functional mechanisms of genetic variants in disease risk and progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12863-021-01021-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Osman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Abd-El-Monsif Shawky
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michal Brylinski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA. .,Center for Computation and Technology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
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15
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Abrahamsson S, Eiengård F, Rohlin A, Dávila López M. PΨFinder: a practical tool for the identification and visualization of novel pseudogenes in DNA sequencing data. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:59. [PMID: 35114952 PMCID: PMC8812246 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04583-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Processed pseudogenes (PΨgs) are disabled gene copies that are transcribed and may affect expression of paralogous genes. Moreover, their insertion in the genome can disrupt the structure or the regulatory region of a gene, affecting its expression level. These events have been identified as occurring mutations during cancer development, thus being able to identify PΨgs and their location will improve their impact on diagnostic testing, not only in cancer but also in inherited disorders. RESULTS We have implemented PΨFinder (P-psy-finder), a tool that identifies PΨgs, annotates known ones and predicts their insertion site(s) in the genome. The tool screens alignment files and provides user-friendly summary reports and visualizations. To demonstrate its applicability, we scanned 218 DNA samples from patients screened for hereditary colorectal cancer. We detected 423 PΨgs distributed in 96% of the samples, comprising 7 different parent genes. Among these, we confirmed the well-known insertion site of the SMAD4-PΨg within the last intron of the SCAI gene in one sample. While for the ubiquitous CBX3-PΨg, present in 82.6% of the samples, we found it reversed inserted in the second intron of the C15ORF57 gene. CONCLUSIONS PΨFinder is a tool that can automatically identify novel PΨgs from DNA sequencing data and determine their location in the genome with high sensitivity (95.92%). It generates high quality figures and tables that facilitate the interpretation of the results and can guide the experimental validation. PΨFinder is a complementary analysis to any mutational screening in the identification of disease-causing mutations within cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Abrahamsson
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 115, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Frida Eiengård
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Rohlin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Unit of Genetic Analysis and Bioinformatics, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcela Dávila López
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 115, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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16
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Maderazo D, Flegg JA, Algama M, Ramialison M, Keith J. Detection and identification of cis-regulatory elements using change-point and classification algorithms. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:78. [PMID: 35078412 PMCID: PMC8790847 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08190-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcriptional regulation is primarily mediated by the binding of factors to non-coding regions in DNA. Identification of these binding regions enhances understanding of tissue formation and potentially facilitates the development of gene therapies. However, successful identification of binding regions is made difficult by the lack of a universal biological code for their characterisation. RESULTS We extend an alignment-based method, changept, and identify clusters of biological significance, through ontology and de novo motif analysis. Further, we apply a Bayesian method to estimate and combine binary classifiers on the clusters we identify to produce a better performing composite. CONCLUSIONS The analysis we describe provides a computational method for identification of conserved binding sites in the human genome and facilitates an alternative interrogation of combinations of existing data sets with alignment data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Maderazo
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jennifer A Flegg
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Manjula Algama
- School of Mathematics, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Mirana Ramialison
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan Keith
- School of Mathematics, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, VIC, Australia
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17
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Recurrent Superenhancer of the Oncogene POU5F1B in Colorectal Cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5405060. [PMID: 34934770 PMCID: PMC8684575 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5405060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Superenhancer usages in single cancer form such as colorectal cancer (CRC) may provide novel efficient targeting candidates. It is unclear whether CRC contains recurrent superenhancers that confer a predisposition to malignancy. We investigated the superenhancer profile of CRC cell line HCT116 and compared it to that of a healthy sigmoid colon. We found that HCT116 had lost most of the normal colon superenhancer activities but gained a new set of tumor-favoring superenhancers that facilitate tumor proliferation, growth signalling, and hypoxia resistance. Inhibiting the superenhancers by JQ-1 treatment had significantly decreased the colony formation capability of HCT116. Then, by comparing the superenhancer genes and robust CRC upregulated genes, we identified a superenhancer associated with a common CRC upregulated oncogene, POU5f1B. POU5f1B overexpression is related to the worse outcome in CRCs. Via performing ChIP-PCR in 35 clinical samples and investigating CRC anti-H3K27ac ChiP-seq public dataset consisting of 36 samples, we further identified that the superenhancer of oncogene POU5F1B is recurrently activated in CRCs, taking 62 and 72 per cent, respectively. Moreover, JQ-1 treatment successfully inhibited the POU5F1B expression in 5 out of 6 POU5F1B superenhancer-positive samples. Therefore, we concluded that the superenhancer activation of POU5F1B contributes partially to its high expression in CRCs, in addition to the well-known gene amplification aetiology.
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18
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Tao S, Ye X, Pan L, Fu M, Huang P, Peng Z, Yang S. Construction and Clinical Translation of Causal Pan-Cancer Gene Score Across Cancer Types. Front Genet 2021; 12:784775. [PMID: 35003220 PMCID: PMC8733729 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.784775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pan-cancer strategy, an integrative analysis of different cancer types, can be used to explain oncogenesis and identify biomarkers using a larger statistical power and robustness. Fine-mapping defines the casual loci, whereas genome-wide association studies (GWASs) typically identify thousands of cancer-related loci and not necessarily have a fine-mapping component. In this study, we develop a novel strategy to identify the causal loci using a pan-cancer and fine-mapping assumption, constructing the CAusal Pan-cancER gene (CAPER) score and validating its performance using internal and external validation on 1,287 individuals and 985 cell lines. Summary statistics of 15 cancer types were used to define 54 causal loci in 15 potential genes. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) training set, we constructed the CAPER score and divided cancer patients into two groups. Using the three validation sets, we found that 19 cancer-related variables were statistically significant between the two CAPER score groups and that 81 drugs had significantly different drug sensitivity between the two CAPER score groups. We hope that our strategies for selecting causal genes and for constructing CAPER score would provide valuable clues for guiding the management of different types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyue Tao
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyu Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lulu Pan
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minghan Fu
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhihang Peng
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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The Roles of the Colon Cancer Associated Transcript 2 (CCAT2) Long Non-Coding RNA in Cancer: A Comprehensive Characterization of the Tumorigenic and Molecular Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212491. [PMID: 34830370 PMCID: PMC8620102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is an intensively studied lncRNA with important regulatory roles in cancer. As such, cumulative studies indicate that CCAT2 displays a high functional versatility due to its direct interaction with multiple RNA binding proteins, transcription factors, and other species of non-coding RNA, especially microRNA. The definitory mechanisms of CCAT2 are its role as a regulator of the TCF7L2 transcription factor, enhancer of MYC expression, and activator of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, as well as a role in promoting and maintaining chromosome instability through the BOP1–AURKB pathway. Additionally, we highlight how the encompassing rs6983267 SNP has been shown to confer CCAT2 with allele-specific functional and structural particularities, such as the allelic-specific reprogramming of glutamine metabolism. Additionally, we emphasize CCAT2’s role as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for multiple tumor suppressor miRNAs, such as miR-4496, miR-493, miR-424, miR-216b, miR-23b, miR-34a, miR-145, miR-200b, and miR-143 and the pro-tumorigenic role of the altered regulatory axis. Additionally, due to its upregulation in tumor tissues, wide distribution across cancer types, and presence in serum samples, we outline CCAT2’s potential as a biomarker and disease indicator and its implications for the development of resistance against current cancer therapy regiments and metastasis.
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20
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Pseudogene Annexin A2 Pseudogene 1 Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Modulating Its Parental Gene ANXA2 via miRNA-376a-3p. Dig Dis Sci 2021; 66:3903-3915. [PMID: 33398718 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudogenes are defined as key regulators in cancer initiation and progression. But their biological function and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. In the current study, we identified a novel pseudogene, Annexin A2 pseudogene 1 (ANXA2P1), in HCC and explored its underlining molecular mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed the expression pattern of ANXA2P1 in a TCGA dataset and an HCC sample cohort and evaluated its clinical significance. The biological effects on HCC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Transwell assay and Western blot, respectively. The ANXA2P1/miR-376a-3p/ANXA2 axis was determined by bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays. ANXA2P1 exerted as an oncogene that was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues and was associated with disease progression and unfavorable prognosis of HCC patients. ANXA2P1 knockdown suppressed cell growth, cell migration and invasion and reversed EMT phenotype in HCC. Mechanistically, ANXA2P1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-376a-3p, thereby leading to the upregulation of its cognate gene ANXA2. CONCLUSIONS ANXA2P1/miR-376a-3p/ANXA2 axis plays an important role in the progression of HCC. Our findings may provide valuable therapeutic target for treating HCC.
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21
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Troskie RL, Faulkner GJ, Cheetham SW. Processed pseudogenes: A substrate for evolutionary innovation: Retrotransposition contributes to genome evolution by propagating pseudogene sequences with rich regulatory potential throughout the genome. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100186. [PMID: 34569081 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Processed pseudogenes may serve as a genetic reservoir for evolutionary innovation. Here, we argue that through the activity of long interspersed element-1 retrotransposons, processed pseudogenes disperse coding and noncoding sequences rich with regulatory potential throughout the human genome. While these sequences may appear to be non-functional, a lack of contemporary function does not prohibit future development of biological activity. Here, we discuss the dynamic evolution of certain processed pseudogenes into coding and noncoding genes and regulatory elements, and their implication in wide-ranging biological and pathological processes. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/iUY_mteVoPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin-Lee Troskie
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Faulkner
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Seth W Cheetham
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
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22
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Li D, She J, Hu X, Zhang M, Sun R, Qin S. The ELF3-regulated lncRNA UBE2CP3 is over-stabilized by RNA-RNA interactions and drives gastric cancer metastasis via miR-138-5p/ITGA2 axis. Oncogene 2021; 40:5403-5415. [PMID: 34274947 PMCID: PMC8413130 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01948-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
LncRNAs play essential roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Pseudogene UBE2CP3 is an antisense intronic lncRNA. However, the biological function of UBE2CP3 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. In this study, we revealed that lncRNA UBE2CP3 was aberrantly upregulated in multiple independent gastric cancer cohorts, and its overexpression was clinically associated with poor prognosis in GC. UBE2CP3 was mainly located in cytoplasm and promoted migratory and invasive capacities of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanismly, a novel dysregulated ceRNA network UB2CP3/miR-138-5p/ITGA2 was identified in GC by transcriptome sequencing. Furthermore, rescue assay further confirmed that UBE2CP3 mainly promoted GC progression through miR-138-5p/ITGA2 axis. More importantly, our data proved that UBE2CP3/IGFBP7 could form an RNA duplex, thereby directly interacting with the ILF3 protein. In turn, this RNA-RNA interaction between IGFBP7 mRNA and UBE2CP3 mediated by ILF3 protein plays an essential role in protecting the mRNA stability of UBE2CP3. In addition, transcription factor ELF3 was identified to be a direct repressor of lncRNA UBE2CP3 in GC. Taken together, overexpression of UBE2CP3 promotes tumor progression via cascade amplification of ITGA2 upregulation in GC. Our finding has revealed that the dysregulation of UBE2CP3 is probably due to the downregulation of ELF3 and/or the overexpression of IGFBP7 mRNA in GC. Our findings reveal, for the first time, that UBE2CP3 plays crucial a role in GC progression by modulating miR-138-5p/ITGA2 axis, suggesting that UBE2CP3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jiajun She
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xinhui Hu
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Meixin Zhang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ruonan Sun
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China.
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23
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Zhang C, E J, Yu E. LncRNA CASC21 induces HGH1 to mediate colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, EMT and stemness. RNA Biol 2021; 18:369-381. [PMID: 34375566 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1950464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly reported to serve vital parts in malignancies including CRC. Although cancer susceptibility 21 (CASC21) has been uncovered to play a part in CRC, its mechanism still needs further explanation. Thus, our study aimed to further explore the influence and mechanism of CASC21 in CRC progression. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect gene expression; a series of functional assays were performed to investigate the effect of CASC21 on CRC cells; in vivo tumour growth was evaluated via the nude mice xenograft model. The results revealed that CASC21 facilitated CRC cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. In addition, CASC21 was co-expressed with and bound to transcription factor POU5F1B (POU class 5 homeobox 1B). CASC21 recruited POU5F1B to HGH1 promoter to activate the transcription of HGH1 homolog. Also, CASC21 served as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to up-regulate HGH1 via endogenously sponging miR-485-5p. Moreover, HGH1 overexpression counteracted the suppression of CASC21 deficiency on CRC tumour growth. In summary, our study indicated that CASC21 enhanced the expression of HGH1 to promote the malignancy of CRC by recruiting POU5F1B and sponging miR-485-5p, suggesting a key role of CASC21 in CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The 983th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Tianjin, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jifu E
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Enda Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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24
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Brandes N, Linial N, Linial M. Genetic association studies of alterations in protein function expose recessive effects on cancer predisposition. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14901. [PMID: 34290314 PMCID: PMC8295298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of germline genetic variation affecting cancer risk, known as cancer predisposition, is fundamental to preventive and personalized medicine. Studies of genetic cancer predisposition typically identify significant genomic regions based on family-based cohorts or genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, the results of such studies rarely provide biological insight or functional interpretation. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of cancer predisposition in the UK Biobank cohort using a new gene-based method for detecting protein-coding genes that are functionally interpretable. Specifically, we conducted proteome-wide association studies (PWAS) to identify genetic associations mediated by alterations to protein function. With PWAS, we identified 110 significant gene-cancer associations in 70 unique genomic regions across nine cancer types and pan-cancer. In 48 of the 110 PWAS associations (44%), estimated gene damage is associated with reduced rather than elevated cancer risk, suggesting a protective effect. Together with standard GWAS, we implicated 145 unique genomic loci with cancer risk. While most of these genomic regions are supported by external evidence, our results also highlight many novel loci. Based on the capacity of PWAS to detect non-additive genetic effects, we found that 46% of the PWAS-significant cancer regions exhibited exclusive recessive inheritance. These results highlight the importance of recessive genetic effects, without relying on familial studies. Finally, we show that many of the detected genes exert substantial cancer risk in the studied cohort determined by a quantitative functional description, suggesting their relevance for diagnosis and genetic consulting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Brandes
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nathan Linial
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Linial
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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25
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Huang C, Zhao J, Zhu Z. Prognostic Nomogram of Prognosis-Related Genes and Clinicopathological Characteristics to Predict the 5-Year Survival Rate of Colon Cancer Patients. Front Surg 2021; 8:681721. [PMID: 34222322 PMCID: PMC8242155 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.681721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has established a genome-wide gene expression profile, increasing our understanding of the impact of tumor heredity on clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to construct a nomogram using data from the TCGA regarding prognosis-related genes and clinicopathological characteristics to predict the 5-years survival rate of colon cancer (CC) patients. Methods: Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to identify genes associated with the 5-years survival rate of CC patients. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between the clinicopathological features and prognostic genes and overall survival rates in patients with CC and to identify independent risk factors for the prognosis of CC patients. A nomogram for predicting the 5-years survival rate of CC patients was constructed by R software. Results: A total of eight genes (KCNJ14, CILP2, ATP6V1G2, GABRD, RIMKLB, SIX2, PLEKHA8P1, and MPP2) related to the 5-years survival of rate CC patients were identified. Age, stage, and PLEKHA8P1 were independent risk factors for the 5-years survival rate in patients with CC. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the nomogram model constructed by age, TNM staging, and PLEKHA8P1 for predicting the 5-years survival of rate CC patients were 83.3, 83.97, and 85.79%, respectively. Conclusion: The nomogram can correctly predict the 5-year survival rate of patients with CC, thus aiding the individualized decision-making process for patients with CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiefeng Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhengming Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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26
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Mohan A, Raj Rajan R, Mohan G, Kollenchery Puthenveettil P, Maliekal TT. Markers and Reporters to Reveal the Hierarchy in Heterogeneous Cancer Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668851. [PMID: 34150761 PMCID: PMC8209516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A subpopulation within cancer, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), regulates tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. At a closer look, CSCs show functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization. The present review is an attempt to assign marker profiles to define the functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization of CSCs, based on a series of single-cell analyses. The evidences show that analogous to stem cell hierarchy, self-renewing Quiescent CSCs give rise to the Progenitor CSCs with limited proliferative capacity, and later to a Progenitor-like CSCs, which differentiates to Proliferating non-CSCs. Functionally, the CSCs can be tumor-initiating cells (TICs), drug-resistant CSCs, or metastasis initiating cells (MICs). Although there are certain marker profiles used to identify CSCs of different cancers, molecules like CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, ABCG2, and pluripotency markers [Octamer binding transcriptional factor 4 (OCT4), SOX2, and NANOG] are used to mark CSCs of a wide range of cancers, ranging from hematological malignancies to solid tumors. Our analysis of the recent reports showed that a combination of these markers can demarcate the heterogeneous CSCs in solid tumors. Reporter constructs are widely used for easy identification and quantification of marker molecules. In this review, we discuss the suitability of reporters for the widely used CSC markers that can define the heterogeneous CSCs. Since the CSC-specific functions of CD44 and CD133 are regulated at the post-translational level, we do not recommend the reporters for these molecules for the detection of CSCs. A promoter-based reporter for ABCG2 may also be not relevant in CSCs, as the expression of the molecule in cancer is mainly regulated by promoter demethylation. In this context, a dual reporter consisting of one of the pluripotency markers and ALDH1A1 will be useful in marking the heterogeneous CSCs. This system can be easily adapted to high-throughput platforms to screen drugs for eliminating CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Reshma Raj Rajan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gayathri Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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27
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Zheng Y, Cheng Y, Zhang C, Fu S, He G, Cai L, Qiu L, Huang K, Chen Q, Xie W, Chen T, Huang M, Bai Y, Pan M. Co-amplification of genes in chromosome 8q24: a robust prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 12:1086-1100. [PMID: 34295559 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-21-205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of tumor-associated death worldwide, owing to its high 5-year postoperative recurrence rate and inter-individual heterogeneity. Thus, a prognostic model is urgently needed for patients with HCC. Several researches have reported that copy number amplification of the 8q24 chromosomal region is associated with low survival in many cancers. In the present work, we set out to construct a multi-gene model for prognostic prediction in HCC. Methods RNA sequencing and copy number variant data of tumor tissue samples of HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n=328) were used to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs of genes located on the chromosomal 8q24 region by the Wilcox test. Univariate Cox and Lasso-Cox regression analyses were carried out for the screening and construction of a prognostic multi-gene signature in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort (n=119). The multi-gene signature was validated in a cohort from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (n=240). A nomogram for prognostic prediction was built, and the underpinning molecular mechanisms were studied by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Results We successfully established a 7-gene prognostic signature model to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC. Using the model, we divided individuals into high-risk and low-risk sets, which showed a significant difference in overall survival in the training dataset (HR =0.17, 95% CI: 0.1-0.28; P<0.001) and in the testing dataset (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23-0.74; P=0.002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the signature to be an independent prognostic factor of HCC survival. A nomogram including the prognostic signature was constructed and showed a better predictive performance in short-term (1 and 3 years) than in long-term (5 years) survival. Furthermore, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified several pathways of significance, which may aid in explaining the underlying molecular mechanism. Conclusions Our 7-gene signature is a reliable prognostic marker for HCC, which may provide meaningful information for therapeutic customization and treatment-related decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Zheng
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunjun Fu
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guolin He
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Second Department of Surgery, Dongfeng People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kunhua Huang
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qunhui Chen
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenzhuan Xie
- The Research and Development Center of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- The Research and Development Center of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Mengli Huang
- The Research and Development Center of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Yuezong Bai
- The Research and Development Center of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxin Pan
- Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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28
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Troskie RL, Jafrani Y, Mercer TR, Ewing AD, Faulkner GJ, Cheetham SW. Long-read cDNA sequencing identifies functional pseudogenes in the human transcriptome. Genome Biol 2021; 22:146. [PMID: 33971925 PMCID: PMC8108447 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes are gene copies presumed to mainly be functionless relics of evolution due to acquired deleterious mutations or transcriptional silencing. Using deep full-length PacBio cDNA sequencing of normal human tissues and cancer cell lines, we identify here hundreds of novel transcribed pseudogenes expressed in tissue-specific patterns. Some pseudogene transcripts have intact open reading frames and are translated in cultured cells, representing unannotated protein-coding genes. To assess the biological impact of noncoding pseudogenes, we CRISPR-Cas9 delete the nucleus-enriched pseudogene PDCL3P4 and observe hundreds of perturbed genes. This study highlights pseudogenes as a complex and dynamic component of the human transcriptional landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin-Lee Troskie
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, QLD 4102 Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Yohaann Jafrani
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, QLD 4102 Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Tim R. Mercer
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Adam D. Ewing
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, QLD 4102 Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J. Faulkner
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, QLD 4102 Woolloongabba, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Seth W. Cheetham
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, QLD 4102 Woolloongabba, Australia
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29
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Fanfani V, Citi L, Harris AL, Pezzella F, Stracquadanio G. The Landscape of the Heritable Cancer Genome. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2588-2599. [PMID: 33731442 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have found hundreds of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with increased risk of cancer. However, the amount of heritable risk explained by SNPs is limited, leaving most of the cancer heritability unexplained. Tumor sequencing projects have shown that causal mutations are enriched in genic regions. We hypothesized that SNPs located in protein coding genes and nearby regulatory regions could explain a significant proportion of the heritable risk of cancer. To perform gene-level heritability analysis, we developed a new method, called Bayesian Gene Heritability Analysis (BAGHERA), to estimate the heritability explained by all genotyped SNPs and by those located in genic regions using GWAS summary statistics. BAGHERA was specifically designed for low heritability traits such as cancer and provides robust heritability estimates under different genetic architectures. BAGHERA-based analysis of 38 cancers reported in the UK Biobank showed that SNPs explain at least 10% of the heritable risk for 14 of them, including late onset malignancies. We then identified 1,146 genes, called cancer heritability genes (CHG), explaining a significant proportion of cancer heritability. CHGs were involved in hallmark processes controlling the transformation from normal to cancerous cells. Importantly, 60 of them also harbored somatic driver mutations, and 27 are tumor suppressors. Our results suggest that germline and somatic mutation information could be exploited to identify subgroups of individuals at higher risk of cancer in the broader population and could prove useful to establish strategies for early detection and cancer surveillance. SIGNIFICANCE: This study describes a new statistical method to identify genes associated with cancer heritability in the broader population, creating a map of the heritable cancer genome with gene-level resolution.See related commentary by Bader, p. 2586.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Fanfani
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Citi
- School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Molecular Oncology Laboratories, Department of Oncology, The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Pezzella
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Stracquadanio
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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30
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Maiuthed A, Prakhongcheep O, Chanvorachote P. Microarray-based Analysis of Genes, Transcription Factors, and Epigenetic Modifications in Lung Cancer Exposed to Nitric Oxide. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 17:401-415. [PMID: 32576585 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as an important biological mediator that exerts several human physiological functions. As its nature is an aqueous soluble gas that can diffuse through cells and tissues, NO can affect cell signaling, the phenotype of cancer and modify surrounding cells. The variety of effects of NO on cancer cell biology has convinced researchers to determine the defined mechanisms of these effects and how to control this mediator for a better understanding as well as for therapeutic gain. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used bioinformatics and pharmacological experiments to elucidate the potential regulation and underlying mechanisms of NO in non-small a lung cancer cell model. RESULTS Using microarrays, we identified a total of 151 NO-regulated genes (80 up-regulated genes, 71 down-regulated genes) with a strong statistically significant difference compared to untreated controls. Among these, the genes activated by a factor of more than five times were: DCBLD2, MGC24975, RAB40AL, PER3, RCN1, MRPL51, PTTG1, KLF5, NFIX. On the other hand, the expression of RBMS2, PDP2, RBAK, ORMDL2, GRPEL2, ZNF514, MTHFD2, POLR2D, RCBTB1, JOSD1, RPS27, GPR4 genes were significantly decreased by a factor of more than five times. Bioinformatics further revealed that NO exposure of lung cancer cells resulted in a change in transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic modifications (histone modification and miRNA). Interestingly, NO treatment was shown to potentiate cancer stem cell-related genes and transcription factors Oct4, Klf4, and Myc. CONCLUSION Through this comprehensive approach, the present study illustrated the scheme of how NO affects molecular events in lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnatchai Maiuthed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ornjira Prakhongcheep
- Cell-based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Cell-based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand .,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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31
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Wilson C, Kanhere A. 8q24.21 Locus: A Paradigm to Link Non-Coding RNAs, Genome Polymorphisms and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1094. [PMID: 33499210 PMCID: PMC7865353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of the human genome is comprised of non-protein-coding genes, but the relevance of non-coding RNAs in complex diseases has yet to be fully elucidated. One class of non-coding RNAs is long non-coding RNAs or lncRNAs, many of which have been identified to play a range of roles in transcription and translation. While the clinical importance of the majority of lncRNAs have yet to be identified, it is puzzling that a large number of disease-associated genetic variations are seen in lncRNA genes. The 8q24.21 locus is rich in lncRNAs and very few protein-coding genes are located in this region. Interestingly, the 8q24.21 region is also a hot spot for genetic variants associated with an increased risk of cancer. Research focusing on the lncRNAs in this area of the genome has indicated clinical relevance of lncRNAs in different cancers. In this review, we summarise the lncRNAs in the 8q24.21 region with respect to their role in cancer and discuss the potential impact of cancer-associated genetic polymorphisms on the function of lncRNAs in initiation and progression of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aditi Kanhere
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK;
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Bok I, Karreth FA. Strategies to Study the Functions of Pseudogenes in Mouse Models of Cancer. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2324:287-304. [PMID: 34165722 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1503-4_18] [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: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of pseudogenes has been observed in many cancer types. Deregulated pseudogenes engage in a multitude of biological processes at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels and eventually facilitate disease progression. To investigate pseudogene functions in cancer, cell lines and cell line transplantation models have been widely used. However, cancer biology is best studied in the context of an intact organism. Here, we present various strategies to investigate pseudogenes in genetically engineered mouse models and discuss advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilah Bok
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Florian A Karreth
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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Salem NA, Mahnke AH, Tseng AM, Garcia CR, Jahromi HK, Geoffroy CG, Miranda RC. A novel Oct4/Pou5f1-like non-coding RNA controls neural maturation and mediates developmental effects of ethanol. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 83:106943. [PMID: 33221301 PMCID: PMC7856281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure can result in loss of neural stem cells (NSCs) and decreased brain growth. Here, we assessed whether a noncoding RNA (ncRNA) related to the NSC self-renewal factor Oct4/Pou5f1, and transcribed from a processed pseudogene locus on mouse chromosome 9 (mOct4pg9), contributed to the loss of NSCs due to ethanol. Mouse fetal cortical-derived NSCs, cultured ex vivo to mimic the early neurogenic environment of the fetal telencephalon, expressed mOct4pg9 ncRNA at significantly higher levels than the parent Oct4/Pou5f1 mRNA. Ethanol exposure increased expression of mOct4pg9 ncRNA, but decreased expression of Oct4/Pou5f1. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses indicated that mOct4pg9 overexpression generally mimicked effects of ethanol exposure, resulting in increased proliferation and expression of transcripts associated with neural maturation. Moreover, mOct4pg9 associated with Ago2 and with miRNAs, including the anti-proliferative miR-328-3p, whose levels were reduced following mOct4pg9 overexpression. Finally, mOct4pg9 inhibited Oct4/Pou5f1-3'UTR-dependent protein translation. Consistent with these observations, data from single-cell transcriptome analysis showed that mOct4pg9-expressing progenitors lack Oct4/Pou5f1, but instead overexpress transcripts for increased mitosis, suggesting initiation of transit amplification. Collectively, these data suggest that the inhibitory effects of ethanol on brain development are explained, in part, by a novel ncRNA which promotes loss of NSC identity and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal A Salem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amanda H Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA; Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Alexander M Tseng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Cadianna R Garcia
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Hooman K Jahromi
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Cédric G Geoffroy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA.
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Abstract
Pseudogenes are commonly labeled as "junk DNA" given their perceived nonfunctional status. However, the advent of large-scale genomics projects prompted a revisit of pseudogene biology, highlighting their key functional and regulatory roles in numerous diseases, including cancers. Integrative analyses of cancer data have shown that pseudogenes can be transcribed and even translated, and that pseudogenic DNA, RNA, and proteins can interfere with the activity and function of key protein coding genes, acting as regulators of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Capitalizing on the available clinical research, we are able to get an insight into the spread and variety of pseudogene biomarker and therapeutic potential. In this chapter, we describe pseudogenes that fulfill their role as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, both as unique elements and in collaboration with other genes or pseudogenes. We also report that the majority of prognostic pseudogenes are overexpressed and exert an oncogenic role in colorectal, liver, lung, and gastric cancers. Finally, we highlight a number of pseudogenes that can establish future therapeutic avenues.
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Nintedanib promotes antitumour immunity and shows antitumour activity in combination with PD-1 blockade in mice: potential role of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Br J Cancer 2020; 124:914-924. [PMID: 33299131 PMCID: PMC7921555 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) suppress antitumour immunity, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib has antifibrotic effects. METHODS We performed a preclinical study to evaluate whether nintedanib might enhance antitumour immunity by targeting CAFs and thereby improve the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). RESULTS Whereas nintedanib did not suppress the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells in vitro, it prolonged survival in a syngeneic mouse model of tumour formation by these cells, suggestive of an effect on the TME without direct cytotoxicity. Gene expression profiling indeed showed that nintedanib influenced antitumour immunity and fibrosis. Tumoural infiltration of CD8+ T cells and granzyme B production were increased by nintedanib, and its antitumour activity was attenuated by antibody-mediated depletion of these cells, indicating that nintedanib suppressed tumour growth in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. Moreover, nintedanib inhibited the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts. Finally, the combination of nintedanib with ICB showed enhanced antitumour efficacy in B16-F10 tumour-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that nintedanib targeted CAFs and thereby attenuated the immunosuppressive nature of the TME and promoted the intratumoural accumulation and activation of CD8+ T cells, with these effects contributing to enhanced antitumour activity in combination with ICB.
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Chen L, Dong B, Gao H, Xue H, Pan D, Sun P. HPV-16 E2/E6 and POU5F1B as Biomarkers to Determine Cervical High-Grade Squamous Lesions and More. J Inflamm Res 2020; 13:813-821. [PMID: 33149654 PMCID: PMC7605924 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s278911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human papillomavirus-16 (HPV-16) is the most carcinogenic HPV genotype. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of POU5F1B and HPV-16-E2/E6 by cervical cytology specimens to predict the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia two grade and more (CIN2+). Methods Finally, 248 patients with HPV-16 single infection were enrolled. Using cytology specimen by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), POU5F1B mRNA and HPV-16-E2/E6 were detected. The relationship of POU5F1B, HPV-16-E2/E6 and CIN2+ were analyzed, and the optimal cut-off values of POU5F1B and HPV-16-E2/E6 to predict CIN2+ were calculated. Results The mean HPV-16-E2/E6 decreased significantly with cervical lesions development, especially compared with CIN2+ (p<0.05). And the POU5F1B demonstrated higher expression in CIN2+ than that of normal cervical tissue and CIN1 (p<0.05). What is more, POU5F1B was negatively correlated with HPV-16-E2/E6. It demonstrated that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for POU5F1B (0.9058) was higher than that for HPV-16-E2/E6 (0.8983), and the sensitivity and specificity of POU5F1B in the diagnosis of CIN2+ were higher than HPV-E2/E6. Furthermore, it demonstrated that the POU5F1B had the highest odds ratio (OR= 16.84; 95% CI (8.00–35.46)) for the detection of CIN 2+. Conclusion HPV-16-E2/E6≤0.6471 or POU5F1B≥1.0310 in cervical exfoliated cells can be used as a reliable predictor of CIN2+. POU5F1B can be used as a new auxiliary biomarker to determine the HPV infection status and a reliable predictor of CIN2+. The expression of POU5F1B≥1.0310 had the highest OR for the detection of CIN2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Women and Children Major Disease, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Binhua Dong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Women and Children Major Disease, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hangjing Gao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Women and Children Major Disease, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifeng Xue
- Medical Center of Cervical Disease and Colposcopy, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Diling Pan
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengming Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Women and Children Major Disease, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
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Osman N, Shawky A, Brylinski M. Exploring the effects of genetic variation on gene regulation in cancer in the context of 3D genome structure.. [DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.06.328567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
AbstractNumerous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted to date revealed genetic variants associated with various diseases, including breast and prostate cancers. Despite the availability of these large-scale data, relatively few variants have been functionally characterized, mainly because the majority of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) map to the non-coding regions of the human genome. The functional characterization of these non-coding variants and the identification of their target genes remain challenging. In this communication, we explore the potential functional mechanisms of non-coding SNPs by integrating GWAS with the high-resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data for breast and prostate cancers. We show that more genetic variants map to regulatory elements through the 3D genome structure than the 1D linear genome lacking physical chromatin interactions. Importantly, the association of enhancers, transcription factors, and their target genes with breast and prostate cancers tends to be higher when these regulatory elements are mapped to high-risk SNPs through spatial interactions compared to simply using a linear proximity. Finally, we demonstrate that topologically associating domains (TADs) carrying high-risk SNPs also contain gene regulatory elements whose association with cancer is generally higher than those belonging to control TADs containing no high-risk variants. Our results suggest that many SNPs may contribute to the cancer development by affecting the expression of certain tumor-related genes through long-range chromatin interactions with gene regulatory elements. Integrating large-scale genetic datasets with the 3D genome structure offers an attractive and unique approach to systematically investigate the functional mechanisms of genetic variants in disease risk and progression.
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Implication of Pseudo Reference Genes in Normalization of Data from Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR. Gene 2020; 757:144948. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Targeting of Lung Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewal Pathway by a Small Molecule Verrucarin J. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 15:601-611. [PMID: 30835047 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-019-09874-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable advances made in understanding of lung cancer biology, there has been meek improvement in lung cancer treatment outcome with 4% to 5% increase in 5-year survival rates in the last four decades. Underlying problem of lung cancer recurrence and poor prognosis is attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) which possess the potential to differentiate, proliferate and trigger chemo-resistance, tumor progression and metastasis, despite initial elimination of the tumor. To address specific targeting of CSCs, we investigated the effects of a small molecule Verrucarin J (VJ) on lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1793. VJ significantly inhibited cell proliferation of both cell lines, with IC50 values of approximately 10 nM for A549 and 20 nM for H1793 respectively after 48 h of treatment. A549 cell line when treated with VJ, induced cell apoptosis with concomitant down regulation of key CSC specific genes- ALDH1, LGR5, OCT4 and CD133 in a dose-dependent manner. To delineate the molecular mechanism by which VJ targets lung cancer cells and CSCs, we determined the effects of VJ on CSC self-renewal pathways Wnt1/β-catenin and Notch1. Treatment of A549 cell line with VJ inhibited significantly both the signalling pathways, suggesting inhibition of expression of CSC genes by VJ through the inhibition of CSC self-renewal signalling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that VJ may serve as a potent anticancer drug to target cancer cells and CSCs.
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Brandes N, Linial N, Linial M. PWAS: proteome-wide association study-linking genes and phenotypes by functional variation in proteins. Genome Biol 2020; 21:173. [PMID: 32665031 PMCID: PMC7386203 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02089-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We introduce Proteome-Wide Association Study (PWAS), a new method for detecting gene-phenotype associations mediated by protein function alterations. PWAS aggregates the signal of all variants jointly affecting a protein-coding gene and assesses their overall impact on the protein's function using machine learning and probabilistic models. Subsequently, it tests whether the gene exhibits functional variability between individuals that correlates with the phenotype of interest. PWAS can capture complex modes of heritability, including recessive inheritance. A comparison with GWAS and other existing methods proves its capacity to recover causal protein-coding genes and highlight new associations. PWAS is available as a command-line tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Brandes
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Nathan Linial
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Linial
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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A three-gene signature might predict prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Biosci Rep 2020; 40:224913. [PMID: 32436945 PMCID: PMC7269913 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of effective signatures is crucial to predict the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The investigation aimed to identify a new signature for AML prognostic prediction by using the three-gene expression (octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), POU domain type 5 transcription factor 1B (POU5F1B) and B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site-1 pseudogene 1 (BMI1P1). The expressions of genes were obtained from our previous study. Only the specimens in which three genes were all expressed were included in this research. A three-gene signature was constructed by the multivariate Cox regression analyses to divide patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the three-gene signature (area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.821–0.981, P<0.001) indicated that it was a more valuable signature for distinguishing between patients and controls than any of the three genes. Moreover, white blood cells (WBCs, P=0.004), platelets (PLTs, P=0.017), percentage of blasts in bone marrow (BM) (P=0.011) and complete remission (CR, P=0.027) had significant differences between two groups. Furthermore, high-risk group had shorter leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) than low-risk group (P=0.026; P=0.006), and the three-gene signature was a prognostic factor. Our three-gene signature for prognosis prediction in AML may serve as a prognostic biomarker.
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Gu Y, Lin X, Kapoor A, Chow MJ, Jiang Y, Zhao K, Tang D. The Oncogenic Potential of the Centromeric Border Protein FAM84B of the 8q24.21 Gene Desert. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11030312. [PMID: 32183428 PMCID: PMC7140883 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FAM84B is a risk gene in breast and prostate cancers. Its upregulation is associated with poor prognosis of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. FAM84B facilitates cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, and xenograft growth in vivo. The FAM84B and Myc genes border a 1.2 Mb gene desert at 8q24.21. Co-amplification of both occurs in 20 cancer types. Mice deficient of a 430 Kb fragment within the 1.2 Mb gene desert have downregulated FAM84B and Myc expressions concurrent with reduced breast cancer growth. Intriguingly, Myc works in partnership with other oncogenes, including Ras. FAM84B shares similarities with the H-Ras-like suppressor (HRASLS) family over their typical LRAT (lecithin:retinal acyltransferase) domain. This domain contains a catalytic triad, H23, H35, and C113, which constitutes the phospholipase A1/2 and O-acyltransferase activities of HRASLS1-5. These enzymatic activities underlie their suppression of Ras. FAM84B conserves H23 and H35 but not C113 with both histidine residues residing within a highly conserved motif that FAM84B shares with HRASLS1-5. Deletion of this motif abolishes FAM84B oncogenic activities. These properties suggest a collaboration of FAM84B with Myc, consistent with the role of the gene desert in strengthening Myc functions. Here, we will discuss recent research on FAM84B-derived oncogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gu
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Xiaozeng Lin
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Anil Kapoor
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Mathilda Jing Chow
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Yanzhi Jiang
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Kuncheng Zhao
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Damu Tang
- Urological Cancer Center for Research and Innovation (UCCRI), St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (Y.G.); (X.L.); (M.J.C.); (Y.J.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;
- The Research Institute of St Joe’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +(905)-522-1155 (ext. 35168)
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Clemente-Periván SI, Gómez-Gómez Y, Leyva-Vázquez MA, Lagunas-Martínez A, Organista-Nava J, Illades-Aguiar B. Role of Oct3/4 in Cervical Cancer Tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:247. [PMID: 32219062 PMCID: PMC7079573 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common type of cancer that affects women. Compared to other types of cancer, CC has a high mortality rate in women worldwide. Several factors contribute to the development of CC, but persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection is the main etiologic agent associated with the development of CC. Moreover, several studies reported that alterations in the expression of transcription factors present in a small subpopulation of cells within tumors called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to the development of CC by promoting tumorigenicity and metastasis. These transcription factors affect self-renewal and maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation in stem cells. OCT3/4 belongs to the family of transcription factors with the POU domain. It consists of five exons and can be edited by alternative splicing into three main transcripts: OCT3/4A, OCT3/4B, and OCT3/4B1. The OCT3/4 expression in CSCs promotes carcinogenesis and the development of malignant tumors, and the loss of expression leads to the loss of self-renewal and proliferation and favors apoptosis. This review describes the main roles of OCT3/4 in CC and its importance in several biological processes that contribute to the development of CC and may serve as molecular targets to improve prognosis of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Itzel Clemente-Periván
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Mexico
| | - Yazmín Gómez-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Mexico
| | - Marco Antonio Leyva-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Lagunas-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Jorge Organista-Nava
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Mexico
| | - Berenice Illades-Aguiar
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Mexico
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Anauate AC, Leal MF, Calcagno DQ, Gigek CO, Karia BTR, Wisnieski F, dos Santos LC, Chen ES, Burbano RR, Smith MAC. The Complex Network between MYC Oncogene and microRNAs in Gastric Cancer: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051782. [PMID: 32150871 PMCID: PMC7084225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the advancements in cancer treatments, gastric cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In this context, it is of great interest to discover new and more effective ways of treating this disease. Accumulated evidences have demonstrated the amplification of 8q24.21 region in gastric tumors. Furthermore, this is the region where the widely known MYC oncogene and different microRNAs are located. MYC deregulation is key in tumorigenesis in various types of tissues, once it is associated with cell proliferation, survival, and drug resistance. microRNAs are a class of noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate the protein translation, and which deregulation is related with gastric cancer development. However, little is understood about the interactions between microRNAs and MYC. Here, we overview the MYC role and its relationship with the microRNAs network in gastric cancer aiming to identify potential targets useful to be used in clinic, not only as biomarkers, but also as molecules for development of promising therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Anauate
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
- Disciplina de Nefrologia, Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Mariana Ferreira Leal
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Danielle Queiroz Calcagno
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém PA 66075-110, Brazil; (D.Q.C.); (R.R.B.)
| | - Carolina Oliveira Gigek
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Bruno Takao Real Karia
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Fernanda Wisnieski
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
- Disciplina de Gastroenterologia, Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Caires dos Santos
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Elizabeth Suchi Chen
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Rommel Rodríguez Burbano
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém PA 66075-110, Brazil; (D.Q.C.); (R.R.B.)
- Laboratório de Citogenética Humana, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Ophir Loyola, Belém PA 66063-240, Brazil
| | - Marília Arruda Cardoso Smith
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 04023-062, Brazil; (A.C.A.); (M.F.L.); (C.O.G.); (B.T.R.K.); (F.W.); (L.C.d.S.); (E.S.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-5576-4848
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Lou W, Ding B, Fu P. Pseudogene-Derived lncRNAs and Their miRNA Sponging Mechanism in Human Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:85. [PMID: 32185172 PMCID: PMC7058547 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes, abundant in the human genome, are traditionally considered as non-functional “junk genes.” However, recent studies have revealed that pseudogenes act as key regulators at DNA, RNA or protein level in diverse human disorders (including cancer), among which pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcripts are extensively investigated and has been reported to be frequently dysregulated in various types of human cancer. Growing evidence demonstrates that pseudogene-derived lncRNAs play important roles in cancer initiation and progression by serving as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) through competitively binding to shared microRNAs (miRNAs), thus affecting both their cognate genes and unrelated genes. Herein, we retrospect those current findings about expression, functions and potential ceRNA mechanisms of pseudogene-derived lncRNAs in human cancer, which may provide us with some crucial clues in developing potential targets for cancer therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyang Lou
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Program of Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bisha Ding
- Program of Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peifen Fu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Xu Z, Liu C, Zhao Q, Lü J, Ding X, Luo A, He J, Wang G, Li Y, Cai Z, Wang Z, Liu J, Liu S, Li W, Yu Z. Long non-coding RNA CCAT2 promotes oncogenesis in triple-negative breast cancer by regulating stemness of cancer cells. Pharmacol Res 2020; 152:104628. [PMID: 31904506 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are more aggressive due to lacking receptors for hormone therapy and maintaining stemness features in cancer cells. Herein we found long non-coding RNA CCAT2 overexpressed specially in TNBC, and in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) as well. Enforced overexpression and targeted knockdown demonstrated the oncogenic function of CCAT2 both in vitro and in vivo. CCAT2 promoted the expression of stemness markers including OCT4, Nanog and KLF4, increased mammosphere formation and induced ALDH+ cancer stem cell population in TNBC. A chromosomally adjacent gene OCT4-PG1, as a pseudogene of OCT4, was upregulated by CCAT2, and positively regulated the stemness features of TNBC cells. miR-205 was identified as a target gene of CCAT2 in TNBC. Point-mutation in CCAT2 impaired the sponge inhibition of miR-205. Overexpression of miR-205 rescued the oncogenic phenotypes induced by CCAT2. In addition, Notch2, as a target gene of miR-205, was downregulated by miR-205 and upregulated by CCAT2 in TNBC. Collectively, the current study revealed a novel function of CCAT2 in promoting tumor initiation and progression in TNBC through upregulating OCT4-PG1 expression and activating Notch signaling. These findings not only demonstrated a lncRNA-based therapeutic strategy in treatment of TNBC, but also added a node to the regulatory network of CCAT2 that controls aggressiveness of breast cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China; Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cuiui Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China; Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Jinhui Lü
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Xin Ding
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - An Luo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Jia He
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Guangxue Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Zhaoqing Cai
- Tongji University School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongrui Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenshu Li
- Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zuoren Yu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
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Chen X, Wan L, Wang W, Xi WJ, Yang AG, Wang T. Re-recognition of pseudogenes: From molecular to clinical applications. Theranostics 2020; 10:1479-1499. [PMID: 32042317 PMCID: PMC6993246 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes were initially regarded as "nonfunctional" genomic elements that did not have protein-coding abilities due to several endogenous inactivating mutations. Although pseudogenes are widely expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, for decades, they have been largely ignored and classified as gene "junk" or "relics". With the widespread availability of high-throughput sequencing analysis, especially omics technologies, knowledge concerning pseudogenes has substantially increased. Pseudogenes are evolutionarily conserved and derive primarily from a mutation or retrotransposon, conferring the pseudogene with a "gene repository" role to store and expand genetic information. In contrast to previous notions, pseudogenes have a variety of functions at the DNA, RNA and protein levels for broadly participating in gene regulation to influence the development and progression of certain diseases, especially cancer. Indeed, some pseudogenes have been proven to encode proteins, strongly contradicting their "trash" identification, and have been confirmed to have tissue-specific and disease subtype-specific expression, indicating their own value in disease diagnosis. Moreover, pseudogenes have been correlated with the life expectancy of patients and exhibit great potential for future use in disease treatment, suggesting that they are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the natural properties, functions, disease involvement and clinical value of pseudogenes. Although our knowledge of pseudogenes remains nascent, this field deserves more attention and deeper exploration.
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Mussazhanova Z, Rogounovitch TI, Saenko VA, Krykpayeva A, Espenbetova M, Azizov B, Kondo H, Matsuda K, Kalmatayeva Z, Issayeva R, Yeleubayeva Z, Madiyeva M, Mukanova A, Sandybayev M, Bolsynbekova S, Kozykenova Z, Yamashita S, Nakashima M. The Contribution of Genetic Variants to the Risk of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in the Kazakh Population: Study of Common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Their Clinicopathological Correlations. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:543500. [PMID: 33551988 PMCID: PMC7862756 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.543500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Risk for developing papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common endocrine malignancy, is thought to be mediated by lifestyle, environmental exposures and genetic factors. Recent progress in the genome-wide association studies of thyroid cancer leads to the identification of several genetic variants conferring risk to this malignancy across different ethnicities. We set out to elucidate the impact of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on PTC risk and to evaluate clinicopathological correlations of these genetic variants in the Kazakh population for the first time. METHODS Eight SNPs were genotyped in 485 patients with PTC and 1,008 healthy control Kazakh subjects. The association analysis and multivariable modeling of PTC risk by the genetic factors, supplemented with rigorous statistical validation, were performed. RESULT Five of the eight SNPs: rs965513 (FOXE1/PTCSC2, P = 1.3E-16), rs1867277 (FOXE1 5'UTR, P = 7.5E-06), rs2439302 (NRG1 intron 1, P = 4.0E-05), rs944289 (PTCSC3/NKX2-1, P = 4.5E-06) and rs10136427 (BATF upstream, P = 9.8E-03) were significantly associated with PTC. rs966423 (DIRC3, P = 0.07) showed a suggestive association. rs7267944 (DHX35) was associated with PTC risk in males (P = 0.02), rs1867277 (FOXE1) conferred the higher risk in subjects older than 55 years (P = 7.0E-05), and rs6983267 (POU5F1B/CCAT2) was associated with pT3-T4 tumors (P = 0.01). The contribution of genetic component (unidirectional independent effects of rs965513, rs944289, rs2439302 and rs10136427 adjusted for age and sex) to PTC risk in the analyzed series was estimated to be 30-40%. CONCLUSION Genetic factors analyzed in the present work display significant association signals with PTC either on the whole group analysis or in particular clinicopathological groups and account for about one-third of the risk for PTC in the Kazakh population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanna Mussazhanova
- Department of Tumor and Diagnostic Pathology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Tatiana I. Rogounovitch
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Vladimir A. Saenko
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- *Correspondence: Vladimir A. Saenko,
| | - Ainur Krykpayeva
- Department of Endocrinology, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Maira Espenbetova
- Department of Endocrinology, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Bauyrzhan Azizov
- Endovascular Laboratory of Training Hospital, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Hisayoshi Kondo
- Biostatics Section, Division of Scientific Data Registry, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Katsuya Matsuda
- Department of Tumor and Diagnostic Pathology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Zhanna Kalmatayeva
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Raushan Issayeva
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanar Yeleubayeva
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Center of Morphological Examination, Kazakh Institute of Oncology and Radiology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Madina Madiyeva
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Aray Mukanova
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Marat Sandybayev
- Center of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of Semey, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Zhanna Kozykenova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Shunichi Yamashita
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakashima
- Department of Tumor and Diagnostic Pathology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Overcoming challenges and dogmas to understand the functions of pseudogenes. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 21:191-201. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Chew GL, Campbell AE, De Neef E, Sutliff NA, Shadle SC, Tapscott SJ, Bradley RK. DUX4 Suppresses MHC Class I to Promote Cancer Immune Evasion and Resistance to Checkpoint Blockade. Dev Cell 2019; 50:658-671.e7. [PMID: 31327741 PMCID: PMC6736738 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapies make it critical to identify genes that modulate antigen presentation and tumor-immune interactions. We report that DUX4, an early embryonic transcription factor that is normally silenced in somatic tissues, is re-expressed in diverse solid cancers. Both cis-acting inherited genetic variation and somatically acquired mutations in trans-acting repressors contribute to DUX4 re-expression in cancer. Although many DUX4 target genes encode self-antigens, DUX4-expressing cancers were paradoxically characterized by reduced markers of anti-tumor cytolytic activity and lower major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression. We demonstrate that DUX4 expression blocks interferon-γ-mediated induction of MHC class I, implicating suppressed antigen presentation in DUX4-mediated immune evasion. Clinical data in metastatic melanoma confirmed that DUX4 expression was associated with significantly reduced progression-free and overall survival in response to anti-CTLA-4. Our results demonstrate that cancers can escape immune surveillance by reactivating a normal developmental pathway and identify a therapeutically relevant mechanism of cell-intrinsic immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Liang Chew
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Amy E Campbell
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Emma De Neef
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nicholas A Sutliff
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sean C Shadle
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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