1
|
Yao X, He Z, Liu Y, Wang Y, Ouyang S, Xia J. Cancer-Alterome: a literature-mined resource for regulatory events caused by genetic alterations in cancer. Sci Data 2024; 11:265. [PMID: 38431735 PMCID: PMC10908799 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
It is vital to investigate the complex mechanisms underlying tumors to better understand cancer and develop effective treatments. Metabolic abnormalities and clinical phenotypes can serve as essential biomarkers for diagnosing this challenging disease. Additionally, genetic alterations provide profound insights into the fundamental aspects of cancer. This study introduces Cancer-Alterome, a literature-mined dataset that focuses on the regulatory events of an organism's biological processes or clinical phenotypes caused by genetic alterations. By proposing and leveraging a text-mining pipeline, we identify 16,681 thousand of regulatory events records encompassing 21K genes, 157K genetic alterations and 154K downstream bio-concepts, extracted from 4,354K pan-cancer literature. The resulting dataset empowers a multifaceted investigation of cancer pathology, enabling the meticulous tracking of relevant literature support. Its potential applications extend to evidence-based medicine and precision medicine, yielding valuable insights for further advancements in cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhi Yao
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China
| | - Zhihan He
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yawen Liu
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yuxing Wang
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P.R. China
| | - Sizhuo Ouyang
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China
| | - Jingbo Xia
- Hubei Key Lab of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu W, Bruggeman JW, Lei Q, van Pelt AMM, Koster J, Hamer G. Germline specific genes increase DNA double-strand break repair and radioresistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:38. [PMID: 38216586 PMCID: PMC10786935 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06433-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
In principle, germline cells possess the capability to transmit a nearly unaltered set of genetic material to infinite future generations, whereas somatic cells are limited by strict growth constraints necessary to assure an organism's physical structure and eventual mortality. As the potential to replicate indefinitely is a key feature of cancer, we hypothesized that the activation of a "germline program" in somatic cells can contribute to oncogenesis. Our group recently described over one thousand germline specific genes that can be ectopically expressed in cancer, yet how germline specific processes contribute to the malignant properties of cancer is poorly understood. We here show that the expression of germ cell/cancer (GC) genes correlates with malignancy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We found that LUAD cells expressing more GC genes can repair DNA double strand breaks more rapidly, show higher rates of proliferation and are more resistant to ionizing radiation, compared to LUAD cells that express fewer GC genes. In particular, we identified the HORMA domain protein regulator TRIP13 to be predominantly responsible for this malignant phenotype, and that TRIP13 inhibition or expression levels affect the response to ionizing radiation and subsequent DNA repair. Our results demonstrate that GC genes are viable targets in oncology, as they induce increased radiation resistance and increased propagation in cancer cells. Because their expression is normally restricted to germline cells, we anticipate that GC gene directed therapeutic options will effectively target cancer, with limited side effects besides (temporary) infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Liu
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem Bruggeman
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Qijing Lei
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Koster
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Erenpreisa J, Giuliani A, Cragg MS. Special Issue "Advances in Genome Regulation in Cancer". Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14567. [PMID: 37834014 PMCID: PMC10572122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is globally increasing [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jekaterina Erenpreisa
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mark Steven Cragg
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Erenpreisa J, Vainshelbaum NM, Lazovska M, Karklins R, Salmina K, Zayakin P, Rumnieks F, Inashkina I, Pjanova D, Erenpreiss J. The Price of Human Evolution: Cancer-Testis Antigens, the Decline in Male Fertility and the Increase in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11660. [PMID: 37511419 PMCID: PMC10380301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411660] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing frequency of general and particularly male cancer coupled with the reduction in male fertility seen worldwide motivated us to seek a potential evolutionary link between these two phenomena, concerning the reproductive transcriptional modules observed in cancer and the expression of cancer-testis antigens (CTA). The phylostratigraphy analysis of the human genome allowed us to link the early evolutionary origin of cancer via the reproductive life cycles of the unicellulars and early multicellulars, potentially driving soma-germ transition, female meiosis, and the parthenogenesis of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), with the expansion of the CTA multi-families, very late during their evolution. CTA adaptation was aided by retrovirus domestication in the unstable genomes of mammals, for protecting male fertility in stress conditions, particularly that of humans, as compensation for the energy consumption of a large complex brain which also exploited retrotransposition. We found that the early and late evolutionary branches of human cancer are united by the immunity-proto-placental network, which evolved in the Cambrian and shares stress regulators with the finely-tuned sex determination system. We further propose that social stress and endocrine disruption caused by environmental pollution with organic materials, which alter sex determination in male foetuses and further spermatogenesis in adults, bias the development of PGCC-parthenogenetic cancer by default.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marija Lazovska
- Molecular Genetics Scientific Laboratory, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Roberts Karklins
- Molecular Genetics Scientific Laboratory, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Kristine Salmina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1-1k, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Pawel Zayakin
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1-1k, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Felikss Rumnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1-1k, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Inna Inashkina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1-1k, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Pjanova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1-1k, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
- Molecular Genetics Scientific Laboratory, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Erenpreiss
- Molecular Genetics Scientific Laboratory, Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Clinic iVF-Riga, Zala 1, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Admon A. The biogenesis of the immunopeptidome. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101766. [PMID: 37141766 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The immunopeptidome is the repertoire of peptides bound and presented by the MHC class I, class II, and non-classical molecules. The peptides are produced by the degradation of most cellular proteins, and in some cases, peptides are produced from extracellular proteins taken up by the cells. This review attempts to first describe some of its known and well-accepted concepts, and next, raise some questions about a few of the established dogmas in this field: The production of novel peptides by splicing is questioned, suggesting here that spliced peptides are extremely rare, if existent at all. The degree of the contribution to the immunopeptidome by degradation of cellular protein by the proteasome is doubted, therefore this review attempts to explain why it is likely that this contribution to the immunopeptidome is possibly overstated. The contribution of defective ribosome products (DRiPs) and non-canonical peptides to the immunopeptidome is noted and methods are suggested to quantify them. In addition, the common misconception that the MHC class II peptidome is mostly derived from extracellular proteins is noted, and corrected. It is stressed that the confirmation of sequence assignments of non-canonical and spliced peptides should rely on targeted mass spectrometry using spiking-in of heavy isotope-labeled peptides. Finally, the new methodologies and modern instrumentation currently available for high throughput kinetics and quantitative immunopeptidomics are described. These advanced methods open up new possibilities for utilizing the big data generated and taking a fresh look at the established dogmas and reevaluating them critically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arie Admon
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Comaills V, Castellano-Pozo M. Chromosomal Instability in Genome Evolution: From Cancer to Macroevolution. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12050671. [PMID: 37237485 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The integrity of the genome is crucial for the survival of all living organisms. However, genomes need to adapt to survive certain pressures, and for this purpose use several mechanisms to diversify. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is one of the main mechanisms leading to the creation of genomic heterogeneity by altering the number of chromosomes and changing their structures. In this review, we will discuss the different chromosomal patterns and changes observed in speciation, in evolutional biology as well as during tumor progression. By nature, the human genome shows an induction of diversity during gametogenesis but as well during tumorigenesis that can conclude in drastic changes such as the whole genome doubling to more discrete changes as the complex chromosomal rearrangement chromothripsis. More importantly, changes observed during speciation are strikingly similar to the genomic evolution observed during tumor progression and resistance to therapy. The different origins of CIN will be treated as the importance of double-strand breaks (DSBs) or the consequences of micronuclei. We will also explain the mechanisms behind the controlled DSBs, and recombination of homologous chromosomes observed during meiosis, to explain how errors lead to similar patterns observed during tumorigenesis. Then, we will also list several diseases associated with CIN, resulting in fertility issues, miscarriage, rare genetic diseases, and cancer. Understanding better chromosomal instability as a whole is primordial for the understanding of mechanisms leading to tumor progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Comaills
- Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, University of Pablo de Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Junta de Andalucía, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Maikel Castellano-Pozo
- Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, University of Pablo de Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Junta de Andalucía, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Genetic Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, 41080 Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vinogradov AE, Anatskaya OV. Systemic Alterations of Cancer Cells and Their Boost by Polyploidization: Unicellular Attractor (UCA) Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076196. [PMID: 37047167 PMCID: PMC10094663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Using meta-analyses, we introduce a unicellular attractor (UCA) model integrating essential features of the ‘atavistic reversal’, ‘cancer attractor’, ‘somatic mutation’, ‘genome chaos’, and ‘tissue organization field’ theories. The ‘atavistic reversal’ theory is taken as a keystone. We propose a possible mechanism of this reversal, its refinement called ‘gradual atavism’, and evidence for the ‘serial atavism’ model. We showed the gradual core-to-periphery evolutionary growth of the human interactome resulting in the higher protein interaction density and global interactome centrality in the UC center. In addition, we revealed that UC genes are more actively expressed even in normal cells. The modeling of random walk along protein interaction trajectories demonstrated that random alterations in cellular networks, caused by genetic and epigenetic changes, can result in a further gradual activation of the UC center. These changes can be induced and accelerated by cellular stress that additionally activates UC genes (especially during cell proliferation), because the genes involved in cellular stress response and cell cycle are mostly of UC origin. The functional enrichment analysis showed that cancer cells demonstrate the hyperactivation of energetics and the suppression of multicellular genes involved in communication with the extracellular environment (especially immune surveillance). Collectively, these events can unleash selfish cell behavior aimed at survival at all means. All these changes are boosted by polyploidization. The UCA model may facilitate an understanding of oncogenesis and promote the development of therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Nin DS, Deng LW. Biology of Cancer-Testis Antigens and Their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060926. [PMID: 36980267 PMCID: PMC10047177 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-specific antigens have been an area of interest in cancer therapy since their discovery in the middle of the 20th century. In the era of immune-based cancer therapeutics, redirecting our immune cells to target these tumour-specific antigens has become even more relevant. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of antigens with an expression specific to the testis and cancer cells. CTAs have also been demonstrated to be expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Due to their frequency and specificity of expression in a multitude of cancers, CTAs have been particularly attractive as cancer-specific therapeutic targets. There is now a rapid expansion of CTAs being identified and many studies have been conducted to correlate CTA expression with cancer and therapy-resistant phenotypes. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of clinical trials involving using some of these CTAs as molecular targets in pharmacological and immune-targeted therapeutics for various cancers. This review will summarise the current knowledge of the biology of known CTAs in tumorigenesis and the regulation of CTA genes. CTAs as molecular targets and the therapeutic implications of these CTA-targeted anticancer strategies will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Sijin Nin
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Lih-Wen Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Spadafora C. The epigenetic basis of evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 178:57-69. [PMID: 36720315 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of data are revealing key roles of epigenetics in evolutionary processes. The scope of this manuscript is to assemble in a coherent frame experimental evidence supporting a role of epigenetic factors and networks, active during embryogenesis, in orchestrating variation-inducing phenomena underlying evolution, seen as a global process. This process unfolds over two crucial levels: i) a flow of RNA-based information - predominantly small regulatory RNAs released from somatic cells exposed to environmental stimuli - taken up by spermatozoa and delivered to oocytes at fertilization and ii) the highly permissive and variation-prone environments offered by zygotes and totipotent early embryos. Totipotent embryos provide a variety of biological tools favouring the emergence of evolutionarily significant phenotypic novelties driven by RNA information. Under this light, neither random genomic mutations, nor the sieving role of natural selection are required, as the sperm-delivered RNA cargo conveys specific information and acts as "phenotypic-inducer" of defined environmentally acquired traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sing TL, Brar GA, Ünal E. Gametogenesis: Exploring an Endogenous Rejuvenation Program to Understand Cellular Aging and Quality Control. Annu Rev Genet 2022; 56:89-112. [PMID: 35878627 PMCID: PMC9712276 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-080320-025104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Gametogenesis is a conserved developmental program whereby a diploid progenitor cell differentiates into haploid gametes, the precursors for sexually reproducing organisms. In addition to ploidy reduction and extensive organelle remodeling, gametogenesis naturally rejuvenates the ensuing gametes, leading to resetting of life span. Excitingly, ectopic expression of the gametogenesis-specific transcription factor Ndt80 is sufficient to extend life span in mitotically dividing budding yeast, suggesting that meiotic rejuvenation pathways can be repurposed outside of their natural context. In this review, we highlight recent studies of gametogenesis that provide emerging insight into natural quality control, organelle remodeling, and rejuvenation strategies that exist within a cell. These include selective inheritance, programmed degradation, and de novo synthesis, all of which are governed by the meiotic gene expression program entailing many forms of noncanonical gene regulation. Finally, we highlight critical questions that remain in the field and provide perspective on the implications of gametogenesis research on human health span.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tina L Sing
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Gloria A Brar
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Elçin Ünal
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sou IF, Hamer G, Tee WW, Vader G, McClurg UL. Cancer and meiotic gene expression: Two sides of the same coin? Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 151:43-68. [PMID: 36681477 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis increases genetic diversity in offspring by generating genetically unique haploid gametes with reshuffled chromosomes. This process requires a specialized set of meiotic proteins, which facilitate chromosome recombination and segregation. However, re-expression of meiotic proteins in mitosis can have catastrophic oncogenic consequences and aberrant expression of meiotic proteins is a common occurrence in human tumors. Mechanistically, re-activation of meiotic genes in cancer promotes oncogenesis likely because cancers-conversely to healthy mitosis-are fueled by genetic instability which promotes tumor evolution, and evasion of immune response and treatment pressure. In this review, we explore similarities between meiotic and cancer cells with a particular focus on the oncogenic activation of meiotic genes in cancer. We emphasize the role of histones and their modifications, DNA methylation, genome organization, R-loops and the availability of distal enhancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ieng Fong Sou
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Chromatin Dynamics and Disease Epigenetics Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wee-Wei Tee
- Chromatin Dynamics and Disease Epigenetics Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gerben Vader
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Oncogenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Urszula Lucja McClurg
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Distinct Roles of NANOS1 and NANOS3 in the Cell Cycle and NANOS3-PUM1-FOXM1 Axis to Control G2/M Phase in a Human Primordial Germ Cell Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126592. [PMID: 35743036 PMCID: PMC9223905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanos RNA-binding proteins are critical factors of germline development throughout the animal kingdom and their dysfunction causes infertility. During evolution, mammalian Nanos paralogues adopted divergent roles in germ cell biology. However, the molecular basis behind this divergence, such as their target mRNAs, remains poorly understood. Our RNA-sequencing analysis in a human primordial germ cell model-TCam-2 cell line revealed distinct pools of genes involved in the cell cycle process downregulated upon NANOS1 and NANOS3 overexpression. We show that NANOS1 and NANOS3 proteins influence different stages of the cell cycle. Namely, NANOS1 is involved in the G1/S and NANOS3 in the G2/M phase transition. Many of their cell cycle targets are known infertility and cancer-germ cell genes. Moreover, NANOS3 in complex with RNA-binding protein PUM1 causes 3′UTR-mediated repression of FOXM1 mRNA encoding a transcription factor crucial for G2/M phase transition. Interestingly, while NANOS3 and PUM1 act as post-transcriptional repressors of FOXM1, FOXM1 potentially acts as a transcriptional activator of NANOS3, PUM1, and itself. Finally, by utilizing publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets, we show that the balance between FOXM1-NANOS3 and FOXM1-PUM1 expression levels is disrupted in testis cancer, suggesting a potential role in this disease.
Collapse
|
13
|
O'Donnell L, Smith LB, Rebourcet D. Sperm-specific proteins: new implications for diagnostic development and cancer immunotherapy. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 77:102104. [PMID: 35671587 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.102104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are comprised of many unique proteins not expressed elsewhere. Sperm-specific proteins are first expressed at puberty, after the development of immune tolerance to self-antigens, and have been assumed to remain confined inside the seminiferous tubules, protected from immune cell recognition by various mechanisms of testicular immune privilege. However, new data has shown that sperm-specific proteins are released by the tubules into the surrounding interstitial fluid; from here they can contact immune cells, potentially promote immune tolerance, and enter the circulation. These new findings have clinical implications for diagnostics and therapeutics targeted at a specific class of proteins known as cancer-testis antigens (CTA), the opportunity to identify new communication pathways in the testis, and to discover new ways to monitor testis function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Victoria, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, 3168, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Lee B Smith
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, 4222, Queensland, Australia
| | - Diane Rebourcet
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Khazan-Kost S, Cafri G, Melamed Kadosh D, Mooshayef N, Chatterji S, Dominissini D, Manor S, Zisser B, Broday L, Talalai E, Shemer A, Zadok O, Ofek E, Onn A, Admon A, Peled M. Soluble HLA peptidome of pleural effusions is a valuable source for tumor antigens. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003733. [PMID: 35580925 PMCID: PMC9114951 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003733] [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] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Soluble human leucocyte antigen (sHLA) molecules, released into the plasma, carry their original peptide cargo and provide insight into the protein synthesis and degradation schemes of their source cells and tissues. Other body fluids, such as pleural effusions, may also contain sHLA-peptide complexes, and can potentially serve as a source of tumor antigens since these fluids are drained from the tumor microenvironment. We explored this possibility by developing a methodology for purifying and analyzing large pleural effusion sHLA class I peptidomes of patients with malignancies or benign diseases. Methods Cleared pleural fluids, cell pellets present in the pleural effusions, and the primary tumor cells cultured from cancer patients’ effusions, were used for immunoaffinity purification of the HLA molecules. The recovered HLA peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the resulting LC-MS/MS data were analyzed with the MaxQuant software tool. Selected tumor antigen peptides were tested for their immunogenicity potential with donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in an in vitro assay. Results Mass spectrometry analysis of the pleural effusions revealed 39,669 peptides attributable to 11,305 source proteins. The majority of peptides identified from the pleural effusions were defined as HLA ligands that fit the patients’ HLA consensus sequence motifs. The membranal and soluble HLA peptidomes of each individual patient correlated to each other. Additionally, soluble HLA peptidomes from the same patient, obtained at different visits to the clinic, were highly similar. Compared with benign effusions, the soluble HLA peptidomes of malignant pleural effusions were larger and included HLA peptides derived from known tumor-associated antigens, including cancer/testis antigens, lung-related proteins, and vascular endothelial growth factor pathway proteins. Selected tumor-associated antigens that were identified by the immunopeptidomics were able to successfully prime CD8+ T cells. Conclusions Pleural effusions contain sHLA-peptide complexes, and the pleural effusion HLA peptidome of patients with malignant tumors can serve as a rich source of biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and potential candidates for personalized immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Khazan-Kost
- Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gal Cafri
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Navit Mooshayef
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Sumit Chatterji
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan Dominissini
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Manor
- Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Bracha Zisser
- Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Limor Broday
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Efrosiniia Talalai
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anat Shemer
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Oranit Zadok
- Institute of Oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Efrat Ofek
- Pathology Department, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Amir Onn
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Arie Admon
- Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michael Peled
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel .,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sanou I, van Maaren J, Eliveld J, Lei Q, Meißner A, de Melker AA, Hamer G, van Pelt AMM, Mulder CL. Spermatogonial Stem Cell-Based Therapies: Taking Preclinical Research to the Next Level. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:850219. [PMID: 35444616 PMCID: PMC9013905 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.850219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertility preservation via biobanking of testicular tissue retrieved from testicular biopsies is now generally recommended for boys who need to undergo gonadotoxic treatment prior to the onset of puberty, as a source of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs have the potential of forming spermatids and may be used for therapeutic fertility approaches later in life. Although in the past 30 years many milestones have been reached to work towards SSC-based fertility restoration therapies, including transplantation of SSCs, grafting of testicular tissue and various in vitro and ex vivo spermatogenesis approaches, unfortunately, all these fertility therapies are still in a preclinical phase and not yet available for patients who have become infertile because of their treatment during childhood. Therefore, it is now time to take the preclinical research towards SSC-based therapy to the next level to resolve major issues that impede clinical implementation. This review gives an outline of the state of the art of the effectiveness and safety of fertility preservation and SSC-based therapies and addresses the hurdles that need to be taken for optimal progression towards actual clinical implementation of safe and effective SSC-based fertility treatments in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Sanou
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jillis van Maaren
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jitske Eliveld
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Qijing Lei
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Meißner
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annemieke A de Melker
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Callista L Mulder
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhou X, Xie X, Liu T, Chen S, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wang S, Wang Y, Dou S, Qi R, Kang N, Zhang D, Jin X, Cui R, Jiang H. REC8 enhances stemness and promotes metastasis of colorectal cancer through BTK/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Transl Oncol 2021; 15:101305. [PMID: 34890967 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are often aberrantly expressed in cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are responsible for tumor metastasis. Rec8 meiotic recombination protein (REC8), a member of CTAs, shares distinct roles in various cancers, while its contribution to CSCs and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We found that overexpression of REC8 facilitated the migration and invasion of CRC cells (DLD-1 and SW480 cells) in vitro and promoted the liver metastasis of CRC in vivo. Moreover, REC8 is highly expressed in CRC stem-like cells and is required for the maintenance of CSC stemness. Mechanistic studies suggested that REC8 mediated through the activation of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). Inhibition of BTK by ibrutinib not only suppressed the migration and invasion-promoting ability, but also declined the increased expression of p-BTK, p-Akt, β-catenin, and CSC markers upon REC8 overexpression. Importantly, high expression of REC8 in cancerous tissues was related to advanced clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of 62 CRC patients, and REC8 was enriched in the cancerous cells positive for CSC markers. Collectively, our results indicate that REC8 promotes CRC metastasis by increasing cell stemness through BTK/Akt/β-catenin pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoli Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shengxiong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yijun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiuna Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shuling Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yongjuan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shiying Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ran Qi
- Department of General Practice, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ning Kang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Dongxuan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoxu Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ruolin Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Huiqing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Hebei Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sandhu S, Sou IF, Hunter JE, Salmon L, Wilson CL, Perkins ND, Hunter N, Davies OR, McClurg UL. Centrosome dysfunction associated with somatic expression of the synaptonemal complex protein TEX12. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1371. [PMID: 34880391 PMCID: PMC8654964 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02887-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a supramolecular protein scaffold that mediates chromosome synapsis and facilitates crossing over during meiosis. In mammals, SC proteins are generally assumed to have no other function. Here, we show that SC protein TEX12 also localises to centrosomes during meiosis independently of chromosome synapsis. In somatic cells, ectopically expressed TEX12 similarly localises to centrosomes, where it is associated with centrosome amplification, a pathology correlated with cancer development. Indeed, TEX12 is identified as a cancer-testis antigen and proliferation of some cancer cells is TEX12-dependent. Moreover, somatic expression of TEX12 is aberrantly activated via retinoic acid signalling, which is commonly disregulated in cancer. Structure-function analysis reveals that phosphorylation of TEX12 on tyrosine 48 is important for centrosome amplification but not for recruitment of TEX12 to centrosomes. We conclude that TEX12 normally localises to meiotic centrosomes, but its misexpression in somatic cells can contribute to pathological amplification and dysfunction of centrosomes in cancers. Sandhu et al. report that the synaptonemal complex (SC) protein, TEX12, localises to centrosomes independently of the SC during meiosis. They also show that it provokes centrosome amplification in somatic cells, a pathology associated with cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Sandhu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Ieng F Sou
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jill E Hunter
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Lucy Salmon
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Caroline L Wilson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Neil D Perkins
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Neil Hunter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Owen R Davies
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. .,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK.
| | - Urszula L McClurg
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Meiosis initiation: a story of two sexes in all creatures great and small. Biochem J 2021; 478:3791-3805. [PMID: 34709374 PMCID: PMC8589329 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Meiosis facilitates diversity across individuals and serves as a major driver of evolution. However, understanding how meiosis begins is complicated by fundamental differences that exist between sexes and species. Fundamental meiotic research is further hampered by a current lack of human meiotic cells lines. Consequently, much of what we know relies on data from model organisms. However, contextualising findings from yeast, worms, flies and mice can be challenging, due to marked differences in both nomenclature and the relative timing of meiosis. In this review, we set out to combine current knowledge of signalling and transcriptional pathways that control meiosis initiation across the sexes in a variety of organisms. Furthermore, we highlight the emerging links between meiosis initiation and oncogenesis, which might explain the frequent re-expression of normally silent meiotic genes in a variety of human cancers.
Collapse
|
19
|
Modulation of protein phosphatase 1 gamma 2 during cell division of cervical cancer HeLa cells. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2021; 25:125-132. [PMID: 34667439 PMCID: PMC8506433 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2021.107745] [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: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Protein phosphatases (PP) and kinases are known to regulate the cell cycle dynamics. Although kinases have been studied extensively, most of the phosphatases are still unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association of an isoform of PP1 family protein phosphatases 1 gamma 2 (PP1γ2) in the regulation of cervical cancer HeLa cell proliferation. Material and methods Expression of PP1γ2 transcript and protein was assessed in the cervical cancer cell line of HeLa cells through RT-PCR and western blotting. Flow cytometry was employed to confirm its expression quantitatively, and Immuno-fluorescence was done to evaluate the distribution of PP1γ2 in the dividing mononuclear and Taxol-induced multipolar HeLa cells. PP1γ2-specific siRNA-mediated silencing was done to understand downstream pathways. The effect of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment on PP1γ2 expression was also evaluated. Results RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed the expression of PP1γ2 in HeLa cells, and flow cytometry analysis established intracellular expression of PP1γ2. Immunofluorescence is localized PP1γ2 in the nucleus of mononuclear cells during interphase, whereas it is transiently redistributed to spindle poles throughout the cell division and localized back to the nucleus after complete karyokinesis. Taxol-induced multipolar HeLa cells also showed a temporal redistribution of PP1γ2 on the spindle poles. Hypoxic conditions upregulated PP1γ2 expression, but downregulated PP1γ2 levels through siRNA increased GSK3β phosphorylation. Conclusions Collectively, data suggests that PP1γ2 is modulated during HeLa cell division and regulates GSK3β phosphorylation, which may regulate downstream signalling of cell division.
Collapse
|
20
|
Liu L, Xu K, Zhou Y. Development of a novel embryonic germline gene-related prognostic model of lung adenocarcinoma. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12257. [PMID: 34721973 PMCID: PMC8542372 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12257] [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: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence implicates the correlation of embryonic germline genes with the tumor progress and patient's outcome. However, the prognostic value of these genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been fully studied. Here we systematically evaluated this issue, and constructed a novel signature and a nomogram associated with embryonic germline genes for predicting the outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS The LUAD cohorts retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used as training set and testing set, respectively. The embryonic germline genes were downloaded from the website https://venn.lodder.dev. Then, the differentially expressed embryonic germline genes (DEGGs) between the tumor and normal samples were identified by limma package. The functional enrichment and pathway analyses were also performed by clusterProfiler package. The prognostic model was constructed by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression method. Survival and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to validate the model using training set and four testing GEO datasets. Finally, a prognostic nomogram based on the signature genes was constructed using multivariate regression method. RESULTS Among the identified 269 DEGGs, 249 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that these DEGGs were mainly enriched in the process of cell proliferation and DNA damage repair. Then, 103 DEGGs with prognostic value were identified by univariate Cox regression and further filtered by LASSO method. The resulting sixteen DEGGs were included in step multivariate Cox regression and an eleven embryonic germline gene related signature (EGRS) was constructed. The model could robustly stratify the LUAD patients into high-risk and low-risk groups in both training and testing sets, and low-risk patients had much better outcomes. The multi-ROC analysis also showed that the EGRS model had the best predictive efficacy compared with other common clinicopathological factors. The EGRS model also showed robust predictive ability in four independent external datasets, and the area under curve (AUC) was 0.726 (GSE30219), 0.764 (GSE50081), 0.657 (GSE37745) and 0.668 (GSE72094). More importantly, the expression level of some genes in EGRS has a significant correlation with the progression of LUAD clinicopathology, suggesting these genes might play an important role in the progression of LUAD. Finally, based on EGRS genes, we built and calibrated a nomogram for conveniently evaluating patients' outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linjun Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, China CDC, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yubai Zhou
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tundo GR, Sbardella D, Oddone F, Kudriaeva AA, Lacal PM, Belogurov AA, Graziani G, Marini S. At the Cutting Edge against Cancer: A Perspective on Immunoproteasome and Immune Checkpoints Modulation as a Potential Therapeutic Intervention. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4852. [PMID: 34638337 PMCID: PMC8507813 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoproteasome is a noncanonical form of proteasome with enzymological properties optimized for the generation of antigenic peptides presented in complex with class I MHC molecules. This enzymatic property makes the modulation of its activity a promising area of research. Nevertheless, immunotherapy has emerged as a front-line treatment of advanced/metastatic tumors providing outstanding improvement of life expectancy, even though not all patients achieve a long-lasting clinical benefit. To enhance the efficacy of the currently available immunotherapies and enable the development of new strategies, a broader knowledge of the dynamics of antigen repertoire processing by cancer cells is needed. Therefore, a better understanding of the role of immunoproteasome in antigen processing and of the therapeutic implication of its modulation is mandatory. Studies on the potential crosstalk between proteasome modulators and immune checkpoint inhibitors could provide novel perspectives and an unexplored treatment option for a variety of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna A. Kudriaeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.)
| | - Pedro M. Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alexey A. Belogurov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.)
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Marini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sinha VC, Rinkenbaugh AL, Xu M, Zhou X, Zhang X, Jeter-Jones S, Shao J, Qi Y, Zebala JA, Maeda DY, McAllister F, Piwnica-Worms H. Single-cell evaluation reveals shifts in the tumor-immune niches that shape and maintain aggressive lesions in the breast. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5024. [PMID: 34408137 PMCID: PMC8373912 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet clinical need for stratification of breast lesions as indolent or aggressive to tailor treatment. Here, single-cell transcriptomics and multiparametric imaging applied to a mouse model of breast cancer reveals that the aggressive tumor niche is characterized by an expanded basal-like population, specialization of tumor subpopulations, and mixed-lineage tumor cells potentially serving as a transition state between luminal and basal phenotypes. Despite vast tumor cell-intrinsic differences, aggressive and indolent tumor cells are functionally indistinguishable once isolated from their local niche, suggesting a role for non-tumor collaborators in determining aggressiveness. Aggressive lesions harbor fewer total but more suppressed-like T cells, and elevated tumor-promoting neutrophils and IL-17 signaling, disruption of which increase tumor latency and reduce the number of aggressive lesions. Our study provides insight into tumor-immune features distinguishing indolent from aggressive lesions, identifies heterogeneous populations comprising these lesions, and supports a role for IL-17 signaling in aggressive progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vidya C. Sinha
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Amanda L. Rinkenbaugh
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Mingchu Xu
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Xinhui Zhou
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Sabrina Jeter-Jones
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Jiansu Shao
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Yuan Qi
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | | | | | - Florencia McAllister
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Helen Piwnica-Worms
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
O'Donnell L, Rebourcet D, Dagley LF, Sgaier R, Infusini G, O'Shaughnessy PJ, Chalmel F, Fietz D, Weidner W, Legrand JMD, Hobbs RM, McLachlan RI, Webb AI, Pilatz A, Diemer T, Smith LB, Stanton PG. Sperm proteins and cancer-testis antigens are released by the seminiferous tubules in mice and men. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21397. [PMID: 33565176 PMCID: PMC7898903 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002484r] [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: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sperm develop from puberty in the seminiferous tubules, inside the blood-testis barrier to prevent their recognition as "non-self" by the immune system, and it is widely assumed that human sperm-specific proteins cannot access the circulatory or immune systems. Sperm-specific proteins aberrantly expressed in cancer, known as cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), are often pursued as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets based on the assumption they are neoantigens absent from the circulation in healthy men. Here, we identify a wide range of germ cell-derived and sperm-specific proteins, including multiple CTAs, that are selectively deposited by the Sertoli cells of the adult mouse and human seminiferous tubules into testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) that is "outside" the blood-testis barrier. From TIF, the proteins can access the circulatory- and immune systems. Disruption of spermatogenesis decreases the abundance of these proteins in mouse TIF, and a sperm-specific CTA is significantly decreased in TIF from infertile men, suggesting that exposure of certain CTAs to the immune system could depend on fertility status. The results provide a rationale for the development of blood-based tests useful in the management of male infertility and indicate CTA candidates for cancer immunotherapy and biomarker development that could show sex-specific and male-fertility-related responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Diane Rebourcet
- Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura F Dagley
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Raouda Sgaier
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, UKGM GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Infusini
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter J O'Shaughnessy
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Frederic Chalmel
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, University Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weidner
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, UKGM GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Julien M D Legrand
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew I Webb
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, UKGM GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Diemer
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, UKGM GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lee B Smith
- Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter G Stanton
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Almshayakhchi R, Nagarajan D, Vadakekolathu J, Guinn BA, Reeder S, Brentville V, Metheringham R, Pockley AG, Durrant L, McArdle S. A Novel HAGE/WT1-ImmunoBody ® Vaccine Combination Enhances Anti-Tumour Responses When Compared to Either Vaccine Alone. Front Oncol 2021; 11:636977. [PMID: 34262856 PMCID: PMC8273701 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.636977] [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: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cancers, including myeloid leukaemia express the cancer testis antigen (CTA) DDX43 (HAGE) and/or the oncogene Wilms’ tumour (WT1). Here we demonstrate that HAGE/WT1-ImmunoBody® vaccines derived T-cells can kill ex-vivo human CML cell lines expressing these antigens and significantly delay B16/HHDII+/DR1+/HAGE+/WT1+ tumour growth in the HHDII/DR1 mice and prolonged mouse survival in the prophylactic setting in comparison to non-immunised control mice. We show that immunisation of HHDII/DR1 mice with HAGE- and WT1-ImmunoBody® DNA vaccines in a prime-boost regime in two different flanks induce significant IFN-γ release by splenocytes from treated mice, and a significant level of cytotoxicity against tumour targets expressing HAGE/WT1 in vitro. More importantly, the combined HAGE/WT1 ImmunoBody® vaccine significantly delayed tumour growth in the B16/HHDII+/DR1+/HAGE+/WT1+ tumour model and prolonged mouse survival in the prophylactic setting in comparison to non-immunised control mice. Overall, this work demonstrates that combining both HAGE- and WT1-ImmunoBody® into a single vaccine is better than either vaccine alone. This combination vaccine could be given to patients whose cancer expresses HAGE and WT1 in parallel with existing therapies in order to decrease the chance of disease progression and relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rukaia Almshayakhchi
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Divya Nagarajan
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jayakumar Vadakekolathu
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara-Ann Guinn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Reeder
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Brentville
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Metheringham
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - A Graham Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lindy Durrant
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie McArdle
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Jamin SP, Hikmet F, Mathieu R, Jégou B, Lindskog C, Chalmel F, Primig M. Combined RNA/tissue profiling identifies novel Cancer/testis genes. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:3003-3023. [PMID: 33426787 PMCID: PMC8564638 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12900] [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: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/Testis (CT) genes are induced in germ cells, repressed in somatic cells, and derepressed in somatic tumors, where these genes can contribute to cancer progression. CT gene identification requires data obtained using standardized protocols and technologies. This is a challenge because data for germ cells, gonads, normal somatic tissues, and a wide range of cancer samples stem from multiple sources and were generated over substantial periods of time. We carried out a GeneChip‐based RNA profiling analysis using our own data for testis and enriched germ cells, data for somatic cancers from the Expression Project for Oncology, and data for normal somatic tissues from the Gene Omnibus Repository. We identified 478 candidate loci that include known CT genes, numerous genes associated with oncogenic processes, and novel candidates that are not referenced in the Cancer/Testis Database (www.cta.lncc.br). We complemented RNA expression data at the protein level for SPESP1, GALNTL5, PDCL2, and C11orf42 using cancer tissue microarrays covering malignant tumors of breast, uterus, thyroid, and kidney, as well as published RNA profiling and immunohistochemical data provided by the Human Protein Atlas (www.proteinatlas.org). We report that combined RNA/tissue profiling identifies novel CT genes that may be of clinical interest as therapeutical targets or biomarkers. Our findings also highlight the challenges of detecting truly germ cell‐specific mRNAs and the proteins they encode in highly heterogenous testicular, somatic, and tumor tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soazik P Jamin
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S, Univ Rennes, France
| | - Feria Hikmet
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Romain Mathieu
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S, Univ Rennes, France.,Department of Urology, University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S, Univ Rennes, France
| | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S, Univ Rennes, France
| | - Michael Primig
- Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S, Univ Rennes, France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bruggeman JW, Irie N, Lodder P, van Pelt AMM, Koster J, Hamer G. Tumors Widely Express Hundreds of Embryonic Germline Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3812. [PMID: 33348709 PMCID: PMC7766889 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently described a class of 756 genes that are widely expressed in cancers, but are normally restricted to adult germ cells, referred to as germ cell cancer genes (GC genes). We hypothesized that carcinogenesis involves the reactivation of biomolecular processes and regulatory mechanisms that, under normal circumstances, are restricted to germline development. This would imply that cancer cells share gene expression profiles with primordial germ cells (PGCs). We therefore compared the transcriptomes of human PGCs (hPGCs) and PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) with 17,382 samples from 54 healthy somatic tissues (GTEx) and 11,003 samples from 33 tumor types (TCGA), and identified 672 GC genes, expanding the known GC gene pool by 387 genes (51%). We found that GC genes are expressed in clusters that are often expressed in multiple tumor types. Moreover, the amount of GC gene expression correlates with poor survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. As GC genes specific to the embryonic germline are not expressed in any adult tissue, targeting these in cancer treatment may result in fewer side effects than targeting conventional cancer/testis (CT) or GC genes and may preserve fertility. We anticipate that our extended GC dataset enables improved understanding of tumor development and may provide multiple novel targets for cancer treatment development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Willem Bruggeman
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Naoko Irie
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK;
| | - Paul Lodder
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Geert Hamer
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Erenpreisa J, Salmina K, Anatskaya O, Cragg MS. Paradoxes of cancer: Survival at the brink. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 81:119-131. [PMID: 33340646 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental understanding of how Cancer initiates, persists and then progresses is evolving. High-resolution technologies, including single-cell mutation and gene expression measurements, are now attainable, providing an ever-increasing insight into the molecular details. However, this higher resolution has shown that somatic mutation theory itself cannot explain the extraordinary resistance of cancer to extinction. There is a need for a more Systems-based framework of understanding cancer complexity, which in particular explains the regulation of gene expression during cell-fate decisions. Cancer displays a series of paradoxes. Here we attempt to approach them from the view-point of adaptive exploration of gene regulatory networks at the edge of order and chaos, where cell-fate is changed by oscillations between alternative regulators of cellular senescence and reprogramming operating through self-organisation. On this background, the role of polyploidy in accessing the phylogenetically pre-programmed "oncofetal attractor" state, related to unicellularity, and the de-selection of unsuitable variants at the brink of cell survival is highlighted. The concepts of the embryological and atavistic theory of cancer, cancer cell "life-cycle", and cancer aneuploidy paradox are dissected under this lense. Finally, we challenge researchers to consider that cancer "defects" are mostly the adaptation tools of survival programs that have arisen during evolution and are intrinsic of cancer. Recognition of these features should help in the development of more successful anti-cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristine Salmina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, LV-1067, Latvia
| | | | - Mark S Cragg
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tundo GR, Sbardella D, Santoro AM, Coletta A, Oddone F, Grasso G, Milardi D, Lacal PM, Marini S, Purrello R, Graziani G, Coletta M. The proteasome as a druggable target with multiple therapeutic potentialities: Cutting and non-cutting edges. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107579. [PMID: 32442437 PMCID: PMC7236745 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is an adaptable and finely tuned system that sustains proteostasis network under a large variety of physiopathological conditions. Its dysregulation is often associated with the onset and progression of human diseases; hence, UPS modulation has emerged as a promising new avenue for the development of treatments of several relevant pathologies, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. The clinical interest in proteasome inhibition has considerably increased after the FDA approval in 2003 of bortezomib for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, which is now used in the front-line setting. Thereafter, two other proteasome inhibitors (carfilzomib and ixazomib), designed to overcome resistance to bortezomib, have been approved for treatment-experienced patients, and a variety of novel inhibitors are currently under preclinical and clinical investigation not only for haematological malignancies but also for solid tumours. However, since UPS collapse leads to toxic misfolded proteins accumulation, proteasome is attracting even more interest as a target for the care of neurodegenerative diseases, which are sustained by UPS impairment. Thus, conceptually, proteasome activation represents an innovative and largely unexplored target for drug development. According to a multidisciplinary approach, spanning from chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology to pharmacology, this review will summarize the most recent available literature regarding different aspects of proteasome biology, focusing on structure, function and regulation of proteasome in physiological and pathological processes, mostly cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, connecting biochemical features and clinical studies of proteasome targeting drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G R Tundo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - A M Santoro
- CNR, Institute of Crystallography, Catania, Italy
| | - A Coletta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - F Oddone
- IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - G Grasso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - D Milardi
- CNR, Institute of Crystallography, Catania, Italy
| | - P M Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S Marini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - R Purrello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Context-Dependent Tumorigenic Effect of Testis-Specific Mitochondrial Protein Tiny Tim 2 in Drosophila Somatic Epithelia. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081842. [PMID: 32781577 PMCID: PMC7465004 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081842] [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: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We have undertaken a study towards understanding the effect of ectopic expression of testis proteins in the soma in Drosophila. Here, we show that in the larval neuroepithelium, ectopic expression of the germline-specific component of the inner mitochondrial translocation complex tiny tim 2 (ttm2) brings about cell autonomous hyperplasia and extension of G2 phase. In the wing discs, cells expressing ectopic ttm2 upregulate Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, present extended G2, become invasive, and elicit non-cell autonomous G2 extension and overgrowth of the wild-type neighboring tissue. Ectopic tomboy20, a germline-specific member of the outer mitochondrial translocation complex is also tumorigenic in wing discs. Our results demonstrate the tumorigenic potential of unscheduled expression of these two testis proteins in the soma. They also show that a unique tumorigenic event may trigger different tumor growth pathways depending on the tissular context.
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhang YP, Bao ZW, Wu JB, Chen YH, Chen JR, Xie HY, Zhou L, Wu J, Zheng SS. Cancer-Testis Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Identification of Prognostic Markers and Potential Targets for Immunotherapy. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 19:1533033820944274. [PMID: 32715976 PMCID: PMC7453447 DOI: 10.1177/1533033820944274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-testis genes can serve as prognostic biomarkers and valuable targets for immunotherapy in multiple tumors because of their restricted expression in testis and cancer. However, their expression pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma is still not well understood. The purpose is to comprehensively characterize the cancer-testis gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma as well as identify prognostic markers and potential targets for immunotherapy. METHODS Cancer-testis database and publicly available data sets reporting new cancer-testis genes were integrated, and then restricted them in a testis and hepatocellular carcinoma expression pattern. Pathway enrichment analysis and survival analysis were conducted to evaluate the biological function and prognostic effect of cancer-testis genes. Clustering analysis and coexpression analysis were performed to illustrate cancer-testis gene expression patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma. The association of gene expression of each cancer-testis gene to the corresponding methylation status was detected. Finally, we explored the associations between cancer-testis genes and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma by TISIDB, and then validated it in an independent hepatocellular carcinoma cohort with 72 patients. RESULTS A total of 59 testis-specific genes were identified highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that cancer-testis genes in hepatocellular carcinoma significantly involves in the process of cell cycle regulation. Most of the cancer-testis genes were coexpressed, and cluster analysis suggested that cancer-testis gene expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma is independent of sex, hepatitis status, and histology type. We also found that demethylation might be a regulatory mechanism of cancer-testis gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Survival analysis indicated that cancer-testis genes could predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, BUB1B was identified contributing to the resistance of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma and was an independent prognostic factor both for overall survival and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis enables better understanding of cancer-testis genes in hepatocellular carcinoma and provides potential targets for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. Experimental and clinical studies are needed for further validations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Peng Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Bang Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun-Hao Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Ru Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Yang Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Savage P. Chemotherapy Curability in Leukemia, Lymphoma, Germ Cell Tumors and Gestational Malignancies: A Reflection of the Unique Physiology of Their Cells of Origin. Front Genet 2020; 11:426. [PMID: 32582272 PMCID: PMC7295948 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00426] [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: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic DNA damaging chemotherapy brings clinical benefits in the treatment of many metastatic malignancies. However routine curative treatment remains restricted to a small number of malignancies including acute leukemia, high grade lymphoma, germ cell tumors, gestational malignancies and some of the rare childhood cancers. The detailed explanation for this dramatic divergence in outcomes remains to be elucidated. However, we have previously argued that there is a strong correlation between presence of the unique genetic events of immunoglobulin gene variable/diversity/joining (VDJ) recombination, somatic hypermutation (SHM), meiosis, nuclear fusion and gastrulation occurring in cells of origin of these malignancies and their high sensitivity to DNA damaging chemotherapy. In this study we have reviewed some of the basic physiological information relating to the specialized activity and sensitivity to DNA damage mediated apoptosis of normal cells undergoing these processes. In each of unique genetic events there are dramatic changes in apoptotic sensitivity. In VDJ recombination and somatic hypermutation over 95% of the cells involved undergo apoptosis, whilst in meiosis and nuclear fusion there are dramatic short term increases in the apoptotic sensitivity to DNA damage. It is apparent that each of the malignancies arising during these processes retains some of the unique phenotype associated with it. The impact of the physiological differences is most clearly seen in the two non-mutational malignancies. Gestational choriocarcinoma which arises shortly after nuclear fusion is routinely curable with chemotherapy whilst CIMP-positive ependymomas which is not linked to any of the unique genetic events is highly resistant. A similar pattern is found in a pair of malignancies driven by a single driver mutation. Infantile acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) arises in a cell undergoing the early stages of VDJ recombination and has a 40% cure rate in contrast pediatric rhabdoid malignancy which is not linked to a unique genetic event responds very poorly to chemotherapy treatment. The physiological changes occurring in cancer cells at the time of the malignant transformation appear to have a major impact on the subsequent sensitivity to chemotherapy and curability. New therapies that impact on these pathways may be of therapeutic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Savage
- Department of Oncology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Brighton, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sato K, Brandsma I, van Rossum-Fikkert SE, Verkaik N, Oostra AB, Dorsman JC, van Gent DC, Knipscheer P, Kanaar R, Zelensky AN. HSF2BP negatively regulates homologous recombination in DNA interstrand crosslink repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2442-2456. [PMID: 31960047 PMCID: PMC7049687 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor BRCA2 is essential for homologous recombination (HR), replication fork stability and DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair in vertebrates. We show that ectopic production of HSF2BP, a BRCA2-interacting protein required for meiotic HR during mouse spermatogenesis, in non-germline human cells acutely sensitize them to ICL-inducing agents (mitomycin C and cisplatin) and PARP inhibitors, resulting in a phenotype characteristic of cells from Fanconi anemia (FA) patients. We biochemically recapitulate the suppression of ICL repair and establish that excess HSF2BP compromises HR by triggering the removal of BRCA2 from the ICL site and thereby preventing the loading of RAD51. This establishes ectopic expression of a wild-type meiotic protein in the absence of any other protein-coding mutations as a new mechanism that can lead to an FA-like cellular phenotype. Naturally occurring elevated production of HSF2BP in tumors may be a source of cancer-promoting genomic instability and also a targetable vulnerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Sato
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inger Brandsma
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sari E van Rossum-Fikkert
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Verkaik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke B Oostra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josephine C Dorsman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dik C van Gent
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Puck Knipscheer
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex N Zelensky
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lv X, Guo X, Ru Y, Zhou F, Yang X, Ge J, Li J, Liu S, Jiang K, Chen B. Dysbindin facilitates invasion and metastasis by promoting phosphorylation of ERK in epithelial ovarian cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:2821-2829. [PMID: 32226500 PMCID: PMC7086264 DOI: 10.7150/jca.39269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysbindin has been reported to be correlated with several malignancies. However, the clinical significance and biological role of dysbindin in epithelial ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrated that the mRNA and protein levels of dysbindin were significantly upregulated in EOC tissues compared with normal ovarian tissues. High levels of dysbindin were significantly correlated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis in EOC patients. Overexpression and silencing of dysbindin promoted and inhibited, respectively, invasion and metastasis of EOC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, dysbindin activates phosphorylation of ERK to promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and to mediate the invasive and metastatic ability of EOC cells. Our findings suggest that dysbindin facilitates invasion and metastasis by promoting the EMT of EOC cells and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in EOC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Lv
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.,Department of Endoscopic Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army 986 th Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China
| | - Yi Ru
- Department of biochemistry and molecular biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Fuxing Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Xiaoshan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi International Joint Research Center for Oral Diseases, Center for Tissue Engineering, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Junli Ge
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Shujuan Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Kuo Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China
| | - Biliang Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Evolving Role of RING1 and YY1 Binding Protein in the Regulation of Germ-Cell-Specific Transcription. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110941. [PMID: 31752312 PMCID: PMC6895862 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Separation of germline cells from somatic lineages is one of the earliest decisions of embryogenesis. Genes expressed in germline cells include apoptotic and meiotic factors, which are not transcribed in the soma normally, but a number of testis-specific genes are active in numerous cancer types. During germ cell development, germ-cell-specific genes can be regulated by specific transcription factors, retinoic acid signaling and multimeric protein complexes. Non-canonical polycomb repressive complexes, like ncPRC1.6, play a critical role in the regulation of the activity of germ-cell-specific genes. RING1 and YY1 binding protein (RYBP) is one of the core members of the ncPRC1.6. Surprisingly, the role of Rybp in germ cell differentiation has not been defined yet. This review is focusing on the possible role of Rybp in this process. By analyzing whole-genome transcriptome alterations of the Rybp-/- embryonic stem (ES) cells and correlating this data with experimentally identified binding sites of ncPRC1.6 subunits and retinoic acid receptors in ES cells, we propose a model how germ-cell-specific transcription can be governed by an RYBP centered regulatory network, underlining the possible role of RYBP in germ cell differentiation and tumorigenesis.
Collapse
|
35
|
Chow EYC, Zhang J, Qin H, Chan TF. Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines Using a Fractionation-Then-Sequencing Approach Reveals Nuclear-Enriched HCC-Associated lncRNAs. Front Genet 2019; 10:1081. [PMID: 31781161 PMCID: PMC6857473 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Advances in sequencing technologies have greatly improved our understanding of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). These transcripts with lengths of >200 nucleotides may play significant regulatory roles in various biological processes. Importantly, the dysregulation of better characterized lncRNAs has been associated with multiple types of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There are many studies on altered lncRNA expression levels, very few, however, have focused on their subcellular localizations, from which accumulating evidences have indicated their close relationships to lncRNA functions. A transcriptome-wide investigation of the subcellular distributions of lncRNAs might thus provide new insights into their roles and functions in cancers. Results: In this study, we subjected eight patient-derived HCC cell lines to subcellular fractionation and independently sequenced RNAs from the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. With the integration of tumor and tumor-adjacent RNA-seq datasets of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), de novo transcriptome assembly and differential expression analysis were conducted successively and identified 26 nuclear-enriched HCC-associated lncRNAs shared between the HCC samples and the TCGA datasets, including the reported cancer driver PXN-AS1. The majority of nuclear-enriched HCC-associated lncRNAs were associated with the survival outcomes of HCC patients, exhibited characteristics similar to those of many experimentally supported HCC prognostic lncRNAs, and were co-expressed with protein-coding genes that have been linked to disease progression in various cancer types. Conclusion: We adopted a fractionation-then-sequencing approach on multiple patient-derived HCC samples and identified nuclear-enriched, HCC-associated lncRNAs that could serve as important targets for HCC diagnosis and therapeutic development. This approach could be widely applicable to other studies into the disease etiologies of lncRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jizhou Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Hao Qin
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ting-Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Morozov AV, Karpov VL. Proteasomes and Several Aspects of Their Heterogeneity Relevant to Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:761. [PMID: 31456945 PMCID: PMC6700291 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The life of every organism is dependent on the fine-tuned mechanisms of protein synthesis and breakdown. The degradation of most intracellular proteins is performed by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Proteasomes are central elements of the UPS and represent large multisubunit protein complexes directly responsible for the protein degradation. Accumulating data indicate that there is an intriguing diversity of cellular proteasomes. Different proteasome forms, containing different subunits and attached regulators have been described. In addition, proteasomes specific for a particular tissue were identified. Cancer cells are highly dependent on the proper functioning of the UPS in general, and proteasomes in particular. At the same time, the information regarding the role of different proteasome forms in cancer is limited. This review describes the functional and structural heterogeneity of proteasomes, their association with cancer as well as several established and novel proteasome-directed therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V. Morozov
- Laboratory of Regulation of Intracellular Proteolysis, W.A. Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Feichtinger J, McFarlane RJ. Meiotic gene activation in somatic and germ cell tumours. Andrology 2019; 7:415-427. [PMID: 31102330 PMCID: PMC6766858 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Germ cell tumours are uniquely associated with the gametogenic tissues of males and females. A feature of these cancers is that they can express genes that are normally tightly restricted to meiotic cells. This aberrant gene expression has been used as an indicator that these cancer cells are attempting a programmed germ line event, meiotic entry. However, work in non‐germ cell cancers has also indicated that meiotic genes can become aberrantly activated in a wide range of cancer types and indeed provide functions that serve as oncogenic drivers. Here, we review the activation of meiotic factors in cancers and explore commonalities between meiotic gene activation in germ cell and non‐germ cell cancers. Objectives The objectives of this review are to highlight key questions relating to meiotic gene activation in germ cell tumours and to offer possible interpretations as to the biological relevance in this unique cancer type. Materials and Methods PubMed and the GEPIA database were searched for papers in English and for cancer gene expression data, respectively. Results We provide a brief overview of meiotic progression, with a focus on the unique mechanisms of reductional chromosome segregation in meiosis I. We then offer detailed insight into the role of meiotic chromosome regulators in non‐germ cell cancers and extend this to provide an overview of how this might relate to germ cell tumours. Conclusions We propose that meiotic gene activation in germ cell tumours might not indicate an unscheduled attempt to enter a full meiotic programme. Rather, it might simply reflect either aberrant activation of a subset of meiotic genes, with little or no biological relevance, or aberrant activation of a subset of meiotic genes as positive tumour evolutionary/oncogenic drivers. These postulates provide the provocation for further studies in this emerging field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Feichtinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,OMICS Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - R J McFarlane
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kaushik A, Bhartiya D. Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells in Adult Testes - An Alternate Premise to Explain Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019; 14:793-800. [PMID: 30238242 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-018-9848-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors has resulted in the increased incidence of infertility and testicular germ cell tumors (T2GCT) in young men residing in developed countries. Unlike T1GCT (infants and young children) and T3GCT (aged men), T2GCT arise from CIS/GCNIS that develops from pre-CIS. Pre-CIS represents undifferentiated, growth-arrested gonocytes that persist in fetal testes due to endocrine disruption. However, whether pre-CIS truly exist, do CIS develop into T2GCT, why no CIS in T1GCT/T3GCT, why germ cell tumors (GCT) also occur along midline at extra-gonadal sites, why T1GCT show partial erasure and T2GCT show complete erasure of genomic imprints are open questions that are awaiting answers. We propose that rather than pre-CIS, pluripotent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) get affected by exposure to endocrine disruption. Since VSELs are developmentally equivalent to primordial germ cells (PGCs), T2GCT cells show complete erasure of genomic imprints and CIS represents growth-arrested clonally expanding stem/progenitor cells. PGCs/VSELs migrate along the midline to various organs and this explains why GCT occur along the midline, T1GCT show partial erasure of imprints as they develop from migrating PGCs. T3GCT possibly reflects effects of aging due to compromised differentiation and expansion of pre-meiotic spermatocytes. Absent spermatogenesis in pre-pubertal and aged testes explains absence of CIS in T1GCT and T3GCT. Endocrine disruptors possibly alter epigenetic state of VSELs and thus rather than maintaining normal tissue homeostasis, VSELs undergo increased proliferation and compromised differentiation resulting in reduced sperm count, infertility and TGCT. This newly emerging understanding offers alternate premise to explain TGCT and warrants further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Kaushik
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Deepa Bhartiya
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Barger CJ, Zhang W, Sharma A, Chee L, James SR, Kufel CN, Miller A, Meza J, Drapkin R, Odunsi K, Klinkebiel D, Karpf AR. Expression of the POTE gene family in human ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17136. [PMID: 30459449 PMCID: PMC6244393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35567-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The POTE family includes 14 genes in three phylogenetic groups. We determined POTE mRNA expression in normal tissues, epithelial ovarian and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (EOC, HGSC), and pan-cancer, and determined the relationship of POTE expression to ovarian cancer clinicopathology. Groups 1 & 2 POTEs showed testis-specific expression in normal tissues, consistent with assignment as cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), while Group 3 POTEs were expressed in several normal tissues, indicating they are not CTAs. Pan-POTE and individual POTEs showed significantly elevated expression in EOC and HGSC compared to normal controls. Pan-POTE correlated with increased stage, grade, and the HGSC subtype. Select individual POTEs showed increased expression in recurrent HGSC, and POTEE specifically associated with reduced HGSC OS. Consistent with tumors, EOC cell lines had significantly elevated Pan-POTE compared to OSE and FTE cells. Notably, Group 1 & 2 POTEs (POTEs A/B/B2/C/D), Group 3 POTE-actin genes (POTEs E/F/I/J/KP), and other Group 3 POTEs (POTEs G/H/M) show within-group correlated expression, and pan-cancer analyses of tumors and cell lines confirmed this relationship. Based on their restricted expression in normal tissues and increased expression and association with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer, POTEs are potential oncogenes and therapeutic targets in this malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Wa Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Linda Chee
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Smitha R James
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Christina N Kufel
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Austin Miller
- Department of Biostatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Jane Meza
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4375, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
| |
Collapse
|