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Acharya A, Bret H, Huang JW, Mütze M, Göse M, Kissling VM, Seidel R, Ciccia A, Guérois R, Cejka P. Mechanism of DNA unwinding by MCM8-9 in complex with HROB. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3584. [PMID: 38678026 PMCID: PMC11055865 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
HROB promotes the MCM8-9 helicase in DNA damage response. To understand how HROB activates MCM8-9, we defined their interaction interface. We showed that HROB makes important yet transient contacts with both MCM8 and MCM9, and binds the MCM8-9 heterodimer with the highest affinity. MCM8-9-HROB prefer branched DNA structures, and display low DNA unwinding processivity. MCM8-9 unwinds DNA as a hexamer that assembles from dimers on DNA in the presence of ATP. The hexamer involves two repeating protein-protein interfaces between the alternating MCM8 and MCM9 subunits. One of these interfaces is quite stable and forms an obligate heterodimer across which HROB binds. The other interface is labile and mediates hexamer assembly, independently of HROB. The ATPase site formed at the labile interface contributes disproportionally more to DNA unwinding than that at the stable interface. Here, we show that HROB promotes DNA unwinding downstream of MCM8-9 loading and ring formation on ssDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Acharya
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Bret
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jen-Wei Huang
- Department of Genetics and Development, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martin Mütze
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Martin Göse
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Vera Maria Kissling
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
- Particles-Biology Interactions Laboratory, Department of Materials Meet Life, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), St. Gallen, 9014, Switzerland
| | - Ralf Seidel
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Department of Genetics and Development, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raphaël Guérois
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Petr Cejka
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland.
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland.
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2
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Naik A, Lattab B, Qasem H, Decock J. Cancer testis antigens: Emerging therapeutic targets leveraging genomic instability in cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200768. [PMID: 38596293 PMCID: PMC10876628 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer care has witnessed remarkable progress in recent decades, with a wide array of targeted therapies and immune-based interventions being added to the traditional treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, despite these advancements, the challenge of achieving high tumor specificity while minimizing adverse side effects continues to dictate the benefit-risk balance of cancer therapy, guiding clinical decision making. As such, the targeting of cancer testis antigens (CTAs) offers exciting new opportunities for therapeutic intervention of cancer since they display highly tumor specific expression patterns, natural immunogenicity and play pivotal roles in various biological processes that are critical for tumor cellular fitness. In this review, we delve deeper into how CTAs contribute to the regulation and maintenance of genomic integrity in cancer, and how these mechanisms can be exploited to specifically target and eradicate tumor cells. We review the current clinical trials targeting aforementioned CTAs, highlight promising pre-clinical data and discuss current challenges and future perspectives for future development of CTA-based strategies that exploit tumor genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adviti Naik
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Boucif Lattab
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hanan Qasem
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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3
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Wang H, Xie R, Niu F, Yang Q, An L, Wu C, Liu X, Yang X. Structural and biochemical insights into the interaction mechanism underlying HORMAD1 and its partner proteins. Structure 2023; 31:1578-1588.e3. [PMID: 37794593 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian HORMA domain-containing protein 1 (HORMAD1) regulates DNA mismatch repair and homologous recombination (HR) repair in many cancers. Here, we show that the structure of human HORMAD1 adopts a self-closed conformation and displays an intra-molecular HORMA domain-closure motif interaction mode. Structural and biochemical data suggest that the interaction modes of the peptide motifs from HORMAD2 and MCM9 with HORMAD1 are highly similar to that of HORMAD1 own closure motif. The peptide motifs from diverse binding partners of HORMAD1 share a conserved Ser-Glu-Pro sequence. Additionally, structural comparison unveiled the HORMA-peptide motif interaction mode diversity among HORMA-containing proteins. Finally, cell-based assays revealed that this HORMA-closure motif interaction pattern contributes to DNA mismatch repair and is required for HORMAD1-dependent HR repair. Together, our results provide structural and biochemical insights into the common theme and functional plasticity of the HORMA domain-containing protein family, and also reveal a universal regulation mechanism for HORMAD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Rong Xie
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, China
| | - Fumin Niu
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Qian Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Lina An
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Chen Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.
| | - Xiuhua Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.
| | - Xiaoyun Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China; Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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4
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Zhan H, Cheng L, Li H, Liu Y, Huang Y, Li X, Yan S, Li Y. Integrated analyses delineate distinctive immunological pathways and diagnostic signatures for Behcet's disease by leveraging gene microarray data. Immunol Res 2023; 71:860-872. [PMID: 37341899 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09398-w] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis and clinically heterogeneous disorder caused by immunocyte aberrations. Comprehensive research on gene expression patterns in BD illuminating its aetiology is lacking. E-MTAB-2713 downloaded from ArrayExpress was analysed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using limma. Random forest (RF) and neural network (NN) classification models composed of gene signatures were established using the E-MTAB-2713 training set and subsequently verified using GSE17114. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to assess immunocyte infiltration. After identifying DEGs in E-MTAB-2713, pathogen-triggered, lymphocyte-mediated and angiogenesis- and glycosylation-related inflammatory pathways were discovered to be predominant in BD episodes. Gene signatures from the RF and NN diagnostic models, together with genes enriched in angiogenesis and glycosylation pathways, well discriminated the clinical subtypes of BD manifesting as mucocutaneous, ocular and large vein thrombosis involvement in GSE17114. Moreover, a distinctive immunocyte profile revealed T, NK and dendritic cell activation in BD compared to the findings in healthy controls. Our findings suggested that EPHX1, PKP2, EIF4B and HORMAD1 expression in CD14+ monocytes and CSTF3 and TCEANC2 expression in CD16+ neutrophils could serve as combined gene signatures for BD phenotype differentiation. Pathway genes comprising ATP2B4, MYOF and NRP1 for angiogenesis and GXYLT1, ENG, CD69, GAA, SIGLEC7, SIGLEC9 and SIGLEC16 for glycosylation also might be applicable diagnostic markers for subtype identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoting Zhan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Linlin Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Haolong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yongmei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Songxin Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yongzhe Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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5
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Herrera LR, Johnson RA, McGlynn K, Gibbs ZA, Davis AJ, Whitehurst AW. The cancer testes antigen, HORMAD1, limits genomic instability in cancer cells by protecting stalled replication forks. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105348. [PMID: 37838177 PMCID: PMC10656231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors anomalously induce the expression of meiotic genes, which are otherwise restricted only to developing gametes. If and how these aberrantly expressed meiotic proteins influence DNA metabolism is not clear, but could have important implications for how tumors acquire and mitigate genomic instability. HORMAD1 is a highly conserved meiotic protein that is frequently expressed in lung adenocarincoma where its expression correlates with reduced patient survival and increased mutation burden. Here, we find that HORMAD1 associates with the replisome and is critical for protecting stalled DNA replication forks. Loss of HORMAD1 leads to nascent DNA strand degradation, an event which is mediated by the MRE11-DNA2-BLM pathway. We find that these phenotypes are due to limited RAD51 loading onto stalled replication forks in the absence of HORMAD1. Ultimately, loss of HORMAD1 leads to increased DNA breaks and chromosomal defects, which is exacerbated dramatically by induction of replication stress. Tumor cells proliferate despite encountering chronic replication stress, placing them on the precipice of catastrophic genomic damage. Our data support the hypothesis that the aberrant expression of HORMAD1 is engaged to attenuate the accumulation of excessive DNA damage due to chronic replication stress, which may otherwise lead to accumulation of toxic levels of genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Reza Herrera
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ronnesha A Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kathleen McGlynn
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Zane A Gibbs
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony J Davis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
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Joon HK, Thalor A, Gupta D. Machine learning analysis of lung squamous cell carcinoma gene expression datasets reveals novel prognostic signatures. Comput Biol Med 2023; 165:107430. [PMID: 37703712 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) patients are often diagnosed at an advanced stage and have poor prognoses. Thus, identifying novel biomarkers for the LUSC is of utmost importance. METHODS Multiple datasets from the NCBI-GEO repository were obtained and merged to construct the complete dataset. We also constructed a subset from this complete dataset with only known cancer driver genes. Further, machine learning classifiers were employed to obtain the best features from both datasets. Simultaneously, we perform differential gene expression analysis. Furthermore, survival and enrichment analyses were performed. RESULTS The kNN classifier performed comparatively better on the complete and driver datasets' top 40 and 50 gene features, respectively. Out of these 90 gene features, 35 were found to be differentially regulated. Lasso-penalized Cox regression further reduced the number of genes to eight. The median risk score of these eight genes significantly stratified the patients, and low-risk patients have significantly better overall survival. We validated the robust performance of these eight genes on the TCGA dataset. Pathway enrichment analysis identified that these genes are associated with cell cycle, cell proliferation, and migration. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that an integrated approach involving machine learning and system biology may effectively identify novel biomarkers for LUSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Kumar Joon
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Anamika Thalor
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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7
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Bian G, Li W, Huang D, Zhang Q, Ding X, Zang X, Ye Y, Cao J, Li P. The cancer/testis antigen HORMAD1 promotes gastric cancer progression by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:5808-5825. [PMID: 37854207 PMCID: PMC10579032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HORMAD1 is a cancer/testis antigen (CTAs) that regulates DNA homologous recombination, mismatch repair, and other tumor characteristics. However, its role and regulatory mechanisms in gastric cancer remain unclear. METHODS We performed transcriptomic profiling on seven gastric cancers and paired tissues; HORMAD1 was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer samples and was related to poor prognosis survival. Furthermore, cancer pathway microarray, bioinformatic analysis, western blot, and immunochemistry assay demonstrated that HORMAD1 affected the NF-κB signaling pathway. RESULTS In vitro and vivo studies confirmed that HORMAD1 knockdown inhibited cell growth and invasion, whereas overexpression reversed these effects. Mechanistically, HORMAD1 regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process (EMT) via the NF-κB pathway by increasing the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB (p-65) and Iκκ-β. Downstream target genes of the NF-κB signaling pathway, such as c-Myc, CyclinD1, may be involved in HORMAD1-induced tumorigenesis in gastric cancer (GC). CONCLUSIONS HORMAD1 plays an important role in gastric cancer progression and could be a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Bian
- Department of Chinese Integrative Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Weiyu Li
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive DiseasesBeijing 100050, China
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing 100050, China
| | - Dabing Huang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Xiping Ding
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaodong Zang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Yingquan Ye
- Department of Chinese Integrative Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Chinese Integrative Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230022, Anhui, China
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Acharya A, Bret H, Huang JW, Mütze M, Göse M, Kissling V, Seidel R, Ciccia A, Guérois R, Cejka P. Mechanism of DNA unwinding by hexameric MCM8-9 in complex with HROB. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3054483. [PMID: 37461676 PMCID: PMC10350107 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3054483/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The human MCM8-9 helicase functions in concert with HROB in the context of homologous recombination, but its precise function is unknown. To gain insights into how HROB regulates MCM8-9, we first used molecular modeling and biochemistry to define their interaction interface. We show that HROB makes important contacts with both MCM8 and MCM9 subunits, which directly promotes its DNA-dependent ATPase and helicase activities. MCM8-9-HROB preferentially binds and unwinds branched DNA structures, and single-molecule experiments reveal a low DNA unwinding processivity. MCM8-9 unwinds DNA as a hexameric complex that assembles from dimers on DNA in the presence of ATP, which is prerequisite for its helicase function. The hexamer formation thus involves two repeating protein-protein interfaces forming between the alternating MCM8 and MCM9 subunits. One of these interfaces is rather stable and forms an obligate heterodimer, while the other interface is labile and mediates the assembly of the hexamer on DNA, independently of HROB. The ATPase site composed of the subunits forming the labile interface disproportionally contributes to DNA unwinding. HROB does not affect the MCM8-9 ring formation, but promotes DNA unwinding downstream by possibly coordinating ATP hydrolysis with structural transitions accompanying translocation of MCM8-9 on DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Acharya
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Bret
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Jen-Wei Huang
- Department of Genetics and Development, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martin Mütze
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Martin Göse
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Vera Kissling
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Ralf Seidel
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Department of Genetics and Development, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raphaël Guérois
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91190, France
| | - Petr Cejka
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
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Helderman NC, Terlouw D, Bonjoch L, Golubicki M, Antelo M, Morreau H, van Wezel T, Castellví-Bel S, Goldberg Y, Nielsen M. Molecular functions of MCM8 and MCM9 and their associated pathologies. iScience 2023; 26:106737. [PMID: 37378315 PMCID: PMC10291252 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Minichromosome Maintenance 8 Homologous Recombination Repair Factor (MCM8) and Minichromosome Maintenance 9 Homologous Recombination Repair Factor (MCM9) are recently discovered minichromosome maintenance proteins and are implicated in multiple DNA-related processes and pathologies, including DNA replication (initiation), meiosis, homologous recombination and mismatch repair. Consistent with these molecular functions, variants of MCM8/MCM9 may predispose carriers to disorders such as infertility and cancer and should therefore be included in relevant diagnostic testing. In this overview of the (patho)physiological functions of MCM8 and MCM9 and the phenotype of MCM8/MCM9 variant carriers, we explore the potential clinical implications of MCM8/MCM9 variant carriership and highlight important future directions of MCM8 and MCM9 research. With this review, we hope to contribute to better MCM8/MCM9 variant carrier management and the potential utilization of MCM8 and MCM9 in other facets of scientific research and medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diantha Terlouw
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Laia Bonjoch
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariano Golubicki
- Oncology Section and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hospital of Gastroenterology "Dr. C.B. Udaondo", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Antelo
- Oncology Section and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hospital of Gastroenterology "Dr. C.B. Udaondo", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hans Morreau
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van Wezel
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sergi Castellví-Bel
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yael Goldberg
- Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Maartje Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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10
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Gantchev J, Messina-Pacheco J, Martínez Villarreal A, Ramchatesingh B, Lefrançois P, Xie P, Amar L, Xu HH, Raveendra K, Sikorski D, Guerra Ordaz DJ, Gill RPK, Lambert M, Litvinov IV. Ectopically Expressed Meiosis-Specific Cancer Testis Antigen HORMAD1 Promotes Genomic Instability in Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cells 2023; 12:1627. [PMID: 37371097 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a prominent hallmark of cancer, however the mechanisms that drive and sustain this process remain elusive. Research demonstrates that numerous cancers with increased levels of genomic instability ectopically express meiosis-specific genes and undergo meiomitosis, the clash of mitotic and meiotic processes. These meiotic genes may represent novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer. We studied the relationship between the expression of the meiosis protein HORMAD1 and genomic instability in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). First, we assessed markers of DNA damage and genomic instability following knockdown and overexpression of HORMAD1 in different cell lines representing SCCs and epithelial cancers. shRNA-mediated depletion of HORMAD1 expression resulted in increased genomic instability, DNA damage, increased sensitivity to etoposide, and decreased expression of DNA damage response/repair genes. Conversely, overexpression of HORMAD1 exhibited protective effects leading to decreased DNA damage, enhanced survival and decreased sensitivity to etoposide. Furthermore, we identified a meiotic molecular pathway that regulates HORMAD1 expression by targeting the upstream meiosis transcription factor STRA8. Our results highlight a specific relationship between HORMAD1 and genomic instability in SCCs, suggesting that selectively inhibiting HORMAD1, possibly, through STRA8 signaling, may provide a new paradigm of treatment options for HORMAD1-expressing SCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gantchev
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Julia Messina-Pacheco
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | | | | | - Philippe Lefrançois
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Pingxing Xie
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Laetitia Amar
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Hong Hao Xu
- Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | | | - Daniel Sikorski
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | | | | | - Marine Lambert
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Ivan V Litvinov
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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11
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Acharya A, Bret H, Huang JW, Mütze M, Göse M, Kissling V, Seidel R, Ciccia A, Guérois R, Cejka P. Mechanism of DNA unwinding by hexameric MCM8-9 in complex with HROB. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544631. [PMID: 37398313 PMCID: PMC10312610 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The human MCM8-9 helicase functions in concert with HROB in the context of homologous recombination, but its precise function is unknown. To gain insights into how HROB regulates MCM8-9, we first used molecular modeling and biochemistry to define their interaction interface. We show that HROB makes important contacts with both MCM8 and MCM9 subunits, which directly promotes its DNA-dependent ATPase and helicase activities. MCM8-9-HROB preferentially binds and unwinds branched DNA structures, and single-molecule experiments reveal a low DNA unwinding processivity. MCM8-9 unwinds DNA as a hexameric complex that assembles from dimers on DNA in the presence of ATP, which is prerequisite for its helicase function. The hexamer formation thus involves two repeating protein-protein interfaces forming between the alternating MCM8 and MCM9 subunits. One of these interfaces is rather stable and forms an obligate heterodimer, while the other interface is labile and mediates the assembly of the hexamer on DNA, independently of HROB. The ATPase site composed of the subunits forming the labile interface disproportionally contributes to DNA unwinding. HROB does not affect the MCM8-9 ring formation, but promotes DNA unwinding downstream by possibly coordinating ATP hydrolysis with structural transitions accompanying translocation of MCM8-9 on DNA.
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12
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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.
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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
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13
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Herrera LR, McGlynn K, Gibbs ZA, Davis AJ, Whitehurst AW. The Cancer Testes Antigen, HORMAD1, is a Tumor-Specific Replication Fork Protection Factor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.31.526348. [PMID: 36778501 PMCID: PMC9915569 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumors frequently activate the expression of genes that are only otherwise required for meiosis. HORMAD1, which is essential for meiotic recombination in multiple species, is expressed in over 50% of human lung adenocarcinoma cells (LUAD). We previously found that HORMAD1 promotes DNA double strand break (DSB) repair in LUAD. Here, we report that HORMAD1 takes on an additional role in protecting genomic integrity. Specifically, we find HORMAD1 is critical for protecting stalled DNA replication forks in LUAD. Loss of HORMAD1 leads to nascent DNA degradation, an event which is mediated by the MRE11-DNA2-BLM pathway. Moreover, following exogenous induction of DNA replication stress, HORMAD1 deleted cells accumulate single stranded DNA (ssDNA). We find that these phenotypes are the result of a lack of RAD51 and BRCA2 loading onto stalled replication forks. Ultimately, loss of HORMAD1 leads to increased DSBs and chromosomal aberrations in response to replication stress. Collectively, our data support a model where HORMAD1 expression is selected to mitigate DNA replication stress, which would otherwise induce deleterious genomic instability.
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14
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Tarantino D, Walker C, Weekes D, Pemberton H, Davidson K, Torga G, Frankum J, Mendes-Pereira AM, Prince C, Ferro R, Brough R, Pettitt SJ, Lord CJ, Grigoriadis A, Nj Tutt A. Functional screening reveals HORMAD1-driven gene dependencies associated with translesion synthesis and replication stress tolerance. Oncogene 2022; 41:3969-3977. [PMID: 35768547 PMCID: PMC9355871 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
HORMAD1 expression is usually restricted to germline cells, but it becomes mis-expressed in epithelial cells in ~60% of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), where it is associated with elevated genomic instability (1). HORMAD1 expression in TNBC is bimodal with HORMAD1-positive TNBC representing a biologically distinct disease group. Identification of HORMAD1-driven genetic dependencies may uncover novel therapies for this disease group. To study HORMAD1-driven genetic dependencies, we generated a SUM159 cell line model with doxycycline-inducible HORMAD1 that replicated genomic instability phenotypes seen in HORMAD1-positive TNBC (1). Using small interfering RNA screens, we identified candidate genes whose depletion selectively inhibited the cellular growth of HORMAD1-expressing cells. We validated five genes (ATR, BRIP1, POLH, TDP1 and XRCC1), depletion of which led to reduced cellular growth or clonogenic survival in cells expressing HORMAD1. In addition to the translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerase POLH, we identified a HORMAD1-driven dependency upon additional TLS polymerases, namely POLK, REV1, REV3L and REV7. Our data confirms that out-of-context somatic expression of HORMAD1 can lead to genomic instability and reveals that HORMAD1 expression induces dependencies upon replication stress tolerance pathways, such as translesion synthesis. Our data also suggest that HORMAD1 expression could be a patient selection biomarker for agents targeting replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Tarantino
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Callum Walker
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Daniel Weekes
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Helen Pemberton
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Kathryn Davidson
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gonzalo Torga
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jessica Frankum
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Ana M Mendes-Pereira
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cynthia Prince
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Riccardo Ferro
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel Brough
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Stephen J Pettitt
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Christopher J Lord
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Nj Tutt
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK.
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's Health Partners AHSC, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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15
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Takiyama T, Sera T, Nakamura M, Hoshino M, Uesugi K, Horike SI, Meguro-Horike M, Bessho R, Takiyama Y, Kitsunai H, Takeda Y, Sawamoto K, Yagi N, Nishikawa Y, Takiyama Y. A maternal high-fat diet induces fetal origins of NASH-HCC in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13136. [PMID: 35907977 PMCID: PMC9338981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17501-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal overnutrition affects offspring susceptibility to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Male offspring from high-fat diet (HFD)-fed dams developed a severe form of NASH, leading to highly vascular tumor formation. The cancer/testis antigen HORMA domain containing protein 1 (HORMAD1), one of 146 upregulated differentially expressed genes in fetal livers from HFD-fed dams, was overexpressed with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) in hepatoblasts and in NASH-based hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in offspring from HFD-fed dams at 15 weeks old. Hypoxia substantially increased Hormad1 expression in primary mouse hepatocytes. Despite the presence of three putative hypoxia response elements within the mouse Hormad1 gene, the Hif-1alpha siRNA only slightly decreased hypoxia-induced Hormad1 mRNA expression. In contrast, N-acetylcysteine, but not rotenone, inhibited hypoxia-induced Hormad1 expression, indicating its dependency on nonmitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Synchrotron-based phase-contrast micro-CT of the fetuses from HFD-fed dams showed significant enlargement of the liver accompanied by a consistent size of the umbilical vein, which may cause hypoxia in the fetal liver. Based on these findings, a maternal HFD induces fetal origins of NASH/HCC via hypoxia, and HORMAD1 is a potential therapeutic target for NASH/HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Takiyama
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Sera
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masanori Nakamura
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masato Hoshino
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo-cho, Japan
| | - Kentaro Uesugi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo-cho, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Horike
- Advanced Science Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | | | - Ryoichi Bessho
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yuri Takiyama
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kitsunai
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Takeda
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sawamoto
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Naoto Yagi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo-cho, Japan
| | - Yuji Nishikawa
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yumi Takiyama
- Division of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
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16
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Raina VB, Schoot Uiterkamp M, Vader G. Checkpoint control in meiotic prophase: Idiosyncratic demands require unique characteristics. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 151:281-315. [PMID: 36681474 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal transactions such as replication, recombination and segregation are monitored by cell cycle checkpoint cascades. These checkpoints ensure the proper execution of processes that are needed for faithful genome inheritance from one cell to the next, and across generations. In meiotic prophase, a specialized checkpoint monitors defining events of meiosis: programmed DNA break formation, followed by dedicated repair through recombination based on interhomolog (IH) crossovers. This checkpoint shares molecular characteristics with canonical DNA damage checkpoints active during somatic cell cycles. However, idiosyncratic requirements of meiotic prophase have introduced unique features in this signaling cascade. In this review, we discuss the unique features of the meiotic prophase checkpoint. While being related to canonical DNA damage checkpoint cascades, the meiotic prophase checkpoint also shows similarities with the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) that guards chromosome segregation. We highlight these emerging similarities in the signaling logic of the checkpoints that govern meiotic prophase and chromosome segregation, and how thinking of these similarities can help us better understand meiotic prophase control. We also discuss work showing that, when aberrantly expressed, components of the meiotic prophase checkpoint might alter DNA repair fidelity and chromosome segregation in cancer cells. Considering checkpoint function in light of demands imposed by the special characteristics of meiotic prophase helps us understand checkpoint integration into the meiotic cell cycle machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek B Raina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Maud Schoot Uiterkamp
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Oncogenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerben Vader
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Oncogenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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17
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Functions and Regulation of Meiotic HORMA-Domain Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050777. [PMID: 35627161 PMCID: PMC9141381 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes must recognize, pair, and recombine with one another to ensure the formation of inter-homologue crossover events, which, together with sister chromatid cohesion, promote correct chromosome orientation on the first meiotic spindle. Crossover formation requires the assembly of axial elements, proteinaceous structures that assemble along the length of each chromosome during early meiosis, as well as checkpoint mechanisms that control meiotic progression by monitoring pairing and recombination intermediates. A conserved family of proteins defined by the presence of a HORMA (HOp1, Rev7, MAd2) domain, referred to as HORMADs, associate with axial elements to control key events of meiotic prophase. The highly conserved HORMA domain comprises a flexible safety belt sequence, enabling it to adopt at least two of the following protein conformations: one closed, where the safety belt encircles a small peptide motif present within an interacting protein, causing its topological entrapment, and the other open, where the safety belt is reorganized and no interactor is trapped. Although functional studies in multiple organisms have revealed that HORMADs are crucial regulators of meiosis, the mechanisms by which HORMADs implement key meiotic events remain poorly understood. In this review, we summarize protein complexes formed by HORMADs, discuss their roles during meiosis in different organisms, draw comparisons to better characterize non-meiotic HORMADs (MAD2 and REV7), and highlight possible areas for future research.
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18
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Liu K, Cheng L, Zhu K, Wang J, Shu Q. The cancer/testis antigen HORMAD1 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition to promote tumor growth and metastasis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:136. [PMID: 35347116 PMCID: PMC8960869 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00946-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The cancer/testis antigen HORMAD1 is a mechanical regulator that modulates DNA homologous recombination repair and mismatch repair in multiple cancers. However, the role and underlying regulatory mechanisms of HORMAD1 in lung cancer progression remain unknown. Here, we show that HORMAD1 is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and that aberrant HORMAD1 expression predicts poor prognosis. We further demonstrate that HORMAD1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Subsequent mechanistic investigations revealed that HORMAD1 activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by increasing the phosphorylation level of AKT at Ser473 and that of GSK-3β at Ser9 in lung cancer cells, which decreases the phosphorylation level of β-catenin at Ser33/37/Thr41, enhances the cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and its transcriptional activity, consequently promoting EMT and lung cancer growth and metastasis. Our results provide new insights into the functional role and regulatory mechanism of HORMAD1 in lung cancer progression and identify HORMAD1 as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center For Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinhu Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center For Child Health, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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19
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Lingg L, Rottenberg S, Francica P. Meiotic Genes and DNA Double Strand Break Repair in Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:831620. [PMID: 35251135 PMCID: PMC8895043 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.831620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells show widespread genetic alterations that change the expression of genes driving tumor progression, including genes that maintain genomic integrity. In recent years, it has become clear that tumors frequently reactivate genes whose expression is typically restricted to germ cells. As germ cells have specialized pathways to facilitate the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes, their aberrant regulation influences how cancer cells repair DNA double strand breaks (DSB). This drives genomic instability and affects the response of tumor cells to anticancer therapies. Since meiotic genes are usually transcriptionally repressed in somatic cells of healthy tissues, targeting aberrantly expressed meiotic genes may provide a unique opportunity to specifically kill cancer cells whilst sparing the non-transformed somatic cells. In this review, we highlight meiotic genes that have been reported to affect DSB repair in cancers derived from somatic cells. A better understanding of their mechanistic role in the context of homology-directed DNA repair in somatic cancers may provide useful insights to find novel vulnerabilities that can be targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Lingg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sven Rottenberg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sven Rottenberg, ; Paola Francica,
| | - Paola Francica
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sven Rottenberg, ; Paola Francica,
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20
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Guervilly JH, Blin M, Laureti L, Baudelet E, Audebert S, Gaillard PH. SLX4 dampens MutSα-dependent mismatch repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:2667-2680. [PMID: 35166826 PMCID: PMC8934664 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumour suppressor SLX4 plays multiple roles in the maintenance of genome stability, acting as a scaffold for structure-specific endonucleases and other DNA repair proteins. It directly interacts with the mismatch repair (MMR) protein MSH2 but the significance of this interaction remained unknown until recent findings showing that MutSβ (MSH2-MSH3) stimulates in vitro the SLX4-dependent Holliday junction resolvase activity. Here, we characterize the mode of interaction between SLX4 and MSH2, which relies on an MSH2-interacting peptide (SHIP box) that drives interaction of SLX4 with both MutSβ and MutSα (MSH2-MSH6). While we show that this MSH2 binding domain is dispensable for the well-established role of SLX4 in interstrand crosslink repair, we find that it mediates inhibition of MutSα-dependent MMR by SLX4, unravelling an unanticipated function of SLX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Hugues Guervilly
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Blin
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Luisa Laureti
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Baudelet
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Audebert
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Henri Gaillard
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
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21
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Gu Y, Desai A, Corbett KD. Evolutionary Dynamics and Molecular Mechanisms of HORMA Domain Protein Signaling. Annu Rev Biochem 2022; 91:541-569. [PMID: 35041460 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-090920-103246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Controlled assembly and disassembly of multi-protein complexes is central to cellular signaling. Proteins of the widespread and functionally diverse HORMA family nucleate assembly of signaling complexes by binding short peptide motifs through a distinctive safety-belt mechanism. HORMA proteins are now understood as key signaling proteins across kingdoms, serving as infection sensors in a bacterial immune system and playing central roles in eukaryotic cell cycle, genome stability, sexual reproduction, and cellular homeostasis pathways. Here, we describe how HORMA proteins' unique ability to adopt multiple conformational states underlies their functions in these diverse contexts. We also outline how a dedicated AAA+ ATPase regulator, Pch2/TRIP13, manipulates HORMA proteins' conformational states to activate or inactivate signaling in different cellular contexts. The emergence of Pch2/TRIP13 as a lynchpin for HORMA protein action in multiple genome-maintenance pathways accounts for its frequent misregulation in human cancers and highlights TRIP13 as a novel therapeutic target. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 91 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Gu
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Arshad Desai
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; .,Section of Cell & Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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22
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Wu SC, Münger K. Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225690. [PMID: 34830845 PMCID: PMC8616139 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Changshan Wu
- Molecular Microbiology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Karl Münger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Correspondence:
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23
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New Advances in the Research of Resistance to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179644. [PMID: 34502549 PMCID: PMC8431789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has an extremely high incidence in women, and its morbidity and mortality rank first among female tumors. With the increasing development of medicine today, the clinical application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has brought new hope to the treatment of breast cancer. Although the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been confirmed, drug resistance is one of the main reasons for its treatment failure, contributing to the difficulty in the treatment of breast cancer. This article focuses on multiple mechanisms of action and expounds a series of recent research advances that mediate drug resistance in breast cancer cells. Drug metabolizing enzymes can mediate a catalytic reaction to inactivate chemotherapeutic drugs and develop drug resistance. The drug efflux system can reduce the drug concentration in breast cancer cells. The combination of glutathione detoxification system and platinum drugs can cause breast cancer cells to be insensitive to drugs. Changes in drug targets have led to poorer efficacy of HER2 receptor inhibitors. Moreover, autophagy, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and tumor microenvironment can all contribute to the development of resistance in breast cancer cells. Based on the relevant research on the existing drug resistance mechanism, the current treatment plan for reversing the resistance of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is explored, and the potential drug targets are analyzed, aiming to provide a new idea and strategy to reverse the resistance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer.
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24
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Jay A, Reitz D, Namekawa SH, Heyer WD. Cancer testis antigens and genomic instability: More than immunology. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 108:103214. [PMID: 34481156 PMCID: PMC9196322 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens or genes (CTA, CTG) are predominantly expressed in adult testes while silenced in most or all somatic tissues with sporadic expression in many human cancers. Concerted misexpression of numerous CTA/CTGs is rarely observed. This finding argues against the germ cell theory of cancer. A surprising number of CTA/CTGs are involved in meiotic chromosome metabolism and specifically in meiotic recombination. Recent discoveries with a group of CTGs established that their misexpression in somatic cells results in genomic instability by interfering with homologous recombination (HR), a DNA repair pathway for complex DNA damage such as DNA double-stranded breaks, interstrand crosslinks, and single-stranded DNA gaps. HR-deficient tumors have specific vulnerabilities and show synthetic lethality with inhibition of polyADP-ribose polymerase, opening the possibility that expression of CTA/CTGs that result in an HR-defect could be used as an additional biomarker for HR status. Here, we review the repertoire of CTA/CTGs focusing on a cohort that functions in meiotic chromosome metabolism by interrogating relevant cancer databases and discussing recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ash Jay
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Diedre Reitz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Wolf-Dietrich Heyer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA.
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25
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Zong B, Sun L, Peng Y, Wang Y, Yu Y, Lei J, Zhang Y, Guo S, Li K, Liu S. HORMAD1 promotes docetaxel resistance in triple negative breast cancer by enhancing DNA damage tolerance. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:138. [PMID: 34036395 PMCID: PMC8165579 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HORMA domain‑containing protein 1 (HORMAD1), is normally expressed only in the germline, but is frequently re‑activated in human triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, its function in TNBC is largely unknown. In the present study, the expression and biological significance of HORMAD1 in human TNBC was evaluated. Bioinformatics analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used to evaluate HORMAD1 expression in datasets and cell lines. HORMAD1 protein expression was detected in TNBC samples using immunohistochemical assays, and the effect of HORMAD1 on cell proliferation was determined using Cell Counting Kit‑8, plate colony formation and standard growth curve assays. Cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis analyses were conducted using flow cytometry. The activity of caspases was measured using caspase activity assay kit. The levels of key apoptosis regulators and autophagy markers were detected by western blot analysis. TNBC cell survival and apoptosis were not influenced by small interfering RNA targeting HORMAD1 alone; however, HORMAD1 knockdown enhanced autophagy and docetaxel (Doc)‑induced apoptosis, compared with the control group. Furthermore, higher ROS levels and caspase‑3, ‑8 and ‑9 activity were detected in MDA‑MB‑436 TNBC cells with HORMAD1 knockdown upon exposure to Doc. The levels of the induced DNA damage marker γH2AX were also higher, while those of the DNA repair protein RAD51 were lower in TNBC cells with HORMAD1 knockdown compared with the controls. Furthermore, the expression of the autophagy marker P62 was enhanced in MDA‑MB‑231 cells in response to HORMAD1 overexpression. Notably, Doc‑induced apoptosis was similarly increased by both HORMAD1 overexpression and treatment with the autophagy inhibitor, 3‑methyladenine (3MA); however, the Doc‑induced increase in autophagy was not inhibited by 3MA. The present data indicated that HORMAD1 was involved in autophagy and that the inhibition of autophagy can partially enhance the induction of apoptosis by Doc. The role of HORMAD1 in the DNA damage tolerance of tumor cells may be the main reason for Doc resistance; hence, HORMAD1 could be an important therapeutic target in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beige Zong
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Yang Peng
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Yu Yu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400015, P.R. China
| | - Jinwei Lei
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yingzi Zhang
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Shipeng Guo
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Chongqing City Key Lab of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Shengchun Liu
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
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26
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Fan C, Qu H, Wang X, Sobhani N, Wang L, Liu S, Xiong W, Zeng Z, Li Y. Cancer/testis antigens: from serology to mRNA cancer vaccine. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 76:218-231. [PMID: 33910064 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor antigens expressed in numerous cancer tissues, as well as in the testis and placental tissues. There are over 200 CTAs supported by serology and expression data. The expression patterns of CTAs reflect the similarities between the processes of gametogenesis and tumorigenesis. It is notable that CTAs are highly expressed in three types of cancers (lung cancer, bladder cancer, and skin cancer), all of which have a metal etiology. Here, we review the expression, regulation, and function of CTAs and their translational prospects as cancer biomarkers and treatment targets. Many CTAs are highly immunogenic, tissue-specific, and frequently expressed in cancer tissues but not under physiological conditions, rendering them promising candidates for cancer detection. Some CTAs are associated with clinical outcomes, so they may serve as prognostic biomarkers. A small number of CTAs are membrane-bound, making them ideal targets for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Mounting evidence suggests that CTAs induce humoral or cellular immune responses, providing cancer immunotherapeutic opportunities for T-cell receptors (TCRs), CAR T cell, antibody-based therapy and peptide- or mRNA-based vaccines. Indeed, CTAs are the dominating non-mutated targets in mRNA cancer vaccine development. Clinical trials on CTA TCR and vaccines have shown effectiveness, safety, and tolerance, but these successes are limited to a small number of patients. In-depth studies on CTA expression and function are needed to improve CTA-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Fan
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
| | - Hongke Qu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
| | - Navid Sobhani
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
| | - Leiming Wang
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
| | - Shuanglin Liu
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
| | - Wei Xiong
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Yong Li
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, United States.
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