1
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Zhang S, Roeder RG. Resistance of estrogen receptor function to BET bromodomain inhibition is mediated by transcriptional coactivator cooperativity. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024:10.1038/s41594-024-01384-6. [PMID: 39251822 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01384-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
The bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family of proteins are critical chromatin readers that bind to acetylated histones through their bromodomains to activate transcription. Here, we reveal that bromodomain inhibition fails to repress oncogenic targets of estrogen receptor because of an intrinsic transcriptional mechanism. While bromodomains are necessary for the transcription of many genes, bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) binds to estrogen receptor binding sites and activates transcription of critical oncogenes such as MYC, independently of its bromodomains. BRD4 associates with the Mediator complex and disruption of Mediator reduces BRD4's enhancer occupancy. Profiling changes of the post-initiation RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-associated factors revealed that BET proteins regulate interactions between Pol II and elongation factors SPT5, SPT6 and the polymerase-associated factor 1 complex, which associate with BET proteins independently of their bromodomains and mediate their transcription elongation effect. Our findings highlight the importance of bromodomain-independent functions and interactions of BET proteins in the development of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicong Zhang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Robert G Roeder
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Chandrashekar DS, Afaq F, Karthikeyan SK, Athar M, Shrestha S, Singh R, Manne U, Varambally S. Bromodomain inhibitor treatment leads to overexpression of multiple kinases in cancer cells. Neoplasia 2024; 57:101046. [PMID: 39241280 PMCID: PMC11408867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.101046] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins show altered expression across various cancers. The members of the bromodomain (BRD) family contain epigenetic reader domains that bind to acetylated lysine residues in both histone and non-histone proteins. Since BRD proteins are involved in cancer initiation and progression, therapeutic targeting of these proteins has recently been an area of interest. In experimental settings, JQ1, a commonly used BRD inhibitor, is the first known inhibitor to target BRD-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a ubiquitously expressed BRD and extraterminal family protein. BRD4 is necessary for a normal cell cycle, and its aberrant expression activates pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to tumor initiation and progression. Various BRD4 inhibitors have been developed recently and tested in preclinical settings and are now in clinical trials. However, as with many targeted therapies, BRD inhibitor treatment can lead to resistance to treatment. Here, we investigated the kinases up-regulated on JQ1 treatment that may serve as target for combination therapy along with BRD inhibitors. To identify kinase targets, we performed a comparative analysis of gene expression data using RNA from BRD inhibitor-treated cells or BRD-modulated cells and identified overexpression of several kinases, including FYN, NEK9, and ADCK5. We further validated, by immunoblotting, the overexpression of FYN tyrosine kinase; NEK9 serine/threonine kinase and ADCK5, an atypical kinase, to confirm their overexpression after BRD inhibitor treatment. Importantly, our studies show that targeting FYN or NEK9 along with BRD inhibitor effectively reduces proliferation of cancer cells. Therefore, our research emphasizes a potential approach of utilizing inhibitors targeting some of the overexpressed kinases in conjunction with BRD inhibitors to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farrukh Afaq
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Mohammad Athar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sadeep Shrestha
- Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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3
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Zhang S, Roeder RG. Resistance of estrogen receptor function to BET bromodomain inhibition is mediated by transcriptional coactivator cooperativity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.25.605008. [PMID: 39211208 PMCID: PMC11361192 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.25.605008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain (BET) family of proteins are critical chromatin readers that bind to acetylated histones through their bromodomains to activate transcription. Here, we reveal that bromodomain inhibition fails to repress oncogenic targets of estrogen receptor due to an intrinsic transcriptional mechanism. While bromodomains are necessary for the transcription of many genes, BRD4 binds to estrogen receptor binding sites and activates transcription of critical oncogenes independently of its bromodomains. BRD4 associates with the Mediator complex and disruption of Mediator complex reduces BRD4's enhancer occupancy. Profiling changes in the post-initiation RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-associated factors revealed that BET proteins regulate interactions between Pol II and elongation factors SPT5, SPT6, and PAF1 complex, which associate with BET proteins independently of their bromodomains and mediate their transcription elongation effect. Our findings highlight the importance of bromodomain-independent functions and interactions of BET proteins in the development of future therapeutic strategies.
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4
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Huber PB, Rao A, LaBonne C. BET activity plays an essential role in control of stem cell attributes in Xenopus. Development 2024; 151:dev202990. [PMID: 38884356 PMCID: PMC11266789 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202990] [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: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Neural crest cells are a stem cell population unique to vertebrate embryos that retains broad multi-germ layer developmental potential through neurulation. Much remains to be learned about the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that control the potency of neural crest cells. Here, we examine the role that epigenetic readers of the BET (bromodomain and extra terminal) family play in controlling the potential of pluripotent blastula and neural crest cells. We find that inhibiting BET activity leads to loss of pluripotency at blastula stages and a loss of neural crest at neurula stages. We compare the effects of HDAC (an eraser of acetylation marks) and BET (a reader of acetylation) inhibition and find that they lead to similar cellular outcomes through distinct effects on the transcriptome. Interestingly, loss of BET activity in cells undergoing lineage restriction is coupled to increased expression of genes linked to pluripotency and prolongs the competence of initially pluripotent cells to transit to a neural progenitor state. Together these findings advance our understanding of the epigenetic control of pluripotency and the formation of the vertebrate neural crest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B. Huber
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Anjali Rao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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5
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Miller AL, Fehling SC, Vance RB, Chen D, Brown EJ, Hossain MI, Heard EO, Andrabi SA, Wang H, Yang ES, Buchsbaum DJ, van Waardenburg RCAM, Bellis SL, Yoon KJ. BET inhibition decreases HMGCS2 and sensitizes resistant pancreatic tumors to gemcitabine. Cancer Lett 2024; 592:216919. [PMID: 38704133 PMCID: PMC11309032 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216919] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Efforts to develop targetable molecular bases for drug resistance for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been equivocally successful. Using RNA-seq and ingenuity pathway analysis we identified that the superpathway of cholesterol biosynthesis is upregulated in gemcitabine resistant (gemR) tumors using a unique PDAC PDX model with resistance to gemcitabine acquired in vivo. Analysis of additional in vitro and in vivo gemR PDAC models showed that HMG-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), an enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and rate limiting in ketogenesis, is overexpressed in these models. Mechanistic data demonstrate the novel findings that HMGCS2 contributes to gemR and confers metastatic properties in PDAC models, and that HMGCS2 is BRD4 dependent. Further, BET inhibitor JQ1 decreases levels of HMGCS2, sensitizes PDAC cells to gemcitabine, and a combination of gemcitabine and JQ1 induced regressions of gemR tumors in vivo. Our data suggest that decreasing HMGCS2 may reverse gemR, and that HMGCS2 represents a useful therapeutic target for treating gemcitabine resistant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey L Miller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Samuel C Fehling
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rebecca B Vance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric Josh Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - M Iqbal Hossain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric O Heard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shaida A Andrabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hengbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eddy S Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Susan L Bellis
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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6
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Influence of Shear Stress, Inflammation and BRD4 Inhibition on Human Endothelial Cells: A Holistic Proteomic Approach. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193086. [PMID: 36231049 PMCID: PMC9563250 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193086] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to increased plasma lipid concentrations, irregular/oscillatory shear stress and inflammatory processes trigger atherosclerosis. Inhibitors of the transcription modulatory bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein family (BETi) could offer a possible therapeutic approach due to their epigenetic mechanism and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the influence of laminar shear stress, inflammation and BETi treatment on human endothelial cells was investigated using global protein expression profiling by ion mobility separation-enhanced data independent acquisition mass spectrometry (IMS-DIA-MS). For this purpose, primary human umbilical cord derived vascular endothelial cells were treated with TNFα to mimic inflammation and exposed to laminar shear stress in the presence or absence of the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1. IMS-DIA-MS detected over 4037 proteins expressed in endothelial cells. Inflammation, shear stress and BETi led to pronounced changes in protein expression patterns with JQ1 having the greatest effect. To our knowledge, this is the first proteomics study on primary endothelial cells, which provides an extensive database for the effects of shear stress, inflammation and BETi on the endothelial proteome.
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7
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Thiel G, Rössler OG. TRPM3-Induced Gene Transcription Is under Epigenetic Control. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070846. [PMID: 35890145 PMCID: PMC9315607 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential M3 (TRPM3) cation channels regulate numerous biological functions, including gene transcription. Stimulation of TRPM3 channels with pregnenolone sulfate activates stimulus-responsive transcription factors, which bind to short cognate sequences in the promoters of their target genes. In addition, coregulator proteins are involved that convert the chromatin into a configuration that is permissive for gene transcription. In this study, we determined whether TRPM3-induced gene transcription requires coactivators that change the acetylation pattern of histones. We used compound A485, a specific inhibitor of the histone acetyltransferases CBP and p300. In addition, the role of bromodomain proteins that bind to acetylated lysine residues of histones was analyzed. We used JQ1, an inhibitor of bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) family proteins. The results show that both compounds attenuated the activation of AP-1 and CREB-regulated gene transcription following stimulation of TRPM3 channels. Inhibition of CBP/p300 and BET proteins additionally reduced the transcriptional activation potential of the transcription factors c-Fos and Elk-1. Transcriptional upregulation of the interleukin-8 gene was attenuated by A485 and JQ1, indicating that proinflammatory cytokine expression is controlled by CBP/p300 and bromodomain proteins. We conclude that TRPM3-induced signaling involves transcriptional coactivators and acetyl-lysine-bound bromodomain proteins for activating gene transcription.
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8
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Zhang S, Bai P, Lei D, Liang Y, Zhen S, Bakiasi G, Pang H, Choi SH, Wang C, Tanzi RE, Zhang C. Degradation and inhibition of epigenetic regulatory protein BRD4 exacerbate Alzheimer's disease-related neuropathology in cell models. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101794. [PMID: 35248531 PMCID: PMC8958546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays substantial roles in human pathophysiology, which provides opportunities for intervention in human disorders through the targeting of epigenetic pathways. Recently, emerging evidence from preclinical studies suggested the potential in developing therapeutics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by targeting bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4), an epigenetic regulatory protein. However, further characterization of AD-related pathological events is urgently required. Here, we investigated the effects of pharmacological degradation or inhibition of BRD4 on AD cell models. Interestingly, we found that both degradation and inhibition of BRD4 by ARV-825 and JQ1, respectively, robustly increased the levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ), which has been associated with the neuropathology of AD. Subsequently, we characterized the mechanisms by which downregulation of BRD4 increases Aβ levels. We found that both degradation and inhibition of BRD4 increased the levels of BACE1, the enzyme responsible for cleavage of the amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) to generate Aβ. Consistent with Aβ increase, we also found that downregulation of BRD4 increased AD-related phosphorylated Tau (pTau) protein in our 3D-AD human neural cell culture model. Therefore, our results suggest that downregulation of BRD4 would not be a viable strategy for AD intervention. Collectively, our study not only shows that BRD4 is a novel epigenetic component that regulates BACE1 and Aβ levels, but also provides novel and translational insights into the targeting of BRD4 for potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zhang
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Bai
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dan Lei
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yingxia Liang
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sherri Zhen
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Grisilda Bakiasi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hao Pang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Se Hoon Choi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Changning Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Can Zhang
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
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9
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Federation AJ, Nandakumar V, Searle BC, Stergachis A, Wang H, Pino LK, Merrihew G, Ting YS, Howard N, Kutyavin T, MacCoss MJ, Stamatoyannopoulos JA. Highly Parallel Quantification and Compartment Localization of Transcription Factors and Nuclear Proteins. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2463-2471.e5. [PMID: 32101728 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors and other chromatin-associated proteins are difficult to quantify comprehensively. Here, we combine facile nuclear sub-fractionation with data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry to achieve rapid, sensitive, and highly parallel quantification of the nuclear proteome in human cells. We apply this approach to quantify the response to acute degradation of BET bromodomains, revealing unexpected chromatin regulatory dynamics. The method is simple and enables system-level study of previously inaccessible chromatin and genome regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vivek Nandakumar
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Brian C Searle
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Andrew Stergachis
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Lindsay K Pino
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gennifer Merrihew
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ying S Ting
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nicholas Howard
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Tanya Kutyavin
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Michael J MacCoss
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - John A Stamatoyannopoulos
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA 98121, USA; University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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10
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Pistoni M, Rossi T, Donati B, Torricelli F, Polano M, Ciarrocchi A. Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 Acts as a Molecular Switch for BRD4 Transcriptional Activity and Mediates Repression of BRD4/WDR5 Target Genes. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:799-811. [PMID: 33547232 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BRD4 is an epigenome reader known to exert key roles at the interface between chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation, and is primarily known for its role in promoting gene expression. In selective contexts, however, BRD4 may work as negative regulator of transcription. Here, we reported that BRD4 binds several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA). Among these, the lncRNA NEAT1 was found to interfere with BRD4 transcriptional activity. Mechanistically, lncNEAT1 forms a complex with BRD4 and WDR5 and maintains them in a low-activity state. Treatment with Bromodomains and Extraterminal (BET) inhibitor caused the lncRNA NEAT1 to dissociate from the BRD4/WDR5 complex, restored the acetyl-transferase capacity of BRD4, and restored the availability of WDR5 to promote histone trimethylation, thereby promoting BRD4/WDR5 transcriptional activity and activation of target gene expression. In addition, the lncRNA NEAT1 then became available to bind and to inhibit EZH2, cooperatively increasing transcriptional activation. IMPLICATIONS: Our results revealed an epigenetic program that involves the interaction between the lncRNA NEAT1 and BRD4, functioning as a molecular switch between BRD4's activator and repressor chromatin complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariaelena Pistoni
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Teresa Rossi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Polano
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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11
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Szczepanski AP, Zhao Z, Sosnowski T, Goo YA, Bartom ET, Wang L. ASXL3 bridges BRD4 to BAP1 complex and governs enhancer activity in small cell lung cancer. Genome Med 2020; 12:63. [PMID: 32669118 PMCID: PMC7362484 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00760-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a more aggressive subtype of lung cancer that often results in rapid tumor growth, early metastasis, and acquired therapeutic resistance. Consequently, such phenotypical characteristics of SCLC set limitations on viable procedural options, making it difficult to develop both screenings and effective treatments. In this study, we examine a novel mechanistic insight in SCLC cells that could potentially provide a more sensitive therapeutic alternative for SCLC patients. METHODS Biochemistry studies, including size exclusion chromatography, mass spectrometry, and western blot analysis, were conducted to determine the protein-protein interaction between additional sex combs-like protein 3 (ASXL3) and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4). Genomic studies, including chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), RNA sequencing, and genome-wide analysis, were performed in both human and mouse SCLC cells to determine the dynamic relationship between BRD4/ASXL3/BAP1 epigenetic axis in chromatin binding and its effects on transcriptional activity. RESULTS We report a critical link between BAP1 complex and BRD4, which is bridged by the physical interaction between ASXL3 and BRD4 in an SCLC subtype (SCLC-A), which expresses a high level of ASCL1. We further showed that ASXL3 functions as an adaptor protein, which directly interacts with BRD4's extra-terminal (ET) domain via a novel BRD4 binding motif (BBM), and maintains chromatin occupancy of BRD4 to active enhancers. Genetic depletion of ASXL3 results in a genome-wide reduction of histone H3K27Ac levels and BRD4-dependent gene expression in SCLC. Pharmacologically induced inhibition with BET-specific chemical degrader (dBET6) selectively inhibits cell proliferation of a subtype of SCLC that is characterized with high expression of ASXL3. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this study provides a mechanistic insight into the oncogenic function of BRD4/ASXL3/BAP1 epigenetic axis at active chromatin enhancers in SCLC-A subtype, as well as a potential new therapeutic option that could become more effective in treating SCLC patients with a biomarker of ASXL3-highly expressed SCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Patricia Szczepanski
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zibo Zhao
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Tori Sosnowski
- Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 North Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Young Ah Goo
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 North Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thomas Bartom
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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12
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Kagohara LT, Zamuner F, Davis-Marcisak EF, Sharma G, Considine M, Allen J, Yegnasubramanian S, Gaykalova DA, Fertig EJ. Integrated single-cell and bulk gene expression and ATAC-seq reveals heterogeneity and early changes in pathways associated with resistance to cetuximab in HNSCC-sensitive cell lines. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:101-113. [PMID: 32362655 PMCID: PMC7341752 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0851-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying potential resistance mechanisms while tumour cells still respond to therapy is critical to delay acquired resistance. METHODS We generated the first comprehensive multi-omics, bulk and single-cell data in sensitive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells to identify immediate responses to cetuximab. Two pathways potentially associated with resistance were focus of the study: regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases by TFAP2A transcription factor, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RESULTS Single-cell RNA-seq demonstrates heterogeneity, with cell-specific TFAP2A and VIM expression profiles in response to treatment and also with global changes to various signalling pathways. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq reveal global changes within 5 days of therapy, suggesting early onset of mechanisms of resistance; and corroborates cell line heterogeneity, with different TFAP2A targets or EMT markers affected by therapy. Lack of TFAP2A expression is associated with HNSCC decreased growth, with cetuximab and JQ1 increasing the inhibitory effect. Regarding the EMT process, short-term cetuximab therapy has the strongest effect on inhibiting migration. TFAP2A silencing does not affect cell migration, supporting an independent role for both mechanisms in resistance. CONCLUSION Overall, we show that immediate adaptive transcriptional and epigenetic changes induced by cetuximab are heterogeneous and cell type dependent; and independent mechanisms of resistance arise while tumour cells are still sensitive to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciane T Kagohara
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Fernando Zamuner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily F Davis-Marcisak
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Considine
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jawara Allen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daria A Gaykalova
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Yang G, Zhou D, Li J, Wang W, Zhong W, Fan W, Yu M, Cheng H. VDAC1 is regulated by BRD4 and contributes to JQ1 resistance in breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:2340-2347. [PMID: 31452730 PMCID: PMC6676538 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) are situated in the outer membrane of the mitochondria and serve as gatekeepers that control metabolite and ion exchange between the cytosol and mitochondria. VDAC1 is one of the most studied members of the VDAC protein family and is overexpressed in multiple types of cancer. However, the specific biological function and regulatory mechanism of VDAC1 in breast cancer remains unclear. The present study investigated the biological role of VDAC1 in breast cancer cells using an MTS assay. The association of clinicopathological features with VDAC1 in breast cancer was analyzed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. The regulatory mechanism of VDAC1 was determined by cell transfection, western blot analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative (q)PCR analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and ChIP-qPCR analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that VDAC1 promoted breast cancer proliferation and was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Additionally, it was observed that the expression of VDAC1 could be decreased by the bromodomain inhibitor (JQ1), and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) was indicated to be a regulator of VDAC1. Furthermore, results suggested that VDAC1 may be involved in the resistance of breast cancer to JQ1. Collectively, the present findings uncovered important aspects of the function of VDAC1 in the tumor progression of breast cancer, and may provide a basis for potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guochao Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Rongjun Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
| | - Dianwei Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
| | - Wei Fan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
| | - Mancheng Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
| | - Hongtao Cheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P.R. China
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The BD2 domain of BRD4 is a determinant in EndoMT and vein graft neointima formation. Cell Signal 2019; 61:20-29. [PMID: 31075399 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vein-graft bypass is commonly performed to overcome atherosclerosis but is limited by high failure rates, principally due to neointimal wall thickening. Recent studies reveal that endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is critical for vein-graft neointima formation. BETs are a family of Bromo/ExtraTerminal domains-containing epigenetic reader proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4). They bind acetylated histones through their unique tandem bromodomains (BD1, BD2), facilitating transcriptional complex formation and cell-state transitions. The role for BETs, including individual BRDs and their unique BDs, is not well understood in EndoMT and neointimal formation. METHODS AND RESULTS Repression of BRD4 expression abrogated TGFβ1-induced EndoMT, with greater effects than BRD2 or BRD3 knockdown. An inhibitor selective for BD2 in all BETs, but not that for BD1, blocked EndoMT. Moreover, expression of a dominant-negative BRD4-specific BD2 fully abolished EndoMT. Concordantly, BRD4 knockdown repressed TGFβ1-stimulated increase of ZEB1 protein - a transcription factor integral in EndoMT. In vivo, lentiviral gene transfer of either BRD4 shRNA or dominant negative BRD4-specific BD2 mitigated neointimal development in rat jugular veins grafted to carotid arteries. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal the BD2 domain of BRD4 as a determinant driving EndoMT in vitro and neointimal formation in vivo. These findings provide new insight into BET biology, while offering prospects of specific BET domain targeting as an approach to limiting neointima and extending vein graft patency.
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15
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Luo Q, Deng W, Wang H, Fan H, Zhang J. BRD4 interacts with PML/RARα in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Front Med 2018; 12:726-734. [PMID: 30552662 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0604-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing 4 (BRD4) has been considered as an important requirement for disease maintenance and an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. This protein can be targeted by JQ1, a selective small-molecule inhibitor. However, few studies have investigated whether BRD4 influenced acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and whether BRD4 had interaction with promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor α (PML/RARα) fusion protein to some extent. Results from cell viability assay, cell cycle analysis, and Annexin-V/PI analysis indicated that JQ1 inhibited the growth of NB4 cells, an APL-derived cell line, and induced NB4 cell cycle arrest at G1 and apoptosis. Then, we used co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay and immunoblot to demonstrate the endogenous interaction of BRD4 and PML/RARα in NB4 cells. Moreover, downregulation of PML/RARα at the mRNA and protein levels was observed upon JQ1 treatment. Furthermore, results from the RT-qPCR, ChIP-qPCR, and re-ChIP-qPCR assays showed that BRD4 and PML/RARα co-existed on the same regulatory regions of their target genes. Hence, we showed a new discovery of the interaction of BRD4 and PML/RARα, as well as the decline of PML/RARα expression, under JQ1 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wanglong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haiwei Wang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences and Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huiyong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences and Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Takimoto-Shimomura T, Tsukamoto T, Maegawa S, Fujibayashi Y, Matsumura-Kimoto Y, Mizuno Y, Chinen Y, Shimura Y, Mizutani S, Horiike S, Taniwaki M, Kobayashi T, Kuroda J. Dual targeting of bromodomain-containing 4 by AZD5153 and BCL2 by AZD4320 against B-cell lymphomas concomitantly overexpressing c-MYC and BCL2. Invest New Drugs 2018; 37:210-222. [PMID: 29931583 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent therapeutic progress, the prognoses of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) that concomitantly overexpress c-MYC and BCL2, i.e., double hit lymphoma (DHL) and double expressing lymphoma (DEL), remain poor. This study examined triple targeting of c-MYC, BCL2 and the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway for DHL and DEL. We first used AZD5153, a novel bivalent inhibitor for bromodomain-containing 4 (BRD4), in DHL- and DEL-derived cell lines, because BRD4 regulates disease type-oriented key molecules for oncogenesis. AZD5153 was more effective than conventional monovalent BRD4 inhibitors, JQ1 and I-BET151, in inhibiting cell proliferation of a DHL-derived cell line and two DEL-derived cell lines, with at least 10-fold lower half growth inhibitory concentrations. AZD5153 caused G1/S cell cycle blockade, while the apoptosis-inducing effect was relatively modest. At the molecular level, AZD5153 was potent in downregulating various molecules for oncogenesis, such as c-MYC, AKT2 and MAP3K; those involved in the BCR signaling pathway, such as CD19, BLNK and CD79B; and those associated with B-cell development, such as IKZF1, IKZF3, PAX5, POU2AF1 and EBF1. In contrast, AZD5153 did not decrease anti-apoptotic BCL2 proteins, and did not activate pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins, except BAD. To augment cell death induction, we added a novel BH3-mimicking BCL2 inhibitor AZD4320 to AZD5153, and found that these two agents had a mostly synergistic antitumor effect by increasing cells undergoing apoptosis in all three cell lines. These results provide a rationale for dual targeting of BRD4 and BCL2 using AZD5153 and AZD4320 as a therapeutic strategy against DHL and DEL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Takimoto-Shimomura
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Taku Tsukamoto
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Saori Maegawa
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuto Fujibayashi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yayoi Matsumura-Kimoto
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Mizuno
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Chinen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuji Shimura
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Mizutani
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shigeo Horiike
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Masafumi Taniwaki
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kobayashi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Junya Kuroda
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
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17
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Kluge M, Friedel CC. Watchdog - a workflow management system for the distributed analysis of large-scale experimental data. BMC Bioinformatics 2018. [PMID: 29534677 PMCID: PMC5850912 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-018-2107-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of high-throughput experimental technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, have led to new challenges for handling, analyzing and integrating the resulting large and diverse datasets. Bioinformatical analysis of these data commonly requires a number of mutually dependent steps applied to numerous samples for multiple conditions and replicates. To support these analyses, a number of workflow management systems (WMSs) have been developed to allow automated execution of corresponding analysis workflows. Major advantages of WMSs are the easy reproducibility of results as well as the reusability of workflows or their components. Results In this article, we present Watchdog, a WMS for the automated analysis of large-scale experimental data. Main features include straightforward processing of replicate data, support for distributed computer systems, customizable error detection and manual intervention into workflow execution. Watchdog is implemented in Java and thus platform-independent and allows easy sharing of workflows and corresponding program modules. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for workflow construction using pre-defined modules as well as a helper script for creating new module definitions. Execution of workflows is possible using either the GUI or a command-line interface and a web-interface is provided for monitoring the execution status and intervening in case of errors. To illustrate its potentials on a real-life example, a comprehensive workflow and modules for the analysis of RNA-seq experiments were implemented and are provided with the software in addition to simple test examples. Conclusions Watchdog is a powerful and flexible WMS for the analysis of large-scale high-throughput experiments. We believe it will greatly benefit both users with and without programming skills who want to develop and apply bioinformatical workflows with reasonable overhead. The software, example workflows and a comprehensive documentation are freely available at www.bio.ifi.lmu.de/watchdog. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12859-018-2107-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kluge
- Institute for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Amalienstraße 17, München, 80333, Germany
| | - Caroline C Friedel
- Institute for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Amalienstraße 17, München, 80333, Germany.
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