1
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Aya F, Lanuza-Gracia P, González-Pérez A, Bonnal S, Mancini E, López-Bigas N, Arance A, Valcárcel J. Genomic deletions explain the generation of alternative BRAF isoforms conferring resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114048. [PMID: 38614086 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114048] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Resistance to MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi), the main cause of relapse in BRAF-mutant melanoma, is associated with the production of alternative BRAF mRNA isoforms (altBRAFs) in up to 30% of patients receiving BRAF inhibitor monotherapy. These altBRAFs have been described as being generated by alternative pre-mRNA splicing, and splicing modulation has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance. In contrast, we report that altBRAFs are generated through genomic deletions. Using different in vitro models of altBRAF-mediated melanoma resistance, we demonstrate the production of altBRAFs exclusively from the BRAF V600E allele, correlating with corresponding genomic deletions. Genomic deletions are also detected in tumor samples from melanoma and breast cancer patients expressing altBRAFs. Along with the identification of altBRAFs in BRAF wild-type and in MAPKi-naive melanoma samples, our results represent a major shift in our understanding of mechanisms leading to the generation of BRAF transcripts variants associated with resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aya
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Investigacions Biomedicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Lanuza-Gracia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abel González-Pérez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefania Mancini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria López-Bigas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Arance
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Investigacions Biomedicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Valcárcel
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Feichtenschlager V, Chen L, Zheng YJ, Ho W, Sanlorenzo M, Vujic I, Fewings E, Lee A, Chen C, Callanan C, Lin K, Qu T, Hohlova D, Vujic M, Hwang Y, Lai K, Chen S, Nguyen T, Muñoz DP, Kohwi Y, Posch C, Daud A, Rappersberger K, Kohwi-Shigematsu T, Coppé JP, Ortiz-Urda S. The therapeutically actionable long non-coding RNA 'T-RECS' is essential to cancer cells' survival in NRAS/MAPK-driven melanoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:40. [PMID: 38383439 PMCID: PMC10882889 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01955-7] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Finding effective therapeutic targets to treat NRAS-mutated melanoma remains a challenge. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) recently emerged as essential regulators of tumorigenesis. Using a discovery approach combining experimental models and unbiased computational analysis complemented by validation in patient biospecimens, we identified a nuclear-enriched lncRNA (AC004540.4) that is upregulated in NRAS/MAPK-dependent melanoma, and that we named T-RECS. Considering potential innovative treatment strategies, we designed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target T-RECS. T-RECS ASOs reduced the growth of melanoma cells and induced apoptotic cell death, while having minimal impact on normal primary melanocytes. Mechanistically, treatment with T-RECS ASOs downregulated the activity of pro-survival kinases and reduced the protein stability of hnRNPA2/B1, a pro-oncogenic regulator of MAPK signaling. Using patient- and cell line- derived tumor xenograft mouse models, we demonstrated that systemic treatment with T-RECS ASOs significantly suppressed the growth of melanoma tumors, with no noticeable toxicity. ASO-mediated T-RECS inhibition represents a promising RNA-targeting approach to improve the outcome of MAPK pathway-activated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Feichtenschlager
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Linan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Yixuan James Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Ho
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Martina Sanlorenzo
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Igor Vujic
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eleanor Fewings
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Albert Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Christopher Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Ciara Callanan
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Kevin Lin
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Tiange Qu
- Department of Orofacial Science, Health Science West, University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dasha Hohlova
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
- Department of Biology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marin Vujic
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yeonjoo Hwang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Lai
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Stephanie Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Thuan Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Denise P Muñoz
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yoshinori Kohwi
- Department of Orofacial Science, Health Science West, University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christian Posch
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, School of Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Adil Daud
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Klemens Rappersberger
- Department of Dermatology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu
- Department of Orofacial Science, Health Science West, University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Coppé
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susana Ortiz-Urda
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N461, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
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3
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Feichtenschlager V, Chen L, Zheng YJ, Ho W, Sanlorenzo M, Vujic I, Fewings E, Lee A, Chen C, Callanan C, Lin K, Qu T, Hohlova D, Vujic M, Hwang Y, Lai K, Chen S, Nguyen T, Muñoz DP, Kohwi Y, Posch C, Daud A, Rappersberger K, Kohwi-Shigematsu T, Coppé JP, Ortiz-Urda S. The therapeutically actionable long non-coding RNA ' T-RECS' is essential to cancer cells' survival in NRAS/MAPK-driven melanoma. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-1297358. [PMID: 38077055 PMCID: PMC10705697 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1297358/v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Finding effective therapeutic targets to treat NRAS-mutated melanoma remains a challenge. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) recently emerged as essential regulators of tumorigenesis. Using a discovery approach combining experimental models and unbiased computational analysis complemented by validation in patient biospecimens, we identified a nuclear-enriched lncRNA (AC004540.4) that is upregulated in NRAS/MAPK-dependent melanoma, and that we named T-RECS. Considering potential innovative treatment strategies, we designed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target T-RECS. T-RECS ASOs reduced the growth of melanoma cells and induced apoptotic cell death, while having minimal impacton normal primary melanocytes. Mechanistically, treatment with T-RECS ASOs downregulated the activity of pro-survival kinases and reduced the protein stability of hnRNPA2/B1, a pro-oncogenic regulator of MAPK signaling. Using patient- and cell line- derived tumor xenograft mouse models, we demonstrated that systemic treatment with T-RECS ASOs significantly suppressed the growth of melanoma tumors, with no noticeable toxicity. ASO-mediated T-RECS inhibition represents a promising RNA-targeting approach to improve the outcome of MAPK pathway-activated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wilson Ho
- University of California San Francisco
| | | | - Igor Vujic
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical Institution Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | - Kevin Lin
- University of California San Francisco
| | - Tiange Qu
- University of California San Francisco
| | | | | | | | - Kevin Lai
- University of California San Francisco
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adil Daud
- University of California at San Francisco
| | - Klemens Rappersberger
- Department of Dermatology, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Castellani G, Buccarelli M, Arasi MB, Rossi S, Pisanu ME, Bellenghi M, Lintas C, Tabolacci C. BRAF Mutations in Melanoma: Biological Aspects, Therapeutic Implications, and Circulating Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4026. [PMID: 37627054 PMCID: PMC10452867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer resulting from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Recent therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have improved the prognosis and outcome of melanoma patients. BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes recognised in melanoma. The most frequent oncogenic BRAF mutations consist of a single point mutation at codon 600 (mostly V600E) that leads to constitutive activation of the BRAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signalling pathway. Therefore, mutated BRAF has become a useful target for molecular therapy and the use of BRAF kinase inhibitors has shown promising results. However, several resistance mechanisms invariably develop leading to therapeutic failure. The aim of this manuscript is to review the role of BRAF mutational status in the pathogenesis of melanoma and its impact on differentiation and inflammation. Moreover, this review focuses on the mechanisms responsible for resistance to targeted therapies in BRAF-mutated melanoma and provides an overview of circulating biomarkers including circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, and non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Arasi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefania Rossi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Elena Pisanu
- High Resolution NMR Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Bellenghi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Lintas
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
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5
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Wozniak M, Czyz M. lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction as promising therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1170026. [PMID: 37325482 PMCID: PMC10265524 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1170026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. Despite a great improvement of diagnostics and treatment of melanoma patients, this disease is still a serious clinical problem. Therefore, novel druggable targets are in focus of research. EZH2 is a component of the PRC2 protein complex that mediates epigenetic silencing of target genes. Several mutations activating EZH2 have been identified in melanoma, which contributes to aberrant gene silencing during tumor progression. Emerging evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are molecular "address codes" for EZH2 silencing specificity, and targeting lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction may slow down the progression of many solid cancers, including melanoma. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in EZH2-mediated gene silencing in melanoma. The possibility of blocking lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction in melanoma as a novel therapeutic option and plausible controversies and drawbacks of this approach are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Wozniak
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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6
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Feichtenschlager V, Zheng YJ, Ho W, Chen L, Callanan C, Chen C, Lee A, Ortiz J, Rappersberger K, Ortiz-Urda S. Deconstructing the role of MALAT1 in MAPK-signaling in melanoma: insights from antisense oligonucleotide treatment. Oncotarget 2023; 14:543-560. [PMID: 37235843 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 is a regulator of oncogenesis and cancer progression. MAPK-pathway upregulation is the main event in the development and progression of human cancer, including melanoma and recent studies have shown that MALAT1 has a significant impact on the regulation of gene and protein expression in the MAPK pathway. However, the role of MALAT1 in regulation of gene and protein expression of the MAPK-pathway kinases RAS, RAF, MEK and ERK in melanoma is largely unknown. We demonstrate the impacts of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based MALAT1-inhibition on MAPK-pathway gene regulation in melanoma. Our results showed that MALAT1-ASO treatment decreased BRAF RNA expression and protein levels, and MALAT1 had increased correlation with MAPK-pathway associated genes in melanoma patient samples compared to healthy skin. Additionally, drug-induced MAPK inhibition upregulated MALAT1-expression, a finding that resonates with a paradigm of MALAT1-expression presented in this work: MALAT1 is downregulated in melanoma and other cancer types in which MALAT1 seems to be associated with MAPK-signaling, while MALAT1-ASO treatment strongly reduced the growth of melanoma cell lines, even in cases of resistance to MEK inhibition. MALAT1-ASO treatment significantly inhibited colony formation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in an NRAS-mutant melanoma xenograft mouse model in vivo, while showing no aberrant toxic side effects. Our findings demonstrate new insights into MALAT1-mediated MAPK-pathway gene regulation and a paradigm of MALAT1 expression in MAPK-signaling-dependent cancer types. MALAT1 maintains essential oncogenic functions, despite being downregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Feichtenschlager
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yixuan James Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Wilson Ho
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Linan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Ciara Callanan
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Christopher Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Albert Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Jose Ortiz
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Klemens Rappersberger
- Department of Dermatology, Clinic Landstrasse Vienna, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Ortiz-Urda
- Department of Dermatology, Mt Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
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7
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Dashti F, Mirazimi SMA, Kazemioula G, Mohammadi M, Hosseini M, Razaghi Bahabadi Z, Mirazimi MS, Abadi MHJN, Shahini A, Afshari M, Mirzaei H. Long non-coding RNAs and melanoma: From diagnosis to therapy. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 241:154232. [PMID: 36528985 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although extremely rare, malignant melanoma is the deadliest type of skin malignancy with the inherent capability to invade other organs and metastasize to distant tissues. In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 106,110 patients may have received the diagnosis of melanoma, with a mortality rate of 7180. Surgery remains the common choice for treatment in patients with melanoma. Despite many advances in the treatment of melanoma, some patients, such as those who have received cytotoxic chemotherapeutic and immunotherapic agents, a significant number of patients may show inadequate treatment response following initiating these treatments. Non-coding RNAs, including lncRNAs, have become recently popular and attracted the attention of many researchers to make new insights into the pathogenesis of many diseases, particularly malignancies. LncRNAs have been thoroughly investigated in multiple cancers such as melanoma and have been shown to play a major role in regulating various physiological and pathological cellular processes. Considering their core regulatory function, these non-coding RNAs may be appropriate candidates for melanoma patients' diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In this review, we will cover all the current literature available for lncRNAs in melanoma and will discuss their potential benefits as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers or potent therapeutic targets in the treatment of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Dashti
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Golnesa Kazemioula
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine,Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mohammadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Marjan Hosseini
- Department of Physiology-Pharmacology-Medical Physic, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zahra Razaghi Bahabadi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Maryam Sadat Mirazimi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynocology,Isfahan School of Medicine,Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Ali Shahini
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Maryam Afshari
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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8
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Zhou W, Xu X, Cen Y, Chen J. The role of lncRNAs in the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1085766. [PMID: 36601121 PMCID: PMC9806239 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1085766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most lethal tumors with highly aggressive and metastatic properties. Although immunotherapy and targeted therapy have certain therapeutic effects in melanoma, a significant proportion of patients still have drug resistance after treatment. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely recognized as regulatory factors in cancer. They can regulate numerous cellular processes, including cell proliferation, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and the immune microenvironment. The role of lncRNAs in malignant tumors has received much attention, whereas the relationship between lncRNAs and melanoma requires further investigation. Our review summarizes tumor suppressive and oncogenic lncRNAs closely related to the occurrence and development of melanoma. We summarize the role of lncRNAs in the immune microenvironment, immunotherapy and targeted therapy to provide new targets and therapeutic methods for clinical treatment.
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9
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Melixetian M, Pelicci PG, Lanfrancone L. Regulation of LncRNAs in Melanoma and Their Functional Roles in the Metastatic Process. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030577. [PMID: 35159386 PMCID: PMC8834033 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of numerous intracellular processes leading to tumorigenesis. They are frequently deregulated in cancer, functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. As they act through multiple mechanisms, it is not surprising that they may exert dual functions in the same tumor. In melanoma, a highly invasive and metastatic tumor with the propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance, lncRNAs play different roles in: (i) guiding the phenotype switch and leading to metastasis formation; (ii) predicting the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy; (iii) triggering adaptive responses to therapy and acquisition of drug resistance phenotypes. In this review we summarize the most recent findings on the lncRNAs involved in melanoma growth and spreading to distant sites, focusing on their role as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and patient prognosis, or targets for novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Melixetian
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.G.P.)
| | - Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.G.P.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Lanfrancone
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.G.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-94375011
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10
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Montico B, Giurato G, Pecoraro G, Salvati A, Covre A, Colizzi F, Steffan A, Weisz A, Maio M, Sigalotti L, Fratta E. The pleiotropic roles of circular and long noncoding RNAs in cutaneous melanoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:565-593. [PMID: 34080276 PMCID: PMC8807361 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a very aggressive disease, often characterized by unresponsiveness to conventional therapies and high mortality rates worldwide. The identification of the activating BRAFV600 mutations in approximately 50% of CM patients has recently fueled the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors that specifically target BRAFV600 -mutant CM. In addition, a major progress in CM treatment has been made by monoclonal antibodies that regulate the immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, although target-based therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies have yielded promising results, CM treatment remains a major challenge. In the last decade, accumulating evidence points to the aberrant expression of different types of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CM. While studies on microRNAs have grown exponentially leading to significant insights on CM biology, the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this tumor is less understood, and much remains to be discovered. Here, we summarize and critically review the available evidence on the molecular functions of circRNAs and lncRNAs in BRAFV600 -mutant CM and CM immunogenicity, providing recent updates on their functional role in targeted therapy and immunotherapy resistance. In addition, we also include an evaluation of several algorithms and databases for prediction and validation of circRNA and lncRNA functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
- NIBIT Foundation OnlusSienaItaly
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics UnitCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
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11
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Zhong J, Yan W, Wang C, Liu W, Lin X, Zou Z, Sun W, Chen Y. BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma: Mechanisms and Alternative Therapeutic Strategies. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2022; 23:1503-1521. [PMID: 36181568 PMCID: PMC9596525 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-022-01006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Melanoma is caused by a variety of somatic mutations, and among these mutations, BRAF mutation occurs most frequently and has routinely been evaluated as a critical diagnostic biomarker in clinical practice. The introduction of targeted agents for BRAF-mutant melanoma has significantly improved overall survival in a large proportion of patients. However, there is BRAF inhibitor resistance in most patients, and its mechanisms are complicated and need further clarification. Additionally, treatment approaches to overcome resistance have evolved rapidly, shifting from monotherapy to multimodality treatment, which has dramatically improved patient outcomes in clinical trials and practice. This review highlights the mechanisms of BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma and discusses the current state of its therapeutic approaches that can be further explored in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqin Zhong
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangjun Yan
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunmeng Wang
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanlin Liu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijian Zou
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Sun
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Chen
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
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12
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Non-coding RNA dysregulation in skin cancers. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:641-655. [PMID: 34414406 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skin cancers are the most common cancers worldwide. They can be classified in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the latter includes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). In recent years, the crucial role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in skin cancer pathogenesis has become increasingly evident. NcRNAs are functional RNA molecules that lack any protein-coding activity. These ncRNAs are classified based on their length: small, medium-size, and long ncRNAs. Among the most studied ncRNAs there are microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNA (circRNAs). ncRNAs have the ability to regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and are involved in skin cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Many ncRNAs exhibit tissue- or cell-specific expression while others have been correlated to tumor staging, drug resistance, and prognosis. For these reasons, ncRNAs have both a diagnostic and prognostic significance in skin cancers. Our review summarizes the functional role of ncRNAs in skin cancers and their potential clinical application as biomarkers.
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13
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Wozniak M, Czyz M. The Functional Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194848. [PMID: 34638331 PMCID: PMC8508152 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. The molecular events that drive melanoma development and progression have been extensively studied, resulting in significant improvements in diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. However, a high drug resistance to targeted therapies and adverse effects of immunotherapies are still a major challenge in melanoma treatment. Therefore, the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of melanomagenesis and cancer response to treatment is of great importance. Recently, many studies have revealed the close association of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with the development of many cancers, including melanoma. These RNA molecules are able to regulate a plethora of crucial cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion and apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, and even slight dysregulation of their expression may lead to tumorigenesis. lncRNAs are able to bind to protein complexes, DNA and RNAs, affecting their stability, activity, and localization. They can also regulate gene expression in the nucleus. Several functions of lncRNAs are context-dependent. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in melanoma. Their possible role as prognostic markers of melanoma response to treatment and in resistance to therapy is also discussed.
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14
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De Falco V, Napolitano S, Esposito D, Guerrera LP, Ciardiello D, Formisano L, Troiani T. Comprehensive Review on the Clinical Relevance of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1166. [PMID: 33503876 PMCID: PMC7865742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is considered a rare tumor, although it is one of the most common cancers in young adults and its incidence has risen in the last decades. Targeted therapy, with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, and immunotherapy revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma but there is still a considerable percentage of patients with primary or acquired resistance to these therapies. Recently, oncology researchers directed their attention at the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in different types of cancers, including melanoma. lncRNAs are RNA transcripts, initially considered "junk sequences", that have been proven to have a crucial role in the fine regulation of physiological and pathological processes of different tissues. Furthermore, they are more expressed in tumors than protein-coding genes, constituting perfect candidates either as biomarkers (diagnostic, prognostic, predictive) or as therapeutic targets. In this work, we reviewed all the literature available for lncRNA in melanoma, elucidating all the potential roles in this tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo De Falco
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (V.D.F.); (S.N.); (L.P.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Stefania Napolitano
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (V.D.F.); (S.N.); (L.P.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniela Esposito
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.E.); (L.F.)
| | - Luigi Pio Guerrera
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (V.D.F.); (S.N.); (L.P.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Davide Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (V.D.F.); (S.N.); (L.P.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.E.); (L.F.)
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (V.D.F.); (S.N.); (L.P.G.); (D.C.)
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15
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Lazăr AD, Dinescu S, Costache M. The Non-Coding Landscape of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Possible Route to Efficient Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113378. [PMID: 33203119 PMCID: PMC7696690 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Considered to be highly lethal if not diagnosed in early stages, cutaneous malignant melanoma is among the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers, and its incidence continues to rise, largely due to ultraviolet radiation exposure, which is the main carcinogenic factor. Over the years, researchers have started to unveil the molecular mechanisms by which malignant melanoma can be triggered and sustained, in order to establish specific, reliable biomarkers that could aid the prognosis and diagnosis of this fatal disease, and serve as targets for development of novel efficient therapies. The high mutational burden and heterogeneous nature of melanoma shifted the main focus from the genetic landscape to epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, aiming at elucidating the role of non-coding RNA molecules in the fine tuning of melanoma progression. Here we review the contribution of microRNAs and lncRNAs to melanoma invasion, metastasis and acquired drug resistance, highlighting their potential for clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea D. Lazăr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Sorina Dinescu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Marieta Costache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.L.); (M.C.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
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16
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Safa A, Gholipour M, Dinger ME, Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S. The critical roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of melanoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 117:104558. [PMID: 33096077 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) embrace a huge fraction of human transcripts and participate in the pathogenesis of human disorders especially malignant conditions. Malignant melanoma, as the most fatal type of cutaneous malignnacies, is associated with dysregulation of several lncRNAs including PVT1, H19, MALAT1, and CCAT1. Moreover, a portion of lncRNAs are exclusively expressed in melanoma cell lines. Expression levels of several lncRNAs are associated with TNM stage, tumor size and progression of melanoma. Thus, these lncRNAs are regarded as biomarkers for this malignancy. Peripheral transcript levels of a number of lncRNAs, such as PVT1, SNHG5 and SPRY4-IT1, could distinguish melanoma patients from unaffected persons with appropriate sensitivity and specificity values. Moreover, expression levels of numerous lncRNAs in tissue biopsies could differentiate malignant samples from benign samples. Based on the results of both cell line and in vivo studies, lncRNAs regulate critical pathways in the carcinogenesis of melanoma, such as the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways, and are involved in the modulation of response to chemotherapeutic agents. Here we review the existing information on the role of lncRNAs in malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Safa
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam
| | - Mahdi Gholipour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marcel E Dinger
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Avgan N, Wang JI, Fernandez-Chamorro J, Weatheritt RJ. Multilayered control of exon acquisition permits the emergence of novel forms of regulatory control. Genome Biol 2019; 20:141. [PMID: 31315652 PMCID: PMC6637531 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1757-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long introns of mammals are pools of evolutionary potential due to the multiplicity of sequences that permit the acquisition of novel exons. However, the permissibility of genes to this type of acquisition and its influence on the evolution of cell regulation is poorly understood. RESULTS Here, we observe that human genes are highly permissive to the inclusion of novel exonic regions permitting the emergence of novel regulatory features. Our analysis reveals the potential for novel exon acquisition to occur in over 30% of evaluated human genes. Regulatory processes including the rate of splicing efficiency and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation control this process by modulating the "window of opportunity" for spliceosomal recognition. DNA damage alters this window promoting the inclusion of repeat-derived novel exons that reduce the ribosomal engagement of cell cycle genes. Finally, we demonstrate that the inclusion of novel exons is suppressed in hematological cancer samples and can be reversed by drugs modulating the rate of RNAPII elongation. CONCLUSION Our work demonstrates that the inclusion of repeat-associated novel intronic regions is a tightly controlled process capable of expanding the regulatory capacity of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesli Avgan
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Juli I Wang
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | | | - Robert J Weatheritt
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
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18
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Hu W, Wang Z, Zhang S, Lu X, Wu J, Yu K, Ji A, Lu W, Wang Z, Wu J, Jiang C. IQGAP1 promotes pancreatic cancer progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7539. [PMID: 31101875 PMCID: PMC6525164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44048-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) is a scaffold protein that participates in several cellular functions, including cytoskeletal regulation, cell adhesion, gene transcription and cell polarization. IQGAP1 has been implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression of several human cancers. However, the role of IQGAP1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still unknown. We found that IQGAP1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for PDAC. IQGAP1 upregulation significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas IQGAP1 downregulation impaired its oncogenic functions. Overexpression of IQGAP1 increased the protein level of Dishevelled2 (DVL2) and enhanced canonical Wnt signaling as evidenced by increased DVL2 level, β-catenin transcriptional activity, β-catenin nuclear translocation and expression of the direct target genes of β-catenin (cyclin D1 and c-myc). In contrast, knockdown of IQGAP1 decreased the level of DVL2 and attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In vivo results revealed that IQGAP1 promoted tumor growth and metastasis. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that IQGAP1 interacted with both DVL2 and β-catenin. Moreover, knockdown of DVL2 reversed IQGAP1-induced EMT. Our findings thus confirmed that IQGAP1 could be used as a potential target for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Lianyungang Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222001, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongxia Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xian Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junyi Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kuanyong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Anlai Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Lianyungang Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Junhua Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
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Xu L, Zhang Y, Zhao Z, Chen Z, Wang Z, Xu S, Zhang X, Liu T, Yu S. The long non-coding RNA CRNDE competed endogenously with miR-205 to promote proliferation and metastasis of melanoma cells by targeting CCL18. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:2296-2308. [PMID: 30257602 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1526602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma was the most malignant skin neoplasm with an increasing morbidity around the world. Although new immunotherapies and targeted therapies have emerged recently, the long-term survival of melanoma patients still remains low. To reveal effective diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies, the potential mechanism of melanoma is urgently needed to be studied. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become an important regulatory factor in the occurrence and development of cancer, and it can be used as a new prognostic and diagnostic marker. In this study, we aimed to inspect the effects of lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) on the melanoma cell viability, invasion and migration. After microarray analysis, 106 dysregulated lncRNAs and 1187 abnormally expressed mRNAs were screened out. Further, the lncRNA CRNDE and CCL18 expression in melanoma tissues and cell lines were examined. It was determined that they were both overexpressed in melanoma tissues and cell lines. The down-regulation of lncRNA CRNDE and CCL18 induced melanoma cell apoptosis and inhibited cell viability. Then, miR-205 which had binding site with lncRNA CRNDE and CCL18 was involved in the next experiment, and it was down-regulated in melanoma that negatively correlated with lncRNA CRNDE expression. In addition, overexpression of miR-205 results in the restore of cell viability and aggressiveness. In conclusion, LncRNA CRNDE promotes the migration and invasion of melanoma by sponging miR-205 and releasing CCL18.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libin Xu
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Yu Zhang
- b Department of Immunology , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Zhenguo Zhao
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Zhengju Chen
- c Technical Consultant Department of Technology Center , Beijing 100biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing , China
| | - Zheng Wang
- d State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Songfeng Xu
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Ting Liu
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Shengji Yu
- a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
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