The MN1 oncoprotein synergizes with coactivators RAC3 and p300 in RAR-RXR-mediated transcription

Exploring a distinct FGFR2::DLG5 rearrangement in a low-grade neuroepithelial tumor: A case report and mini-review of protein fusions in brain tumors

We report the novel clinical presentation of a primary brain neoplasm in a 30-year-old man with a mass-like area in the anteromedial temporal lobe. Histopathological analysis revealed a low-grade neuroepithelial tumor with cytologically abnormal neurons and atypical glial cells within the cerebral cortex. Molecular analysis showed a previously undescribed FGFR2::DLG5 rearrangement. We discuss the clinical significance and molecular implications of this fusion event, shedding light on its potential impact on tumor development and patient prognosis. Additionally, an extensive review places the finding in this case in the context of protein fusions in brain tumors in general and highlights their diverse manifestations, underlying molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic implications.

Aberrant gene activation in synovial sarcoma relies on SSX specificity and increased PRC1.1 stability

The SS18-SSX fusion drives oncogenic transformation in synovial sarcoma by bridging SS18, a member of the mSWI/SNF (BAF) complex, to Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) target genes. Here we show that the ability of SS18-SSX to occupy H2AK119ub1-rich regions is an intrinsic property of its SSX C terminus, which can be exploited by fusion to transcriptional regulators beyond SS18. Accordingly, SS18-SSX recruitment occurs in a manner that is independent of the core components and catalytic activity of BAF. Alternative SSX fusions are also recruited to H2AK119ub1-rich chromatin and reproduce the expression signatures of SS18-SSX by engaging with transcriptional activators. Variant Polycomb repressive complex 1.1 (PRC1.1) acts as the main depositor of H2AK119ub1 and is therefore required for SS18-SSX occupancy. Importantly, the SSX C terminus not only depends on H2AK119ub1 for localization, but also further increases it by promoting PRC1.1 complex stability. Consequently, high H2AK119ub1 levels are a feature of murine and human synovial sarcomas. These results uncover a critical role for SSX-C in mediating gene deregulation in synovial sarcoma by providing specificity to chromatin and further enabling oncofusion binding by enhancing PRC1.1 stability and H2AK119ub1 deposition.

Biomolecular Condensates in Myeloid Leukemia: What Do They Tell Us?

Recent studies have suggested that several oncogenic and tumor-suppressive proteins carry out their functions in the context of specific membrane-less cellular compartments. As these compartments, generally referred to as onco-condensates, are specific to tumor cells and are tightly linked to disease development, the mechanisms of their formation and maintenance have been intensively studied. Here we review the proposed leukemogenic and tumor-suppressive activities of nuclear biomolecular condensates in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We focus on condensates formed by oncogenic fusion proteins including nucleoporin 98 (NUP98), mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1, also known as KMT2A), mutated nucleophosmin (NPM1c) and others. We also discuss how altered condensate formation contributes to malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells, as described for promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) in PML::RARA-driven acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and other myeloid malignancies. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for interfering with the molecular mechanisms related to AML-associated biomolecular condensates, as well as current limitations of the field.

Early ependymal tumor with MN1-BEND2 fusion: a mostly cerebral tumor of female children with a good prognosis that is distinct from classical astroblastoma

PURPOSE

Review of the clinicopathologic and genetic features of early ependymal tumor with MN1-BEND2 fusion (EET MN1-BEND2), classical astroblastomas, and recently described related pediatric CNS tumors. I also briefly review general mechanisms of gene expression silencing by DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling, and genomic DNA methylation profiling as a powerful new tool for CNS tumor classification.

METHODS

Literature review and illustration of tumor histopathologic features and prenatal gene expression timelines.

RESULTS

Astroblastoma, originally descried by Bailey and Cushing in 1926, has been an enigmatic tumor. Whether they are of ependymal or astrocytic derivation was argued for decades. Recent genetic evidence supports existence of both ependymal and astrocytic astroblastoma-like tumors. Studies have shown that tumors exhibiting astroblastoma-like histology can be classified into discrete entities based on their genomic DNA methylation profiles, gene expression, and in some cases, the presence of unique gene fusions. One such tumor, EET MN1-BEND2 occurs mostly in female children, and has an overall very good prognosis with surgical management. It contains a gene fusion comprised of portions of the MN1 gene at chromosomal location 22q12.1 and the BEND2 gene at Xp22.13. Other emerging pediatric CNS tumor entities demonstrating ependymal or astroblastoma-like histological features also harbor gene fusions involving chromosome X, 11q22 and 22q12 breakpoint regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Genomic DNA profiling has facilitated discovery of several new CNS tumor entities, however, traditional methods, such as immunohistochemistry, DNA or RNA sequencing, and cytogenetic studies, including fluorescence in situ hybridization, remain necessary for their accurate biological classification and diagnosis.

Intrinsically disordered Meningioma-1 stabilizes the BAF complex to cause AML

Meningioma-1 (MN1) overexpression in AML is associated with poor prognosis, and forced expression of MN1 induces leukemia in mice. We sought to determine how MN1 causes AML. We found that overexpression of MN1 can be induced by translocations that result in hijacking of a downstream enhancer. Structure predictions revealed that the entire MN1 coding frame is disordered. We identified the myeloid progenitor-specific BAF complex as the key interaction partner of MN1. MN1 over-stabilizes BAF on enhancer chromatin, a function directly linked to the presence of a long polyQ-stretch within MN1. BAF over-stabilization at binding sites of transcription factors regulating a hematopoietic stem/progenitor program prevents the developmentally appropriate decommissioning of these enhancers and results in impaired myeloid differentiation and leukemia. Beyond AML, our data detail how the overexpression of a polyQ protein, in the absence of any coding sequence mutation, can be sufficient to cause malignant transformation.

Menin is necessary for long term maintenance of meningioma-1 driven leukemia

Translocations of Meningioma-1 (MN1) occur in a subset of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and result in high expression of MN1, either as a full-length protein, or as a fusion protein that includes most of the N-terminus of MN1. High levels of MN1 correlate with poor prognosis. When overexpressed in murine hematopoietic progenitors, MN1 causes an aggressive AML characterized by an aberrant myeloid precursor-like gene expression program that shares features of KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) leukemia, including high levels of Hoxa and Meis1 gene expression. Compounds that target a critical KMT2A-Menin interaction have proven effective in KMT2A-r leukemia. Here, we demonstrate that Menin (Men1) is also critical for the self-renewal of MN1-driven AML through the maintenance of a distinct gene expression program. Genetic inactivation of Men1 led to a decrease in the number of functional leukemia-initiating cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of the KMT2A-Menin interaction decreased colony-forming activity, induced differentiation programs in MN1-driven murine leukemia and decreased leukemic burden in a human AML xenograft carrying an MN1-ETV6 translocation. Collectively, these results nominate Menin inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy in MN1-driven leukemia.

Prognostic significance of combined BAALC and MN1 gene expression level in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype

INTRODUCTION

Acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (AML-NK) is the largest group of AML patients with very heterogeneous disease outcome. In order to ensure more precise risk stratification new molecular markers have been introduced, like expression level for BAALC (Brain and Acute Leukemia, Cytoplasmic) and MN1 (Meningioma 1) genes.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated expression level of both genes in 111 adult AML-NK at diagnosis and examined their prognostic potential.

RESULTS

BAALC and MN1 expression were detected in about one third of the patients, and positive correlation between these two genes was found. The BAALC⁺ /or MN1⁺ status was not associated with the presence of FLT3-ITD mutations, but exhibited strong correlation with NPM1^wt status (P < .001). Therefore, among BAALC⁺ /or MN1⁺ patients the most frequent ones were FLT3-ITD^- /NPM1^- double negative patients with intermediate prognosis. When BAALC⁺ /or MN1⁺ patients were divided into BAALC^high /BAALC^low (21/21) and MN1^high /MN1^low (21/22) groups, we detected that BAALC^high /or MN1^high patients had a tendency toward lower complete remission rate. Also, survival analysis showed that BAALC^high /or MN1^high patients had shorter disease-free survival and overall survival (OS). The most pronounced influence on prognosis was detected in FLT3-ITD^- /NPM1^- group of patients that are lacking reliable prognostic markers, where OS in BAALC^high /or MN1^high was only 5 months vs 25 months in BAALC^low /or MN1^low .

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that BAALC and MN1 expression level could be used for more precise risk stratification of AML-NK patients and especially FLT3-ITD^- /NPM1^- patients, transforming this intermediate-risk group, into a group with an adverse prognosis.

MN1 C-terminal truncation syndrome is a novel neurodevelopmental and craniofacial disorder with partial rhombencephalosynapsis

MN1 encodes a transcriptional co-regulator without homology to other proteins, previously implicated in acute myeloid leukaemia and development of the palate. Large deletions encompassing MN1 have been reported in individuals with variable neurodevelopmental anomalies and non-specific facial features. We identified a cluster of de novo truncating mutations in MN1 in a cohort of 23 individuals with strikingly similar dysmorphic facial features, especially midface hypoplasia, and intellectual disability with severe expressive language delay. Imaging revealed an atypical form of rhombencephalosynapsis, a distinctive brain malformation characterized by partial or complete loss of the cerebellar vermis with fusion of the cerebellar hemispheres, in 8/10 individuals. Rhombencephalosynapsis has no previously known definitive genetic or environmental causes. Other frequent features included perisylvian polymicrogyria, abnormal posterior clinoid processes and persistent trigeminal artery. MN1 is encoded by only two exons. All mutations, including the recurrent variant p.Arg1295* observed in 8/21 probands, fall in the terminal exon or the extreme 3' region of exon 1, and are therefore predicted to result in escape from nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. This was confirmed in fibroblasts from three individuals. We propose that the condition described here, MN1 C-terminal truncation (MCTT) syndrome, is not due to MN1 haploinsufficiency but rather is the result of dominantly acting C-terminally truncated MN1 protein. Our data show that MN1 plays a critical role in human craniofacial and brain development, and opens the door to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying rhombencephalosynapsis.

Gain-of-Function MN1 Truncation Variants Cause a Recognizable Syndrome with Craniofacial and Brain Abnormalities

MN1 was originally identified as a tumor-suppressor gene. Knockout mouse studies have suggested that Mn1 is associated with craniofacial development. However, no MN1-related phenotypes have been established in humans. Here, we report on three individuals who have de novo MN1 variants that lead to a protein lacking the carboxyl (C) terminus and who presented with severe developmental delay, craniofacial abnormalities with specific facial features, and structural abnormalities in the brain. An in vitro study revealed that the deletion of the C-terminal region led to increased protein stability, an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, and enhanced MN1 aggregation in nuclei compared to what occurred in the wild type, suggesting that a gain-of-function mechanism is involved in this disease. Considering that C-terminal deletion increases the fraction of intrinsically disordered regions of MN1, it is possible that altered phase separation could be involved in the mechanism underlying the disease. Our data indicate that MN1 participates in transcriptional regulation of target genes through interaction with the transcription factors PBX1, PKNOX1, and ZBTB24 and that mutant MN1 impairs the binding with ZBTB24 and RING1, which is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. On the basis of our findings, we propose the model that C-terminal deletion interferes with MN1's interaction molecules related to the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome pathway, including RING1, and increases the amount of the mutant protein; this increase leads to the dysregulation of MN1 target genes by inhibiting rapid MN1 protein turnover.

Minimal in vivo requirements for developmentally regulated cardiac long intergenic non-coding RNAs

Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been implicated in gene regulation, but their requirement for development needs empirical interrogation. We computationally identified nine murine lincRNAs that have developmentally regulated transcriptional and epigenomic profiles specific to early heart differentiation. Six of the nine lincRNAs had in vivo expression patterns supporting a potential function in heart development, including a transcript downstream of the cardiac transcription factor Hand2, which we named Handlr (Hand2-associated lincRNA), Rubie and Atcayos We genetically ablated these six lincRNAs in mouse, which suggested genomic regulatory roles for four of the cohort. However, none of the lincRNA deletions led to severe cardiac phenotypes. Thus, we stressed the hearts of adult Handlr and Atcayos mutant mice by transverse aortic banding and found that absence of these lincRNAs did not affect cardiac hypertrophy or left ventricular function post-stress. Our results support roles for lincRNA transcripts and/or transcription in the regulation of topologically associated genes. However, the individual importance of developmentally specific lincRNAs is yet to be established. Their status as either gene-like entities or epigenetic components of the nucleus should be further considered.

Meningioma 1 is indispensable for mixed lineage leukemia-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia

Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL/KMT2A) rearrangements (MLL-r) are one of the most frequent chromosomal aberrations in acute myeloid leukemia. We evaluated the function of Meningioma 1 (MN1), a co-factor of HOXA9 and MEIS1, in human and murine MLL-rearranged leukemia by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated deletion of MN1. MN1 was required for in vivo leukemogenicity of MLL positive murine and human leukemia cells. Loss of MN1 inhibited cell cycle and proliferation, promoted apoptosis and induced differentiation of MLL-rearranged cells. Expression analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing from previously reported data sets demonstrated that MN1 primarily maintains active transcription of HOXA9 and HOXA10, which are critical downstream genes of MLL, and their target genes like BCL2, MCL1 and Survivin. Treatment of MLL-rearranged primary leukemia cells with anti-MN1 siRNA significantly reduced their clonogenic potential in contrast to normal CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells, suggesting a therapeutic window for MN1 targeting. In summary, our findings demonstrate that MN1 plays an essential role in MLL fusion leukemias and serve as a therapeutic target in MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia.

High expression of meningioma 1 is correlated with reduced survival rates in colorectal cancer patients

The identification of prognostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC) has important clinical implications. However, the association between meningioma 1 (MN1) expression and clinical outcomes of CRC has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MN1 in the clinical context of CRC. We first used immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to examine and compare MN1 expression between multiple human cancer tissues and normal tissues. Initial screening revealed that the expression of MN1 proteins was significantly higher in tumor tissues of the breast, colon, and liver than in normal tissues. In further testing conducted on 59 paired CRC samples, we observed that the expression of MN1 in CRC tissue samples was significantly higher than in adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, high MN1 expression was not significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that high expression of MN1 mRNA or MN1 protein was significantly associated with poor CRC prognosis. Furthermore, univariate Cox analysis revealed that a high MN1 score was significantly associated with prognostic factors. Multivariate Cox analysis further indicated that gender, histologic grade, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and a high MN1 score were independent factors of overall CRC survival rates. Finally, MN1 and PCNA protein levels were positively correlated, which suggests that MN1 may be involved in the cell proliferation process during CRC formation. Our results, which confirm those of other studies, indicate that (1) high levels of MN1 expression contribute to poor CRC prognosis and (2) MN1 can serve as a novel potential biomarker in predicting the prognosis of CRC patients.

Traffic lights for retinoids in oncology: molecular markers of retinoid resistance and sensitivity and their use in the management of cancer differentiation therapy

For decades, retinoids and their synthetic derivatives have been well established anticancer treatments due to their ability to regulate cell growth and induce cell differentiation and apoptosis. Many studies have reported the promising role of retinoids in attaining better outcomes for adult or pediatric patients suffering from several types of cancer, especially acute myeloid leukemia and neuroblastoma. However, even this promising differentiation therapy has some limitations: retinoid toxicity and intrinsic or acquired resistance have been observed in many patients. Therefore, the identification of molecular markers that predict the therapeutic response to retinoid treatment is undoubtedly important for retinoid use in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on candidate markers, including both genetic alterations and protein markers, for retinoid resistance and sensitivity in human malignancies.

The ten-year evolutionary trajectory of a highly recurrent paediatric high grade neuroepithelial tumour with MN1:BEND2 fusion

Astroblastomas are rare brain tumours which predominate in children and young adults, and have a controversial claim as a distinct entity, with no established WHO grade. Reports suggest a better outcome than high grade gliomas, though they frequently recur. Recently, they have been described to overlap with a newly-discovered group of tumours described as'high grade neuroepithelial tumour with MN1 alteration' (CNS HGNET-MN1), defined by global methylation patterns and strongly associated with gene fusions targeting MN1. We have studied a unique case of astroblastoma arising in a 6 year-old girl, with multiple recurrences over a period of 10 years, with the pathognomonic MN1:BEND2 fusion. Exome sequencing allowed for a phylogenetic reconstruction of tumour evolution, which when integrated with clinical, pathological and radiological data provide for a detailed understanding of disease progression, with initial treatment driving tumour dissemination along four distinct trajectories. Infiltration of distant sites was associated with a later genome doubling, whilst there was evidence of convergent evolution of different lesions acquiring distinct alterations targeting NF-κB. These data represent an unusual opportunity to understand the evolutionary history of a highly recurrent childhood brain tumour, and provide novel therapeutic targets for astroblastoma/CNS HGNET-MN1.

MN1 and PTEN gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia

OBJECTIVE

Multiple genetic alterations with prognostic significance have been discovered in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We studied the expression level of two genes, Meningioma1 (MN1) and Phosphatase and Tensin homolog (PTEN) to determine their expression in AML patients and their role as prognostic markers.

METHODS

The study included 50 cytogenetic normal de novo AML cases and 10 controls, Their level was detected by Real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.

RESULT

Relative mRNA expression of MN1 was significantly higher (p value < 0.001) and PTEN expression was significantly lower (p value = 0.002). No correlation was found between neither MN1 nor PTEN mRNA expression and overall survival (p value = 0.212 and 0.310) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although our study suggests a role for MN1 gene and PTEN genes in AML, we could not recommend their use as routine diagnostic and prognostic markers for AML in Egyptian population.

The Meningioma 1 (MN1) Gene is an Independent Poor Prognostic Factor in Adult Egyptian Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Aim:

To determine the prognostic importance of meningioma 1 (MN1) gene expression levels in the context of other predictive markers for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases.

Methods:

MN1 expression was measured in 85 newly diagnosed adults younger than 60 years by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

At diagnosis 67.4% of cases had elevated MN1 expression, this being associated with a worse prognosis, higher incidence of lymphadenopathy and CD34 transcript expression (p=0.02 and <0.001, respectively). No other molecular or clinical characteristics were significantly associated with MN1expression. Patients with high MN1 expression had lower complete response rate at day 15 compared to patients with low MN1 expression (p=0.09) and a significantly higher relapse rate (21.1% versus 7.7%, respectively, p=0.04). Patients with high MN1 expression had shorter TTP compared to those with low expression, p= 0.07.

Conclusion:

MN1 expression may predict outcome in AML patients. The MN1 gene and micro RNA expression suggest a biological feature that could be used as therapeutic targets.

MLL1 and DOT1L cooperate with meningioma-1 to induce acute myeloid leukemia

Meningioma-1 (MN1) overexpression is frequently observed in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is predictive of poor prognosis. In murine models, forced expression of MN1 in hematopoietic progenitors induces an aggressive myeloid leukemia that is strictly dependent on a defined gene expression program in the cell of origin, which includes the homeobox genes Hoxa9 and Meis1 as key components. Here, we have shown that this program is controlled by two histone methyltransferases, MLL1 and DOT1L, as deletion of either Mll1 or Dot1l in MN1-expressing cells abrogated the cell of origin-derived gene expression program, including the expression of Hoxa cluster genes. In murine models, genetic inactivation of either Mll1 or Dot1l impaired MN1-mediated leukemogenesis. We determined that HOXA9 and MEIS1 are coexpressed with MN1 in a subset of clinical MN1hi leukemia, and human MN1hi/HOXA9hi leukemias were sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of DOT1L. Together, these data point to DOT1L as a potential therapeutic target in MN1hi AML. In addition, our findings suggest that epigenetic modulation of the interplay between an oncogenic lesion and its cooperating developmental program has therapeutic potential in AML.

The oncogene EVI1 enhances transcriptional and biological responses of human myeloid cells to all-trans retinoic acid

The product of the ecotropic virus integration site 1 (EVI1) gene, whose overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis in myeloid leukemias and some epithelial tumors, regulates gene transcription both through direct DNA binding and through modulation of the activity of other sequence specific transcription factors. Previous results from our laboratory have shown that EVI1 influenced transcription regulation in response to the myeloid differentiation inducing agent, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), in a dual manner: it enhanced ATRA induced transcription of the RARβ gene, but repressed the ATRA induction of the EVI1 gene itself. In the present study, we asked whether EVI1 would modulate the ATRA regulation of a larger number of genes, as well as biological responses to this agent, in human myeloid cells. U937 and HL-60 cells ectopically expressing EVI1 through retroviral transduction were subjected to microarray based gene expression analysis, and to assays measuring cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. These experiments showed that EVI1 modulated the ATRA response of several dozens of genes, and in fact reinforced it in the vast majority of cases. A particularly strong synergy between EVI1 and ATRA was observed for GDF15, which codes for a member of the TGF-β superfamily of cytokines. In line with the gene expression results, EVI1 enhanced cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis in response to ATRA, and knockdown of GDF15 counteracted some of these effects. The potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Cell fate decisions in malignant hematopoiesis: leukemia phenotype is determined by distinct functional domains of the MN1 oncogene

Extensive molecular profiling of leukemias and preleukemic diseases has revealed that distinct clinical entities, like acute myeloid (AML) and T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), share similar pathogenetic mutations. It is not well understood how the cell of origin, accompanying mutations, extracellular signals or structural differences in a mutated gene determine the phenotypic identity of leukemias. We dissected the functional aspects of different protein regions of the MN1 oncogene and their effect on the leukemic phenotype, building on the ability of MN1 to induce leukemia without accompanying mutations. We found that the most C-terminal region of MN1 was required to block myeloid differentiation at an early stage, and deletion of an extended C-terminal region resulted in loss of myeloid identity and cell differentiation along the T-cell lineage in vivo. Megakaryocytic/erythroid lineage differentiation was blocked by the N-terminal region. In addition, the N-terminus was required for proliferation and leukemogenesis in vitro and in vivo through upregulation of HoxA9, HoxA10 and Meis2. Our results provide evidence that a single oncogene can modulate cellular identity of leukemic cells based on its active gene regions. It is therefore likely that different mutations in the same oncogene may impact cell fate decisions and phenotypic appearance of malignant diseases.

Constitutive IRF8 expression inhibits AML by activation of repressed immune response signaling

Myeloid differentiation is blocked in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the molecular mechanisms are not well characterized. Meningioma 1 (MN1) is overexpressed in AML patients and confers resistance to all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation. To understand the role of MN1 as a transcriptional regulator in myeloid differentiation, we fused transcriptional activation (VP16) or repression (M33) domains with MN1 and characterized these cells in vivo. Transcriptional activation of MN1 target genes induced myeloproliferative disease with long latency and differentiation potential to mature neutrophils. A large proportion of differentially expressed genes between leukemic MN1 and differentiation-permissive MN1VP16 cells belonged to the immune response pathway like interferon-response factor (Irf) 8 and Ccl9. As MN1 is a cofactor of MEIS1 and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA), we compared chromatin occupancy between these genes. Immune response genes that were upregulated in MN1VP16 cells were co-targeted by MN1 and MEIS1, but not RARA, suggesting that myeloid differentiation is blocked through transcriptional repression of shared target genes of MN1 and MEIS1. Constitutive expression of Irf8 or its target gene Ccl9 identified these genes as potent inhibitors of murine and human leukemias in vivo. Our data show that MN1 prevents activation of the immune response pathway, and suggest restoration of IRF8 signaling as therapeutic target in AML.

Molecular mechanisms of ETS transcription factor-mediated tumorigenesis

The E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family of transcription factors is critical for development, differentiation, proliferation and also has a role in apoptosis and tissue remodeling. Changes in expression of ETS proteins therefore have a significant impact on normal physiology of the cell. Transcriptional consequences of ETS protein deregulation by overexpression, gene fusion, and modulation by RAS/MAPK signaling are linked to alterations in normal cell functions, and lead to unlimited increased proliferation, sustained angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Existing data show that ETS proteins control pathways in epithelial cells as well as stromal compartments, and the crosstalk between the two is essential for normal development and cancer. In this review, we have focused on ETS factors with a known contribution in cancer development. Instead of focusing on a prototype, we address cancer associated ETS proteins and have highlighted the diverse mechanisms by which they affect carcinogenesis. Finally, we discuss strategies for ETS factor targeting as a potential means for cancer therapeutics.

Bacterial control of host gene expression through RNA polymerase II

The normal flora furnishes the host with ecological barriers that prevent pathogen attack while maintaining tissue homeostasis. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) constitute a highly relevant model of microbial adaptation in which some patients infected with Escherichia coli develop acute pyelonephritis, while other patients with bacteriuria exhibit an asymptomatic carrier state similar to bacterial commensalism. It remains unclear if the lack of destructive inflammation merely reflects low virulence or if carrier strains actively inhibit disease-associated responses in the host. Here, we identify a new mechanism of bacterial adaptation through broad suppression of RNA polymerase II–dependent (Pol II–dependent) host gene expression. Over 60% of all genes were suppressed 24 hours after human inoculation with the prototype asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) strain E. coli 83972, and inhibition was verified by infection of human cells. Specific repressors and activators of Pol II–dependent transcription were modified, Pol II phosphorylation was inhibited, and pathogen-specific signaling was suppressed in cell lines and inoculated patients. An increased frequency of strains inhibiting Pol II was epidemiologically verified in ABU and fecal strains compared with acute pyelonephritis, and a Pol II antagonist suppressed the disease-associated host response. These results suggest that by manipulating host gene expression, ABU strains promote tissue integrity while inhibiting pathology. Such bacterial modulation of host gene expression may be essential to sustain asymptomatic bacterial carriage by ensuring that potentially destructive immune activation will not occur.

Molecular prognostic factors in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia

Chromosomal abnormalities are detected in 50-60% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are important predictors of prognosis and risk of relapse. The remaining patients, those with cytogenetically normal AML, are a seemingly homogeneous group that in fact consists of subsets of patients with distinct clinical outcomes. This heterogeneity is likely related to acquired gene mutations, as well as altered miRNA and gene-expression profiles, which occur within the group. The identification of recurrent molecular abnormalities has improved prognostication and provided insight into mechanisms of leukemogenesis for patients with cytogenetically normal AML, as well as led to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. As the number of mutations continues to expand, bioinformatic algorithms that allow for integration of multiple markers will be necessary to provide optimal care for patients with this disease.

The clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of MN1 gene and MN1-associated microRNA expression in adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia

This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of the meningioma 1 (MN1) gene and MN1-associated microRNA expression in Chinese adult de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The expression level of MN1, microRNA-20 (miR-20a), and microRNA-181b (miR-181b) in bone marrow mononuclear cells was measured in 158 newly diagnosed AML patients and 20 cases of normal healthy donors by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. All AML patients significantly overexpressed MN1 at the level of 0.01983 (P < 0.001) compared with normal controls. High MN1 expression was associated with spleen involvement (P = 0.037), NPM1 wild type (P = 0.001), lower miR-20a expression levels (P = 0.015), and higher miR-181b expression levels (P = 0.035). MiR-20a (P = 0.029) and miR-181b (P = 0.017) overexpressed in the bone marrow cells of patients with certain subtypes of AML compared with healthy donors. High MN1 expressers had lower complete remission (CR) rates and shorter overall survival (OS) within the Southwest Oncology Group classification. In multivariable models, high MN1 expression was associated with worse CR rates (P = 0.01), relapse-free survival (RFS; P = 0.02), and OS (P = 0.02); high miR-20a expression was associated with higher CR rates (P = 0.008) and longer OS (P = 0.04), whereas high miR-181b expression was associated with lower CR rates (P = 0.03), and shorter RFS (P = 0.045) and OS (P = 0.017). High MN1 expression confers worse prognosis in Chinese adult patients with de novo AML. MN1 gene and MN1-associated microRNAs provide clinical prognosis of AML patients and may refine their molecular risk classification.

Meningioma 1 (MN1) expression: refined risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia with normal cytogenetics (CN-AML)

Prognostic stratification of cytogenetic normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) is an area of active research. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic importance of the meningioma 1 (MN1) gene expression levels in CN-AML. One hundred patients with CN-AML were diagnosed; MN1 expressions were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. High expressions were detected in 48 (48%) patients (expression range: 2.35-31.99, mean: 13.9 ± 8.49) in comparison with 52 (52%) patients with low expression (expression range: 0.02-2.3, mean: 0.68 ± 0.77). The course of the disease in patients with high MN1 expression was unfavorable. Patients with high MN1 expression was associated with significant low complete remission rate (62.5 vs. 8.4%, high vs. low MN1, P = 0.001) and high mortality rate (75% vs. 46.1, P = 0.03). AML patients with high MN1 expression tended to be refractory (37.5 vs. 19.2%, P = 0.00) and relapse risk (54.1 vs. 23%, P = 0.02). Multivariable analysis confirmed high MN1 expression as an independent risk factor for disease-free survival and overall survival. In conclusion, MN1 overexpression independently predicts bad clinical outcome in CN-AML patients.

The leukemia-associated fusion protein MN1-TEL blocks TEL-specific recognition sequences

The leukemia-associated fusion protein MN1-TEL combines the transcription-activating domains of MN1 with the DNA-binding domain of the transcriptional repressor TEL. Quantitative photobleaching experiments revealed that ∼20% of GFP-tagged MN1 and TEL is transiently immobilised, likely due to indirect or direct DNA binding, since transcription inhibition abolished immobilisation. Interestingly, ∼50% of the MN1-TEL fusion protein was immobile with much longer binding times than unfused MN1 and TEL. MN1-TEL immobilisation was not observed when the TEL DNA-binding domain was disrupted, suggesting that MN1-TEL stably occupies TEL recognition sequences, preventing binding of factors required for proper transcription regulation, which may contribute to leukemogenesis.

Overexpression of MN1 confers resistance to chemotherapy, accelerates leukemia onset, and suppresses p53 and Bim induction

Background

The transcriptional co-activator MN1 confers a worse prognosis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when highly expressed; however, the mechanisms involved are unknown. We sought to model the effects of high MN1 expression in AML models to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used cell lines and a genetically defined mouse model of AML to examine the effects of MN1 overexpression on prognosis and response to cytarabine and doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo. Murine AML that was engineered to overexpress MN1 became more aggressive in vivo, leading to shortened survival in both treated and control groups. In vitro murine AML cells that overexpressed MN1 became resistant to treatment with cytarabine and highly resistant to doxorubicin. This resistant phenotype was also seen in vivo, where treatment with the combination of cytarabine and doxorubicin selected for cells expressing MN1. When therapy-induced DNA damage levels were assessed by γH2AX foci, no reduction was seen in MN1 expressing cells arguing against a drug efflux mechanism. Despite no reduction in DNA damage, MN1-expressing cells showed less apoptosis as assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Following treatment, p53 and BIM induction were markedly reduced in cells expressing MN1. Pharmacologic inhibition of the p53 E3 ligase MDM2 resulted in increased p53 levels and improved response to doxorubicin in vitro.

Conclusions/Significance

MN1 overexpression accelerates an already aggressive leukemia, confers resistance to chemotherapy, and suppresses p53 and BIM induction, resulting in decreased apoptosis. This provides a mechanistic explanation of the poor prognosis observed with high MN1 expression and suggests that therapies directed at increasing p53 function may be useful for these patients.

ETV6 fusion genes in hematological malignancies: a review

Translocations involving band 12p13 are one of the most commonly observed chromosomal abnormalities in human leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Their frequently result in rearrangements of the ETV6 gene. At present, 48 chromosomal bands have been identified to be involved in ETV6 translocations, insertions or inversions and 30 ETV6 partner genes have been molecularly characterized. The ETV6 protein contains two major domains, the HLH (helix-loop-helix) domain, encoded by exons 3 and 4, and the ETS domain, encoded by exons 6 through 8, with in between the internal domain encoded by exon 5. ETV6 is a strong transcriptional repressor, acting through its HLH and internal domains. Five potential mechanisms of ETV6-mediated leukemogenesis have been identified: constitutive activation of the kinase activity of the partner protein, modification of the original functions of a transcription factor, loss of function of the fusion gene, affecting ETV6 and the partner gene, activation of a proto-oncogene in the vicinity of a chromosomal translocation and dominant negative effect of the fusion protein over transcriptional repression mediated by wild-type ETV6. It is likely that ETV6 is frequently involved in leukemogenesis because of the large number of partners with which it can rearrange and the several pathogenic mechanisms by which it can lead to cell transformation.

Prognostic implications of genetic aberrations in acute myelogenous leukemia with normal cytogenetics

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a genetically heterogeneous disease in which somatic mutations, that disturb cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation, accumulate in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cytogenetic findings, at diagnosis, have been proven to be one of the most important prognostic indicators in AML. About half of the patients with AML are found to have "normal" cytogenetic analysis by standard culture techniques. These patients are considered as an intermediate risk group. Cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML) is the largest cytogenetic risk group, and the variation in clinical outcome of patients in this group is greater than in any other cytogenetic group. Besides mutation testing, age and presenting white blood cell count are important predictors of overall survival, suggesting that other factors independent of cytogenetic abnormalities, contribute to the outcome of patients with AML. The expanding knowledge at the genetic and molecular levels is helping define several subgroups of patients with CN-AML with variable prognosis. In this review, we describe the clinical and prognostic characteristics of CN-AML patients as a group, as well as the various molecular and genetic aberrations detected in these patients and their clinical and prognostic implications.

HDAC2 phosphorylation-dependent Klf5 deacetylation and RARα acetylation induced by RAR agonist switch the transcription regulatory programs of p21 in VSMCs

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) occurs in hypertension, atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty, leading to pathophysiological vascular remodeling. As an important growth arrest gene, p21 plays critical roles in vascular remodeling. Regulation of p21 expression by retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and its ligand has important implications for control of pathological vascular remodeling. Nevertheless, the mechanism of RAR-mediated p21 expression in VSMCs remains poorly understood. Here, we show that, under basal conditions, RARα forms a complex with histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and Krüppel-like factor 5 (Klf5) at the p21 promoter to inhibit its expression. Upon RARα agonist stimulation, HDAC2 is phosphorylated by CK2α. Phosphorylation of HDAC2, on the one hand, promotes its dissociation from RARα, thus allowing the liganded-RARα to interact with co-activators; on the other hand, it increases its interaction with Klf5, thus leading to deacetylation of Klf5. Deacetylation of Klf5 facilitates its dissociation from the p21 promoter, relieving its repressive effect on the p21 promoter. Interference with HDAC2 phosphorylation by either CK2α knockdown or the use of phosphorylation-deficient mutant of HDAC2 prevents the dissociation of Klf5 from the p21 promoter and impairs RAR agonist-induced p21 activation. Our results reveal a novel mechanism involving a phosphorylation-deacetylation cascade that functions to remove the basal repression complex from the p21 promoter upon RAR agonist treatment, allowing for optimum agonist-induced p21 expression.

The ETS family member TEL binds to nuclear receptors RAR and RXR and represses gene activation

Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) signaling is important for regulating transcriptional activity of genes involved in growth, differentiation, metabolism and reproduction. Defects in RAR signaling have been implicated in cancer. TEL, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, is a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor. Here, we identify TEL as a transcriptional repressor of RAR signaling by its direct binding to both RAR and its dimerisation partner, the retinoid x receptor (RXR) in a ligand-independent fashion. TEL is found in two isoforms, created by the use of an alternative startcodon at amino acid 43. Although both isoforms bind to RAR and RXR in vitro and in vivo, the shorter form of TEL represses RAR signaling much more efficiently. Binding studies revealed that TEL binds closely to the DNA binding domain of RAR and that both Helix Loop Helix (HLH) and DNA binding domains of TEL are mandatory for interaction. We have shown that repression by TEL does not involve recruitment of histone deacetylases and suggest that polycomb group proteins participate in the process.

Low expression of MN1 associates with better treatment response in older patients with de novo cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia

Low MN1 expression bestows favorable prognosis in younger adults with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML), but its prognostic significance in older patients is unknown. We analyzed pretherapy MN1 expression in 140 older (≥ 60 years) de novo CN-AML patients treated on cytarabine/daunorubicin-based protocols. Low MN1 expressers had higher complete remission (CR) rates (P = .001), and longer overall survival (P = .03) and event-free survival (EFS; P = .004). In multivariable models, low MN1 expression was associated with better CR rates and EFS. The impact of MN1 expression on overall survival and EFS was predominantly in patients 70 years of age or older, with low MN1 expressers with mutated NPM1 having the best outcome. The impact of MN1 expression was also observed in the Intermediate-I, but not the Favorable group of the European LeukemiaNet classification, where low MN1 expressers had CR rates and EFS similar to those of Favorable group patients. MN1 expresser-status-associated gene- and microRNA-expression signatures revealed underexpression of drug resistance and adverse outcome predictors, and overexpression of HOX genes and HOX-gene-embedded microRNAs in low MN1 expressers. We conclude that low MN1 expression confers better prognosis in older CN-AML patients and may refine the European LeukemiaNet classification. Biologic features associated with MN1 expression may help identify new treatment targets.

Genetic abnormalities in acute myelogenous leukemia with normal cytogenetics

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) results from a differentiation block of hematopoietic progenitor cells along with uncontrolled proliferation. The cytogenetic abnormality at initial diagnosis is the single most important prognostic factor classifying AML patients into three prognostic categories: favorable, intermediate, and poor risk. Currently, favorable-risk AML patients are usually treated with contemporary chemotherapy, and poor-risk AML patients receive allogeneic stem cell transplantation if suitable stem cell donors exist. The approximately 40% of AML patients without identifiable cytogenetic abnormalities (NC AML) are classified as intermediate risk. The optimal therapeutic strategies for these patients are largely unclear. Emerging data recently suggested that molecular study of the mutations of NPM1, FLT3, MLL, and CEBPalpha and alterations in expression levels of BAALC, MN1, and ERG may identify poor-risk patients with NC AML. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm whether NC AML patients with poor risk have improved clinical outcomes after more aggressive therapy.

Accelerated leukemogenesis by truncated CBF beta-SMMHC defective in high-affinity binding with RUNX1

Dominant RUNX1 inhibition has been proposed as a common pathway for CBF leukemia. CBF beta-SMMHC, a fusion protein in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), dominantly inhibits RUNX1 largely through its RUNX1 high-affinity binding domain (HABD). However, the type I CBF beta-SMMHC fusion in AML patients lacks HABD. Here, we report that the type I CBF beta-SMMHC protein binds RUNX1 inefficiently. Knockin mice expressing CBF beta-SMMHC with a HABD deletion developed leukemia quickly, even though hematopoietic defects associated with Runx1-inhibition were partially rescued. A larger pool of leukemia-initiating cells, increased MN1 expression, and retention of RUNX1 phosphorylation are potential mechanisms for accelerated leukemia development in these mice. Our data suggest that RUNX1 dominant inhibition may not be a critical step for leukemogenesis by CBF beta-SMMHC.

Modeling the functional heterogeneity of leukemia stem cells: role of STAT5 in leukemia stem cell self-renewal

Although the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept implies that CSCs are rare, recent reports suggest that CSCs may be frequent in some cancers. We hypothesized that the proportion of leukemia stem cells would vary as a function of the number of dysregulated pathways. Constitutive expression of MN1 served as a 1-oncogene model, and coexpression of MN1 and a HOX gene served as a 2-oncogene model. Leukemia-initiating cell (LIC) number and in vitro expansion potential of LICs were functionally assessed by limiting dilution analyses. LIC expansion potential was 132-fold increased in the 2- compared with the 1-oncogene model, although phenotypically, both leukemias were similar. The 2-oncogene model was characterized by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) hypersensitivity and activated STAT/ERK signaling. GM-CSF hypersensitivity of the 2-oncogene model (MN1/HOXA9) was lost in Stat5b(-/-) cells, and the LIC expansion potential was reduced by 86- and 28-fold in Stat5b(-/-) and Stat1(-/-) cells, respectively. Interestingly, in 201 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, coexpression of MN1 and HOXA9 was restricted to patients with the poorest prognosis and was associated with highly active STAT signaling. Our data demonstrate the functional heterogeneity of LICs and show that STAT signaling is critical for leukemia stem cell self-renewal in MN1- and HOXA9-expressing leukemias.

Reintroduction of CEBPA in MN1-overexpressing hematopoietic cells prevents their hyperproliferation and restores myeloid differentiation

Forced expression of MN1 in primitive mouse hematopoietic cells causes acute myeloid leukemia and impairs all-trans retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation. Here, we studied the effects of MN1 on myeloid differentiation and proliferation using primary human CD34(+) hematopoietic cells, lineage-depleted mouse bone marrow cells, and bipotential (granulocytic/monocytic) human acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. We show that exogenous MN1 stimulated the growth of CD34(+) cells, which was accompanied by enhanced survival and increased cell cycle traverse in cultures supporting progenitor cell growth. Forced MN1 expression impaired both granulocytic and monocytic differentiation in vitro in primary hematopoietic cells and acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. Endogenous MN1 expression was higher in human CD34(+) cells compared with both primary and in vitro-differentiated monocytes and granulocytes. Microarray and real-time reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis of MN1-overexpressing CD34(+) cells showed down-regulation of CEBPA and its downstream target genes. Reintroduction of conditional and constitutive CEBPA overcame the effects of MN1 on myeloid differentiation and inhibited MN1-induced proliferation in vitro. These results indicate that down-regulation of CEBPA activity contributes to MN1-modulated proliferation and impaired myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic cells.

Molecular prognostic markers for adult acute myeloid leukemia with normal cytogenetics

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous disorder that results from a block in the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells along with uncontrolled proliferation. In approximately 60% of cases, specific recurrent chromosomal aberrations can be identified by modern cytogenetic techniques. This cytogenetic information is the single most important tool to classify patients at their initial diagnosis into three prognostic categories: favorable, intermediate, and poor risk. Currently, favorable risk AML patients are usually treated with contemporary chemotherapy while poor risk AML patients receive allogeneic stem cell transplantation if suitable stem cell donors exist. The largest subgroup of AML patients (aproximately 40%) have no identifiable cytogenetic abnormalities and are classified as intermediate risk. The optimal therapeutic strategies for these patients are still largely unclear. Recently, it is becoming increasingly evident that it is possible to identify a subgroup of poorer risk patients among those with normal cytogenic AML (NC-AML). Molecular risk stratification for NC-AML patients may be possible due to mutations of NPM1, FLT3, MLL, and CEBPalpha as well as alterations in expression levels of BAALC, MN1, ERG, and AF1q. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm if poorer risk NC-AML patients have improved clinical outcomes after more aggressive therapy.

Prognostic importance of MN1 transcript levels, and biologic insights from MN1-associated gene and microRNA expression signatures in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia: a cancer and leukemia group B study

PURPOSE To determine the prognostic importance of the meningioma 1 (MN1) gene expression levels in the context of other predictive molecular markers, and to derive MN1 associated gene- and microRNA-expression profiles in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS MN1 expression was measured in 119 untreated primary CN-AML adults younger than 60 years by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Patients were also tested for FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA, and WT1 mutations, MLL partial tandem duplications, and BAALC and ERG expression. Gene- and microRNA-expression profiles were attained by performing genome-wide microarray assays. Patients were intensively treated on two first-line Cancer and Leukemia Group B clinical trials. Results Higher MN1 expression associated with NPM1 wild-type (P < .001), increased BAALC expression (P = .004), and less extramedullary involvement (P = .01). In multivariable analyses, higher MN1 expression associated with a lower complete remission rate (P = .005) after adjustment for WBC; shorter disease-free survival (P = .01) after adjustment for WT1 mutations, FLT3 internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD), and high ERG expression; and shorter survival (P = .04) after adjustment for WT1 and NPM1 mutations, FLT3-ITD, and WBC. Gene- and microRNA-expression profiles suggested that high MN1 expressers share features with high BAALC expressers and patients with wild-type NPM1. Higher MN1 expression also appears to be associated with genes and microRNAs that are active in aberrant macrophage/monocytoid function and differentiation. CONCLUSION MN1 expression independently predicts outcome in CN-AML patients. The MN1 gene- and microRNA-expression signatures suggest biologic features that could be exploited as therapeutic targets.

Meningioma 1 is required for appropriate osteoblast proliferation, motility, differentiation, and function

The vitamin D endocrine system is essential for calcium and phosphate homeostasis and skeletal mineralization. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) hormone binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to regulate gene expression. These gene products in turn mediate the actions of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in mineral-regulating target cells such as the osteoblast. We showed previously that meningioma 1 (MN1) is a novel target of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in MG-63 osteoblastic cells and that it is a coactivator for VDR-mediated transcription (Sutton, A. L., Zhang, X., Ellison, T. I., and MacDonald, P. N. (2005) Mol. Endocrinol. 19, 2234-2244). However, the functional significance of MN1 in osteoblastic cell biology is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that MN1 expression is increased dramatically during differentiation of primary osteoblastic cells. Using calvarial osteoblasts derived from wild-type and MN1 knock-out mice, we provide data supporting an essential role of MN1 in maintaining appropriate osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and function. MN1 knock-out osteoblasts displayed altered morphology, decreased growth rate, impaired motility, and attenuated 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)/VDR-mediated transcription as well as reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation. MN1 null osteoblasts were also impaired in supporting osteoclastogenesis in co-culture studies presumably because of marked reduction in the RANKL:OPG ratio in the MN1 null cells. Mechanistic studies supported a transcriptional role for MN1 in controlling RANKL gene expression through activation of the RANKL promoter. Cumulatively, these studies indicate an important role for MN1 in maintaining the appropriate maturation and function of calvarial osteoblasts.

The Mn1 transcription factor acts upstream of Tbx22 and preferentially regulates posterior palate growth in mice

The mammalian secondary palate exhibits morphological, pathological and molecular heterogeneity along the anteroposterior axis. Although the cell proliferation rates are similar in the anterior and posterior regions during palatal outgrowth, previous studies have identified several signaling pathways and transcription factors that specifically regulate the growth of the anterior palate. By contrast, no factor has been shown to preferentially regulate posterior palatal growth. Here, we show that mice lacking the transcription factor Mn1 have defects in posterior but not anterior palatal growth. We show that Mn1 mRNA exhibits differential expression along the anteroposterior axis of the developing secondary palate, with preferential expression in the middle and posterior regions during palatal outgrowth. Extensive analyses of palatal gene expression in wild-type and Mn1(-/-) mutant mice identified Tbx22, the mouse homolog of the human X-linked cleft palate gene, as a putative downstream target of Mn1 transcriptional activation. Tbx22 exhibits a similar pattern of expression with that of Mn1 along the anteroposterior axis of the developing palatal shelves and its expression is specifically downregulated in Mn1(-/-) mutants. Moreover, we show that Mn1 activated reporter gene expression driven by either the human or mouse Tbx22 gene promoters in co-transfected NIH3T3 cells. Overexpression of Mn1 in NIH3T3 cells also increased endogenous Tbx22 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicate that Mn1 and Tbx22 function in a novel molecular pathway regulating mammalian palate development.

MN1 affects expression of genes involved in hematopoiesis and can enhance as well as inhibit RAR/RXR-induced gene expression

The oncoprotein meningioma 1 (MN1) is overexpressed in several subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and overexpression was associated with a poor response to chemotherapy. MN1 is a cofactor of retinoic acid receptor/retinoic x receptor (RAR/RXR)-mediated transcription and this study identified genes in the promonocytic cell line U937 that were regulated by MN1. We found that MN1 can both stimulate and inhibit transcription. Combining MN1 expression with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the ligand of the RAR/RXR dimer, showed that MN1 could both enhance and repress ATRA effects. Many of the identified genes are key players in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis (e.g. MEIS1 and BMI1). Another interesting target is DHRS9. DHRS9 is involved in the synthesis of ATRA from vitamin A. MN1 inhibited DHRS9 expression and completely abolished its induction by ATRA. MN1 is also the target of a rare AML-causing translocation encoding the MN1-TEL protein. MN1-TEL induces expression of only a few genes and its most pronounced effect is inhibition of a large group of ATRA-induced genes including DHRS9. In conclusion, both MN1 and MN1-TEL interfere with the ATRA pathway and this might explain the differentiation block in leukemias in which these genes are involved.

MN1 overexpression induces acute myeloid leukemia in mice and predicts ATRA resistance in patients with AML

Overexpression of wild-type MN1 is a negative prognostic factor in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal cytogenetics. We evaluated whether MN1 plays a functional role in leukemogenesis. We demonstrate using retroviral gene transfer and bone marrow (BM) transplantation that MN1 overexpression rapidly induces lethal AML in mice. Insertional mutagenesis and chromosomal instability were ruled out as secondary aberrations. MN1 increased resistance to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)–induced cell-cycle arrest and differentiation by more than 3000-fold in vitro. The differentiation block could be released by fusion of a transcriptional activator (VP16) to MN1 without affecting the ability to immortalize BM cells, suggesting that MN1 blocks differentiation by transcriptional repression. We then evaluated whether MN1 expression levels in patients with AML (excluding M3-AML) correlated with resistance to ATRA treatment in elderly patients uniformly treated within treatment protocol AMLHD98-B. Strikingly, patients with low MN1 expression who received ATRA had a significantly prolonged event-free (P = .008) and overall (P = .04) survival compared with patients with either low MN1 expression and no ATRA, or high MN1 expression with or without ATRA. MN1 is a unique oncogene in hematopoiesis that both promotes proliferation/self-renewal and blocks differentiation, and may become useful as a predictive marker in AML treatment.

MN1, a novel player in human AML

The transcriptional coactivator MN1 has been identified as a gene overexpressed in certain types of human acute myeloid leukemia. Upregulation is invariantly associated with inv(16) AML but is also found in other AML subtypes. Overexpression of this gene is also associated with a worse prognosis and a shorter survival in AML patients with a normal karyotype. In this short review, I will discuss the role of MN1 in myeloid leukemia.

Retroviral insertional mutagenesis identifies genes that collaborate with NUP98-HOXD13 during leukemic transformation

The t(2;11)(q31;p15) chromosomal translocation results in a fusion between the NUP98 and HOXD13 genes and has been observed in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia. We previously showed that expression of the NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) fusion gene in transgenic mice results in an invariably fatal MDS; approximately one third of mice die due to complications of severe pancytopenia, and about two thirds progress to a fatal acute leukemia. In the present study, we used retroviral insertional mutagenesis to identify genes that might collaborate with NHD13 as the MDS transformed to an acute leukemia. Newborn NHD13 transgenic mice and littermate controls were infected with the MOL4070LTR retrovirus. The onset of leukemia was accelerated, suggesting a synergistic effect between the NHD13 transgene and the genes neighboring retroviral insertion events. We identified numerous common insertion sites located near protein-coding genes and confirmed dysregulation of a subset of these by expression analyses. Among these genes were Meis1, a known collaborator of HOX and NUP98-HOX fusion genes, and Mn1, a transcriptional coactivator involved in human leukemia through fusion with the TEL gene. Other putative collaborators included Gata2, Erg, and Epor. Of note, we identified a common insertion site that was >100 kb from the nearest coding gene, but within 20 kb of the miR29a/miR29b1 microRNA locus. Both of these miRNA were up-regulated, demonstrating that retroviral insertional mutagenesis can target miRNA loci as well as protein-coding loci. Our data provide new insights into NHD13-mediated leukemogenesis as well as retroviral insertional mutagenesis mechanisms.

MN1 overexpression is an important step in the development of inv(16) AML

The gene encoding the transcriptional co-activator MN1 is the target of the reciprocal chromosome translocation (12;22)(p13;q12) in some patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, expression array analysis showed that MN1 was overexpressed in AML specified by inv(16), in some AML overexpressing ecotropic viral integration 1 site (EVI1) and in some AML without karyotypic abnormalities. Here we describe that mice receiving transplants of bone marrow (BM) overexpressing MN1 rapidly developed myeloproliferative disease (MPD). This BM also generated myeloid cell lines in culture. By mimicking the situation in human inv(16) AML, forced coexpression of MN1 and Cbfbeta-SMMHC rapidly caused AML in mice. These findings identify MN1 as a highly effective hematopoietic oncogene and suggest that MN1 overexpression is an important cooperative event in human inv(16) AML.

Gata1 regulates dendritic-cell development and survival

Dendritic cells are key initiators and regulators of the immune response. Dendritic cell commitment and function require orchestrated regulation of transcription. Gata1 is a transcription factor expressed in several hematopoietic lineages. However, Gata1 function has not been explored in the monocytic or dendritic cell compartment. Here, we show that Gata1 is expressed in myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells and that Gata1 ablation affects the survival of dendritic cells. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of dendritic cells prompts Gata1 up-regulation, which is accompanied by increased levels of BclX and Ifng. Our findings show that Gata1 is a transcriptional regulator of dendritic cell differentiation and suggest that Gata1 is involved in the dendritic cell and macrophage lineage separation.