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Wang CW, Weaver SD, Boonpattrawong N, Schuster-Little N, Patankar M, Whelan RJ. A Revised Molecular Model of Ovarian Cancer Biomarker CA125 (MUC16) Enabled by Long-read Sequencing. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:253-263. [PMID: 38197671 PMCID: PMC10829539 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The biomarker CA125, a peptide epitope located in several tandem repeats of the mucin MUC16, is the gold standard for monitoring regression and recurrence of high-grade serous ovarian cancer in response to therapy. However, the CA125 epitope along with several structural features of the MUC16 molecule are ill defined. One central aspect still unresolved is the number of tandem repeats in MUC16 and how many of these repeats contain the CA125 epitope. Studies from the early 2000s assembled short DNA reads to estimate that MUC16 contained 63 repeats.Here, we conduct Nanopore long-read sequencing of MUC16 transcripts from three primary ovarian tumors and established cell lines (OVCAR3, OVCAR5, and Kuramochi) for a more exhaustive and accurate estimation and sequencing of the MUC16 tandem repeats.The consensus sequence derived from these six sources was confirmed by proteomics validation and agrees with recent additions to the NCBI database. We propose a model of MUC16 containing 19-not 63-tandem repeats. In addition, we predict the structure of the tandem repeat domain using the deep learning algorithm, AlphaFold.The predicted structure displays an SEA domain and unstructured linker region rich in proline, serine, and threonine residues in all 19 tandem repeats. These studies now pave the way for a detailed characterization of the CA125 epitope. Sequencing and modeling of the MUC16 tandem repeats along with their glycoproteomic characterization, currently underway in our laboratories, will help identify novel epitopes in the MUC16 molecule that improve on the sensitivity and clinical utility of the current CA125 assay. SIGNIFICANCE Despite its crucial role in clinical management of ovarian cancer, the exact molecular sequence and structure of the biomarker, CA125, are not defined. Here, we combine long-read sequencing, mass spectrometry, and in silico modeling to provide the foundational dataset for a more complete characterization of the CA125 epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Simon D. Weaver
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Nicha Boonpattrawong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Manish Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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Jordan HA, Thomas SN. Novel proteomic technologies to address gaps in pre-clinical ovarian cancer biomarker discovery efforts. Expert Rev Proteomics 2023; 20:439-450. [PMID: 38116719 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2023.2295861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An estimated 20,000 women in the United States will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2023. Late-stage diagnosis is associated with poor prognosis. There is a need for novel diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer to improve early-stage detection and novel prognostic biomarkers to improve patient treatment. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the clinicopathological features of ovarian cancer and the currently available biomarkers and treatment options. Two affinity-based platforms using proximity extension assays (Olink) and DNA aptamers (SomaLogic) are described in the context of highly reproducible and sensitive multiplexed assays for biomarker discovery. Recent developments in ion mobility spectrometry are presented as novel techniques to apply to the biomarker discovery pipeline. Examples are provided of how these aforementioned methods are being applied to biomarker discovery efforts in various diseases, including ovarian cancer. EXPERT OPINION Translating novel ovarian cancer biomarkers from candidates in the discovery phase to bona fide biomarkers with regulatory approval will have significant benefits for patients. Multiplexed affinity-based assay platforms and novel mass spectrometry methods are capable of quantifying low abundance proteins to aid biomarker discovery efforts by enabling the robust analytical interrogation of the ovarian cancer proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A Jordan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Stefani N Thomas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Wang CW, Hanson EK, Minkoff L, Whelan RJ. Individual recombinant repeats of MUC16 display variable binding to CA125 antibodies. Cancer Biomark 2023:CBM220191. [PMID: 37248884 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its importance in the clinical management of ovarian cancer, the CA125 biomarker - located on the mucin protein MUC16 - is still not completely understood. Questions remain about MUC16's function and structure, specifically the identity and location of the CA125 epitopes. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to characterize the interaction of individual recombinant repeats from the tandem repeat domain of MUC16 with antibodies used in the clinical CA125 II test. METHODS Using E. coli expression, we isolated nine repeats from the putative antigenic domain of CA125. Amino acid composition of recombinant repeats was confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. We characterized the binding of four antibodies - OC125, M11, "OC125-like," and "M11-like" - to nine recombinant repeats using Western blotting, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. RESULTS Each recombinant repeat was recognized by a different combination of CA125 antibodies. OC125 and "OC125-like" antibodies did not bind the same set of recombinant repeats, nor did M11 and "M11-like" antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Characterization of the interactions between MUC16 recombinant repeats and CA125 antibodies will contribute to ongoing efforts to identify the CA125 epitopes and improve our understanding of this important biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Eliza K Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Lisa Minkoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca J Whelan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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Wang CW, Hanson EK, Minkoff L, Whelan RJ. Individual recombinant repeats of MUC16 display variable binding to CA125 antibodies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.08.527749. [PMID: 36798296 PMCID: PMC9934600 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.08.527749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its importance in the clinical management of ovarian cancer, the CA125 biomarker-located on the mucin protein MUC16-is still not completely understood. Questions remain about MUC16's function and structure, specifically the identity and location of the CA125 epitopes. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to characterize the interaction of individual recombinant repeats from the tandem repeat domain of MUC16 with antibodies used in the clinical CA125 II test. METHODS Using E. coli expression, we isolated nine repeats from the putative antigenic domain of CA125. Amino acid composition of recombinant repeats was confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. We characterized the binding of four antibodies-OC125, M11, "OC125-like," and "M11-like"-to nine recombinant repeats using Western blotting, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. RESULTS Each recombinant repeat was recognized by a different combination of CA125 antibodies. OC125 and "OC125-like" antibodies did not bind the same set of recombinant repeats, nor did M11 and "M11-like" antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Characterization of the interactions between MUC16 recombinant repeats and CA125 antibodies will contribute to ongoing efforts to identify the CA125 epitopes and improve our understanding of this important biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Eliza K. Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Lisa Minkoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Whelan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America,Corresponding author: Rebecca J. Whelan, University of Kansas, Multidisciplinary Research Building 220E, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America. Tel.: + 1-785-864-4670;
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Zhang R, Siu MKY, Ngan HYS, Chan KKL. Molecular Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231912041. [PMID: 36233339 PMCID: PMC9569881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231912041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer, leading to over 152,000 deaths each year. A late diagnosis is the primary factor causing a poor prognosis of ovarian cancer and often occurs due to a lack of specific symptoms and effective biomarkers for an early detection. Currently, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) is the most widely used biomarker for ovarian cancer detection, but this approach is limited by a low specificity. In recent years, multimarker panels have been developed by combining molecular biomarkers such as human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4), ultrasound results, or menopausal status to improve the diagnostic efficacy. The risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA), the risk of malignancy index (RMI), and OVA1 assays have also been clinically used with improved sensitivity and specificity. Ongoing investigations into novel biomarkers such as autoantibodies, ctDNAs, miRNAs, and DNA methylation signatures continue to aim to provide earlier detection methods for ovarian cancer. This paper reviews recent advancements in molecular biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
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Zhang F, Fan L, Liu Z, Han Y, Guo Y. A label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of cancer antigen 125 based on nickel hexacyanoferrate nanocubes/polydopamine functionalized graphene. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.116424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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An Y, Dong S, Chen H, Guan L, Huang T. Ce-MOF/COF/carbon nanotube hybrid composite: Construction of efficient electrochemical immune platform for amplifying detection performance of CA125. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 147:108201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Fraser CC, Jia B, Hu G, Al Johani LI, Fritz-Klaus R, Ham JD, Fichorova RN, Elias KM, Cramer DW, Patankar MS, Chen J. Ovarian Cancer Ascites Inhibits Transcriptional Activation of NK Cells Partly through CA125. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2227-2238. [PMID: 35396222 PMCID: PMC10852100 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Malignant ascites is a common clinical problem in ovarian cancer. NK cells are present in the ascites, but their antitumor activity is inhibited. The underlying mechanisms of the inhibition have yet to be fully elucidated. Using an Fcγ receptor-mediated NK cell activation assay, we show that ascites from ovarian cancer patients potently inhibits NK cell activation. Part of the inhibitory activity is mediated by CA125, a mucin 16 fragment shed from ovarian cancer tumors. Moreover, transcriptional analyses by RNA sequencing reveal upregulation of genes involved in multiple metabolic pathways but downregulation of genes involved in cytotoxicity and signaling pathways in NK cells purified from ovarian cancer patient ascites. Transcription of genes involved in cytotoxicity pathways are also downregulated in NK cells from healthy donors after in vitro treatment with ascites or with a CA125-enriched protein fraction. These results show that ascites and CA125 inhibit antitumor activity of NK cells at transcriptional levels by suppressing expression of genes involved in NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which ascites inhibits the activity of NK cells and suggest possible approaches to reactivate NK cells for ovarian cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Fraser
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Bin Jia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Roberta Fritz-Klaus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - James Dongjoo Ham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Raina N Fichorova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Kevin M Elias
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel William Cramer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Manish S Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts;
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Weaver SD, Schuster-Little N, Whelan RJ. Preparative capillary electrophoresis (CE) fractionation of protein digests improves protein and peptide identification in bottom-up proteomics. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:1103-1110. [PMID: 35175250 PMCID: PMC9210495 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay02145a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is widely used to reduce sample complexity prior to mass spectrometry (MS) analysis in bottom-up proteomics. Improving peptide separation in complex samples enables lower-abundance proteins to be identified. Multidimensional separations that combine orthogonal separation modes improve protein and peptide identifications over RPLC alone. Here we report a preparative capillary electrophoresis (CE) fractionation method that combines CE and RPLC separations. Using this method, we demonstrate improved protein and peptide identification in a tryptic digest of E. coli cell lysate, with 132 ± 33% more protein identifications and 185 ± 65% more peptide identifications over non-fractionated samples. Fractionation enables detection of lower-abundance proteins in this complex sample. We demonstrate improved coverage of ovarian cancer biomarker MUC16 isolated from conditioned cell media, with 6.73% sequence coverage using CE fractionation compared to 2.74% coverage without preparative fractionation. This new method will allow researchers performing bottom-up proteomics to harness the advantages of CE separations while using widely available LC-MS/MS instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D Weaver
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Naviya Schuster-Little
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Rebecca J Whelan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
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Abstract
Mucin-domain glycoproteins comprise a class of proteins whose densely O-glycosylated mucin domains adopt a secondary structure with unique biophysical and biochemical properties. The canonical family of mucins is well-known to be involved in various diseases, especially cancer. Despite this, very little is known about the site-specific molecular structures and biological activities of mucins, in part because they are extremely challenging to study by mass spectrometry (MS). Here, we summarize recent advancements toward this goal, with a particular focus on mucin-domain glycoproteins as opposed to general O-glycoproteins. We summarize proteolytic digestion techniques, enrichment strategies, MS fragmentation, and intact analysis, as well as new bioinformatic platforms. In particular, we highlight mucin directed technologies such as mucin-selective proteases, tunable mucin platforms, and a mucinomics strategy to enrich mucin-domain glycoproteins from complex samples. Finally, we provide examples of targeted mucin-domain glycoproteomics that combine these techniques in comprehensive site-specific analyses of proteins. Overall, this Review summarizes the methods, challenges, and new opportunities associated with studying enigmatic mucin domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Rangel-Angarita
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 275 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Stacy A. Malaker
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 275 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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