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Tu Z, Peng J, Long X, Li J, Wu L, Huang K, Zhu X. Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 Predicts the Prognosis and the Immunotherapy Response of Cancers: A Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:844736. [PMID: 35592314 PMCID: PMC9110779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.844736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sperm autoantigen protein 17 (SPA17) is a highly conserved mammalian protein that participates in the acrosome reaction during fertilization and is a recently reported member of the cancer-testicular antigen (CTA) family. It has been reported that the SPA17 expression is limited in adult somatic tissues and re-expressed in tumor tissues. Recently, studies have found that SPA17 regulates the progression of various cancers, but its role in cancer immunotherapy is not clear. Methods The pan-cancer and normal tissue transcriptional data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. We explored the SPA17 pan-cancer genomic alteration analysis in the cBioPortal webtool. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and ComPPI websites were used to mine the SPA17 protein information. We performed a western blotting assay to validate the upregulated SPA17 expression in clinical glioblastoma (GBM) samples. The univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess the prognostic role of SPA17 in pan-cancer. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to search the associated cancer hallmarks with SPA17 expression in each cancer type. TIMER2.0 was the main platform to investigate the immune cell infiltrations related to SPA17 in pan-cancer. The associations between SPA17 and immunotherapy biomarkers were performed by Spearman correlation analysis. The drug sensitivity information from the Connectivity Map (CMap) dataset was downloaded to perform SAP17-specific inhibitor sensitivity analysis. Findings SPA17 was aberrantly expressed in most cancer types and exhibited prognosis predictive ability in various cancers. In addition, our results also show that SPA17 was significantly correlated with immune-activated hallmarks (including pathways and biological processes), immune cell infiltrations, and immunoregulator expressions. The most exciting finding was that SPA17 could significantly predict anti-PDL1 and anti-PD1 therapy responses in cancer patients. Finally, specific inhibitors, like irinotecan and puromycin, which correlate with SPA17 expression in different cancer types, were also screened using Connectivity Map (CMap). Conclusions Our results reveal that SPA17 was abnormally expressed in cancer tissues, and this expression pattern could be associated with immune cell infiltrations in tumor microenvironments. Clinically, SPA17 not only acted as a potent prognostic factor to predict the clinical outcomes of cancer patients but was also a promising immunotherapy predictive biomarker for cancer patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewei Tu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Health Commission (JXHC) Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Jie Peng
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Long
- East China Institute of Digital Medical Engineering, Shangrao, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Department of Comprehensive Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Health Commission (JXHC) Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Health Commission (JXHC) Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Xingen Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Health Commission (JXHC) Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
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2
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Zhao J, Xu Z, Liu Y, Wang X, Liu X, Gao Y, Jin Y. The expression of cancer-testis antigen in ovarian cancer and the development of immunotherapy. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:681-694. [PMID: 35261795 PMCID: PMC8899981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a relatively common tumor in women with the highest mortality among female reproductive system tumors. The lack of apparent early symptoms and effective screening strategies often leads to ovarian cancer being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Immunotherapy relying on tumor-associated antigens might improve the treatment of ovarian cancer. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are ideal tumor-associated antigens, and MAGE-A, NY-ESO-1, CT45, and Sp17 are classic CTAs highly expressed in ovarian cancer. Here, we review the research on CTAs in ovarian cancer, including prognostic value and advances in immunotherapy, all of which are essential for developing a theoretical basis for targeted therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhaoxu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning (Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University), Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetic Medicine, National Health Commission of ChinaShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinli Liu
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanan Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityShenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning (Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University), Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetic Medicine, National Health Commission of ChinaShenyang, Liaoning, China
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3
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Panner Selvam MK, Agarwal A, Pushparaj PN, Baskaran S, Bendou H. Sperm Proteome Analysis and Identification of Fertility-Associated Biomarkers in Unexplained Male Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10070522. [PMID: 31336797 PMCID: PMC6678187 DOI: 10.3390/genes10070522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 30% of men with normal semen parameters suffer from infertility and the reason for this is unknown. Altered expression of sperm proteins may be a major cause of infertility in these men. Proteomic profiling was performed on pooled semen samples from eight normozoospermic fertile men and nine normozoospermic infertile men using LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, key differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) related to the fertilization process were selected for validation using Western blotting. A total of 1139 and 1095 proteins were identified in normozoospermic fertile and infertile men, respectively. Of these, 162 proteins were identified as DEPs. The canonical pathway related to free radical scavenging was enriched with upregulated DEPs in normozoospermic infertile men. The proteins associated with reproductive system development and function, and the ubiquitination pathway were underexpressed in normozoospermic infertile men. Western blot analysis revealed the overexpression of annexin A2 (ANXA2) (2.03 fold change; P = 0.0243), and underexpression of sperm surface protein Sp17 (SPA17) (0.37 fold change; P = 0.0205) and serine protease inhibitor (SERPINA5) (0.32 fold change; P = 0.0073) in men with unexplained male infertility (UMI). The global proteomic profile of normozoospermic infertile men is different from that of normozoospermic fertile men. Our data suggests that SPA17, ANXA2, and SERPINA5 may potentially serve as non-invasive protein biomarkers associated with the fertilization process of the spermatozoa in UMI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Peter Natesan Pushparaj
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Hocine Bendou
- South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), SA Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
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4
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Brunette LL, Mhawech-Fauceglia PY, Ji L, Skeate JG, Brand HE, Lawrenson K, Walia S, Chiriva-Internati M, Groshen S, Roman LD, Kast WM, Da Silva DM. Validity and prognostic significance of sperm protein 17 as a tumor biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:970. [PMID: 30309325 PMCID: PMC6182788 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4880-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prior small studies have shown increased expression of sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissue and suggest Sp17 as a potential biomarker for EOC. However, how Sp17 expression varies with histology, grade, and stage of EOC and its expression in other ovarian neoplasms has not been defined. It is unknown whether patients with EOC have elevated serum Sp17 levels or if Sp17 expression is associated with survival outcomes. Methods The study included 982 patients with benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian neoplasms and normal ovary. There were 878 patients with tissue only, 39 with serum only, and 65 with matching serum and tissue. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with anti-Sp17 antibody was performed on tissue specimens and the intensity scored as weak, moderate, or strong. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure Sp17 sera concentrations. Results Sp17 expression was most commonly seen in serous cystadenomas (83%) and serous borderline tumors (100%). Of the 773 EOC specimens, 223 (30%) expressed Sp17. Grade and histology were significantly associated with Sp17 expression among EOC specimens (p < 0.001) on both univariate and multivariable analysis, with grade 1 serous adenocarcinomas showing the highest expression (51%). Sp17 expression was limited in other benign and non-epithelial malignant neoplasms. Neither Sp17 tissue expression nor serum concentration correlated with survival outcomes. Serum concentrations were higher in patients with Sp17 tissue expression, and the highest concentrations were noted among patients with serous and clear cell adenocarcinomas. Conclusions Sp17 is highly expressed in benign, borderline, and low grade malignant serous ovarian neoplasms and can be quantified in serum. Sp17 expression may have diagnostic significance in this subset of patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4880-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie L Brunette
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | | | - Lingyun Ji
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA.,Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Joseph G Skeate
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Heike E Brand
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Saloni Walia
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
- Department of Myeloma and Lymphoma, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA.,Kiromic, Inc, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Susan Groshen
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA.,Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Lynda D Roman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - W Martin Kast
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Diane M Da Silva
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. .,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA.
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5
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Gao Q, Xiang SD, Wilson K, Madondo M, Stephens AN, Plebanski M. Sperm Protein 17 Expression by Murine Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells and Its Impact on Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10080276. [PMID: 30127274 PMCID: PMC6115966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10080276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cancer testis antigen sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a promising antigenic target in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) vaccine development. However, its role in ovarian cancer is unclear. We isolated and expanded Sp17+ and Sp17− clones from the murine EOC cell line ID8, and compared their in-vitro cell growth characteristics and in-vivo tumorigenicity. We also examined the potential co-expression of molecules that may influence cancer cell survival and interaction with immune cells. These include stimulatory and immunosuppressive molecules, such as major histocompatibility class I molecules (MHC I), MHC II, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), CD73, CD39, tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Whilst the presence of Sp17 was not correlated with the ID8 cell proliferation/growth capacity in vitro, it was critical to enable progressive tumor formation in vivo. Flow cytometry revealed that Sp17+ ID8 cells displayed higher expression of both STAT3 and PD-L1, whilst MHC II expression was lower. Moreover, Sp17high (PD-L1+MHCII−) cell populations showed significantly enhanced resistance to Paclitaxel-induced cell death in vitro compared to Sp17low (PD-L1−MHCII+) cells, which was associated in turn with increased STAT3 expression. Together, the data support Sp17 as a factor associated with in-vivo tumor progression and chemo-resistance, validating it as a suitable target for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Gao
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Sue D Xiang
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Kirsty Wilson
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Mutsa Madondo
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Andrew N Stephens
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.
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6
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Hu J, Chen X, Zhang X, Yuan X, Yang M, Dai H, Yang W, Zhou Q, Wen W, Wang Q, Qin W, Zhao A. A fusion-protein approach enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development. Protein Sci 2018; 27:933-944. [PMID: 29500915 PMCID: PMC5916118 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A single chain Fv fragment (scFv) is a fusion of the variable regions of heavy (VH ) and light (VL ) chains of immunoglobulins. They are important elements of chimeric antigen receptors for cancer therapy. We sought to produce a panel of 16 extracellular protein domains of tumor markers for use in scFv yeast library screenings. A series of vectors comprising various combinations of expression elements was made, but expression was unpredictable and more than half of the protein domains could not be produced using any of the constructs. Here we describe a novel fusion expression system based on mouse TEM7 (tumor endothelial marker 7), which could facilitate protein expression. With this approach we could produce all but one of the tumor marker domains that could not otherwise be expressed. In addition, we demonstrated that the tumor associated antigen hFZD10 produced as a fusion protein with mTEM7 could be used to enrich scFv antibodies from a yeast display library. Collectively our study demonstrates the potential of specific fusion proteins based on mTEM7 in enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Hu
- Lung Cancer Research CenterWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Xiang Chen
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Xuhua Zhang
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- School of Life SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiaopeng Yuan
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- Zhujiang Hospital, SouthernMedical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Mingjuan Yang
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Hui Dai
- Xinjiang Karamay Central HospitalKaramay CityXinjiangChina
| | - Wei Yang
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Lung Cancer Research CenterWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Weihong Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of ImmunologyXijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical UniversityChinaXi'an
| | - Qirui Wang
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
- College of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthernMedical UniversityGuang DongChina
| | - Weijun Qin
- Department of UrologyXijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical UniversityChinaXi'an
| | - Aizhi Zhao
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
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7
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Colombo M, Mirandola L, Reidy A, Suvorava N, Konala V, Chiaramonte R, Grizzi F, Rahman RL, Jenkins MR, Nugyen DD, Dalhbeck S, Cobos E, Figueroa JA, Chiriva-Internati M. Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells through Inhibition of Cancer Testis Antigens and Notch Signaling: A Hypothesis. Int Rev Immunol 2016; 34:188-99. [PMID: 25901861 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2015.1027629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tumor initiating cells (TICs) differ from normal stem cells (SCs) in their ability to initiate tumorigenesis, invasive growth, metastasis and the acquisition of chemo and/or radio-resistance. Over the past years, several studies have indicated the potential role of the Notch system as a key regulator of cellular stemness and tumor development. Furthermore, the expression of cancer testis antigens (CTA) in TICs, and their role in SC differentiation and biology, has become an important area of investigation. Here, we propose a model in which CTA expression and Notch signaling interacts to maintain the sustainability of self-replicating tumor populations, ultimately leading to the development of metastasis, drug resistance and cancer progression. We hypothesize that Notch-CTA interactions in TICs offer a novel opportunity for meaningful therapeutic interventions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Colombo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
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8
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A Nanoparticle Based Sp17 Peptide Vaccine Exposes New Immuno-Dominant and Species Cross-reactive B Cell Epitopes. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:875-93. [PMID: 26529027 PMCID: PMC4693223 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3040875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm protein antigen 17 (Sp17), expressed in primary as well as in metastatic lesions in >83% of patients with ovarian cancer, is a promising ovarian cancer vaccine candidate. Herein we describe the formulation of nanoparticle based vaccines based on human Sp17 (hSp17) sequence derived peptides, and map the immuno-dominant T cell and antibody epitopes induced using such formulations. The primary T and B cell immuno-dominant region within Sp17 was found to be the same when using biocompatible nanoparticle carriers or the conventional “mix-in” pro-inflammatory adjuvant CpG, both mapping to amino acids (aa) 111–142. However, delivery of hSp17111–142 as a nanoparticle conjugate promoted a number of new properties, changing the dominant antibody isotype induced from IgG2a to IgG1 and the fine specificity of the B cell epitopes within hSp17111–142, from an immuno-dominant region 134–142 aa for CpG, to region 121–138 aa for nanoparticles. Associated with this change in specificity was a substantial increase in antibody cross-reactivity between mouse and human Sp17. These results indicate conjugation of antigen to nanoparticles can have major effects on fine antigen specificity, which surprisingly could be beneficially used to increase the cross-reactivity of antibody responses.
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9
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Figueroa JA, Reidy A, Mirandola L, Trotter K, Suvorava N, Figueroa A, Konala V, Aulakh A, Littlefield L, Grizzi F, Rahman RL, R. Jenkins M, Musgrove B, Radhi S, D'Cunha N, D'Cunha LN, Hermonat PL, Cobos E, Chiriva-Internati M. Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engineering: A Right Step in the Evolution of Adoptive Cellular Immunotherapy. Int Rev Immunol 2015; 34:154-87. [PMID: 25901860 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2015.1018419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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10
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Increased levels of sperm protein 17 mRNA and circulating antibodies in periampullary carcinoma patients. Int J Clin Oncol 2014; 20:736-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s10147-014-0762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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11
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Chapman KB, Prendes MJ, Kidd JL, Sternberg H, West MD, Wagner J. Elevated expression of cancer/testis antigen FSIP1 in ER-positive breast tumors. Biomark Med 2014; 7:601-11. [PMID: 23905897 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.13.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The study aimed to identify and characterize highly specific breast tumor biomarkers. METHODS A microarray data set comprised of 513 diverse normal and tumor mRNA samples was analyzed to identify breast tumor biomarkers with minimal expression in normal tissues. RESULTS FSIP1 was identified as a breast tumor biomarker with elevated mRNA expression in breast tumors and minimal expression in most normal tissues except the testis. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed the elevated expression of FSIP1 mRNA in breast tumors and revealed a significant correlation with ER-positive status. Immunofluorescence staining of breast tumor sections showed that the majority of breast tumors examined in this study (20 out of 22) expressed detectable FSIP1 protein, with significantly higher than average expression in ER-positive versus ER-negative breast tumors. CONCLUSION The prevalence and uniformity of FSIP1 expression in breast tumors, taken together with the highly restricted expression in normal tissues, suggests that FSIP1 may be an attractive target for breast cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen B Chapman
- OncoCyte Corporation, 1301 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502, USA.
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12
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Gupta SK, Shrestha A, Minhas V. Milestones in contraceptive vaccines development and hurdles in their application. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2013; 10:911-25. [PMID: 24262991 DOI: 10.4161/hv.27202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Contraceptive vaccines have been proposed for controlling the growing human population and wildlife population management. Multiple targets such as gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, gonadotropin receptors, sperm-specific proteins and zona pellucida glycoproteins have been exploited to develop contraceptive vaccine and their efficacy investigated and shown in various experimental animal models. Vaccines based on GnRH have found application in immuno-castration of male pigs for prevention of boar-taint. Vaccines based on zona pellucida glycoproteins have shown promising results for population management of wild horses and white-tailed deer. Phase II clinical trials in women with β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG)-based contraceptive vaccine established proof of principle that these can be developed for human application. Block in fertility by β-hCG contraceptive vaccine was reversible. Further research inputs are required to establish the safety of contraceptive vaccines, improve their immunogenicity and to develop novel vaccine delivery platforms for providing long lasting immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory; National Institute of Immunology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg; New Delhi, India
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13
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Song JX, Li FQ, Cao WL, Jia X, Shi LN, Lu JF, Ma CF, Kong QQ. Anti-Sp17 monoclonal antibody–doxorubicin conjugates as molecularly targeted chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma. Target Oncol 2013; 9:263-72. [DOI: 10.1007/s11523-013-0293-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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14
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Xia QY, Liu S, Li FQ, Huang WB, Shi LN, Zhou XJ. Sperm protein 17, MAGE-C1 and NY-ESO-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: expression frequency and their correlation with clinical parameters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2013; 6:1610-1616. [PMID: 23923079 PMCID: PMC3726977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study is dedicated to investigate the expression patterns of sperm protein 17 (Sp17), melanoma-specific antigen (MAGE)-C1 and New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1), to explore the correlation between these cancer-testis antigens and clinical parameters, and to evaluate their values in diagnosis and differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 45 paraffin-embedded hepatocellular carcinoma specimens. 45 normal peripheral hepatic tissues collected from adjacent non-cancerous areas were used as controls. RESULTS Positive results of immunohistostaining were obtained in 16 (35.6%), 7 (15.6%) and 36 (80.0%) samples using MAGE-C1, NY-ESO-1 and Sp17 antibodies, respectively. The immunoreactivity of Sp17 was also found in 7 (14.0%) control samples. A statistical correlation between the frequency of Sp17 expression and tumor differentiation grade in hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS Sp17 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The frequency of Sp17 expression is closely related to the pathologic differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yuan Xia
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Fang-Qiu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing UniversityNanjing Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Wen-Bin Huang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu 210006, China
| | - Li-Ning Shi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing UniversityNanjing Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
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15
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Gomez G, Lee JH, Veldman MB, Lu J, Xiao X, Lin S. Identification of vascular and hematopoietic genes downstream of etsrp by deep sequencing in zebrafish. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31658. [PMID: 22438865 PMCID: PMC3306315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor etsrp/Er71/Etv2 is a master control gene for vasculogenesis in all species studied to date. It is also required for hematopoiesis in zebrafish and mice. Several novel genes expressed in vasculature have been identified through transcriptional profiling of zebrafish embryos overexpressing etsrp by microarrays. Here we re-examined this transcriptional profile by Illumina RNA-sequencing technology, revealing a substantially increased number of candidate genes regulated by etsrp. Expression studies of 50 selected candidate genes from this dataset resulted in the identification of 39 new genes that are expressed in vascular cells. Regulation of these genes by etsrp was confirmed by their ectopic induction in etsrp overexpressing and decreased expression in etsrp deficient embryos. Our studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the RNA-sequencing technology to identify biologically relevant genes in zebrfish and produced a comprehensive profile of genes previously unexplored in vascular endothelial cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Gomez
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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16
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Song JX, Cao WL, Li FQ, Shi LN, Jia X. Anti-Sp17 monoclonal antibody with antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activities against human ovarian cancer cells. Med Oncol 2011; 29:2923-31. [PMID: 22198696 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a cancer testis antigen that has been shown to be overexpressed in a variety of gynecologic malignancies, in particular ovarian cancer. Emerging evidences indicate that Sp17 is involved in tumorigenesis and in the migration of malignant cells. It has been proposed as a useful target for tumor-vaccine strategies and a novel marker to define tumor subsets and predict drug response. However, the antitumor activity of anti-Sp17 monoclonal antibody (anti-Sp17 mAb) has not been investigated. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activities of anti-Sp17 mAb were evaluated using Sp17-positive ovarian cancer cells as targets, Sp17-negative ovarian cancer cells as the control, and healthy human peripheral blood monocytes and healthy human serum as effectors. Our preliminary results indicate that the direct cytotoxicity of anti-Sp17 mAb against the investigated ovarian cancer cells was very weak. However, the cytotoxicity of anti-Sp17 mAb, mediated by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as ADCC, or by human serum, as CDC, was relatively strong in the Sp17-positive ovarian cancer cells. This finding suggested that anti-Sp17 mAb could be a useful tool against ovarian cancer and may provide insight into the development of low side-effect targeting therapy for this malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-xi Song
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Cheng YH, Wong EW, Cheng CY. Cancer/testis (CT) antigens, carcinogenesis and spermatogenesis. SPERMATOGENESIS 2011; 1:209-220. [PMID: 22319669 PMCID: PMC3271663 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.1.3.17990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, spermatogonial stem cells, undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa all express specific antigens, yet the functions of many of these antigens remain unexplored. Studies in the past three decades have shown that many of these transiently expressed genes in developing germ cells are proto-oncogenes and oncogenes, which are expressed only in the testis and various types of cancers in humans and rodents. As such, these antigens are designated cancer/testis antigens (CT antigens). Since the early 1980s, about 70 families of CT antigens have been identified with over 140 members are known to date. Due to their restricted expression in the testis and in various tumors in humans, they have been used as the target of immunotherapy. Multiple clinical trials at different phases are now being conducted with some promising results. Interestingly, in a significant number of cancer patients, antibodies against some of these CT antigens were detected in their sera. However, antibodies against these CT antigens in humans under normal physiological conditions have yet to be reported even though many of these antigens are residing outside of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), such as in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium and in the stem cell niche in the testis. In this review, we summarize latest findings in the field regarding several selected CT antigens which may be intimately related to spermatogenesis due to their unusual restricted expression during different discrete events of spermatogenesis, such as cell cycle progression, meiosis and spermiogenesis. This information should be helpful to investigators in the field to study the roles of these oncogenes in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ho Cheng
- Center for Biomedical Research; The Population Council; New York, NY USA
- Richmond University Medical Center; Staten Island, NY USA
| | - Elissa Wp Wong
- Center for Biomedical Research; The Population Council; New York, NY USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Center for Biomedical Research; The Population Council; New York, NY USA
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18
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Giesecke K, Hamann H, Stock K, Klewitz J, Martinsson G, Distl O, Sieme H. Evaluation of ACE, SP17, and FSHB as candidates for stallion fertility in Hanoverian warmblood horses. Anim Reprod Sci 2011; 126:200-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2010] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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Li FQ, Liu Q, Han YL, Wu B, Yin HL. Sperm protein 17 is highly expressed in endometrial and cervical cancers. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:429. [PMID: 20712874 PMCID: PMC2931487 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a highly conserved mammalian protein in the testis and spermatozoa and has been characterized as a tumor-associated antigen in a variety of human malignancies. Many studies have examined the role of Sp17 in tumorigenesis and the migration of malignant cells. It has been proposed as a useful target for tumor-vaccine strategies and a novel marker to define tumor subsets and predict drug response. This study aimed to investigate the expression of Sp17 in endometrial and cervical cancer specimens, its possible correlation with the pathological characteristics, and its value in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of the related cancers. Methods The monoclonal antibodies against human Sp17 were produced as reagents for the analysis and immunohistochemistry was used to study two major kinds of paraffin-embedded gynecological cancer specimens, including 50 cases of endometrial cancer (44 adenous and 6 adenosquamous) and 31 cases of cervical cancer (15 adenous and 16 squamous). Normal peripheral endometrial and cervical tissues were used as controls. Results Sp17 was found in 66% (33/50) of the patients with endometrial cancer and 61% (19/31) of those with cervical cancer. Its expression was found in a heterogeneous pattern in the cancer tissues. The expression was not correlated with the histological subtype and grade of malignancy, but the staining patterns were different in endometrial and cervical cancers. The hyperplastic glands were positive for Sp17 in the normal peripheral endometrial and cervical tissues in 10% (8/81) of the patients. Conclusions Sp17 is highly expressed in human endometrial and cervical cancers in a heterogeneous pattern. Although the expression frequency of Sp17 is not correlated with the histological subtype, the staining pattern may help to define endometrial and cervical cancers. Sp17 targeted immunotherapy of tumors needs more accurate validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Qiu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China.
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20
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Chiriva-Internati M, Yu Y, Mirandola L, Jenkins MR, Chapman C, Cannon M, Cobos E, Kast WM. Cancer testis antigen vaccination affords long-term protection in a murine model of ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10471. [PMID: 20485677 PMCID: PMC2868870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm protein (Sp17) is an attractive target for ovarian cancer (OC) vaccines because of its over-expression in primary as well as in metastatic lesions, at all stages of the disease. Our studies suggest that a Sp17-based vaccine can induce an enduring defense against OC development in C57BL/6 mice with ID8 cells, following prophylactic and therapeutic treatments. This is the first time that a mouse counterpart of a cancer testis antigen (Sp17) was shown to be expressed in an OC mouse model, and that vaccination against this antigen significantly controlled tumor growth. Our study shows that the CpG-adjuvated Sp17 vaccine overcomes the issue of immunologic tolerance, the major barrier to the development of effective immunotherapy for OC. Furthermore, this study provides a better understanding of OC biology by showing that Th-17 cells activation and contemporary immunosuppressive T-reg cells inhibition is required for vaccine efficacy. Taken together, these results indicate that prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations can induce long-standing protection against OC and delay tumor growth, suggesting that this strategy may provide additional treatments of human OC and the prevention of disease onset in women with a family history of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America.
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21
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Li FQ, Han YL, Liu Q, Wu B, Huang WB, Zeng SY. Overexpression of human sperm protein 17 increases migration and decreases the chemosensitivity of human epithelial ovarian cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:323. [PMID: 19744347 PMCID: PMC2753635 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2008] [Accepted: 09/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most deaths from ovarian cancer are due to metastases that are resistant to conventional therapies. But the factors that regulate the metastatic process and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer are poorly understood. In the current study, we investigated the aberrant expression of human sperm protein 17 (HSp17) in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells and tried to analyze its influences on the cell behaviors like migration and chemoresistance. Methods Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry were used to identify HSp17 in paraffin embedded ovarian malignant tumor specimens and peritoneal metastatic malignant cells. Then we examined the effect of HSp17 overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells to carboplatin and cisplatin in a human ovarian carcinoma cell line, HO8910. Results We found that HSp17 was aberrantly expressed in 43% (30/70) of the patients with primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas, and in all of the metastatic cancer cells of ascites from 8 patients. The Sp17 expression was also detected in the metastatic lesions the same as in ovarian lesions. None of the 7 non-epithelial tumors primarily developed in the ovaries was immunopositive for HSp17. Overexpression of HSp17 increased the migration but decreased the chemosensitivity of ovarian carcinoma cells to carboplatin and cisplatin. Conclusion HSp17 is aberrantly expressed in a significant proportion of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Our results strongly suggest that HSp17 plays a role in metastatic disease and resistance of epithelial ovarian carcinoma to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Qiu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.
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22
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Chiriva-Internati M, Gagliano N, Donetti E, Costa F, Grizzi F, Franceschini B, Albani E, Levi-Setti PE, Gioia M, Jenkins M, Cobos E, Kast WM. Sperm protein 17 is expressed in the sperm fibrous sheath. J Transl Med 2009; 7:61. [PMID: 19604394 PMCID: PMC2727497 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-7-61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a highly conserved mammalian protein characterized in rabbit, mouse, monkey, baboon, macaque, human testis and spermatozoa. mRNA encoding Sp17 has been detected in a range of murine and human somatic tissues. It was also recognized in two myeloma cell lines and in neoplastic cells from patients with multiple myeloma and ovarian carcinoma. These data all indicate that Sp17 is widely distributed in humans, expressed not only in germinal cells and in a variety of somatic tissues, but also in neoplastic cells of unrelated origin. Methods Sp17 expression was analyzed by immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy on spermatozoa. Results Here, we demonstrate the ultrastructural localization of human Sp17 throughout the spermatozoa flagellar fibrous sheath, and its presence in spermatozoa during in vitro states from their ejaculation to the oocyte fertilization. Conclusion These findings suggest a possible role of Sp17 in regulating sperm maturation, capacitation, acrosomal reaction and interactions with the oocyte zona pellucida during the fertilization process. Further, the high degree of sequence conservation throughout its N-terminal half, and the presence of an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)-binding motif within this region, suggest that Sp17 might play a regulatory role in a protein kinase A-independent AKAP complex in both germinal and somatic cells.
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23
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Farber CR, Aten JE, Farber EA, de Vera V, Gularte R, Islas-Trejo A, Wen P, Horvath S, Lucero M, Lusis AJ, Medrano JF. Genetic dissection of a major mouse obesity QTL (Carfhg2): integration of gene expression and causality modeling. Physiol Genomics 2009; 37:294-302. [PMID: 19336533 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.90245.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
HG.CAST-(D9Mit249-D9Mit133) (HG9) congenic mice are homozygous for CAST/EiJ chromosome (Chr) 9 alleles from approximately 9 to 84 Mbp on a C57BL6/J-hg/hg (HG) background. This region contains the carcass fat in high growth mice (Carfhg2) quantitative trait locus (QTL), and while its obesity-promoting effects have been confirmed in HG9 mice, its underlying genetic basis remains elusive. To refine the location of Carfhg2, we preformed a linkage analysis in two congenic F2 intercrosses and progeny-tested a recombinant F2 male. These analyses narrowed Carfhg2 to between 33.0 and 40.8 Mbp on Chr 9. To identify candidate genes we measured the expression of 44 transcripts surrounding the Carfhg2 peak in adipose, brain, liver, and muscle tissues from F2 mice using Biomark 48.48 Dynamic Arrays. In total, 68% (30 of the 44) of genes were regulated by a significant expression QTL (eQTL) in at least one tissue. To prioritize genes with eQTL we used Network Edge Orienting, a causality modeling tool. These analyses advance our goal of identifying the molecular basis of Carfhg2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles R Farber
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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24
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Gupta G, Sharma R, Chattopadhyay TK, Gupta SD, Ralhan R. Clinical significance of sperm protein 17 expression and immunogenicity in esophageal cancer. Int J Cancer 2007; 120:1739-47. [PMID: 17230514 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We recently identified sperm protein 17 (Sp17) transcripts in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) by differential display. This study was designed to determine the clinical significance of Sp17 protein in different stages of esophageal tumorigenesis and to test the hypothesis that aberrant localization of Sp17 protein to immunosurveillant site may lead to production of anti-Sp17 antibodies in serum, which may be of clinical relevance in ESCCs. Sp17 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in 26 of 30 (86%) ESCCs, while no transcripts were detected in normal esophageal tissues. Rabbit polyclonal antibody was raised against an immunogenic peptide of Sp17 and used to evaluate protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Expression of Sp17 protein was observed in 60/80 (75%) of ESCCs and 27/30 (90%) dysplastic tissues, while no detectable Sp17 expression was observed in 13 distant histologically normal epithelia. Sixteen of the 60 immunopositive ESCCs showed nuclear expression in addition to cytoplasmic localization of the protein. The circulating levels of anti-Sp17 antibodies, determined by ELISA, were significantly elevated in ESCC patients when compared with normal subjects (p < 0.001). Increasing Sp17 antibody titers were observed to be associated with the progressive disease in 4 patients. In conclusion, the study demonstrates expression of Sp17 protein in esophageal tumor as well as dysplastic tissues, suggesting it to be an early event in the development of ESCC. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing elevated levels of anti-Sp17 antibodies in ESCC patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Antigens, Surface/genetics
- Antigens, Surface/immunology
- Antigens, Surface/metabolism
- Autoantigens/immunology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/immunology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Blotting, Northern
- Blotting, Western
- Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/immunology
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cytoplasm/metabolism
- Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics
- Esophageal Neoplasms/immunology
- Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism
- Esophagus/immunology
- Esophagus/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Male
- Membrane Proteins
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rabbits
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
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25
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Chiriva-Internati M, Grizzi F, Weidanz JA, Ferrari R, Yuefei Y, Velez B, Shearer MH, Lowe DB, Frezza EE, Cobos E, Kast WM, Kennedy RC. A NOD/SCID tumor model for human ovarian cancer that allows tracking of tumor progression through the biomarker Sp17. J Immunol Methods 2007; 321:86-93. [PMID: 17336323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2007.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2006] [Revised: 12/23/2006] [Accepted: 01/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
No experimental animal model employing a primary human ovarian carcinoma (OC) cell line is presently available that tracks the progression of this cell line with an identifiable marker. This hinders investigations related to developing new approaches for treating OC. Here, we describe the development of a tumor model in NOD/SCID mice for human OC that makes use of the endogenously expressed tumor specific sperm protein 17 (Sp17) cancer testis antigen. In this model, human SKOV-3 OC cell lines were intra-peritoneally seeded. Subsequently viable SKOV-3 cells were recovered from primary organ cell cultures from the liver ovaries, abdomen, and ascitic fluid, and their presence was confirmed by the detection of Sp17 mRNA by RT-PCR and Sp17 protein by immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis. When SKOV-3 tumor cells were administered intravenously the mice developed primarily lung tumor foci. This model makes it possible to evaluate new immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of human OC based on the biomarker Sp17.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Surface/genetics
- Antigens, Surface/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Separation
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Injections, Intravenous
- Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/secondary
- Membrane Proteins
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Transplantation/methods
- Neoplasms, Experimental/diagnosis
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Time Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Southwest Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA.
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26
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Coutinho-Camillo CM, Salaorni S, Sarkis AS, Nagai MA. Differentially expressed genes in the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP after exposure to androgen and anti-androgen. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 166:130-8. [PMID: 16631469 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2005.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2005] [Revised: 11/16/2005] [Accepted: 11/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Androgens play an important role in growth and maintenance of prostate cells. The actions of androgens are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), a transcription factor member of the super-family of nuclear hormone receptors. Androgen regulated genes (ARGs) are potential markers for early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer patients. In the present study, we used DDRT-PCR (differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) technique in order to investigate differentially expressed genes in the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP after treatment with dihydrotestosterone and bicalutamide for 6, 24, and 48 hours. Fifty-five differentially expressed fragments were isolated, cloned, and sequenced. Sequencing analysis of these fragments revealed 56 different transcripts that showed homology to transcription factors, cell cycle regulators, metabolic enzymes, and hypothetical proteins. Among the differentially expressed genes, SPA17 and DDEF2 were further validated using quantitative real time RT-PCR (qPCR) in a series of 25 prostate tumor samples. The DDEF2 gene is involved in adhesion and cell migration of monocytes, and the SPA17 gene might be involved in cellular signal transduction. The transcripts of both, SPA17 and DDEF2 genes, showed altered pattern of expression in the group of prostate tumors analyzed by qPCR. The differentially expressed genes identified in this study might provide new insights into the androgen signaling pathways in prostate cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia M Coutinho-Camillo
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular do Câncer, Disciplina de Oncologia, Departamento de Radiologia, FMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil
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27
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Wang Z, Zhang Y, Ramsahoye B, Bowen D, Lim SH. Sp17 gene expression in myeloma cells is regulated by promoter methylation. Br J Cancer 2004; 91:1597-603. [PMID: 15381930 PMCID: PMC2409933 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying sperm protein 17 (Sp17) gene expression in myeloma cells remained unclear. Using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), Sp17 transcripts were detected in ARK-B, ARP-1, RPMI-8226 and KMS-11 but not in H929, IM-9, MM1-R and U266 cells. Using a panel of primer pairs in methylation-sensitive PCR to amplify overlapping gene segments, our screening studies showed that the HpaII sites at −359 and −350 are involved in the regulation of Sp17 gene expression. To confirm the differences in methylation status between Sp17-positive and Sp17-negative cell lines, KMS-11 cells (Sp17-positive) and IM-9 cells (Sp17-negative) were subjected to the more accurate method of bisulphite conversion. KMS-11 cells were more hypomethylated at these HpaII sites of exon 1 compared to IM-9 cells, indicating the association of hypomethylated promoter with Sp17 gene expression. In addition, the level of methylation at other CpG sites within the promoter sequence was also higher in IM-9 than KMS-11. Exon 1 was cloned into a reporter vector, pCAT*3 Enhancer. Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) activity was restored in cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid, indicating the promoter function of exon 1. Exposure of Sp17-negative cell lines to the hypomethylating agent, 5-azacytidine, resulted in the upregulation of Sp17 gene expression. Our results therefore provide evidence for the regulation of Sp17 gene expression by promoter methylation.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Surface
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase/metabolism
- CpG Islands
- DNA Methylation
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Membrane Proteins
- Multiple Myeloma/genetics
- Multiple Myeloma/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Wang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- Biotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant Program, Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Y Zhang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- Biotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant Program, Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - B Ramsahoye
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- Biotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant Program, Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - D Bowen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- Biotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant Program, Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - S H Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- Biotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant Program, Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA. E-mail:
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Lea IA, Widgren EE, O'Rand MG. Association of sperm protein 17 with A-kinase anchoring protein 3 in flagella. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2004; 2:57. [PMID: 15257753 PMCID: PMC484205 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-2-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2004] [Accepted: 07/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a three-domain protein that contains: 1) a highly conserved N-terminal domain that is 45% identical to the human type II alpha regulatory subunit (RII alpha) of protein kinase A (PKA); 2) a central sulphated carbohydrate-binding domain; and 3) a C-terminal Ca++/calmodulin (CaM) binding domain. Although Sp17 was originally discovered and characterized in spermatozoa, its mRNA has now been found in a variety of normal mouse and human tissues. However, Sp17 protein is found predominantly in spermatozoa, cilia and human neoplastic cell lines. This study demonstrates that Sp17 from spermatozoa binds A-kinase anchoring protein 3 (AKAP3), confirming the functionality of the N-terminal domain. METHODS In this study in vitro precipitation and immunolocalization demonstrate that Sp17 binds to AKAP3 (AKAP110) in spermatozoa. RESULTS Sp17 is present in the head and tail of spermatozoa, in the tail it is in the fibrous sheath, which contains AKAP3 and AKAP4. Recombinant AKAP3 and AKAP4 RII binding domains were synthesized as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins immobilized on glutathione-agarose resin and added to CHAPS extracts of human spermatozoa. Western blots of bound and eluted proteins probed with anti-Sp17 revealed that AKAP3 bound and precipitated a significant level of Sp17 while AKAP4 did not. AKAP4 binds AKAP3 and expression of AKAP3 is reduced in AKAP4 knockout sperm, therefore we tested AKAP4 knockout spermatozoa for Sp17 and found that there was a reduction in the amount of Sp17 expressed when compared to wild type spermatozoa. Co-localization of AKAP3 and Sp17 by immunofluorescence was demonstrated along the length of the principal piece of the flagella. CONCLUSIONS As predicted by its N-terminal domain that is 45% identical to the human RIIalpha of PKA, Sp17 from spermatozoa binds the RII binding domain of AKAP3 along the length of the flagella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel A Lea
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Esther E Widgren
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michael G O'Rand
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Sen B, Mandal A, Wolkowicz MJ, Kim YH, Reddi PP, Shetty J, Bush LA, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. Splicing in murine CABYR and its genomic structure. Gene 2003; 310:67-78. [PMID: 12801634 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(03)00495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Human calcium-binding tyrosine-phosphorylation regulated protein (CABYR) is a polymorphic, testis-specific, calcium binding protein that undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation during in vitro capacitation. A protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit type II alpha (RII-alpha) homologous domain in the N-terminus, phosphorylation dependent Ca(++) binding isoforms, and localization to the principal piece of the human sperm tail suggest that CABYR may be involved in sperm motility. In this paper, four mouse orthologous cDNAs and the genomic DNA of CABYR were cloned, nucleotide and protein sequences of mouse and humans were compared, and the genomic organization of the mCABYR gene was analyzed. Human and mouse CABYR conserve potential functional motifs including a domain homologous to the dimerization interface of cyclic adenosine monophosphate dependent PKA RII-alpha, 14 PXXP motifs, and regions of homology with extensins and src homology-3-binding protein 1. mCABYR is arranged into six exons spanning about 14 kb of DNA. Mouse CABYR showed several similarities with human CABYR: (1) the protein was localized to the principal piece of mouse epididymal spermatozoa; (2) mouse CABYR has two coding regions (CR-A and CR-B), with 66 and 82% identity, respectively to human; and (3) mCABYR showed the presence of two testis-specific transcripts of approximately 1.4 and approximately 2.4 kb. Three murine splice variants were identified, two of which spliced into CR-B. Exon 4, present in all human and mouse variants and comprising 85% of CR-A appears suitable for targeted deletion. The overall 81% nucleotide identity between mouse and human CABYR, the common genomic organization, presence of similar testis-specific transcripts, localization in the principal piece of tail and occurrence of homologous splice variants indicate an authentic murine orthologue of CABYR has been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buer Sen
- Department of Urology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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De Jong A, Buchli R, Robbins D. Characterization of sperm protein 17 in human somatic and neoplastic tissue. Cancer Lett 2002; 186:201-9. [PMID: 12213290 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(02)00350-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a highly antigenic, testes-specific protein whose known function is to bind sperm to the zona pellucida. However, the Sp17 gene has been recently detected in normal non-testes tissues and malignant neoplasias. As the role of Sp17 in non-testes tissues is unknown, the characterization of the Sp17 gene in highly proliferating tissues may provide further insight into the regulation and alternative function of Sp17. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify the Sp17-1 transcript in multiple normal human tissues and cancer cell lines. Similarly, the Sp17-2 gene was examined by PCR. In addition, Northern and Western blot analyses were used to detect Sp17 mRNA and protein expression. The Sp17-1a and Sp17-1b transcripts were amplified from cancer cell lines. Similarly, an Sp17-2 transcript was also detected in cancer cell lines. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis revealed Sp17 mRNA expression in all cancer cell lines examined. However, Sp17 protein expression was not detected. The differential detection of the Sp17 transcripts in cancer cell lines as compared to normal non-testes tissues, suggests a potential pathogenic role for Sp17 in diseased cells. Moreover, the Sp17-2 transcript may be a marker for highly proliferating cells. Collectively, these data implicate Sp17 as a cancer testis antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann De Jong
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Buchli R, De Jong A, Robbins DL. Genomic organization of an intron-containing sperm protein 17 gene (Sp17-1) and an intronless pseudogene (Sp17-2) in humans: a new model. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2002; 1578:29-42. [PMID: 12393185 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4781(02)00478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Sp17 was initially thought to be a sperm specific protein involved in the interaction of the spermatozoon with the oocyte's surrounding extracellular glycoprotein matrix. Recent reports, however, indicate that Sp17 expression is neither testis-specific nor is it exclusively used for binding to the zona pellucida of the oocyte. In this study, we provide comprehensive characterization of the genomic structure of Sp17. We identified an intron-containing gene (Sp17-1) containing five exonic and four intronic sequences. Analysis of Sp17 transcripts using rapid amplification of DNA complementary to RNA (cDNA) ends (RACE) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques showed the presence of alternative polyadenylation resulting in the production of varying lengths of mRNAs as well as the usage of different transcriptional start sites. Moreover, an earlier description of the human Sp17 mRNA describing a splice variant could not be confirmed. Comparison to mouse Sp17 gene organization demonstrated a high degree of conservation, suggesting selective evolutionary pressure for this protein to retain a conserved gene architecture. Additionally, we identified a second gene (Sp17-2), whose most striking characteristic was the complete absence of introns. This Sp17-2 gene has likely arisen by reverse transcription (RT) of a spliced Sp17-1 mRNA with subsequent integration into the human genome. Its open reading frame (ORF) is interrupted by stop codons, giving rise to a pseudogene. Furthermore, Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA indicated the possibility of additional Sp17 species within the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Buchli
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, TB 192, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Abstract
Over the past few years, significant progress has been made in characterizing the expression and localization of proteins that act as scaffolds for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A). These A-kinase anchor proteins (AKAPs) tether PK-A to intracellular organelles and structures, sequestering the kinase near its physiological substrates. The compartmentalization of distinct pockets of PK-A activity serves to provide spatial regulation of this signaling pathway. In addition, other signaling proteins bind to AKAPs, as do some newly described proteins of unknown function, suggesting that proteins of various pathways are anchored through AKAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Moss
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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