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Wood KH, Zhou Z. Emerging Molecular and Biological Functions of MBD2, a Reader of DNA Methylation. Front Genet 2016; 7:93. [PMID: 27303433 PMCID: PMC4880565 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2016.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that is essential for many biological processes and is linked to diseases such as cancer. Methylation is usually associated with transcriptional silencing, but new research has challenged this model. Both transcriptional activation and repression have recently been found to be associated with DNA methylation in a context-specific manner. How DNA methylation patterns are interpreted into different functional output remains poorly understood. One mechanism involves the protein ‘readers’ of methylation, which includes the methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) family of proteins. This review examines the molecular and biological functions of MBD2, which binds to CpG methylation and is an integral part of the nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylation (NuRD) complex. MBD2 has been linked to immune system function and tumorigenesis, yet little is known about its functions in vivo. Recent studies have found the MBD2 protein is ubiquitously expressed, with relatively high levels in the lung, liver, and colon. Mbd2 null mice surprisingly show relatively mild phenotypes compared to mice with loss of function of other MBD proteins. This evidence has previously been interpreted as functional redundancy between the MBD proteins. Here, we examine and contextualize research that suggests MBD2 has unique properties and functions among the MBD proteins. These functions translate to recently described roles in the development and differentiation of multiple cell lineages, including pluripotent stem cells and various cell types of the immune system, as well as in tumorigenesis. We also consider possible models for the dynamic interactions between MBD2 and NuRD in different tissues in vivo. The functions of MBD2 may have direct therapeutic implications for several areas of human disease, including autoimmune conditions and cancer, in addition to providing insights into the actions of NuRD and chromatin regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen H Wood
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA
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Steinhardt JJ, Gartenhaus RB. Epigenetic approaches for chemosensitization of refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Cancer Discov 2014; 3:968-70. [PMID: 24019329 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-13-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with the greatest challenge for improving patient survival being the management of chemorefractory disease upon relapse. Epigenetic dysregulation has been correlated with more-aggressive malignancies and chemoresistance. In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Clozel and colleagues show the potential for low-dose DNA methyltransferase inhibitors as both a rational and an effective neoadjuvant approach for chemosensitization in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Steinhardt
- 1Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland; and 2Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
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Pontes TB, Chen ES, Gigek CO, Calcagno DQ, Wisnieski F, Leal MF, Demachki S, Assumpção PP, Artigiani R, Lourenço LG, Burbano RR, Arruda Cardoso Smith M. Reduced mRNA expression levels of MBD2 and MBD3 in gastric carcinogenesis. Tumour Biol 2013; 35:3447-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-013-1455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Ujvari B, Pearse AM, Peck S, Harmsen C, Taylor R, Pyecroft S, Madsen T, Papenfuss AT, Belov K. Evolution of a contagious cancer: epigenetic variation in Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 280:20121720. [PMID: 23135679 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.1720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a highly contagious cancer, is driving Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) to extinction. The cancer is a genetically and chromosomally stable clonal cell line which is transmitted by biting during social interactions. In the present study, we explore the Devil Facial Tumour (DFT) epigenome and the genes involved in DNA methylation homeostasis. We show that tumour cells have similar levels of methylation to peripheral nerves, the tissue from which DFTD originated. We did not observe any strain or region-specific epimutations. However, we revealed a significant increase in hypomethylation in DFT samples over time (p < 0.0001). We propose that loss of methylation is not because of a maintenance deficiency, as an upregulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 gene was observed in tumours compared with nerves (p < 0.005). Instead, we believe that loss of methylation is owing to active demethylation, supported by the temporal increase in MBD2 and MBD4 (p < 0.001). The implications of these changes on disease phenotypes need to be explored. Our work shows that DFTD should not be treated as a static entity, but rather as an evolving parasite with epigenetic plasticity. Understanding the role of epimutations in the evolution of this parasitic cancer will provide unique insights into the role of epigenetic plasticity in cancer evolution and progression in traditional cancers that arise and die with their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Kasap E, Boyacioglu SÖ, Korkmaz M, Yuksel ES, Unsal B, Kahraman E, Ozütemiz O, Yuceyar H. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 6 (NEK6) genes are upregulated in erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Exp Ther Med 2012; 4:33-42. [PMID: 23060919 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2012.561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma yet studies that have investigated the relationship between erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma have usually focused on symptom-related evidence or polymorphisms. There are no epigenetic gene expression studies on this topic. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma to identify whether there is a genetic predisposition for esophageal adenocarcinoma. The Human Epigenetic Chromatin Modification Enzyme RT(2) Profiler(™) PCR array (PAHS-085A) was used to detect the expression of 84 key genes encoding enzymes. This was carried out prospectively for samples from 60 patients (20 patients as a control group, 20 patients with erosive esophagitis and 20 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma). AURKA, AURKB, NEK6 were expressed at significantly higher levels in esophageal adenocarcinoma compared to the control group. MBD2 was expressed at significantly lower levels in the esophageal adenocarcinoma group compared to the control group. AURKA, AURKC, HDAC9 and NEK6 were expressed at significantly higher levels in erosive esophagitis compared to the control group. There was no difference in upregulated gene expression between the erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma. MBD2 was significantly downregulated in esophageal adenocarcinoma compared to erosive esophagitis. NEK6 and AURKA were significantly upregulated in esophageal adenocarcinoma and erosive esophagitis compared to the control group. This is a novel study on the genetic predisposition for erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma. AURKA and NEK6 are two promising genetic markers for erosive esophagitis and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
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Xiong Y, Dowdy SC, Eberhardt NL, Podratz KC, Jiang SW. hMLH1 promoter methylation and silencing in primary endometrial cancers are associated with specific alterations in MBDs occupancy and histone modifications. Gynecol Oncol 2006; 103:321-8. [PMID: 16701802 PMCID: PMC3273419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2006] [Revised: 03/15/2006] [Accepted: 03/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between hMLH1 promoter methylation and changes in chromatin composition. To study how the occupancy of methyl CpG binding domain proteins (MBDs) and histone acetylation/methylation in hMLH1 promoter may participate in hMLH1 silencing. METHODS 64 endometrial cancer samples were screened for hMLH1 mRNA expression. hMLH1 promoter methylation status was confirmed by methylation-specific PCR in cancers with high and low levels of hMLH1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed to compare the MBD occupancy and histone modifications between the methylated/silenced and unmethylated/active hMLH1 genes in multiple primary endometrial cancers. RESULTS We demonstrated that MeCP2, MBD1 and MBD2, but not MBD3 and MBD4, specifically bind to methylated hMLH1 promoters. Hyperacetylated histones H3 and H4 were found to be associated with the unmethylated and transcriptionally active hMLH1 promoters. While H3 lysine-4 methylation was present in unmethylated hMLH1 promoters, H3 lysine-9 methylation was found exclusively in methylated promoters. Western blot analysis showed that similar global levels of MBDs and histones were present in the two cancer groups with high and low hMLH1 expression. CONCLUSIONS A distinct combination of MBDs and histone modification is associated with the silencing of the hMLH1 gene. The changes in hMLH1 chromatin composition are closely related to methylation status of hMLH1 promoters. These changes are not accounted by the global expression levels of MBDs and histones in endometrial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Sean C. Dowdy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Norman L. Eberhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Karl C. Podratz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Fax: +1 507 255 4828. (S.-W. Jiang)
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Jang JS, Lee SJ, Choi JE, Cha SI, Lee EB, Park TI, Kim CH, Lee WK, Kam S, Choi JY, Kang YM, Park RW, Kim IS, Cho YL, Jung TH, Han SB, Park JY. Methyl-CpG binding domain 1 gene polymorphisms and risk of primary lung cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006; 14:2474-80. [PMID: 16284366 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-05-0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The methyl-CpG binding domain 1 (MBD1) protein plays an important role for transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the MBD1 gene may have an influence on MBD1 activity on gene expression profiles, thereby modulating an individual's susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of MBD1 -634G>A, -501delT (-501 T/T, T/-, -/-), and Pro(401)Ala genotypes and their haplotypes with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The MBD1 genotype was determined in 432 lung cancer patients and in 432 healthy control subjects who were frequency matched for age and gender. The -634GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall lung cancer compared with the -634AA genotype [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.10; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.24-7.75; P = 0.016]. When analyses were stratified according to the tumor histology, the -634GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the -634AA genotype (adjusted OR, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.61-13.82; P = 0.005). For the MBD1 -501delT and Pro(401)Ala polymorphisms, the -501 T/T genotype was associated with a marginal significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the -501(-/-) genotype (adjusted OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.02-4.20; P = 0.045), and the Pro/Pro genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the Ala/Ala genotype (adjusted OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.21-9.60; P = 0.02). Consistent with the genotyping analyses, the -634G/-501T/(401)Pro haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall lung cancer and adenocarcinoma compared with the -634A/-501(-)/(401)Ala haplotype (adjusted OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.91; P = 0.012 and P(c) = 0.048; adjusted OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.20-2.56; P = 0.004 and P(c) = 0.016, respectively). On a promoter assay, the -634A allele had significantly higher promoter activity compared with the -634G allele in the Chinese hamster ovary cells and A549 cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), but the -501delT polymorphism did not have an effect on the promoter activity. When comparing the promoter activity of the MBD1 haplotypes, the -634A/-501(-) haplotype had a significantly higher promoter activity than the -634G/-501T haplotype (P < 0.001). These results suggest that the MBD1 -634G>A, -501delT, and Pro(401)Ala polymorphisms and their haplotypes contribute to the genetic susceptibility for lung cancer and particularly for adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Sung Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Samduk 2Ga 50, Daegu, 700-412, Korea
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Müller HM, Fiegl H, Goebel G, Hubalek MM, Widschwendter A, Müller-Holzner E, Marth C, Widschwendter M. MeCP2 and MBD2 expression in human neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast tissue and its association with oestrogen receptor status. Br J Cancer 2004; 89:1934-9. [PMID: 14612906 PMCID: PMC2394448 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study analysed mRNA expression of two members of the methyl-CpG-binding protein family - MeCP2 and MBD2 - in human non-neoplastic (n=11) and neoplastic (n=57) breast tissue specimens using a quantitative real-time PCR method. We observed higher expression levels of MeCP2 mRNA in neoplastic tissues than in non-neoplastic tissues (P=0.001), whereas no significant differences for MBD2 were detected. When studying the relations between the most important clinicopathologic features of breast cancer and the mRNA expression level of both MBDs, we found that oestrogen receptor (OR)-positive breast cancer specimens contained higher levels of MeCP2 mRNA than did OR-negative cancers (P=0.005). Furthermore, we observed statistically significantly higher levels of MeCP2 in non-neoplastic tissues expressing high levels of OR as compared to those expressing low levels (P=0.017). Finally, using a linear regression model, we identified a statistically significant association between OR expression and MeCP2 mRNA expression in neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast tissue specimens (P=0.003). In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate for the first time that there exists a strong association between OR status and MeCP2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, we speculate that MeCP2, regulated by OR, plays a key role in the differentiation processes in human breast tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Müller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - H Fiegl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G Goebel
- Department of Biostatistics and Documentation, University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstrasse 41/1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M M Hubalek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Widschwendter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - E Müller-Holzner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - C Marth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Widschwendter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. E-mail:
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Bader S, Walker M, McQueen HA, Sellar R, Oei E, Wopereis S, Zhu Y, Peter A, Bird AP, Harrison DJ. MBD1, MBD2 and CGBP genes at chromosome 18q21 are infrequently mutated in human colon and lung cancers. Oncogene 2003; 22:3506-10. [PMID: 12776203 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2003] [Revised: 02/19/2003] [Accepted: 03/07/2003] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The genes MBD1 and MBD2 encode methyl-CpG binding proteins that suppress transcription from methylated promoters. In contrast, CGBP encodes a protein that binds promoters containing unmethylated CpG and stimulates transcription. All three are located on human chromosome 18q21, a region of frequent loss of heterozygosity in several cancers. These genes therefore represent candidate tumour suppressor genes, whose loss of function could affect the normal regulation of gene expression, whether by lack of complete suppression of genes normally silenced (via loss of MBD1 and MBD2) or by some loss of activation of genes normally expressed (via loss of CGBP), either way contributing to the tumorigenic phenotype. We have confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization that MBD1 and MBD2 bracket the DCC locus giving a gene order of MBD1/CGBP-DCC 5'-DCC 3'-MBD2. Mutation analyses by single-stranded conformation polymorphism in colon and lung cancer cell lines and primary tumours revealed a small number of mutations, suggesting only a limited role of these genes in human tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bader
- Sir Alastair Currie Cancer Research UK Laboratories, Division of Pathology Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
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Prokhortchouk E, Hendrich B. Methyl-CpG binding proteins and cancer: are MeCpGs more important than MBDs? Oncogene 2002; 21:5394-9. [PMID: 12154402 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Egor Prokhortchouk
- Group of Transcriptional Control and Oncogenesis, Institute of Gene Biology, Vavilova 34/5, 117334 Moscow, Russian Federation
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