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Silva-Carvalho AÉ, Filiú-Braga LDC, Bogéa GMR, de Assis AJB, Pittella-Silva F, Saldanha-Araujo F. GLP and G9a histone methyltransferases as potential therapeutic targets for lymphoid neoplasms. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:243. [PMID: 38997742 PMCID: PMC11249034 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are enzymes that regulate histone methylation and play an important role in controlling transcription by altering the chromatin structure. Aberrant activation of HMTs has been widely reported in certain types of neoplastic cells. Among them, G9a/EHMT2 and GLP/EHMT1 are crucial for H3K9 methylation, and their dysregulation has been associated with tumor initiation and progression in different types of cancer. More recently, it has been shown that G9a and GLP appear to play a critical role in several lymphoid hematologic malignancies. Importantly, the key roles played by both enzymes in various diseases made them attractive targets for drug development. In fact, in recent years, several groups have tried to develop small molecule inhibitors targeting their epigenetic activities as potential anticancer therapeutic tools. In this review, we discuss the physiological role of GLP and G9a, their oncogenic functions in hematologic malignancies of the lymphoid lineage, and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs targeting G9a/GLP for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alan Jhones Barbosa de Assis
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Fábio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
- Hematology and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil.
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2
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Sah B, Singh J, Shen Y, Goldfarb N, Samie FH, Geskin LJ, Liu L. Loss of CELF2 promotes skin tumorigenesis and increases drug resistance. Int J Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 38887832 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CELF2 belongs to the CELF RNA-binding protein family and exhibits antitumor activity in various tumor models. Analysis of the pan-cancer TCGA database reveals that CELF2 expression strongly correlates with favorable prognosis among cancer patients. The function of CELF2 in nonmelanoma skin cancer has not been studied. METHODS We used shRNA-mediated knockdown (KD) of CELF2 expression in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells to investigate how CELF2 impacted SCC cell proliferation, survival, and xenograft tumor growth. We determined CELF2 expression in human SCC tissues and adjacent normal skin using immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, we investigated the changes in CELF2 and its target gene expression during UV-induced and chemical-induced skin tumorigenesis by western blotting. RESULTS CELF2 KD significantly increased SCC cell proliferation, colony growth, and SCC xenograft tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. CELF2 KD in SCC cells led to activation of KRT80 and GDF15, which can potentially promote cell proliferation and tumor growth. While control SCC cells were sensitive to anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin, SCC cells with CELF2 KD became resistant to drug-induced tumor growth retardation. Finally, we found CELF2 expression diminished during both UV- and chemical-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice, consistent with reduced CELF2 expression in human SCC tumors compared to adjacent normal skin. CONCLUSION This study shows for the first time that CELF2 loss occurs during skin tumorigenesis and increases drug resistance in SCC cells, highlighting the possibility of targeting CELF2-regulated pathways in skin cancer prevention and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindeshwar Sah
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Jasvinder Singh
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Yao Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noah Goldfarb
- Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Faramarz H Samie
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Larisa J Geskin
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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3
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Ni Y, Shi M, Liu L, Lin D, Zeng H, Ong C, Wang Y. G9a in Cancer: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Advancements, and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2175. [PMID: 38927881 PMCID: PMC11201431 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
G9a, also named EHMT2, is a histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferase responsible for catalyzing H3K9 mono- and dimethylation (H3K9me1 and H3K9me2). G9a contributes to various aspects of embryonic development and tissue differentiation through epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of G9a is frequently observed in various tumors, particularly in prostate cancer, where it contributes to cancer pathogenesis and progression. This review highlights the critical role of G9a in multiple cancer-related processes, such as epigenetic dysregulation, tumor suppressor gene silencing, cancer lineage plasticity, hypoxia adaption, and cancer progression. Despite the increased research on G9a in prostate cancer, there are still significant gaps, particularly in understanding its interactions within the tumor microenvironment and its broader epigenetic effects. Furthermore, this review discusses the recent advancements in G9a inhibitors, including the development of dual-target inhibitors that target G9a along with other epigenetic factors such as EZH2 and HDAC. It aims to bring together the existing knowledge, identify gaps in the current research, and suggest future directions for research and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Ni
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Mingchen Shi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Liangliang Liu
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Dong Lin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Hao Zeng
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Christopher Ong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
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4
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Bel’skaya LV, Dyachenko EI. Oxidative Stress in Breast Cancer: A Biochemical Map of Reactive Oxygen Species Production. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4646-4687. [PMID: 38785550 PMCID: PMC11120394 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review systematizes information about the metabolic features of breast cancer directly related to oxidative stress. It has been shown those redox changes occur at all levels and affect many regulatory systems in the human body. The features of the biochemical processes occurring in breast cancer are described, ranging from nonspecific, at first glance, and strictly biochemical to hormone-induced reactions, genetic and epigenetic regulation, which allows for a broader and deeper understanding of the principles of oncogenesis, as well as maintaining the viability of cancer cells in the mammary gland. Specific pathways of the activation of oxidative stress have been studied as a response to the overproduction of stress hormones and estrogens, and specific ways to reduce its negative impact have been described. The diversity of participants that trigger redox reactions from different sides is considered more fully: glycolytic activity in breast cancer, and the nature of consumption of amino acids and metals. The role of metals in oxidative stress is discussed in detail. They can act as both co-factors and direct participants in oxidative stress, since they are either a trigger mechanism for lipid peroxidation or capable of activating signaling pathways that affect tumorigenesis. Special attention has been paid to the genetic and epigenetic regulation of breast tumors. A complex cascade of mechanisms of epigenetic regulation is explained, which made it possible to reconsider the existing opinion about the triggers and pathways for launching the oncological process, the survival of cancer cells and their ability to localize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila V. Bel’skaya
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Omsk State Pedagogical University, 644099 Omsk, Russia;
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Randle RK, Amara VR, Popik W. IFI16 Is Indispensable for Promoting HIF-1α-Mediated APOL1 Expression in Human Podocytes under Hypoxic Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3324. [PMID: 38542298 PMCID: PMC10970439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in the protein-coding regions of APOL1 are associated with an increased risk and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in African Americans. Hypoxia exacerbates CKD progression by stabilizing HIF-1α, which induces APOL1 transcription in kidney podocytes. However, the contribution of additional mediators to regulating APOL1 expression under hypoxia in podocytes is unknown. Here, we report that a transient accumulation of HIF-1α in hypoxia is sufficient to upregulate APOL1 expression in podocytes through a cGAS/STING/IRF3-independent pathway. Notably, IFI16 ablation impedes hypoxia-driven APOL1 expression despite the nuclear accumulation of HIF-1α. Co-immunoprecipitation assays indicate no direct interaction between IFI16 and HIF-1α. Our studies identify hypoxia response elements (HREs) in the APOL1 gene enhancer/promoter region, showing increased HIF-1α binding to HREs located in the APOL1 gene enhancer. Luciferase reporter assays confirm the role of these HREs in transcriptional activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assays demonstrate that IFI16 is not recruited to HREs, and IFI16 deletion reduces HIF-1α binding to APOL1 HREs. RT-qPCR analysis indicates that IFI16 selectively affects APOL1 expression, with a negligible impact on other hypoxia-responsive genes in podocytes. These findings highlight the unique contribution of IFI16 to hypoxia-driven APOL1 gene expression and suggest alternative IFI16-dependent mechanisms regulating APOL1 gene expression under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richaundra K. Randle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA;
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA;
| | - Venkateswara Rao Amara
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA;
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur 844102, Bihar, India
| | - Waldemar Popik
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
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Zhang Q, Shi Y, Liu S, Yang W, Chen H, Guo N, Sun W, Zhao Y, Ren Y, Ren Y, Jia L, Yang J, Yun Y, Chen G, Wang L, Wu C. EZH2/G9a interact to mediate drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113714. [PMID: 38306271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the leading problem in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. The contribution of histone methylation in mediating malignant phenotypes of NSCLC is well known. However, the role of histone methylation in NSCLC drug-resistance mechanisms remains unclear. Here, our data show that EZH2 and G9a, two histone methyltransferases, are involved in the drug resistance of NSCLC. Gene manipulation results indicate that the combination of EZH2 and G9a promotes tumor growth and mediates drug resistance in a complementary manner. Importantly, clinical study demonstrates that co-expression of both enzymes predicts a poor outcome in patients with NSCLC. Mechanistically, G9a and EZH2 interact and promote the silencing of the tumor-suppressor gene SMAD4, activating the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway. Finally, SU08, a compound targeting both EZH2 and G9a, is demonstrated to sensitize resistant cells to therapeutic drugs by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. These findings uncover the resistance mechanism and a strategy for reversing NSCLC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yajie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huiping Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wanyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yuxiang Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yi Yun
- Biobank Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Zhou X, Liu X, Wan X, Xu M, Wang R, Yang D, Peng M, Jin T, Tang R, Liu M, Hou Y. Oxidized ATM governs stemness of breast cancer stem cell through regulating ubiquitylation and acetylation switch. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 691:149243. [PMID: 38016338 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), as parts of tumor initiation cells, play a crucial role to tumorigenesis, development and recurrence. However, the complicated mechanisms of CSCs to adapt to tumor microenvironment and its stemness maintenance remains unclear. Here, we show that oxidized ATM, a hypoxia-activated cytoplasm ATM, acts a novel function to maintain CSC stemness in triple-negative breast cancer cells (BCSCs) via regulating histone H4 acetylation. Mechanistically, oxidized ATM phosphorylates TRIM21 (a E3 ubiquitin ligase) serine 80 and serine 469. Serine 80 phosphorylation of TRIM21 is essential for the ubiquitination activity of TRIM21. TRIM21 binds with SIRT1 (one of deacetylase), resulting in ubiquitylation-mediated degradation of SIRT1. The reduced SIRT1 leads to increase of histone H4 acetylation, thus facilitating CSC-related gene expression. Clinical data verify that high level of ATM in breast tumors is positively correlated with malignant grade, and is closely related with low SIRT1, high p-TRIM21, and high CD44 expression. In conclusion, our study provides a novel mechanism by which oxidized ATM governing BCSCs stemness and reveals an important link among oxidized ATM, histone acetylation, and BCSCs maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xueying Wan
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Meixi Peng
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ting Jin
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Manran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yixuan Hou
- Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medicine Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Liang G, Han L, Qu M, Xue J, Xu D, Wu X, Lu Y. Down-regulation of EZH2 genes targeting RUNX3 affects proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of human colon cancer cells by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:13655-13668. [PMID: 38048186 PMCID: PMC10756104 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to detect the effect of EZH2 genes on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of colon carcinoma cell strains HCT116 and HT29 by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, qRT-PCR was applied to measure relative expressions of EZH2, RUNX3, CEA, CA199, MMP-9, VEGF, β-catenin, and CyclinD1 in each group; Western-blot was employed with the intention of exploring relative expressions of these proteins in vivo and in vitro; monoclonal proliferation experiments and CCK-8 assay was adopted so as to check cell proliferation; the effect on cell migration was investigated via Transwell assay and cell scratch wound assay; flow cytometry was applied with a view to determining the effect on cell apoptosis. Transfected HCT116 cells are injected subcutaneously into nude mice. In colon cell strains HCT-116 and HT29, contrasted to the si-NC group, the RUNX3 expression was prominently up-regulated in the si-EZH2 group. Besides, expressions of CEA, CA199, MMP-9, and VEGF were significantly reduced; down-regulation of EZH2 genes remarkably inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and migration when facilitating apoptosis; down-regulation of EZH2 genes also significantly reduced expressions of essential proteins β-catenin and CyclinD1 on the Wnt pathway. The subcutaneous tumor body of nude mice was reduced. EZH2-OE is the opposite trend to si-EZH2; The EZH2 gene may target regulatory RUNX3 regulation via that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, hence affecting colon carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. Therefore, EZH2 may become a promising target for the clinical therapy of colon carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanli Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Ming Qu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Jun Xue
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
- Institute of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Xueliang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
- Institute of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Clinical Laboratory, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang 05000, China
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Singh J, Sah B, Shen Y, Liu L. Histone methyltransferase inhibitor UNC0642 promotes breast cancer cell death by upregulating TXNIP-dependent oxidative stress. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 385:110720. [PMID: 37748637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most frequent type of cancer in women worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies for BC are not always effective. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of an epigenetic compound UNC0642 and its mechanism of action in suppressing BC cell growth and survival. UNC0642 was developed as a selective inhibitor of G9a that is responsible for histone H3K9 methylation. After screening different BC cell lines, we found UNC0642 had the lowest IC-50 against MDA-MB-231 cells, a triple-negative BC cell line. To identify additional UNC0642 targets, we performed RNA-seq analyses in BC cells following UNC0642 treatment. UNC0642 significantly upregulated mRNA expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), which was also validated by western blotting. We further showed that TXNIP upregulation was associated with dose-dependent elevation of reactive oxygen species, concurrent with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase-3-dependent apoptosis. Finally, we demonstrated that UNC0642 treatment induced BC cell apoptosis in vitro and suppression of tumor growth in xenograft mouse models that was coupled with TXNIP activation. Taken together, our results show that UNC0642 exerts its antitumor function via upregulating TXNIP expression and oxidative stress to impair mitochondrial function and induce caspase-dependent cell death. This observation could inform future breast cancer therapies by targeting TXNIP-dependent ROS signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasvinder Singh
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA.
| | - Bindeshwar Sah
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA
| | - Yao Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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10
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Thng DKH, Hooi L, Toh CCM, Lim JJ, Rajagopalan D, Syariff IQC, Tan ZM, Rashid MBMA, Zhou L, Kow AWC, Bonney GK, Goh BKP, Kam JH, Jha S, Dan YY, Chow PKH, Toh TB, Chow EK. Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT2 (G9a) inhibition mitigates tumorigenicity in Myc-driven liver cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2275-2294. [PMID: 36896891 PMCID: PMC10620125 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third deadliest and sixth most common cancer in the world. Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT2 (also known as G9a) is a histone methyltransferase frequently overexpressed in many cancer types, including HCC. We showed that Myc-driven liver tumours have a unique H3K9 methylation pattern with corresponding G9a overexpression. This phenomenon of increased G9a was further observed in our c-Myc-positive HCC patient-derived xenografts. More importantly, we showed that HCC patients with higher c-Myc and G9a expression levels portend a poorer survival with lower median survival months. We demonstrated that c-Myc interacts with G9a in HCC and cooperates to regulate c-Myc-dependent gene repression. In addition, G9a stabilises c-Myc to promote cancer development, contributing to the growth and invasive capacity in HCC. Furthermore, combination therapy between G9a and synthetic-lethal target of c-Myc, CDK9, demonstrates strong efficacy in patient-derived avatars of Myc-driven HCC. Our work suggests that targeting G9a could prove to be a potential therapeutic avenue for Myc-driven liver cancer. This will increase our understanding of the underlying epigenetic mechanisms of aggressive tumour initiation and lead to improved therapeutic and diagnostic options for Myc-driven hepatic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Clarissa Chin Min Toh
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Jhin Jieh Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Deepa Rajagopalan
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Imran Qamar Charles Syariff
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Zher Min Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | | | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Alfred Wei Chieh Kow
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical ClusterNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | - Glenn Kunnath Bonney
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical ClusterNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | - Brian Kim Poh Goh
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and Transplant SurgerySingapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Juinn Huar Kam
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and Transplant SurgerySingapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Sudhakar Jha
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Pierce Kah Hoe Chow
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and Transplant SurgerySingapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Academic Clinical Programme for SurgeryDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1)National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Edward Kai‐Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1)National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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11
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Xiong D, Yang J, Li D, Wang J. Exploration of Key Immune-Related Transcriptomes Associated with Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Breast Cancer. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2023; 23:329-348. [PMID: 37684436 PMCID: PMC10514147 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-023-09806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Based on a few studies, heart failure patients with breast cancer were assessed to find potential biomarkers for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. However, key immune-related transcriptional markers linked to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients have not been thoroughly investigated. We used GSE40447, GSE76314, and TCGA BRCA cohorts to perform this study. Then, we performed various bioinformatics approaches to identify the key immune-related transcriptional markers and their association with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer. We found 255 upregulated genes and 286 downregulated genes in patients with doxorubicin-induced heart failure in breast cancer. We discovered that in patients with breast cancer comorbidity doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, the 58 immunological genes are elevated (such as CPA3, VSIG4, GATA2, RFX2, IL3RA, and LRP1), and the 60 genes are significantly suppressed (such as MS4A1, FCRL1, CD200, FCRLA, FCRL2, and CD79A). Furthermore, we revealed that the immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are substantially associated with the enrichment of KEGG pathways, including B-cell receptor signaling pathway, primary immunodeficiency, chemokine signaling pathway, hematopoietic cell lineage, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, focal adhesion, dilated cardiomyopathy, cell adhesion molecule, etc. Moreover, we discovered that the doxorubicin-induced immune-related genes are crucially involved in the protein-protein interaction and gene clusters. The immune-related genes, including IFIT5, XCL1, SPIB, BTLA, MS4A1, CD19, TCL1A, CD83, CD200, FCRLA, CD79A, BIRC3, and IGF2R are significantly associated with a poor survival prognosis of breast cancer patients and showed diagnostic efficacy in patients with breast cancer and heart failure. Molecular docking revealed that the survival-associated genes interact with the doxorubicin with appreciable binding affinity. Finally, we validated the expression level of immune-related genes in breast cancer patients-derived cardiomyocytes with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and found that the level of RAD9A, HSPA1B, GATA2, IGF2R, CD200, ERCC8, and BCL11A genes are consistently dysregulated. Our findings offered a basis for understanding the mechanism and pathogenesis of the cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin in breast cancer patients and predicted the interaction of immune-related potential biomarkers with doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiqin Xiong
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Dongfeng Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China.
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12
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Jackson JT, Nutt SL, McCormack MP. The Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox transcription factor: roles in development, physiology and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197490. [PMID: 37398663 PMCID: PMC10313424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Haematopoietically expressed homeobox transcription factor (Hhex) is a transcriptional repressor that is of fundamental importance across species, as evident by its evolutionary conservation spanning fish, amphibians, birds, mice and humans. Indeed, Hhex maintains its vital functions throughout the lifespan of the organism, beginning in the oocyte, through fundamental stages of embryogenesis in the foregut endoderm. The endodermal development driven by Hhex gives rise to endocrine organs such as the pancreas in a process which is likely linked to its role as a risk factor in diabetes and pancreatic disorders. Hhex is also required for the normal development of the bile duct and liver, the latter also importantly being the initial site of haematopoiesis. These haematopoietic origins are governed by Hhex, leading to its crucial later roles in definitive haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, lymphopoiesis and haematological malignancy. Hhex is also necessary for the developing forebrain and thyroid gland, with this reliance on Hhex evident in its role in endocrine disorders later in life including a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the roles of Hhex in embryological development throughout evolution appear to be linked to its later roles in a variety of disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Jackson
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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13
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Pomella S, Danielli SG, Alaggio R, Breunis WB, Hamed E, Selfe J, Wachtel M, Walters ZS, Schäfer BW, Rota R, Shipley JM, Hettmer S. Genomic and Epigenetic Changes Drive Aberrant Skeletal Muscle Differentiation in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2823. [PMID: 37345159 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, represents an aberrant form of skeletal muscle differentiation. Both skeletal muscle development, as well as regeneration of adult skeletal muscle are governed by members of the myogenic family of regulatory transcription factors (MRFs), which are deployed in a highly controlled, multi-step, bidirectional process. Many aspects of this complex process are deregulated in RMS and contribute to tumorigenesis. Interconnected loops of super-enhancers, called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), define aberrant muscle differentiation in RMS cells. The transcriptional regulation of MRF expression/activity takes a central role in the CRCs active in skeletal muscle and RMS. In PAX3::FOXO1 fusion-positive (PF+) RMS, CRCs maintain expression of the disease-driving fusion oncogene. Recent single-cell studies have revealed hierarchically organized subsets of cells within the RMS cell pool, which recapitulate developmental myogenesis and appear to drive malignancy. There is a large interest in exploiting the causes of aberrant muscle development in RMS to allow for terminal differentiation as a therapeutic strategy, for example, by interrupting MEK/ERK signaling or by interfering with the epigenetic machinery controlling CRCs. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and epigenetic framework of abnormal muscle differentiation in RMS, as it provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of RMS malignancy, its remarkable phenotypic diversity and, ultimately, opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pomella
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara G Danielli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rita Alaggio
- Department of Pathology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Willemijn B Breunis
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ebrahem Hamed
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 FNG, UK
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Zoe S Walters
- Translational Epigenomics Team, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Janet M Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 FNG, UK
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center Freiburg, 790106 Freiburg, Germany
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14
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Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Han J. The Role of Histone Modification in DNA Replication-Coupled Nucleosome Assembly and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054939. [PMID: 36902370 PMCID: PMC10003558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modification regulates replication-coupled nucleosome assembly, DNA damage repair, and gene transcription. Changes or mutations in factors involved in nucleosome assembly are closely related to the development and pathogenesis of cancer and other human diseases and are essential for maintaining genomic stability and epigenetic information transmission. In this review, we discuss the role of different types of histone posttranslational modifications in DNA replication-coupled nucleosome assembly and disease. In recent years, histone modification has been found to affect the deposition of newly synthesized histones and the repair of DNA damage, further affecting the assembly process of DNA replication-coupled nucleosomes. We summarize the role of histone modification in the nucleosome assembly process. At the same time, we review the mechanism of histone modification in cancer development and briefly describe the application of histone modification small molecule inhibitors in cancer therapy.
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15
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Liao C, Liu X, Zhang C, Zhang Q. Tumor hypoxia: From basic knowledge to therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:172-186. [PMID: 36603793 PMCID: PMC9929926 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Diminished oxygen availability, termed hypoxia, within solid tumors is one of the most common characteristics of cancer. Hypoxia shapes the landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) into a pro-tumorigenic and pro-metastatic niche through arrays of pathological alterations such as abnormal vasculature, altered metabolism, immune-suppressive phenotype, etc. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that limited efficacy or the development of resistance towards antitumor therapy may be largely due to the hypoxic TME. This review will focus on summarizing the knowledge about the molecular machinery that mediates the hypoxic cellular responses and adaptations, as well as highlighting the effects and consequences of hypoxia, especially for angiogenesis regulation, cellular metabolism alteration, and immunosuppressive response within the TME. We also outline the current advances in novel therapeutic implications through targeting hypoxia in TME. A deep understanding of the basics and the role of hypoxia in the tumor will help develop better therapeutic avenues in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengheng Liao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xijuan Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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16
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Yang H, Chen Z, Gao W. EHMT2 affects microglia polarization and aggravates neuronal damage and inflammatory response via regulating HMOX1. Transl Neurosci 2023; 14:20220276. [PMID: 37529171 PMCID: PMC10388136 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This research was designed to ascertain the function of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) in ischemic stroke-induced neuronal damage and inflammatory response and its regulatory mechanism. Methods Mouse microglia (BV-2 cells) were induced by oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to establish a cellular model, and then co-cultured with HT22 hippocampal neurons. After that, HT22 cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated, followed by the measurement of apoptosis-related factors (B-cell lymphoma-2, Bcl-2 associated X, and cleaved-Caspase 3). Meanwhile, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (M1 microglia polarization marker) and arginase 1 (M2 microglia polarization marker) in BV-2 cells was detected, as well as the levels of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-4). Additionally, the expression of EHMT2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) in BV-2 cells was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot, and the binding between EHMT2 and HMOX1 was predicted and verified. Results OGD/R treatment led to decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis in HT22 cells, and aggravated inflammatory response in BV-2 cells. In OGD/R-induced BV-2 cells, EHMT2 and HMOX1 were increasingly expressed, and knockdown of EHMT2 or HMOX1 in BV-2 cells could inhibit neuronal damage and inflammatory response. Moreover, EHMT2 promoted HMOX1 transcription level by histone methylation. Conclusion Collected evidence showed that down-regulation of EHMT2 relieved neuronal damage and inflammatory response by inhibiting HMOX1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaitao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, No. 26, Chuyuan Ave, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, Hubei 434020, P.R. China
| | - Zhifang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434020, P.R. China
| | - Wenhong Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, No. 26, Chuyuan Ave, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, Hubei 434020, P.R. China
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17
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Wattacheril JJ, Raj S, Knowles DA, Greally JM. Using epigenomics to understand cellular responses to environmental influences in diseases. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010567. [PMID: 36656803 PMCID: PMC9851565 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
It is a generally accepted model that environmental influences can exert their effects, at least in part, by changing the molecular regulators of transcription that are described as epigenetic. As there is biochemical evidence that some epigenetic regulators of transcription can maintain their states long term and through cell division, an epigenetic model encompasses the idea of maintenance of the effect of an exposure long after it is no longer present. The evidence supporting this model is mostly from the observation of alterations of molecular regulators of transcription following exposures. With the understanding that the interpretation of these associations is more complex than originally recognised, this model may be oversimplistic; therefore, adopting novel perspectives and experimental approaches when examining how environmental exposures are linked to phenotypes may prove worthwhile. In this review, we have chosen to use the example of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common, complex human disease with strong environmental and genetic influences. We describe how epigenomic approaches combined with emerging functional genetic and single-cell genomic techniques are poised to generate new insights into the pathogenesis of environmentally influenced human disease phenotypes exemplified by NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia J. Wattacheril
- Department of Medicine, Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Srilakshmi Raj
- Division of Genomics, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - David A. Knowles
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - John M. Greally
- Division of Genomics, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
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18
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Fong KW, Zhao JC, Lu X, Kim J, Piunti A, Shilatifard A, Yu J. PALI1 promotes tumor growth through competitive recruitment of PRC2 to G9A-target chromatin for dual epigenetic silencing. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4611-4626.e7. [PMID: 36476474 PMCID: PMC9812274 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PALI1 is a newly identified accessory protein of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that catalyzes H3K27 methylation. However, the roles of PALI1 in cancer are yet to be defined. Here, we report that PALI1 is upregulated in advanced prostate cancer (PCa) and competes with JARID2 for binding to the PRC2 core subunit SUZ12. PALI1 further interacts with the H3K9 methyltransferase G9A, bridging the formation of a unique G9A-PALI1-PRC2 super-complex that occupies a subset of G9A-target genes to mediate dual H3K9/K27 methylation and gene repression. Many of these genes are developmental regulators required for cell differentiation, and their loss in PCa predicts poor prognosis. Accordingly, PALI1 and G9A drive PCa cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, our study shows that PALI1 harnesses two central epigenetic mechanisms to suppress cellular differentiation and promote tumorigenesis, which can be targeted by dual EZH2 and G9A inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Wing Fong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jonathan C Zhao
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Xiaodong Lu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jung Kim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrea Piunti
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jindan Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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19
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He Z, Lin Y, Wei R, Liu C, Jiang D. Repulsion and attraction in searching: A hybrid algorithm based on gravitational kernel and vital few for cancer driver gene prediction. Comput Biol Med 2022; 151:106236. [PMID: 36370584 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
By taking a new perspective to combine a machine learning method with an evolutionary algorithm, a new hybrid algorithm is developed to predict cancer driver genes. Firstly, inspired by the search strategy with the capability of global search in evolutionary algorithms, a gravitational kernel is proposed to act on the full range of gene features. Constructed by fusing PPI and mutation features, the gravitational kernel is capable to produce repulsion effects. The candidate genes with greater mutation effects and PPI have higher similarity scores. According to repulsion, the similarity score of these promising genes is larger than ordinary genes, which is beneficial to search for these promising genes. Secondly, inspired by the idea of elite populations related to evolutionary algorithms, the concept of vital few is proposed. Targeted at a local scale, it acts on the candidate genes associated with vital few genes. Under attraction effect, these vital few driver genes attract those with similar mutational effects to them, which leads to greater similarity scores. Lastly, the model and parameters are optimized by using an evolutionary algorithm, so as to obtain the optimal model and parameters for cancer driver gene prediction. Herein, a comparison is performed with six other advanced methods of cancer driver gene prediction. According to the experimental results, the method proposed in this study outperforms these six state-of-the-art algorithms on the pan-oncogene dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui He
- Department of Computer Science, Shantou University, 515063, China
| | - Yingqing Lin
- Department of Computer Science, Shantou University, 515063, China
| | - Runguo Wei
- Department of Computer Science, Shantou University, 515063, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Computer Science, Shantou University, 515063, China
| | - Dazhi Jiang
- Department of Computer Science, Shantou University, 515063, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Information Security Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510399, China.
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20
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Advani D, Kumar P. Deciphering the molecular mechanism and crosstalk between Parkinson's disease and breast cancer through multi-omics and drug repurposing approach. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102283. [PMID: 35994781 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies indicate a higher occurrence of breast cancer (BRCA) in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, the exact molecular mechanism is still not precise. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that this inverse comorbidity result from shared genetic and molecular processes. We conducted an integrated omics analysis to identify the common gene signatures associated with PD and BRCA. Secondly, several dysregulated biological processes in both indications were analyzed by functional enrichment methods, and significant overlapping processes were identified. To establish common regulatory mechanisms, information about transcription factors and miRNAs associated with both the disorders was extracted. Finally, disease-specific gene expression signatures were compared through LINCS L1000 analysis to identify potential repurposing drugs for PD. The potential repurposed drug candidates were then correlated with PD-specific gene signatures by Cmap analysis. In conclusion, this study highlights the shared genes, biological pathways and regulatory signatures associated with PD and BRCA with an improved understanding of crosstalk involved. Additionally, the role of therapeutics was investigated in context with their comorbid associations. These findings could help to explain the complex molecular patterns of associations between PD and BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dia Advani
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly Delhi College of Engineering), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042, India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly Delhi College of Engineering), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042, India.
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21
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Lee YM. RUNX Family in Hypoxic Microenvironment and Angiogenesis in Cancers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193098. [PMID: 36231060 PMCID: PMC9564080 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is broadly implicated in tumorigenesis, as tumor cells interact with surrounding cells to influence the development and progression of the tumor. Blood vessels are a major component of the TME and are attributed to the creation of a hypoxic microenvironment, which is a common feature of advanced cancers and inflamed premalignant tissues. Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) proteins, a transcription factor family of developmental master regulators, are involved in vital cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, cell lineage specification, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the RUNX family is involved in the regulation of various oncogenic processes and signaling pathways as well as tumor suppressive functions, suggesting that the RUNX family plays a strategic role in tumorigenesis. In this review, we have discussed the relevant findings that describe the crosstalk of the RUNX family with the hypoxic TME and tumor angiogenesis or with their signaling molecules in cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Mie Lee
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center, VOICE (MRC), Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Lab of Molecular Pathophysiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-8566; Fax:+82-53-950-8557
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22
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Feng J, Meng X. Histone modification and histone modification-targeted anti-cancer drugs in breast cancer: Fundamentals and beyond. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:946811. [PMID: 36188615 PMCID: PMC9522521 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.946811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated epigenetic enzymes and resultant abnormal epigenetic modifications (EMs) have been suggested to be closely related to tumor occurrence and progression. Histone modifications (HMs) can assist in maintaining genome stability, DNA repair, transcription, and chromatin modulation within breast cancer (BC) cells. In addition, HMs are reversible, dynamic processes involving the associations of different enzymes with molecular compounds. Abnormal HMs (e.g. histone methylation and histone acetylation) have been identified to be tightly related to BC occurrence and development, even though their underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. EMs are reversible, and as a result, epigenetic enzymes have aroused wide attention as anti-tumor therapeutic targets. At present, treatments to restore aberrant EMs within BC cells have entered preclinical or clinical trials. In addition, no existing studies have comprehensively analyzed aberrant HMs within BC cells; in addition, HM-targeting BC treatments remain to be further investigated. Histone and non-histone protein methylation is becoming an attractive anti-tumor epigenetic therapeutic target; such methylation-related enzyme inhibitors are under development at present. Consequently, the present work focuses on summarizing relevant studies on HMs related to BC and the possible mechanisms associated with abnormal HMs. Additionally, we also aim to analyze existing therapeutic agents together with those drugs approved and tested through pre-clinical and clinical trials, to assess their roles in HMs. Moreover, epi-drugs that target HMT inhibitors and HDAC inhibitors should be tested in preclinical and clinical studies for the treatment of BC. Epi-drugs that target histone methylation (HMT inhibitors) and histone acetylation (HDAC inhibitors) have now entered clinical trials or are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the review covers the difficulties in applying HM-targeting treatments in clinics and proposes feasible approaches for overcoming such difficulties and promoting their use in treating BC cases.
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PARP3 supervises G9a-mediated repression of adhesion and hypoxia-responsive genes in glioblastoma cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15534. [PMID: 36109561 PMCID: PMC9478127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn breast cancer, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 3 (PARP3) has been identified as a key driver of tumor aggressiveness exemplifying its selective inhibition as a promising surrogate for clinical activity onto difficult-to-treat cancers. Here we explored the role of PARP3 in the oncogenicity of glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer. The absence of PARP3 did not alter cell proliferation nor the in vivo tumorigenic potential of glioblastoma cells. We identified a physical and functional interaction of PARP3 with the histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase G9a. We show that PARP3 helps to adjust G9a-dependent repression of the adhesion genes Nfasc and Parvb and the hypoxia-responsive genes Hif-2α, Runx3, Mlh1, Ndrg1, Ndrg2 and Ndrg4. Specifically for Nfasc, Parvb and Ndrg4, PARP3/G9a cooperate for an adjusted establishment of the repressive mark H3K9me2. While examining the functional consequence in cell response to hypoxia, we discovered that PARP3 acts to maintain the cytoskeletal microtubule stability. As a result, the absence of PARP3 markedly increases the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to microtubule-destabilizing agents providing a new therapeutic avenue for PARP3 inhibition in brain cancer therapy.
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Gong Y, Behera G, Erber L, Luo A, Chen Y. HypDB: A functionally annotated web-based database of the proline hydroxylation proteome. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001757. [PMID: 36026437 PMCID: PMC9455854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Proline hydroxylation (Hyp) regulates protein structure, stability, and protein-protein interaction. It is widely involved in diverse metabolic and physiological pathways in cells and diseases. To reveal functional features of the Hyp proteome, we integrated various data sources for deep proteome profiling of the Hyp proteome in humans and developed HypDB (https://www.HypDB.site), an annotated database and web server for Hyp proteome. HypDB provides site-specific evidence of modification based on extensive LC-MS analysis and literature mining with 14,413 nonredundant Hyp sites on 5,165 human proteins including 3,383 Class I and 4,335 Class II sites. Annotation analysis revealed significant enrichment of Hyp on key functional domains and tissue-specific distribution of Hyp abundance across 26 types of human organs and fluids and 6 cell lines. The network connectivity analysis further revealed a critical role of Hyp in mediating protein-protein interactions. Moreover, the spectral library generated by HypDB enabled data-independent analysis (DIA) of clinical tissues and the identification of novel Hyp biomarkers in lung cancer and kidney cancer. Taken together, our integrated analysis of human proteome with publicly accessible HypDB revealed functional diversity of Hyp substrates and provides a quantitative data source to characterize Hyp in pathways and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Gong
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Gaurav Behera
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Luke Erber
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Ang Luo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Kim J, Lee H, Yi SJ, Kim K. Gene regulation by histone-modifying enzymes under hypoxic conditions: a focus on histone methylation and acetylation. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:878-889. [PMID: 35869366 PMCID: PMC9355978 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00812-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen, which is necessary for sustaining energy metabolism, is consumed in many biochemical reactions in eukaryotes. When the oxygen supply is insufficient for maintaining multiple homeostatic states at the cellular level, cells are subjected to hypoxic stress. Hypoxia induces adaptive cellular responses mainly through hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are stabilized and modulate the transcription of various hypoxia-related genes. In addition, many epigenetic regulators, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, histone variants, and adenosine triphosphate-dependent chromatin remodeling factors, play key roles in gene expression. In particular, hypoxic stress influences the activity and gene expression of histone-modifying enzymes, which controls the posttranslational modification of HIFs and histones. This review covers how histone methylation and histone acetylation enzymes modify histone and nonhistone proteins under hypoxic conditions and surveys the impact of epigenetic modifications on gene expression. In addition, future directions in this area are discussed. New sequencing technologies are revealing how cells respond to hypoxia, insufficient oxygen, by managing gene activation. In multicellular organisms, gene activation is managed by how tightly a section of DNA is wound around proteins called histones; genes in tightly packed regions are inaccessible and inactive, whereas those in looser regions can be activated. Kyunghwan Kim, Sun-Ju Yi, and co-workers at Chungbuk National University in South Korea have reviewed recent data on how cells regulate gene activity under hypoxic conditions. Advances in sequencing technology have allowed genome-wide studies of how hypoxia affects DNA structure and gene activation, revealing that gene-specific modifications may be more important than genome-wide modifications. Hypoxia is implicated in several diseases, such as cancer and chronic metabolic diseases, and a better understanding of how it affects gene activation may help identify new treatments for hypoxia-related diseases.
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Ang GCK, Gupta A, Surana U, Yap SXL, Taneja R. Potential Therapeutics Targeting Upstream Regulators and Interactors of EHMT1/2. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2855. [PMID: 35740522 PMCID: PMC9221123 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Euchromatin histone lysine methyltransferases (EHMTs) are epigenetic regulators responsible for silencing gene transcription by catalyzing H3K9 dimethylation. Dysregulation of EHMT1/2 has been reported in multiple cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Although substantial insights have been gleaned into the downstream targets and pathways regulated by EHMT1/2, few studies have uncovered mechanisms responsible for their dysregulated expression. Moreover, EHMT1/2 interacting partners, which can influence their function and, therefore, the expression of target genes, have not been extensively explored. As none of the currently available EHMT inhibitors have made it past clinical trials, understanding upstream regulators and EHMT protein complexes may provide unique insights into novel therapeutic avenues in EHMT-overexpressing cancers. Here, we review our current understanding of the regulators and interacting partners of EHMTs. We also discuss available therapeutic drugs that target the upstream regulators and binding partners of EHMTs and could potentially modulate EHMT function in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Chin Khye Ang
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Amogh Gupta
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
| | - Uttam Surana
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Shirlyn Xue Ling Yap
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
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27
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Ichikawa Y, Takahashi H, Chinen Y, Arita A, Sekido Y, Hata T, Ogino T, Miyoshi N, Uemura M, Yamamoto H, Mizushima T, Doki Y, Eguchi H. Low G9a expression is a tumor progression factor of colorectal cancer via IL-8 promotion. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:797-807. [PMID: 35640269 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase G9a is expressed in various types of cancer cells, including colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Interleukin (IL)-8, also known as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), is a chemokine that plays a pleiotropic function in the regulation of inflammatory responses and cancer development. Here, we examined the relationship between G9a and IL-8 and the clinical relevance of this association. We immunohistochemically analyzed 235 resected CRC samples to correlate clinical features. Samples with high G9a expression had better overall survival and relapse-free survival than those with low G9a expression. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that low G9a expression remained a significant independent prognostic factor for increased disease recurrence and decreased survival (P<0.05). G9a was expressed at high levels in commercially available CRC cell lines HCT116 and HT29. Knockdown of G9a by siRNA, shRNA, or the G9a-specific inhibitor BIX01294 upregulated IL-8 expression. The number of spheroids was significantly increased in HCT116 cells with stably suppressed G9a expression, and the number of spheroids was significantly decreased in HCT116 cells with stably suppressed IL-8 expression. Thus, the suppression of IL-8 by G9a may result in a better prognosis in CRC cases with high G9a expression. Furthermore, G9a may suppress cancer stemness and increase chemosensitivity by controlling IL-8. Therefore, G9a is a potential novel marker for predicting CRC prognosis, and therapeutic targeting of G9a in CRC should be contraversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitoshi Ichikawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Chinen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asami Arita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Sekido
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ogino
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norikatsu Miyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mamoru Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Mizushima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Cui Y, Jiang N. Identification of a seven-gene signature predicting clinical outcome of liver cancer based on tumor mutational burden. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1192-1206. [PMID: 35622212 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The total number of somatic mutations may affect the prognosis of cancer, so we applied bioinformatics methods to investigate the association between the TMB (tumor mutational burden)-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We calculated the TMB value of the patients with HCC in TCGA database and identified the differentially expressed genes between the high-TMB and low-TMB patients. We performed functional enrichment analysis and LASSO Cox regression analysis of the DEGs, and seven genes were screened to establish a risk score model. A nomogram based on the risk scores was drawn to assess the predictive outcomes compared to the actual outcomes. The expression level of the seven genes was verified in cancer cell lines. Moreover, we explored the difference in immune cells infiltration and immune checkpoints between the high-risk and low-risk groups. The results showed that the DEGs between the high-TMB and low-TMB patients were enriched in extracellular matrix organization. A seven-gene risk score model (PAGE1, CHGA, OGN, MMP7, TRIM55, MAGEA6, and MAGEA12) was established for predicting HCC prognosis. Patients with lower risk scores had longer survival time and lower mortality rate. The nomogram based on risk scores and TNM staging showed good performance and reliability in predicting the clinical outcomes. Significant differences in cell infiltration and checkpoints were found between the high-risk and low-risk groups. Our study demonstrated a seven-gene signature and a nomogram based on the risk score model to predict the prognosis of HCC. Some of the newly identified DEGs may be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, 300060, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, Tianjin University of Sport, 301617, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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29
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Expression of proliferation-related genes in BM-MSC-treated ALL cells in hypoxia condition is regulated under the influence of epigenetic factors in-vitro. Med Oncol 2022; 39:88. [PMID: 35581482 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01671-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells affect ALL cell biology under hypoxic conditions. We studied survival, proliferation, expression, and promoter methylation levels of essential genes involved in expanding MOLT-4 cells co-cultured with BM-MSC under the hypoxic condition. Here, MOLT-4 cells were co-cultured with BMMSCs under hypoxic conditions. First, the apoptosis rate was evaluated by Flow cytometry. Then, MOLT-4 cells' proliferation rate was assessed using MTT assay, and the expressions and methylation rates of genes were determined by qRT-PCR and MS-qPCR, respectively. The results showed that although MOLT-4 cells proliferation and survival rates were reduced under hypoxic conditions, this reduction was not statistically significant. Also, we showed that hypoxic conditions caused upregulation of candidate genes and affected their methylation status. Besides, it was revealed that Pontin was downregulated, while KDM3A, SKP2, and AURKA had an upward trend in the presence of MOLT-4 cells plus BM-MSC. The co-culture of leukemia cells with BMMSCs under hypoxic conditions may be a potential therapeutic approach for ALL.
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30
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Tan K, Naylor MJ. Tumour Microenvironment-Immune Cell Interactions Influencing Breast Cancer Heterogeneity and Disease Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:876451. [PMID: 35646658 PMCID: PMC9138702 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.876451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex, dynamic disease that acquires heterogeneity through various mechanisms, allowing cancer cells to proliferate, survive and metastasise. Heterogeneity is introduced early, through the accumulation of germline and somatic mutations which initiate cancer formation. Following initiation, heterogeneity is driven by the complex interaction between intrinsic cellular factors and the extrinsic tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME consists of tumour cells and the subsequently recruited immune cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes and non-cellular components of the extracellular matrix. Current research demonstrates that stromal-immune cell interactions mediated by various TME components release environmental cues, in mechanical and chemical forms, to communicate with surrounding and distant cells. These interactions are critical in facilitating the metastatic process at both the primary and secondary site, as well as introducing greater intratumoral heterogeneity and disease complexity by exerting selective pressures on cancer cells. This can result in the adaptation of cells and a feedback loop to the cancer genome, which can promote therapeutic resistance. Thus, targeting TME and immune-stromal cell interactions has been suggested as a potential therapeutic avenue given that aspects of this process are somewhat conserved between breast cancer subtypes. This mini review will discuss emerging ideas on how the interaction of various aspects of the TME contribute to increased heterogeneity and disease progression, and the therapeutic potential of targeting the TME.
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Selective histone methyltransferase G9a inhibition reduces metastatic development of Ewing sarcoma through the epigenetic regulation of NEU1. Oncogene 2022; 41:2638-2650. [PMID: 35354905 PMCID: PMC9054661 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02279-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive bone and soft tissue tumor with high susceptibility to metastasize. The underlying molecular mechanisms leading to EWS metastases remain poorly understood. Epigenetic changes have been implicated in EWS tumor growth and progression. Linking epigenetics and metastases may provide insight into novel molecular targets in EWS and improve its treatment. Here, we evaluated the effects of a selective G9a histone methyltransferase inhibitor (BIX01294) on EWS metastatic process. Our results showed that overexpression of G9a in tumors from EWS patients correlates with poor prognosis. Moreover, we observe a significantly higher expression of G9a in metastatic EWS tumor as compared to either primary or recurrent tumor. Using functional assays, we demonstrate that pharmacological G9a inhibition using BIX01294 disrupts several metastatic steps in vitro, such as migration, invasion, adhesion, colony formation and vasculogenic mimicry. Moreover, BIX01294 reduces tumor growth and metastases in two spontaneous metastases mouse models. We further identified the sialidase NEU1 as a direct target and effector of G9a in the metastatic process in EWS. NEU1 overexpression impairs migration, invasion and clonogenic capacity of EWS cell lines. Overall, G9a inhibition impairs metastases in vitro and in vivo through the overexpression of NEU1. G9a has strong potential as a prognostic marker and may be a promising therapeutic target for EWS patients.
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32
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Özturan D, Morova T, Lack NA. Androgen Receptor-Mediated Transcription in Prostate Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:898. [PMID: 35269520 PMCID: PMC8909478 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transcription is critical in almost all stages of prostate cancer (PCa) growth and differentiation. This process involves a complex interplay of coregulatory proteins, chromatin remodeling complexes, and other transcription factors that work with AR at cis-regulatory enhancer regions to induce the spatiotemporal transcription of target genes. This enhancer-driven mechanism is remarkably dynamic and undergoes significant alterations during PCa progression. In this review, we discuss the AR mechanism of action in PCa with a focus on how cis-regulatory elements modulate gene expression. We explore emerging evidence of genetic variants that can impact AR regulatory regions and alter gene transcription in PCa. Finally, we highlight several outstanding questions and discuss potential mechanisms of this critical transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doğancan Özturan
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Tunç Morova
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada;
| | - Nathan A. Lack
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada;
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Casciello F, Kelly GM, Ramarao-Milne P, Kamal N, Stewart TA, Mukhopadhyay P, Kazakoff SH, Miranda M, Kim D, Davis FM, Hayward NK, Vertino PM, Waddell N, Gannon F, Lee JS. Combined inhibition of G9a and EZH2 suppresses tumor growth via synergistic induction of IL24-mediated apoptosis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1208-1221. [PMID: 35149587 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
G9a and EZH2 are two histone methyltransferases commonly upregulated in several cancer types, yet the precise roles that these enzymes play cooperatively in cancer is unclear. We demonstrate here that frequent concurrent upregulation of both G9a and EZH2 occurs in several human tumors. These methyltransferases cooperatively repressed molecular pathways responsible for tumor cell death. In genetically distinct tumor subtypes, concomitant inhibition of G9a and EZH2 potently induced tumor cell death, highlighting the existence of tumor cell survival dependency at the epigenetic level. G9a and EZH2 synergistically repressed expression of genes involved in the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the production of reactive oxygen species. IL24 was essential for the induction of tumor cell death and was identified as a common target of G9a and EZH2. Loss-of-function of G9a and EZH2 activated the IL24-ER stress axis and increased apoptosis in cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. These results indicate that G9a and EZH2 promotes the evasion of ER stress-mediated apoptosis by repressing IL24 transcription, therefore suggesting that their inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
| | - Nabilah Kamal
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | | | | | | | | | - Dorim Kim
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Felicity M Davis
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science
| | | | - Paula M Vertino
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Frank Gannon
- Cancer, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Jason S Lee
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
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Mondal A, Bhattacharya A, Singh V, Pandita S, Bacolla A, Pandita RK, Tainer JA, Ramos KS, Pandita TK, Das C. Stress Responses as Master Keys to Epigenomic Changes in Transcriptome and Metabolome for Cancer Etiology and Therapeutics. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0048321. [PMID: 34748401 PMCID: PMC8773053 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00483-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
From initiation through progression, cancer cells are subjected to a magnitude of endogenous and exogenous stresses, which aid in their neoplastic transformation. Exposure to these classes of stress induces imbalance in cellular homeostasis and, in response, cancer cells employ informative adaptive mechanisms to rebalance biochemical processes that facilitate survival and maintain their existence. Different kinds of stress stimuli trigger epigenetic alterations in cancer cells, which leads to changes in their transcriptome and metabolome, ultimately resulting in suppression of growth inhibition or induction of apoptosis. Whether cancer cells show a protective response to stress or succumb to cell death depends on the type of stress and duration of exposure. A thorough understanding of epigenetic and molecular architecture of cancer cell stress response pathways can unveil a plethora of information required to develop novel anticancer therapeutics. The present view highlights current knowledge about alterations in epigenome and transcriptome of cancer cells as a consequence of exposure to different physicochemical stressful stimuli such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypoxia, radiation, hyperthermia, genotoxic agents, and nutrient deprivation. Currently, an anticancer treatment scenario involving the imposition of stress to target cancer cells is gaining traction to augment or even replace conventional therapeutic regimens. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of stress response pathways is crucial for devising and implementing novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Shruti Pandita
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Albino Bacolla
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Raj K. Pandita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John A. Tainer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Ramos
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tej K. Pandita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai, India
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35
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Jin Y, Park S, Park SY, Lee CY, Eum DY, Shim JW, Choi SH, Choi YJ, Park SJ, Heo K. G9a Knockdown Suppresses Cancer Aggressiveness by Facilitating Smad Protein Phosphorylation through Increasing BMP5 Expression in Luminal A Type Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020589. [PMID: 35054776 PMCID: PMC8776044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic abnormalities affect tumor progression, as well as gene expression and function. Among the diverse epigenetic modulators, the histone methyltransferase G9a has been focused on due to its role in accelerating tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although epigenetic dysregulation is closely related to tumor progression, reports regarding the relationship between G9a and its possible downstream factors regulating breast tumor growth are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to verify the role of G9a and its presumable downstream regulators during malignant progression of breast cancer. G9a-depleted MCF7 and T47D breast cancer cells exhibited suppressed motility, including migration and invasion, and an improved response to ionizing radiation. To identify the possible key factors underlying these effects, microarray analysis was performed, and a TGF-β superfamily member, BMP5, was selected as a prominent target gene. It was found that BMP5 expression was markedly increased by G9a knockdown. Moreover, reduction in the migration/invasion ability of MCF7 and T47D breast cancer cells was induced by BMP5. Interestingly, a G9a-depletion-mediated increase in BMP5 expression induced the phosphorylation of Smad proteins, which are the intracellular signaling mediators of BMP5. Accordingly, we concluded that the observed antitumor effects may be based on the G9a-depletion-mediated increase in BMP5 expression and the consequent facilitation of Smad protein phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kyu Heo
- Correspondence: (S.-J.P.); (K.H.)
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Abstract
Hypoxia is defined as a cellular stress condition caused by a decrease in oxygen below physiologically normal levels. Cells in the core of a rapidly growing solid tumor are faced with the challenge of inadequate supply of oxygen through the blood, owing to improper vasculature inside the tumor. This hypoxic microenvironment inside the tumor initiates a gene expression program that alters numerous signaling pathways, allowing the cancer cell to eventually evade adverse conditions and attain a more aggressive phenotype. A multitude of studies covering diverse aspects of gene regulation has tried to uncover the mechanisms involved in hypoxia-induced tumorigenesis. The role of epigenetics in executing widespread and dynamic changes in gene expression under hypoxia has been gaining an increasing amount of support in recent years. This chapter discusses, in detail, various epigenetic mechanisms driving the cellular response to hypoxia in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Pant
- Epigenetics and RNA Processing Lab (ERPL), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, India
| | - Srinivas Abhishek Mutnuru
- Epigenetics and RNA Processing Lab (ERPL), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, India
| | - Sanjeev Shukla
- Epigenetics and RNA Processing Lab (ERPL), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, India.
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Nachiyappan A, Gupta N, Taneja R. EHMT1/EHMT2 in EMT, Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance: Emerging Evidence and Mechanisms. FEBS J 2021; 289:1329-1351. [PMID: 34954891 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis, therapy failure and tumor recurrence are major clinical challenges in cancer. The interplay between tumor initiating cells (TICs) and Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives tumor progression and spread. Recent advances have highlighted the involvement of epigenetic deregulation in these processes. The Euchromatin Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) and Euchromatin Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) that primarily mediate histone 3 lysine 9 di-methylation (H3K9me2), as well as methylation of non-histone proteins, are now recognized to be aberrantly expressed in many cancers. Their deregulated expression is associated with EMT, cellular plasticity and therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize evidence of their myriad roles in cancer metastasis, stemness and drug resistance. We discuss cancer-type specific molecular targets, context-dependent mechanisms and future directions of research in targeting EHMT1/EHMT2 for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alamelu Nachiyappan
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
| | - Neelima Gupta
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593.,Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
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Poulard C, Noureddine LM, Pruvost L, Le Romancer M. Structure, Activity, and Function of the Protein Lysine Methyltransferase G9a. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101082. [PMID: 34685453 PMCID: PMC8541646 DOI: 10.3390/life11101082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
G9a is a lysine methyltransferase catalyzing the majority of histone H3 mono- and dimethylation at Lys-9 (H3K9), responsible for transcriptional repression events in euchromatin. G9a has been shown to methylate various lysine residues of non-histone proteins and acts as a coactivator for several transcription factors. This review will provide an overview of the structural features of G9a and its paralog called G9a-like protein (GLP), explore the biochemical features of G9a, and describe its post-translational modifications and the specific inhibitors available to target its catalytic activity. Aside from its role on histone substrates, the review will highlight some non-histone targets of G9a, in order gain insight into their role in specific cellular mechanisms. Indeed, G9a was largely described to be involved in embryonic development, hypoxia, and DNA repair. Finally, the involvement of G9a in cancer biology will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Poulard
- Cancer Research Cancer of Lyon, Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France; (L.M.N.); (L.P.); (M.L.R.)
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Lara M. Noureddine
- Cancer Research Cancer of Lyon, Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France; (L.M.N.); (L.P.); (M.L.R.)
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadat-Beirut 90565, Lebanon
| | - Ludivine Pruvost
- Cancer Research Cancer of Lyon, Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France; (L.M.N.); (L.P.); (M.L.R.)
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Muriel Le Romancer
- Cancer Research Cancer of Lyon, Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France; (L.M.N.); (L.P.); (M.L.R.)
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
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Hou X, Li Q, Yang L, Yang Z, He J, Li Q, Li D. KDM1A and KDM3A promote tumor growth by upregulating cell cycle-associated genes in pancreatic cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1869-1883. [PMID: 34171978 PMCID: PMC8424634 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211023473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant cancer of the pancreas with a very poor prognosis. Methylation of histone lysine residues is essential for regulating cancer physiology and pathophysiology, mediated by a set of methyltransferases (KMTs) and demethylases (KDMs). This study surveyed the expression of methylation regulators functioning at lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9) in pancreatic lesions and explored the underlying mechanisms. We analyzed KDM1A and KDM3A expression in clinical samples by immunohistochemical staining and searching the TCGA PAAD program and GEO datasets. Next, we identified the variation in tumor growth in vitro and in vivo after knockdown of KDM1A or KDM3A and explored the downstream regulators of KDM1A and KDM3A via RNA-seq, and gain- and loss-of-function assays. Eleven H3K9 methylation regulators were highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, and only KDM1A and KDM3A expression positively correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics in pancreatic cancer. High expression of KDM1A or KDM3A positively correlated with pathological grade, lymphatic metastasis, invasion, and clinical stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that a higher level of KDM1A or KDM3A led to a shorter survival period. Knockdown of KDM1A or KDM3A led to markedly impaired tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CCNA2, a cell cycle-associated gene was partially responsible for KDM1A knockdown-mediated effect and CDK6, also a cell cycle-associated gene was partially responsible for KDM3A knockdown-mediated effect on pancreatic cancer cells. Our study demonstrates that KDM1A and KDM3A are highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and are intimately correlated with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The mechanism of action of KDM1A or KDM3A was both linked to the regulation of cell cycle-associated genes, such as CCNA2 or CDK6, respectively, by an H3K9-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Qiuguo Li
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Chest Hospital, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Leping Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Zhulin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Qinglong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Daming Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
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40
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Shulman M, Shi R, Zhang Q. Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor pathways & corresponding therapeutics in kidney cancer. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:552-559. [PMID: 34376376 PMCID: PMC8453047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The identification and application of the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene is a seminal breakthrough in kidney cancer research. VHL and its protein pVHL are the root cause of most kidney cancers, and the cascading pathway below them is crucial for understanding hypoxia, in addition to the aforementioned tumorigenesis routes and treatments. We reviewed the history and functions of VHL/pVHL and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), their well-known activities under low-oxygen environments as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and as a transcription factor, respectively, as well as their non-canonical functions revealed recently. Additionally, we discussed how their dysregulation promotes tumorigenesis: beginning with chromosome 3 p-arm (3p) loss/epigenetic methylation, followed by two-allele knockout, before the loss of complimentary tumor suppressor genes leads cells down predictable oncological paths. These different pathways can ultimately determine the grade, outcome, and severity of the deadliest genitourinary cancer. We finished by investigating current and proposed schemes to therapeutically treat clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) by manipulating the hypoxic pathway utilizing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors, small molecule HIF inhibitors, immune checkpoint blockade therapy, and synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Shulman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rachel Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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41
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Riahi H, Fenckova M, Goruk KJ, Schenck A, Kramer JM. The epigenetic regulator G9a attenuates stress-induced resistance and metabolic transcriptional programs across different stressors and species. BMC Biol 2021; 19:112. [PMID: 34030685 PMCID: PMC8142638 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01025-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Resistance and tolerance are two coexisting defense strategies for fighting infections. Resistance is mediated by signaling pathways that induce transcriptional activation of resistance factors that directly eliminate the pathogen. Tolerance refers to adaptations that limit the health impact of a given pathogen burden, without targeting the infectious agent. The key players governing immune tolerance are largely unknown. In Drosophila, the histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferase G9a was shown to mediate tolerance to virus infection and oxidative stress (OS), suggesting that abiotic stresses like OS may also evoke tolerance mechanisms. In response to both virus and OS, stress resistance genes were overinduced in Drosophila G9a mutants, suggesting an intact but overactive stress response. We recently demonstrated that G9a promotes tolerance to OS by maintaining metabolic homeostasis and safeguarding energy availability, but it remained unclear if this mechanism also applies to viral infection, or is conserved in other species and stress responses. To address these questions, we analyzed publicly available datasets from Drosophila, mouse, and human in which global gene expression levels were measured in G9a-depleted conditions and controls at different time points upon stress exposure. Results In all investigated datasets, G9a attenuates the transcriptional stress responses that confer resistance against the encountered stressor. Comparative analysis of conserved G9a-dependent stress response genes suggests that G9a is an intimate part of the design principles of stress resistance, buffering the induction of promiscuous stress signaling pathways and stress-specific resistance factors. Importantly, we find stress-dependent downregulation of metabolic genes to also be dependent on G9a across all of the tested datasets. Conclusions These results suggest that G9a sets the balance between activation of resistance genes and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, thereby ensuring optimal organismal performance during exposure to diverse types of stress across different species. We therefore propose G9a as a potentially conserved master regulator underlying the widely important, yet poorly understood, concept of stress tolerance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01025-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Human Riahi
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michaela Fenckova
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kayla J Goruk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jamie M Kramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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42
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Mabe NW, Garcia NMG, Wolery SE, Newcomb R, Meingasner RC, Vilona BA, Lupo R, Lin CC, Chi JT, Alvarez JV. G9a Promotes Breast Cancer Recurrence through Repression of a Pro-inflammatory Program. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108341. [PMID: 33147463 PMCID: PMC7656293 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated gene expression is a common feature of cancer and may underlie some aspects of tumor progression, including tumor relapse. Here, we show that recurrent mammary tumors exhibit global changes in gene expression and histone modifications and acquire dependence on the G9a histone methyltransferase. Genetic ablation of G9a delays tumor recurrence, and pharmacologic inhibition of G9a slows the growth of recurrent tumors. Mechanistically, G9a activity is required to silence pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), through H3K9 methylation at gene promoters. G9a inhibition induces re-expression of these cytokines, leading to p53 activation and necroptosis. Recurrent tumors upregulate receptor interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) expression and are dependent upon RIPK3 activity. High RIPK3 expression renders recurrent tumors sensitive to necroptosis following G9a inhibition. These findings demonstrate that G9a-mediated silencing of pro-necroptotic proteins is a critical step in tumor recurrence and suggest that G9a is a targetable dependency in recurrent breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel W Mabe
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nina Marie G Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Shayna E Wolery
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rachel Newcomb
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ryan C Meingasner
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brittany A Vilona
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ryan Lupo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Chao-Chieh Lin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James V Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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43
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van Gils N, Denkers F, Smit L. Escape From Treatment; the Different Faces of Leukemic Stem Cells and Therapy Resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2021; 11:659253. [PMID: 34012921 PMCID: PMC8126717 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.659253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Standard induction chemotherapy, consisting of an anthracycline and cytarabine, has been the first-line therapy for many years to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although this treatment induces complete remissions in the majority of patients, many face a relapse (adaptive resistance) or have refractory disease (primary resistance). Moreover, older patients are often unfit for cytotoxic-based treatment. AML relapse is due to the survival of therapy-resistant leukemia cells (minimal residual disease, MRD). Leukemia cells with stem cell features, named leukemic stem cells (LSCs), residing within MRD are thought to be at the origin of relapse initiation. It is increasingly recognized that leukemia "persisters" are caused by intra-leukemic heterogeneity and non-genetic factors leading to plasticity in therapy response. The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, combined with hypomethylating agents or low dose cytarabine, represents an important new therapy especially for older AML patients. However, often there is also a small population of AML cells refractory to venetoclax treatment. As AML MRD reflects the sum of therapy resistance mechanisms, the different faces of treatment "persisters" and LSCs might be exploited to reach an optimal therapy response and prevent the initiation of relapse. Here, we describe the different epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic states of therapy sensitive and resistant AML (stem) cell populations and LSCs, how these cell states are influenced by the microenvironment and affect treatment outcome of AML. Moreover, we discuss potential strategies to target dynamic treatment resistance and LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noortje van Gils
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fedor Denkers
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Linda Smit
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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44
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Li B, Zhao J, Ma J, Chen W, Zhou C, Wei W, Li S, Li G, Xin G, Zhang Y, Liu J, Wang Y, Ma X. Cross-talk Between Histone and DNA Methylation Mediates Bone Loss in Hind Limb Unloading. J Bone Miner Res 2021; 36:956-967. [PMID: 33465813 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bone loss induced by mechanical unloading is a common skeletal disease, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. The current study investigated the role of histone methylation, a key epigenetic marker, and its cross-talk with DNA methylation in bone loss induced by mechanical unloading. The expression of G9a, ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1), and DNA methylation transferase 1 (DNMT1) were increased in hind limb unloading (HLU) rats. This was accompanied by an increased level of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) di-/tri-methylation at lncH19 promoter. Then, alteration of G9a, DNMT1, or UHRF1 expression significantly affected lncH19 level and osteogenic activity in UMR106 cells. Osteogenic gene expression and matrix mineralization were robustly promoted after simultaneous knockdown of G9a, DNMT1, and UHRF1. Furthermore, physical interactions of lncH19 promoter with G9a and DNMT1, as well as direct interactions among DNMT1, G9a, and UHRF1 were detected. Importantly, overexpression of DNMT1, G9a, or UHRF1, respectively, resulted in enrichment of H3K9me2/me3 and 5-methylcytosine at lncH19 promoter. Finally, in vivo rescue experiments indicated that knockdown of DNMT1, G9a, or UHRF1 significantly relieved bone loss in HLU rats. In conclusion, our research demonstrated the critical role of H3K9 methylation and its cross-talk with DNA methylation in regulating lncH19 expression and bone loss in HLU rats. Combined targeting of DNMT1, G9a, and UHRF1 could be a promising strategy for the treatment of bone loss induced by mechanical unloading. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Orthopedic Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianxiong Ma
- Tianjin Orthopedic Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Weibo Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ce Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wuzeng Wei
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guomin Li
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guosheng Xin
- Tianjin Orthopedic Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Tianjin Orthopedic Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yinsong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinlong Ma
- Joint Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Orthopedic Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Orthopedic Research Institute, Tianjin, China
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45
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Kelly GM, Al-Ejeh F, McCuaig R, Casciello F, Ahmad Kamal N, Ferguson B, Pritchard AL, Ali S, Silva IP, Wilmott JS, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Rao S, Hayward NK, Gannon F, Lee JS. G9a Inhibition Enhances Checkpoint Inhibitor Blockade Response in Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2624-2635. [PMID: 33589432 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE G9a histone methyltransferase exerts oncogenic effects in several tumor types and its inhibition promotes anticancer effects. However, the impact on checkpoint inhibitor blockade response and the utility of G9a or its target genes as a biomarker is poorly studied. We aimed to examine whether G9a inhibition can augment the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor blockade and whether LC3B, a G9a target gene, can predict treatment response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Clinical potential of LC3B as a biomarker of checkpoint inhibitor blockade was assessed using patient samples including tumor biopsies and circulating tumor cells from liquid biopsies. Efficacy of G9a inhibition to enhance checkpoint inhibitor blockade was examined using a mouse model. RESULTS Patients with melanoma who responded to checkpoint inhibitor blockade were associated with not only a higher level of tumor LC3B but also a higher proportion of cells expressing LC3B. A higher expression of MAP1LC3B or LC3B protein was associated with longer survival and lower incidence of acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitor blockade, suggesting LC3B as a potential predictive biomarker. We demonstrate that G9a histone methyltransferase inhibition is able to not only robustly induce LC3B level to augment the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor blockade, but also induces melanoma cell death. CONCLUSIONS Checkpoint inhibitor blockade response is limited to a subset of the patient population. These results have implications for the development of LC3B as a predictive biomarker of checkpoint inhibitor blockade to guide patient selection, as well as G9a inhibition as a strategy to extend the proportion of patients responding to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Kelly
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fares Al-Ejeh
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert McCuaig
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Francesco Casciello
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Blake Ferguson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Sayed Ali
- Faculty of Education, Science, Technology & Mathematics, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
- St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals, Midland, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ines P Silva
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Mater Hospital, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sudha Rao
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas K Hayward
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frank Gannon
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason S Lee
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Tellez CS, Picchi MA, Juri D, Do K, Desai DH, Amin SG, Hutt JA, Filipczak PT, Belinsky SA. Chromatin remodeling by the histone methyltransferase EZH2 drives lung pre-malignancy and is a target for cancer prevention. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:44. [PMID: 33632299 PMCID: PMC7908796 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trimethylation of lysine 27 and dimethylation of lysine 9 of histone-H3 catalyzed by the histone methyltransferases EZH2 and G9a impede gene transcription in cancer. Our human bronchial epithelial (HBEC) pre-malignancy model studied the role of these histone modifications in transformation. Tobacco carcinogen transformed HBEC lines were characterized for cytosine DNA methylation, transcriptome reprogramming, and the effect of inhibiting EZH2 and G9a on the transformed phenotype. The effects of targeting EZH2 and G9a on lung cancer prevention was assessed in the A/J mouse lung tumor model. Results Carcinogen exposure induced transformation and DNA methylation of 12–96 genes in the four HBEC transformed (T) lines that was perpetuated in malignant tumors. In contrast, 506 unmethylated genes showed reduced expression in one or more HBECTs with many becoming methylated in tumors. ChIP-on-chip for HBEC2T identified 327 and 143 genes enriched for H3K27me3 and H3K9me2. Treatment of HBEC2T and HBEC13T with DZNep, a lysine methyltransferase inhibitor depleted EZH2, reversed transformation, and induced transcriptional reprogramming. The EZH2 small molecule inhibitor EPZ6438 also affected transformation and expression in HBEC2T, while a G9a inhibitor, UNC0642 was ineffective. Genetic knock down of EZH2 dramatically reduced carcinogen-induced transformation of HBEC2. Only DZNep treatment prevented progression of hyperplasia to adenomas in the NNK mouse lung tumor model through reducing EZH2 and affecting the expression of genes regulating cell growth and invasion. Conclusion These studies demonstrate a critical role for EZH2 catalyzed histone modifications for premalignancy and its potential as a target for chemoprevention of lung carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen S Tellez
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA.
| | - Maria A Picchi
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA
| | - Daniel Juri
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA
| | - Kieu Do
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA
| | - Dhimant H Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Shantu G Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Julie A Hutt
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA
| | - Piotr T Filipczak
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA
| | - Steven A Belinsky
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA.
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Gene transcription and chromatin regulation in hypoxia. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:1121-1128. [PMID: 32369557 PMCID: PMC7329336 DOI: 10.1042/bst20191106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen sensing is an essential feature of metazoan biology and reductions in oxygen availability (hypoxia) have both physiological and pathophysiological implications. Co-ordinated mechanisms have evolved for sensing and responding to hypoxia, which involve diverse biological outputs, with the main aim of restoring oxygen homeostasis. This includes a dynamic gene transcriptional response, the central drivers of which are the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors. HIFs are regulated in an oxygen-dependent manner and while their role in hypoxia is well established, it is apparent that other key players are required for gene expression control in hypoxia. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of the known and potential molecular mechanisms underpinning gene transcriptional responses to hypoxia in mammals, with a focus on oxygen-dependent effects on chromatin structure.
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48
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Ramarao-Milne P, Kondrashova O, Barry S, Hooper JD, Lee JS, Waddell N. Histone Modifying Enzymes in Gynaecological Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040816. [PMID: 33669182 PMCID: PMC7919659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetics is a process that allows genetic control, without the involvement of sequence changes to DNA or genes. In cancer, epigenetics is a key event in tumour development that can alter the expression of cancer driver genes and result in genomic instability. Due to the critical role of epigenetics in malignant transformation, therapies that target these processes have been developed to treat cancer. Here, we provide a summary of the epigenetic changes that have been described in a variety of gynaecological cancers. We then highlight how these changes are being targeted in preclinical models and clinical trials for gynaecological cancers. Abstract Genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to the development of cancer. Epigenetic dysregulation is common in gynaecological cancers and includes altered methylation at CpG islands in gene promoter regions, global demethylation that leads to genome instability and histone modifications. Histones are a major determinant of chromosomal conformation and stability, and unlike DNA methylation, which is generally associated with gene silencing, are amenable to post-translational modifications that induce facultative chromatin regions, or condensed transcriptionally silent regions that decondense resulting in global alteration of gene expression. In comparison, other components, crucial to the manipulation of chromatin dynamics, such as histone modifying enzymes, are not as well-studied. Inhibitors targeting DNA modifying enzymes, particularly histone modifying enzymes represent a potential cancer treatment. Due to the ability of epigenetic therapies to target multiple pathways simultaneously, tumours with complex mutational landscapes affected by multiple driver mutations may be most amenable to this type of inhibitor. Interrogation of the actionable landscape of different gynaecological cancer types has revealed that some patients have biomarkers which indicate potential sensitivity to epigenetic inhibitors. In this review we describe the role of epigenetics in gynaecological cancers and highlight how it may exploited for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Sinead Barry
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Mater Hospital Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - John D. Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Jason S. Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-38453951
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
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Arisan ED, Rencuzogullari O, Cieza-Borrella C, Miralles Arenas F, Dwek M, Lange S, Uysal-Onganer P. MiR-21 Is Required for the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1557. [PMID: 33557112 PMCID: PMC7913884 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BCa) is one of the leading health problems among women. Although significant achievements have led to advanced therapeutic success with targeted therapy options, more efforts are required for different subtypes of tumors and according to genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic alterations. This study underlines the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Following the knockout of miR-21 from MDA-MB-231 cells, which have the highest miR-21 expression levels compared to MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 BCa cells, a decrease in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via downregulation of mesenchymal markers was observed. Wnt-11 was a critical target for miR-21, and the Wnt-11 related signaling axis was altered in the stable miR-21 knockout cells. miR-21 expression was associated with a significant increase in mesenchymal markers in MDA-MB-231 BCa cells. Furthermore, the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) was significantly reduced in the miR-21 KO cells, alongside a significant reduction in relative miR-21 export in EV cargo, compared with control cells. We conclude that miR-21 is a leading factor involved in mesenchymal transition in MDA-MB-231 BCa. Future therapeutic strategies could focus on its role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Damla Arisan
- Institute of Biotechnology, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, 41400 Kocaeli, Turkey;
| | - Ozge Rencuzogullari
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atakoy Campus, Istanbul Kultur University, 34156 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Clara Cieza-Borrella
- Centre for Biomedical Education/Cell Biology and Genetics Research Centre, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; (C.C.-B.); (F.M.A.)
| | - Francesc Miralles Arenas
- Centre for Biomedical Education/Cell Biology and Genetics Research Centre, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; (C.C.-B.); (F.M.A.)
| | - Miriam Dwek
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK;
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK;
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK;
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Xu P, Sun X, Song X, Peng Y, He B, Wu Z, Zhu J. Prognostic value of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and histone methyltransferase G9a histone methyltransferase in patients with double expression lymphoma: A retrospective observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e24449. [PMID: 33530253 PMCID: PMC7850655 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000024449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, MYC combined with Bcl2 and/or Bcl6-based protein expression is called double expression lymphoma (DEL). R-DA-EPOCH program chemotherapy is typically recommended because these patients often have a poor prognosis. Although numerous factors affect survival of patients with DEL, the roles of the tumor biomarker histone methyltransferase G9a (G9a) and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) are unknown.We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 51 patients. These patients were newly diagnosed with DEL and treated with R-DA-EPOCH at Taizhou People' s Hospital and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital between June 2014 and December 2019. Receiver operator characteristic curve results were used to calculate the LMR cutoff value. We used an immunohistochemical analysis to examine G9a expression in DEL tissues. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) characteristics. Cox proportional-hazards models were constructed for univariate and multivariate analyses to examine the prognostic values of LMRs and G9a in patients with DEL.The cutoff value for LMR was 2.18. The 5-year PFS rate was 35.3%, and the 5-year OS rate was 39.2%. Patients with DEL with lower LMRs and who were G9a-positive predicted inferior PFS and OS. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with elevated LDH levels, high National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) scores, LMRs ≤2.18, and G9a-positive results had relatively poorer PFS and OS. The multivariate analysis revealed that LMRs ≤2.18 and a G9a-positive result were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS in patients with DEL treated with R-DA-EPOCH.The study results suggested that peripheral blood LMRs were an important marker for evaluation of prognosis in patients with DEL. High expression of G9a was associated with worse outcomes, indicating that G9a may serve as a prognostic biomarker for patients with DEL who undergo R-DA-EPOCH program chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Xu
- Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University
| | - Xuyan Song
- Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou
| | - Yaqian Peng
- Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou
| | - Bin He
- Department of Hematology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengdong Wu
- Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou
| | - Jianfeng Zhu
- Department of Hematology, the People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou
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