1
|
Machitani M, Nomura A, Yamashita T, Yasukawa M, Ueki S, Fujita KI, Ueno T, Yamashita A, Tanzawa Y, Watanabe M, Taniguchi T, Saitoh N, Kaneko S, Kato Y, Mano H, Masutomi K. Maintenance of R-loop structures by phosphorylated hTERT preserves genome integrity. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:932-945. [PMID: 38806647 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01427-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
As aberrant accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) causes DNA damage and genome instability, cells express regulators of R-loop structures. Here we report that RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) regulates R-loop formation. We found that the phosphorylated form of hTERT (p-hTERT) exhibits RdRP activity in nuclear speckles both in telomerase-positive cells and telomerase-negative cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) activity. The p-hTERT did not associate with telomerase RNA component in nuclear speckles but, instead, with TERRA RNAs to resolve R-loops. Targeting of the TERT gene in ALT cells ablated RdRP activity and impaired tumour growth. Using a genome-scale CRISPR loss-of-function screen, we identified Fanconi anaemia/BRCA genes as synthetic lethal partners of hTERT RdRP. Inactivation of RdRP and Fanconi anaemia/BRCA genes caused accumulation of R-loop structures and DNA damage. These findings indicate that RdRP activity of p-hTERT guards against genome instability by removing R-loop structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Machitani
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Nomura
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mami Yasukawa
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saori Ueki
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Fujita
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihide Ueno
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akio Yamashita
- Department of Investigative Medicine, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Nakagami, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanzawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Toshiyasu Taniguchi
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mano
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenkichi Masutomi
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumar A, Nagasaka Y, Jayananthan V, Zidan A, Heisler-Taylor T, Ambati J, Tamiya S, Kerur N. Therapeutic targeting of telomerase ameliorates experimental choroidal neovascularization. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167156. [PMID: 38582267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167156] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the principal driver of blindness in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). Increased activity of telomerase, has been associated with endothelial cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion in the context of tumor angiogenesis. Expanding on this knowledge, we investigated the role of telomerase in the development of CNV in mouse model. We observed increased gene expression and activity of telomerase in mouse CNV. Genetic deficiency of the telomerase components, telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) and telomerase RNA component (Terc) suppressed laser-induced CNV in mice. Similarly, a small molecule inhibitor of TERT (BIBR 1532), and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting Tert and Terc reduced CNV growth. Bone marrow chimera studies suggested that telomerase activity in non-bone marrow-derived cells is crucial for the development of CNV. Comparison of BIBR 1532 with VEGF neutralizing therapeutic strategy in mouse revealed a comparable level of angiosuppressive activity. However, when BIBR and anti-VEGF antibodies were administered as a combination at sub-therapeutic doses, a statistically significant suppression of CNV was observed. These findings underscore the potential benefits of combining sub-therapeutic doses of BIBR and anti-VEGF antibodies for developing newer therapeutic strategies for NV-AMD. Telomerase inhibition with BIBR 1532 suppressed induction of multiple cytokines and growth factors critical for neovascularization. In conclusion, our study identifies telomerase as a promising therapeutic target for treating neovascular disease of the eye and thus provides a proof of principle for further exploration of telomerase inhibition as a novel treatment strategy for nvAMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aman Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yosuke Nagasaka
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Vinodhini Jayananthan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Asmaa Zidan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tyler Heisler-Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Shigeo Tamiya
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nagaraj Kerur
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jayaprasad AG, Chandrasekharan A, Arun Jyothi SP, John Sam SM, Santhoshkumar TR, Pillai MR. Telomerase inhibitors induce mitochondrial oxidation and DNA damage-dependent cell death rescued by Bcl-2/Bcl-xL. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130151. [PMID: 38403227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130151] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactivation of telomerase is a hallmark of cancer and the majority of cancers over-express telomerase. Telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance confers immortality to cancer cells. However, telomere length-independent cell survival functions of telomerase also play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Multiple telomerase inhibitors have been developed as therapeutics and include anti-sense oligonucleotides, telomerase RNA component targeting agents, chemical inhibitors of telomerase, small molecule inhibitors of hTERT, and telomerase vaccine. In general, telomerase inhibitors affect cell proliferation and survival of cells depending on the telomere length reduction, culminating in replicative senescence or cell death by crisis. However, most telomerase inhibitors kill cancer cells prior to significant reduction in telomere length, suggesting telomere length independent role of telomerase in early telomere dysfunction-dependent cell death. METHODS In this study, we explored the mechanism of cell death induced by three prominent telomerase inhibitors utilizing a series of genetically encoded sensor cells including redox and DNA damage sensor cells. RESULTS We report that telomerase inhibitors induce early cell cycle inhibition, followed by redox alterations at cytosol and mitochondria. Massive mitochondrial oxidation and DNA damage induce classical cell death involving mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss and mitochondrial permeabilization. Real-time imaging of the progression of mitochondrial oxidation revealed that treated cells undergo a biphasic mitochondrial redox alteration during telomerase inhibition, emphasizing the potential role of telomerase in the redox regulation at mitochondria. Additionally, silencing of hTERT confirmed its predominant role in maintaining mitochondrial redox homeostasis. Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins still confer protection against cell death induced by telomerase inhibitors. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that redox alterations and DNA damage contribute to early cell death by telomerase inhibitors and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins confer protection from cell death by their ability to safeguard mitochondria from oxidation damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Geetha Jayaprasad
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India; PhD Program, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Aneesh Chandrasekharan
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - S P Arun Jyothi
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - S M John Sam
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - T R Santhoshkumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
| | - M Radhakrishna Pillai
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao Z, Yu Y, Dai Y, Zhao Z, Eckel-Mahan K, Kolonin MG. Gene expression in mice with endothelium-specific telomerase knockout. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1295072. [PMID: 38161328 PMCID: PMC10755458 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1295072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanguo Gao
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yongmei Yu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yulin Dai
- Center for Precision Health, Cancer Genomics Core, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, Cancer Genomics Core, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristin Eckel-Mahan
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mikhail G. Kolonin
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zantut-Wittmann DE, Barreto IS, Laus AC, Moreno DA, Moma CA, Maia FFR, Assumpção LVMD, Reis RM. PD-L1 and MCL-1 markers and the relationship with prognostic characteristics of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 570:111931. [PMID: 37072108 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES MCL-1 and PD-L1 proteins are related to carcinogenesis mechanisms in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC). Tumor antigens stimulate the expression of PD-1 in immune cells, which binds to PD-L1 of tumor cells, inducing immune escape from the tumor. MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family, is necessary for the survival of T and B lymphocytes and has a high oncogenic potential. We aim to evaluate the clinical utility and relevance of MCL-1 and PD-L1 in the long-term prognosis of DTC. METHODS 120 DTC patients after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy followed for a minimum of 2 years were included. Demographic features, tumor histopathology, persistence/recurrence risk, factors associated with outcome, initial response to therapy, persistence or disease-free at the follow-up were related to MCL-1 and PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression and BRAFV600E mutation. RESULTS 100(83.3%) were women, 46.64 ± 16.73 years old at diagnosis; 37(30.8%) patients were at high, 45(37.5%) of intermediate and 38(31.7%) of low disease recurrence/persistence risk. At the end of follow-up of 124.86 ± 65.36 months, 48(42.5%) had persistent disease. 103(85.8%) patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 17(14.2%) follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). In PTC, moderate/strong PD-L1 and MCL-1 expressions were associated to BRAFV600E (p=0.0467; p=0.0044). PD-L1 was also associated with tall cell subtype (p=0.0274). In FTC, weak PD-L1 expression was associated to the largest nodule diameter (p=0.0100). Strong/moderate PD-L1 expression was associated to T2 and the weak expression with T3 in TNM classification (p=0.0490). Moderate MCL-1 expression was associated to smoking (p=0.0350). CONCLUSIONS PDL-1, marker of progression of tumor cells and MCL-1, anti-apoptotic marker, were associated with PTC carrying BRAFV600E mutation, while PDL-1 was associated with more aggressive PTC subtype. MCL-1 and PD-L1 could be useful in composing a panel to assess the prognosis of PTC patients. On the other hand, both markers seemed to have lower relevance to FTC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Engelbrecht Zantut-Wittmann
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Icleia Siqueira Barreto
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Laus
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Aparecida Moma
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Frederico Fernandes Ribeiro Maia
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lígia Vera Montali da Assumpção
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, SP, Brazil; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zantut-Wittmann DE, Laus AC, Moreno DA, Barreto IS, Moma CA, Maia F, Etchebehere E, Assumpção L, Reis RM. Extremely aggressive course in a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting a double mutation of the TERT promoter. Am J Med Sci 2023; 365:532-537. [PMID: 36972734 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2023.03.019] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BRAF and TERT oncogenes hotspot mutations are associated with a more aggressive outcome in thyroid carcinomas (TC). TERT promoter (pTERT) mutations (C228T and C250T) are related to cancer growth and reduced overall- and disease-free survivals in TC. We report a patient followed up for 8 years with a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) presenting an extremely aggressive course, who developed a large volume of metastases in a short period. Molecular analysis of the primary tumor revealed two pTERT mutations (C228T and C250T), and no BRAF V600E mutation. pTERT mutations C228T and C250T have been described as mutually exclusive, indicating that one mutation is enough for telomerase activation and exerts its action in thyroid tumorigenesis. This report describes both pTERT hotspot mutations in the same PDTC patient presenting a very aggressive course, even for PDTC, suggesting a relationship between the two events. However, more studies are needed to prove this causality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D E Zantut-Wittmann
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - A C Laus
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos SP, Brazil
| | - D A Moreno
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos SP, Brazil
| | - I S Barreto
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C A Moma
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ffr Maia
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ecsc Etchebehere
- Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lvm Assumpção
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R M Reis
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos SP, Brazil; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yeh TJ, Luo CW, Du JS, Huang CT, Wang MH, Chuang TM, Gau YC, Cho SF, Liu YC, Hsiao HH, Chen LT, Pan MR, Wang HC, Moi SH. Deciphering the Functions of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase in Head and Neck Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:691. [PMID: 36979671 PMCID: PMC10044978 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are among the ten leading malignancies worldwide. Despite significant progress in all therapeutic modalities, predictive biomarkers, and targeted therapies for HNCs are limited and the survival rate is unsatisfactory. The importance of telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation in carcinogenesis has been demonstrated in recent decades. Several mechanisms could activate telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the most common of which is promoter alternation. Two major hotspot TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) have been reported in different malignancies such as melanoma, genitourinary cancers, CNS tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancers, sarcomas, and HNCs. The frequencies of TERT promoter mutations vary widely across tumors and is quite high in HNCs (11.9-64.7%). These mutations have been reported to be more enriched in oral cavity SCCs and HPV-negative tumors. The association between TERT promoter mutations and poor survival has also been demonstrated. Till now, several therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase have been developed although only a few drugs have been used in clinical trials. Here, we briefly review and summarize our current understanding and evidence of TERT promoter mutations in HNC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Jang Yeh
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wen Luo
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science and Institute of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Shiun Du
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Tzu Huang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hung Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tzer-Ming Chuang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ching Gau
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Feng Cho
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chang Liu
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Hua Hsiao
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ren Pan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Hua Moi
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alzoubi H, Minasi S, Gianno F, Antonelli M, Belardinilli F, Giangaspero F, Jaffrain-Rea ML, Buttarelli FR. Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Promoter Methylation in Recurrent Adult and Primary Pediatric Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors. Endocr Pathol 2022; 33:494-505. [PMID: 34993885 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-021-09702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neoplastic cells acquire the ability to proliferate endlessly by maintaining telomeres via telomerase, or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The role of telomere maintenance in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) has yet to be thoroughly investigated. We analyzed surgical samples of 24 adult recurrent PitNETs (including onset and relapses for 14 of them) and 12 pediatric primary PitNETs. The presence of ALT was assessed using telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization, methylation of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) by methylation-specific PCR, and ATRX expression by immunohistochemistry. Among the adult recurrent PitNETs, we identified 3/24 (12.5%) ALT-positive cases. ALT was present from the onset and maintained in subsequent relapses, suggesting that this mechanism occurs early in tumorigenesis and is stable during progression. ATRX loss was only seen in one ALT-positive case. Noteworthy, ALT was observed in 3 out of 5 aggressive PitNETs, including two aggressive corticotroph tumors, eventually leading to patient's death. ALT-negative tumors (87.5%) were classified according to their low (29.2%), medium (50%), and high (8.3%) telomere fluorescence intensity, with no significant differences emerging in their molecular, clinical, or pathological characteristics. TERTp methylation was found in 6/24 cases (25%), with a total concordance in methylation status between onset and recurrences, suggesting that this mechanism remains stable throughout disease progression. TERTp methylation did not influence telomere length. In the pediatric cohort of PitNETs, TERTp methylation was also observed in 4/12 cases (33.3%), but no case of ALT activation was observed. In conclusion, ALT is triggered at onset and maintained during tumor progression in a subset of adult PitNETs, suggesting that it could be used for clinical purposes, as a potential predictor of aggressive behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiba Alzoubi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Simone Minasi
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Manila Antonelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Marie-Lise Jaffrain-Rea
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Buttarelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ngai ZN, Chok KC, Ng KY, Koh RY, Chye SM. Potential role of melatonin in prevention and treatment of lung cancer. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2022; 43:485-503. [PMID: 35728260 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2022-0018] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the most lethal cancer worldwide. Melatonin, an indoleamine produced in the pineal gland, shows anticancer effects on a variety of cancers, especially lung cancer. Herein, we clarify the pathophysiology of lung cancer, the association of circadian rhythm with lung, and the relationship between shift work and the incidence of lung cancer. Special focus is placed on the role of melatonin receptors in lung cancer, the relationship between inflammation and lung cancer, control of cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and immunomodulation in lung cancer by melatonin. A review of the drug synergy of melatonin with other anticancer drugs suggests its usefulness in combination therapy. In summary, the information compiled may serve as a comprehensive reference for the various mechanisms of action of melatonin against lung cancer, as a guide for the design of future experimental research and for advancing melatonin as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi Ni Ngai
- School of Health Science, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kian Chung Chok
- School of Health Science, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khuen Yen Ng
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rhun Yian Koh
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Science, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Soi Moi Chye
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Science, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
González-Moles MÁ, Moya-González E, García-Ferrera A, Nieto-Casado P, Ramos-García P. Prognostic and Clinicopathological Significance of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Upregulation in Oral Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153673. [PMID: 35954336 PMCID: PMC9367569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the current evidence on the prognostic and clinicopathological significance value of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) upregulation in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies published before April 2022, not restricted by date or publication language. The methodological quality of primary-level studies was critically assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. We carried out meta-analyses, explored heterogeneity and its sources, and performed subgroup, meta-regression, sensitivity, and small-study effects analyses. Twenty-one studies (1698 patients) met inclusion criteria. TERT protein overexpression was significantly associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.70−5.35, p < 0.001), disease-free survival (HR = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.80−9.05, p = 0.001), and higher histological grade OSCC (odds ratio [OR] = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.83−5.62, p < 0.001). These large effect sizes were consistently obtained by homogeneous subgroups (p > 0.10, I2 = 0.0, respectively), which reflects a high quality of evidence. On the other hand, TERT gene mutations obtained constantly nonsignificant null effect sizes for all outcomes investigated, evidencing no prognostic or clinicopathological value. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TERT upregulation is a prognostic indicator of poor survival in oral cancer. Our findings support the immunohistochemical assessment of TERT overexpression, which could probably be incorporated into the prognostic evaluation of OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel González-Moles
- School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (A.G.-F.); (P.N.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.Á.G.-M.); (P.R.-G.)
| | - Eloísa Moya-González
- School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (A.G.-F.); (P.N.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto García-Ferrera
- School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (A.G.-F.); (P.N.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Paola Nieto-Casado
- School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (A.G.-F.); (P.N.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo Ramos-García
- School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-G.); (A.G.-F.); (P.N.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.Á.G.-M.); (P.R.-G.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ellingsen EB, Aamdal E, Guren T, Lilleby W, Brunsvig PF, Mangsbo SM, Aamdal S, Hovig E, Mensali N, Gaudernack G, Inderberg EM. Durable and dynamic hTERT immune responses following vaccination with the long-peptide cancer vaccine UV1: long-term follow-up of three phase I clinical trials. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004345. [PMID: 35613827 PMCID: PMC9134181 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic cancer vaccines represent a promising approach to improve clinical outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibition. UV1 is a second generation telomerase-targeting therapeutic cancer vaccine being investigated across multiple indications. Although telomerase is a near-universal tumor target, different treatment combinations applied across indications may affect the induced immune response. Three phase I/IIa clinical trials covering malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer have been completed, with patients in follow-up for up to 8 years. METHODS 52 patients were enrolled across the three trials. UV1 was given as monotherapy in the lung cancer trial and concurrent with combined androgen blockade in the prostate cancer trial. In the melanoma study, patients initiated ipilimumab treatment 1 week after the first vaccine dose. Patients were followed for UV1-specific immune responses at frequent intervals during vaccination, and every 6 months for up to 8 years in a follow-up period. Phenotypic and functional characterizations were performed on patient-derived vaccine-specific T cell responses. RESULTS In total, 78.4% of treated patients mounted a measurable vaccine-induced T cell response in blood. The immune responses in the malignant melanoma trial, where UV1 was combined with ipilimumab, occurred more rapidly and frequently than in the lung and prostate cancer trials. In several patients, immune responses peaked years after their last vaccination. An in-depth characterization of the immune responses revealed polyfunctional CD4+ T cells producing interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α on interaction with their antigen. CONCLUSION Long-term immunomonitoring of patients showed highly dynamic and persistent telomerase peptide-specific immune responses lasting up to 7.5 years after the initial vaccination, suggesting a plausible functional role of these T cells in long-term survivors. The superior immune response kinetics observed in the melanoma study substantiate the rationale for future combinatorial treatment strategies with UV1 vaccination and checkpoint inhibition for rapid and frequent induction of anti-telomerase immune responses in patients with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Espen Basmo Ellingsen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Ultimovacs ASA, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elin Aamdal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tormod Guren
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Paal F Brunsvig
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sara M Mangsbo
- Department of Pharmacy, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Ultimovacs AB, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nadia Mensali
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Prasad RR, Mishra DK, Kumar M, Yadava PK. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cells by enhancing c-MET upregulation. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08673. [PMID: 35024489 PMCID: PMC8732784 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the essential catalytic subunit of telomerase, is associated with telomere homeostasis to prevent replicative senescence and cellular aging. However, hTERT reactivation also has been linked to the acquisition of several hallmarks of cancer, although the underlying mechanism beyond telomere extension remains elusive. This study demonstrated that hTERT overexpression promotes, whereas its inhibition by shRNA suppresses, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299). We found that hTERT modulates the expression of EMT markers E-cadherin, vimentin, and cytokeratin-18a through upregulation of the c-MET. Ectopic expression of hTERT induces expression of c-MET, while hTERT-shRNA treatment significantly decreases the c-MET level in A549 and H1299 through differential expression of p53 and c-Myc. Reporter assay suggests the regulation of c-MET expression by hTERT to be at the promoter level. An increase in c-MET level significantly promotes the expression of mesenchymal markers, including vimentin and N-cadherin, while a notable increase in epithelial markers E-cadherin and cytokeratin-18a is observed after the c-MET knockdown in A549.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ram Raj Prasad
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Mishra
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Yadava
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, Berhampur 760010, Odisha, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Telomerase RNA recruits RNA polymerase II to target gene promoters to enhance myelopoiesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2015528118. [PMID: 34353901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015528118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in telomerase or telomeric proteins. Here, we report that zebrafish telomerase RNA (terc) binds to specific DNA sequences of master myeloid genes and controls their expression by recruiting RNA Polymerase II (Pol II). Zebrafish terc harboring the CR4-CR5 domain mutation found in DC patients hardly interacted with Pol II and failed to regulate myeloid gene expression in vivo and to increase their transcription rates in vitro. Similarly, TERC regulated myeloid gene expression and Pol II promoter occupancy in human myeloid progenitor cells. Strikingly, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from DC patients with a TERC mutation in the CR4-CR5 domain showed impaired myelopoiesis, while those with mutated telomerase catalytic subunit differentiated normally. Our findings show that TERC acts as a transcription factor, revealing a target for therapeutic intervention in DC patients.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ellingsen EB, Mangsbo SM, Hovig E, Gaudernack G. Telomerase as a Target for Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines and Considerations for Optimizing Their Clinical Potential. Front Immunol 2021; 12:682492. [PMID: 34290704 PMCID: PMC8288190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.682492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase-based therapeutic cancer vaccines (TCVs) have been under clinical investigation for the past two decades. Despite past failures, TCVs have gained renewed enthusiasm for their potential to improve the efficacy of checkpoint inhibition. Telomerase stands as an attractive target for TCVs due to its almost universal presence in cancer and its essential function promoting tumor growth. Herein, we review tumor telomerase biology that may affect the efficacy of therapeutic vaccination and provide insights on optimal vaccine design and treatment combinations. Tumor types possessing mechanisms of increased telomerase expression combined with an immune permissive tumor microenvironment are expected to increase the therapeutic potential of telomerase-targeting cancer vaccines. Regardless, rational treatment combinations, such as checkpoint inhibitors, are likely necessary to bring out the true clinical potential of TCVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Espen Basmo Ellingsen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Research and Development, Ultimovacs ASA, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sara M Mangsbo
- Research and Development, Ultimovacs AB, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Establishment and Validation of the Detection of TERT Promoter Mutations by Human Gliomas U251 Cell Lines. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:3271395. [PMID: 34159191 PMCID: PMC8187059 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3271395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor, yet the prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. Mutations in the promoter region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERTp) are associated with diagnosis and poor prognosis in gliomas. Here, we developed a precise and rapid Sanger sequencing assay to screen or TERTp mutations. We established the Sanger sequencing approach for the detection of TERTp mutations based on human glioma cell lines U251 and assessed the analytical validation by determining the accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and specificity. In our study, we verified the accuracy of Sanger sequencing by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Our data showed that TERTp mutations were detected at an analytical sensitivity of 10% per mutant. The precision and specificity validation also showed the desired results. In total, 147 glioma patients were investigated for TERTp mutations, and of each patient, clinical data and molecular characteristics were analyzed. We found that anaplastic oligodendroglioma had the highest frequency of TERTp mutations (66.7%). No differences in TERTp mutation frequency were observed between frozen tissue specimens and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue. TERTp mutations were associated with older patients (≥45 years), whereas isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations were inclined to a younger age (<45 years), frontal location, and pathologic stage II-III patients. IDH mutations were significantly associated with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation (P = 0.003) and lower Ki-67 protein expression (P = 0.011). Moreover, MGMT methylation was enriched in IDH-mutant/TERTp-mutant gliomas, and Ki-67 protein expression was the highest in the IDH-wild type/TERTp-mutant group. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate the establishment of a rapid, precise, and practical Sanger sequencing technique for TERTp mutations in gliomas that may show promising results in clinical applications.
Collapse
|
16
|
Haakensen VD, Nowak AK, Ellingsen EB, Farooqi SJ, Bjaanæs MM, Horndalsveen H, Mcculloch T, Grundberg O, Cedres SM, Helland Å. NIPU: a randomised, open-label, phase II study evaluating nivolumab and ipilimumab combined with UV1 vaccination as second line treatment in patients with malignant mesothelioma. J Transl Med 2021; 19:232. [PMID: 34059094 PMCID: PMC8165504 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02905-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive tumour. For patients with inoperable disease, few treatment options are available after first line chemotherapy. The combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab has recently shown increased survival compared to standard chemotherapy, but most patients do not respond and improvements are called for. Telomerase is expressed in mesothelioma cells, but only sparsely in normal tissues and is therefore an attractive target for therapeutic vaccination. Vaccination against telomerase is tolerable and has shown to induce immune responses associated with increased survival in other cancer types. There is a well-founded scientific rationale for the combination of a telomerase vaccine and checkpoint inhibition to improve treatment response in MPM patients. Methods NIPU is a randomized, multi-centre, open-label, phase II study comparing the efficacy and safety of nivolumab and ipilimumab with or without telomerase vaccine in patients with inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Participants (n = 118) are randomized 1:1 into two treatment arms. All participants receive treatment with nivolumab (240 mg every 2 weeks) and ipilimumab (1 mg/kg every 6 weeks) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for a maximum of 2 years. Patients randomised to the experimental arm receive 8 intradermal injections of UV1 vaccine during the first three months of treatment. Tumour tissue, blood, urine, faeces and imaging will be collected for biomarker analyses and exploration of mechanisms for response and resistance to therapy. Discussion Checkpoint inhibition is used for treatment of mesothelioma, but many patients still do not respond. Increasing therapy response to immunotherapy is an important goal. Possible approaches include combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and other immunotherapeutic agents. Predictive biomarkers are necessary to ensure optimal treatment for each patient and to prevent unnecessary side effects. This trial seeks to improve treatment response by combining checkpoint inhibition with a telomerase vaccine and also to explore mechanisms for treatment response and resistance. Knowledge gained in the NIPU study may be transferred to the first line setting and to other cancers with limited benefit from immunotherapy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04300244, registered March 8th, 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04300244?term=NIPU&draw=2&rank=1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vilde Drageset Haakensen
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna K Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Espen Basmo Ellingsen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Ultimovacs, Oslo, Norway
| | - Saima Jamil Farooqi
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Moksnes Bjaanæs
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Henrik Horndalsveen
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tine Mcculloch
- Department of Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Oscar Grundberg
- Thoracic Oncology Center, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susana M Cedres
- Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Åslaug Helland
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly lethal form of brain cancer with no current treatment options that substantially improve patient outcomes. A key therapeutic challenge is the identification of methods that reduce tumor burden while leaving normal cells unaffected. We show that TERT-promoter mutations, common in glioblastoma, lead to TERT reactivation through increased binding of GABPB1L-isoform–containing transcription factor complexes. In turn, we find that cancer-cell–specific inhibition of TERT through GABPB1L reduction results in near-term anti-growth effects and an impaired DNA damage response that profoundly increase the sensitivity of glioblastoma tumors to frontline chemotherapy. Our results thus provide rationale for GABPB1L inhibition combined with temozolomide chemotherapy treatment as a promising therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma. Most glioblastomas (GBMs) achieve cellular immortality by acquiring a mutation in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter. TERT promoter mutations create a binding site for a GA binding protein (GABP) transcription factor complex, whose assembly at the promoter is associated with TERT reactivation and telomere maintenance. Here, we demonstrate increased binding of a specific GABPB1L-isoform–containing complex to the mutant TERT promoter. Furthermore, we find that TERT promoter mutant GBM cells, unlike wild-type cells, exhibit a critical near-term dependence on GABPB1L for proliferation, notably also posttumor establishment in vivo. Up-regulation of the protein paralogue GABPB2, which is normally expressed at very low levels, can rescue this dependence. More importantly, when combined with frontline temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, inducible GABPB1L knockdown and the associated TERT reduction led to an impaired DNA damage response that resulted in profoundly reduced growth of intracranial GBM tumors. Together, these findings provide insights into the mechanism of cancer-specific TERT regulation, uncover rapid effects of GABPB1L-mediated TERT suppression in GBM maintenance, and establish GABPB1L inhibition in combination with chemotherapy as a therapeutic strategy for TERT promoter mutant GBM.
Collapse
|
18
|
Gao Z, Daquinag AC, Fussell C, Zhao Z, Dai Y, Rivera A, Snyder BE, Eckel-Mahan KL, Kolonin MG. Age-associated telomere attrition in adipocyte progenitors predisposes to metabolic disease. Nat Metab 2020; 2:1482-1497. [PMID: 33324010 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
White and beige adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are maintained by proliferation and differentiation of adipose progenitor cells (APCs). Here we use mice with tissue-specific telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene knockout (KO), which undergo premature telomere shortening and proliferative senescence in APCs, to investigate the effect of over-nutrition on APC exhaustion and metabolic dysfunction. We find that TERT KO in the Pdgfra+ cell lineage results in adipocyte hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis in SAT, while TERT KO in the Pdgfrb+ lineage leads to adipocyte hypertrophy in both SAT and VAT. Systemic insulin resistance is observed in both KO models and is aggravated by a high-fat diet. Analysis of human biopsies demonstrates that telomere shortening in SAT is associated with metabolic disease progression after bariatric surgery. Our data indicate that over-nutrition can promote APC senescence and provide a mechanistic link between ageing, obesity and diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanguo Gao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexes C Daquinag
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cale Fussell
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yulin Dai
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Brad E Snyder
- Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristin L Eckel-Mahan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mikhail G Kolonin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Shen L, Zeng J, Ma L, Li S, Chen C, Jia J, Liang X. Helicobacter pylori Induces a Novel NF-kB/LIN28A/let-7a/hTERT Axis to Promote Gastric Carcinogenesis. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:74-85. [PMID: 33004623 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reactivated telomerase is a crucial event in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, how telomerase is activated in gastric carcinogenesis has not been fully uncovered yet. Here, we identified a key role of the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to promote human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression for gastric cancer initiation. Mechanistically, LIN28A expression was upregulated by H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation. And LIN28A, in turn, suppressed let-7a expression, forming the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to regulate gene expression upon H. pylori infection. Of note, we first discovered hTERT as a direct target of let-7a, which inhibited hTERT expression by binding to its 3'UTR of mRNA. Therefore, H. pylori-triggered let-7a downregulation enhanced hTERT protein translation, resulting in telomerase reactivation. Furthermore, hTERT enhanced LIN28A expression, forming the positive feedback regulation between hTERT and NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to maintain the sustained overexpression of hTERT in gastric cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The NF-κB/LIN28A/Let-7a axis was crucial for the overexpression of hTERT upon H. pylori infection during gastric cancer development and may serve as a potential target to suppress hTERT expression for gastric cancer prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jiping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Shuyan Li
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jihui Jia
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiuming Liang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China. .,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liao Y, Gao Y, Chang A, Li Z, Wang H, Cao J, Gu W, Tang R. Melatonin synergizes BRAF-targeting agent dabrafenib for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer by inhibiting AKT/hTERT signalling. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:12119-12130. [PMID: 32935463 PMCID: PMC7579709 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As a selective inhibitor of BRAF kinase, dabrafenib has shown potent anti‐tumour activities in patients with BRAFV600E mutant anaplastic thyroid cancer. However, the resistance of thyroid cancer cells to dabrafenib limited its therapeutic effect. The effects of melatonin and dabrafenib as monotherapy or in combination on the proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, migration and invasion of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells were examined. The molecular mechanism involved in drug combinations was also revealed. Melatonin enhanced dabrafenib‐mediated inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted dabrafenib‐induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. Molecular mechanistic studies further uncovered that melatonin synergized with dabrafenib to inhibit AKT and EMT signalling pathways. Furthermore, melatonin and dabrafenib synergistically inhibited the expression of hTERT, and the inhibition of cell viability and the induction of cell cycle arrest mediated by the combination of these two drugs were reversed by hTERT overexpression. Taken together, our results demonstrated that melatonin synergized the anti‐tumour effect of dabrafenib in human anaplastic thyroid cancer cells by inhibiting multiple signalling pathways, and provided new insights in exploring the potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yina Liao
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Disease, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - An Chang
- Department of Drug Administration, First affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Zongjuan Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huayu Wang
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ranran Tang
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sung JY, Lim HW, Joung JG, Park WY. Pan-Cancer Analysis of Alternative Lengthening of Telomere Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082207. [PMID: 32784588 PMCID: PMC7465155 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomerase-independent mechanism that extends telomeres in cancer cells. It influences tumorigenesis and patient survival. Despite the clinical significance of ALT in tumors, the manner in which ALT is activated and influences prognostic outcomes in distinct cancer types is unclear. In this work, we profiled distinct telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) using 8953 transcriptomes of 31 different cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Our results demonstrated that approximately 29% of cancer types display high ALT activity with low telomerase activity in the telomere-lengthening group. Among the distinct ALT mechanisms, homologous recombination was frequently observed in sarcoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, and kidney chromophobe. Five cancer types showed a significant difference in survival in the presence of high ALT activity. Sarcoma patients with elevated ALT had unfavorable risks (p < 0.038) coupled with a high expression of TOP2A, suggesting this as a potential drug target. On the contrary, glioblastoma patients had favorable risks (p < 0.02), and showed low levels of antigen-presenting cells. Together, our analyses highlight cancer type-dependent TMM activities and ALT-associated genes as potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yong Sung
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea;
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Je-Gun Joung
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea;
- Correspondence: (J.-G.J.); (W.-Y.P.); Tel.: +82-2-3410-1706 (J.-G.J.); +82-2-3410-6128 (W.-Y.P.); Fax: +82-2-2148-9819 (W.-Y.P.)
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea;
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-G.J.); (W.-Y.P.); Tel.: +82-2-3410-1706 (J.-G.J.); +82-2-3410-6128 (W.-Y.P.); Fax: +82-2-2148-9819 (W.-Y.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nemirovich-Danchenko NM, Khodanovich MY. Telomerase Gene Editing in the Neural Stem Cells in vivo as a Possible New Approach against Brain Aging. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420040092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
23
|
The Solo Play of TERT Promoter Mutations. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030749. [PMID: 32204305 PMCID: PMC7140675 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The reactivation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein is the principal mechanism of telomere maintenance in cancer cells. Mutations in the TERT promoter (TERTp) are a common mechanism of TERT reactivation in many solid cancers, particularly those originating from slow-replicating tissues. They are associated with increased TERT levels, telomere stabilization, and cell immortalization and proliferation. Much effort has been invested in recent years in characterizing their prevalence in different cancers and their potential as biomarkers for tumor stratification, as well as assessing their molecular mechanism of action, but much remains to be understood. Notably, they appear late in cell transformation and are mutually exclusive with each other as well as with other telomere maintenance mechanisms, indicative of overlapping selective advantages and of a strict regulation of TERT expression levels. In this review, we summarized the latest literature on the role and prevalence of TERTp mutations across different cancer types, highlighting their biased distribution. We then discussed the need to maintain TERT levels at sufficient levels to immortalize cells and promote proliferation while remaining within cell sustainability levels. A better understanding of TERT regulation is crucial when considering its use as a possible target in antitumor strategies.
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
As cells replicate their DNA during mitosis, telomeres are shortened due to the inherent limitations of the DNA replication process. Maintenance of telomere length is critical for cancer cells to overcome cellular senescence induced by telomere shortening. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the rate-limiting catalytic subunit of telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that lengthens telomeric DNA to maintain telomere homeostasis. TERT promoter mutations, which result in the upregulation of TERT transcription, have been identified in several central nervous system (CNS) tumors, including meningiomas, medulloblastomas, and primary glial neoplasms. Furthermore, TERT promoter hypermethylation, which also results in increased TERT transcription, has been observed in ependymomas and pediatric brain tumors. The high frequency of TERT dysregulation observed in a variety of high-grade cancers makes telomerase activity an attractive target for developing novel therapeutics. In this review, we briefly discuss normal telomere biology, as well as the structure, function, and regulation of TERT in normal human cells. We also highlight the role of TERT in cancer biology, focusing on primary CNS tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical significance of TERT promoter mutations in cancer, the molecular mechanisms through which these mutations promote oncogenesis, and recent advances in cancer therapies targeting TERT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvic Patel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rukayat Taiwo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Albert H Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Giangaspero F, Minasi S, Gianno F, Alzoubi H, Antonelli M, Buttarelli F. Mechanisms of telomere maintenance in pediatric brain tumors: Promising targets for therapy – A narrative review. GLIOMA 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/glioma.glioma_20_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
|
26
|
Ségal-Bendirdjian E, Geli V. Non-canonical Roles of Telomerase: Unraveling the Imbroglio. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:332. [PMID: 31911897 PMCID: PMC6914764 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase plays a critical role in stem cell function and tissue regeneration that depends on its ability to elongate telomeres. For nearly two decades, it turned out that TERT regulates a broad spectrum of functions including signal transduction, gene expression regulation, and protection against oxidative damage that are independent of its telomere elongation activity. These conclusions that were mainly obtained in cell lines overexpressing telomerase were further strengthened by in vivo models of ectopic expression of telomerase or models of G1 TERT knockout mice without detectable telomere dysfunction. However, the later models were questioned due to the presence of aberrantly shortened telomere in the germline of the parents TERT+/- that were used to create the G1 TERT -/- mice. The physiological relevance of the functions associated with overexpressed telomerase raised also some concerns due to artifactual situations and localizations and complications to quantify the level of TERT. Another concern with non-canonical functions of TERT was the difficulty to separate a direct TERT-related function from secondary effects. Despite these concerns, more and more evidence accumulates for non-canonical roles of telomerase that are non-obligatory extra-telomeric. Here, we review these non-canonical roles of the TERT subunit of telomerase. Also, we emphasize recent results that link TERT to mitochondria and protection to reactive oxygen species suggesting a protective role of TERT in neurons. Throughout this review, we dissect some controversies regarding the non-canonical functions of telomerase and provide some insights to explain these discrepancies. Finally, we discuss the importance of understanding these alternative functions of telomerase for the development of anticancer strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Ségal-Bendirdjian
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Team: Cellular Homeostasis, Cancer and Therapies, INSERM US36, CNRS UMS 2009, BioMedTech Facilities, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Geli
- Marseille Cancer Research Center, U1068 INSERM, UMR 7258 CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe labellisée Ligue, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Aref S, Al Saeed A, El Menshawy N, Abdalla D, El Ashery M. Prognostic relevance of telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase variant (rs2242652) on the multiple myeloma patients. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 34:e23133. [PMID: 31814184 PMCID: PMC7171320 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The search for enhancement of multiple myeloma prognostic tools is an area of current research. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological impact of telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) polymorphic variant, rs2242652, on multiple myeloma (MM) patients. METHODS Fifty MM patients and 50 healthy controls were included. Relative telomere length (RTL) and rs2242652 genotype polymorphic variants of TERT were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MM patients' group was categorized into stage I (n = 16); stage II (n = 12), and stage III (n = 22). RESULTS The median telomere length was significantly longer in MM patients' group (0.78) as compared to controls (0.43) (P = .001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that MM patients with RTL < 0.5 had significant poor response for induction remission therapy with odds ratio 26.45. On the other hand, TERT genotyping analysis of rs2242652 revealed insignificant difference between cases and controls (P = .234), regarding to induction remission response. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that patients with shorter telomere length and those with TERT genotype GA had shorter overall survival. CONCLUSION Telomere length and TERT rs2242652 genotype polymorphism could be used for refining risk stratification of MM patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salah Aref
- Hematology Unit, Mansoura University Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Alshaimaa Al Saeed
- Hematology Unit, Mansoura University Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Nadia El Menshawy
- Hematology Unit, Mansoura University Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Doaa Abdalla
- Hematology Unit, Mansoura University Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Saeednejad Zanjani L, Madjd Z, Rasti A, Asgari M, Abolhasani M, Tam KJ, Roudi R, Mælandsmo GM, Fodstad Ø, Andersson Y. Spheroid-Derived Cells From Renal Adenocarcinoma Have Low Telomerase Activity and High Stem-Like and Invasive Characteristics. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1302. [PMID: 31921617 PMCID: PMC6915099 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a theorized small subpopulation of cells within tumors thought to be responsible for metastasis, tumor development, disease progression, treatment-resistance, and recurrence. The identification, isolation, and biological characterization of CSCs may therefore facilitate the development of efficient therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs. This study aims to compare the biology and telomerase activity of CSCs to parental cells (PCs) in renal cancer. Renal CSCs were enriched from the ACHN cell line using a sphere culture system. Spheroid-derived cells (SDCs) and their adherent counterparts were compared with respect to their colony and sphere formation, expression of putative CSC markers, tumorigenicity in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice, and invasiveness. The expression of genes associated with CSCs, stemness, EMT, apoptosis, and ABC transporters was also compared between the two populations using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Finally, telomerase activity, hTERT expression, and sensitivity to MST-312, a telomerase inhibitor, was investigated between the two populations. We demonstrated that a subpopulation of ACHN cells was capable of growing as spheroids with many properties similar to CSCs, including higher clonogenicity, superior colony- and sphere-forming ability, and stronger tumorigenicity and invasiveness. In addition, SDCs demonstrated a higher expression of markers for CSCs, stemness, EMT, apoptosis, and ABC transporter genes compared to PCs. The expression of hTERT and telomerase activity in SDCs was significantly lower than PCs; however, the SDC population was more sensitive to MST-312 compared to PCs. These findings indicate that the SDC population exhibits stem-like potential and invasive characteristics. Moreover, the reduced expression of hTERT and telomerase activity in SDCs demonstrated that the expressions of hTERT and telomerase activity are not always higher in CSCs. Our results also showed that MST-312 treatment inhibited SDCs more strongly than PCs and may therefore be useful as a complementary targeted therapy against renal CSCs in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leili Saeednejad Zanjani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arezoo Rasti
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Basic Sciences/Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Asgari
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Hasheminejad Kidney Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Abolhasani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Hasheminejad Kidney Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Kevin J Tam
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Raheleh Roudi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Gunhild Mari Mælandsmo
- Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øystein Fodstad
- Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yvonne Andersson
- Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li Y, Li X, Cao M, Jiang Y, Yan J, Liu Z, Yang R, Chen X, Sun P, Xiang R, Wang L, Shi Y. Seryl tRNA synthetase cooperates with POT1 to regulate telomere length and cellular senescence. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:50. [PMID: 31815007 PMCID: PMC6882858 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0078-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated telomere length is a causative factor in many physiological and pathological processes, including aging and cancer. Many studies focusing on telomeres have revealed important roles for cooperation between the Shelterin protein complex and telomerase in maintaining telomere length. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how aging-related stresses, such as deregulated protein homeostasis, impact telomere length. Here, we explored the possible roles of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (AARSs), key enzymes catalyzing the first reactions in protein synthesis, in regulating telomere length and aging. We selected seryl tRNA synthetase (SerRS) since our previous studies discovered expanded functions of SerRS in the nucleus in addition to its canonical cytoplasmic role in protein synthesis. In this study, we revealed that overexpression of SerRS promoted cellular senescence and inhibited the growth of cervical tumor xenografts in mice by triggering the senescence of tumor cells. In the nucleus, SerRS directly bound to telomeric DNA repeats and tethered more POT1 proteins to telomeres through a direct interaction between the UNE-S domain of SerRS and the OB1 domain of POT1. We further demonstrated that SerRS-induced enrichment of POT1 prevented the recruitment of telomerase to telomeres, resulting in progressive telomere shortening. Our data suggested a possible molecular link between protein synthesis and telomere length control, the deregulation of which may be associated with aging and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxi Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Xiyang Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Mei Cao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Yuke Jiang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Jie Yan
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Ze Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Rongcun Yang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Xu Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University Affiliated Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin, China
| | - Peiqing Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC USA
| | - Rong Xiang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Longlong Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University Affiliated Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Shi
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071 China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University Affiliated Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ackermann S, Fischer M. Telomere Maintenance in Pediatric Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5836. [PMID: 31757062 PMCID: PMC6928840 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length has been proposed as a biomarker of biological age and a risk factor for age-related diseases and cancer. Substantial progress has been made in recent decades in understanding the complex molecular relationships in this research field. However, the majority of telomere studies have been conducted in adults. The data on telomere dynamics in pediatric cancers is limited, and interpretation can be challenging, especially in cases where results are contrasting to those in adult entities. This review describes recent advances in the molecular characterization of structure and function of telomeres, regulation of telomerase activity in cancer pathogenesis in general, and highlights the key advances that have expanded our views on telomere biology in pediatric cancer, with special emphasis on the central role of telomere maintenance in neuroblastoma. Furthermore, open questions in the field of telomere maintenance research are discussed in the context of recently published literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ackermann
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Pourhanifeh MH, Sharifi M, Reiter RJ, Davoodabadi A, Asemi Z. Melatonin and non-small cell lung cancer: new insights into signaling pathways. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:131. [PMID: 31123430 PMCID: PMC6521447 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0853-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of malignancy with progressive metastasis having poor prognosis and lowered survival resulting from late diagnosis. The therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this incurable cancer are chemo- and radiotherapy. Since current treatments are insufficient and because of drug-induced undesirable side effects and toxicities, alternate treatments are necessary and critical. The role of melatonin, produced in and released from the pineal gland, has been documented as a potential therapy for NSCLC. Melatonin prevents tumor metastasis via inducing apoptosis processes and restraining the autonomous cell proliferation. Moreover, melatonin inhibits the progression of tumors due to its oncostatic, pro-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, the combined treatment with melatonin and chemotherapy may have a synergistic effect, as with some other tumors, leading to a prolonged survival and improved quality of life in patients with NSCLC. This review summarizes the available data, based on the molecular mechanisms and related signaling pathways, to show how melatonin and its supplementation function in NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Pourhanifeh
- 1Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mehran Sharifi
- 2Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Russel J Reiter
- 3Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Abdoulhossein Davoodabadi
- 4Departments of General Surgery Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- 1Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Telomere Gene Therapy: Polarizing Therapeutic Goals for Treatment of Various Diseases. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050392. [PMID: 31035374 PMCID: PMC6563133 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation of telomerase maintenance by gene therapy must meet two polarizing requirements to achieve different therapeutic outcomes: Anti-aging/regenerative applications require upregulation, while anticancer applications necessitate suppression of various genes integral to telomere maintenance (e.g., telomerase, telomerase RNA components, and shelterin complex). Patients suffering from aging-associated illnesses often exhibit telomere attrition, which promotes chromosomal instability and cellular senescence, thus requiring the transfer of telomere maintenance-related genes to improve patient outcomes. However, reactivation and overexpression of telomerase are observed in 85% of cancer patients; this process is integral to cancer immortality. Thus, telomere-associated genes in the scope of cancer gene therapy must be inactivated or inhibited to induce anticancer effects. These contradicting requirements for achieving different therapeutic outcomes mean that any vector-mediated upregulation of telomere-associated genes must be accompanied by rigorous evaluation of potential oncogenesis. Thus, this review aims to discuss how telomere-associated genes are being targeted or utilized in various gene therapy applications and provides some insight into currently available safety hazard assessments.
Collapse
|
33
|
Cell-based chemical fingerprinting identifies telomeres and lamin A as modifiers of DNA damage response in cancer cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14827. [PMID: 30287851 PMCID: PMC6172206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance by telomerase activity supports the infinite growth of cancer cells. MST-312, a synthetic telomerase inhibitor, gradually shortens telomeres at non-acute lethal doses and eventually induces senescence and apoptosis of telomerase-positive cancer cells. Here we report that MST-312 at higher doses works as a dual inhibitor of telomerase and DNA topoisomerase II and exhibits acute anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells and xenografted tumours in vivo. Our cell-based chemical fingerprinting approach revealed that cancer cells with shorter telomeres and lower expression of lamin A, a nuclear architectural protein, exhibited higher sensitivity to the acute deleterious effects of MST-312, accompanied by formation of telomere dysfunction-induced foci and DNA double-strand breaks. Telomere elongation and lamin A overexpression attenuated telomeric and non-telomeric DNA damage, respectively, and both conferred resistance to apoptosis induced by MST-312 and other DNA damaging anticancer agents. These observations suggest that sufficient pools of telomeres and a nuclear lamina component contribute to the cellular robustness against DNA damage induced by therapeutic treatment in human cancer cells.
Collapse
|
34
|
De Vitis M, Berardinelli F, Sgura A. Telomere Length Maintenance in Cancer: At the Crossroad between Telomerase and Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020606. [PMID: 29463031 PMCID: PMC5855828 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells undergo continuous telomere shortening as a consequence of multiple rounds of replications. During tumorigenesis, cells have to acquire telomere DNA maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) in order to counteract telomere shortening, to preserve telomeres from DNA damage repair systems and to avoid telomere-mediated senescence and/or apoptosis. For this reason, telomere maintenance is an essential step in cancer progression. Most human tumors maintain their telomeres expressing telomerase, whereas a lower but significant proportion activates the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. However, evidence about the coexistence of ALT and telomerase has been found both in vivo in the same cancer populations and in vitro in engineered cellular models, making the distinction between telomerase- and ALT-positive tumors elusive. Indeed, after the development of drugs able to target telomerase, the capability for some cancer cells to escape death, switching from telomerase to ALT, was highlighted. Unfortunately, to date, the mechanism underlying the possible switching or the coexistence of telomerase and ALT within the same cell or populations is not completely understood and different factors could be involved. In recent years, different studies have tried to shed light on the complex regulation network that controls the transition between the two TMMs, suggesting a role for embryonic cancer origin, epigenetic modifications, and specific genes activation—both in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we examine recent findings about the cancer-associated differential activation of the two known TMMs and the possible factors implicated in this process. Furthermore, some studies on cancers are also described that did not display any TMM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Vitis
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Antonella Sgura
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu R, Zhang T, Zhu G, Xing M. Regulation of mutant TERT by BRAF V600E/MAP kinase pathway through FOS/GABP in human cancer. Nat Commun 2018; 9:579. [PMID: 29422527 PMCID: PMC5805723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03033-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The unique oncogene duet of coexisting BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations are widely found to be a robust genetic background promoting human cancer aggressiveness, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the BRAF V600E/MAP kinase pathway phosphorylates and activates FOS, which in turn acts as a transcription factor to bind and activate the GABPB promoter, increasing GABPB expression and driving formation of GABPA-GABPB complex; the latter selectively binds and activates mutant TERT promoter, upregulating TERT expression. Elevated TERT functions as a strong oncoprotein, robustly promoting aggressive behaviors of cancer cells and tumor development. We thus identify a molecular mechanism for the activation of mutant TERT by the BRAF V600E/MAP kinase pathway, in which FOS as a transcriptional factor of GABPB promoter plays a key role in functionally bridging the two oncogenes in cooperatively promoting oncogenesis, providing important cancer biological and clinical implications. The mechanism of tumor progression robustly promoted by co-existing BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations is not known. Here, the authors show a mechanism of mutant TERT activation by BRAF V600E and MAPK pathways in which FOS, as a transcription factor of the GABPB promoter, functionally links the two oncogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rengyun Liu
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Guangwu Zhu
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Mingzhao Xing
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Benedetti S, Uno N, Hoshiya H, Ragazzi M, Ferrari G, Kazuki Y, Moyle LA, Tonlorenzi R, Lombardo A, Chaouch S, Mouly V, Moore M, Popplewell L, Kazuki K, Katoh M, Naldini L, Dickson G, Messina G, Oshimura M, Cossu G, Tedesco FS. Reversible immortalisation enables genetic correction of human muscle progenitors and engineering of next-generation human artificial chromosomes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 10:254-275. [PMID: 29242210 PMCID: PMC5801502 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201607284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transferring large or multiple genes into primary human stem/progenitor cells is challenged by restrictions in vector capacity, and this hurdle limits the success of gene therapy. A paradigm is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an incurable disorder caused by mutations in the largest human gene: dystrophin. The combination of large-capacity vectors, such as human artificial chromosomes (HACs), with stem/progenitor cells may overcome this limitation. We previously reported amelioration of the dystrophic phenotype in mice transplanted with murine muscle progenitors containing a HAC with the entire dystrophin locus (DYS-HAC). However, translation of this strategy to human muscle progenitors requires extension of their proliferative potential to withstand clonal cell expansion after HAC transfer. Here, we show that reversible cell immortalisation mediated by lentivirally delivered excisable hTERT and Bmi1 transgenes extended cell proliferation, enabling transfer of a novel DYS-HAC into DMD satellite cell-derived myoblasts and perivascular cell-derived mesoangioblasts. Genetically corrected cells maintained a stable karyotype, did not undergo tumorigenic transformation and retained their migration ability. Cells remained myogenic in vitro (spontaneously or upon MyoD induction) and engrafted murine skeletal muscle upon transplantation. Finally, we combined the aforementioned functions into a next-generation HAC capable of delivering reversible immortalisation, complete genetic correction, additional dystrophin expression, inducible differentiation and controllable cell death. This work establishes a novel platform for complex gene transfer into clinically relevant human muscle progenitors for DMD gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benedetti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Narumi Uno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Hoshiya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Louise Anne Moyle
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rossana Tonlorenzi
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Lombardo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- AIM/AFM Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- AIM/AFM Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Kanako Kazuki
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Motonobu Katoh
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Luigi Naldini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Giulio Cossu
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Li X, Xu X, Fang J, Wang L, Mu Y, Zhang P, Yao Z, Ma Z, Liu Z. Rs2853677 modulates Snail1 binding to the TERT enhancer and affects lung adenocarcinoma susceptibility. Oncotarget 2018; 7:37825-37838. [PMID: 27191258 PMCID: PMC5122352 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that SNPs in non-coding regions are associated with inherited susceptibility to cancer. The effect of one single SNP, however, is weak. To identify potential co-factors of SNPs, we investigated the underlying mechanism by which SNPs affect lung cancer susceptibility. We found that rs2853677 is located within the Snail1 binding site in a TERT enhancer. This enhancer increases TERT transcription when juxtaposed to the TERT promoter. The binding of Snail1 to the enhancer disrupts enhancer-promoter colocalization and silences TERT transcription. The high risk variant of rs2853677 disrupts the Snail1 binding site and derepresses TERT expression in response to Snail1 upregulation, thus increasing lung adenocarcinoma susceptibility. Our data suggest that Snail1 may be a co-factor of rs2853677 for predicting lung adenocarcinoma susceptibility and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Li
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiali Fang
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanchao Mu
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhi Yao
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenyi Ma
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lin S, Wei J, Wunderlich M, Chou FS, Mulloy JC. Immortalization of human AE pre-leukemia cells by hTERT allows leukemic transformation. Oncotarget 2018; 7:55939-55950. [PMID: 27509060 PMCID: PMC5302887 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) expressing fusion protein AML1-ETO (AE), generated by the t(8;21)(q22;q22) rearrangement, manifest enhanced self-renewal and dysregulated differentiation without leukemic transformation, representing a pre-leukemia stage. Enabling replicative immortalization via telomerase reactivation is a crucial step in cancer development. However, AE expression alone is not sufficient to maintain high telomerase activity to immortalize human HSPC cells, which may hamper transformation. Here, we investigated the cooperativity of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and AE in disease progression. Enforced expression of hTERT immortalized human AE pre-leukemia cells in a telomere-lengthening independent manner, and improved the pre-leukemia stem cell function by enhancing cell proliferation and survival. AE-hTERT cells retained cytokine dependency and multi-lineage differentiation potential similar to parental AE clones. Over the short-term, AE-hTERT cells did not show features of stepwise transformation, with no leukemogenecity evident upon initial injection into immunodeficient mice. Strikingly, after extended culture, we observed full transformation of one AE-hTERT clone, which recapitulated the disease evolution process in patients and emphasizes the importance of acquiring cooperating mutations in t(8;21) AML leukemogenesis. In summary, achieving unlimited proliferative potential via hTERT activation, and thereby allowing for acquisition of additional mutations, is a critical link for transition from pre-leukemia to overt disease in human cells. AE-hTERT cells represent a tractable model to study cooperating genetic lesions important for t(8;21) AML disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lin
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Junping Wei
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Fu-Sheng Chou
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James C Mulloy
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bu R, Siraj AK, Divya SP, Kong Y, Parvathareddy SK, Al-Rasheed M, Al-Obaisi KAS, Victoria IG, Al-Sobhi SS, Al-Dawish M, Al-Dayel F, Al-Kuraya KS. Telomerase reverse transcriptase mutations are independent predictor of disease-free survival in Middle Eastern papillary thyroid cancer. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:2028-2039. [PMID: 29266240 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Tumor recurrence occurs in ∼20% of PTCs and some reach advanced stages. Promoter mutation in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene is identified to be a prognostic marker in PTC. However, the contribution of TERT promoter mutation to cancer progression in PTC patients is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the incidence of TERT promoter mutations and TERT protein expression and their association with clinicopathological outcomes in a large cohort of PTC samples using direct sequencing technology and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, two PTC cell lines were utilized to investigate role of TERT mutations in mediating metastasis. Two promoter hotspot mutations C228T and C250T were identified in 18.0% (167/927) of our cohort and were significantly associated with poor 5 years disease-free survival and distant metastasis of PTC. TERT protein overexpression was noted in 20.1% of our PTC cohort and was significantly associated with poor prognostic markers such as older age, extrathyroidal extension and Stage IV tumors. A significant association was also found between TERT overexpression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Functional analysis showed that TERT inhibition reduced cell growth, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in PTC via suppression of EMT in PTC cells. Our results suggest that TERT promoter mutation is an independent predictor of disease-free survival and might drive the metastasis, and downregulation of TERT could potentiate antitumor and antimetastatic activities in PTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Bu
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul K Siraj
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sasidharan Padmaja Divya
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yan Kong
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sandeep Kumar Parvathareddy
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Al-Rasheed
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khadija A S Al-Obaisi
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ingrid G Victoria
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saif S Al-Sobhi
- Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Al-Dawish
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, 11159, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fouad Al-Dayel
- Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khawla S Al-Kuraya
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, , Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Yu P, Shen X, Yang W, Zhang Y, Liu C, Huang T. ZEB1 stimulates breast cancer growth by up-regulating hTERT expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:2505-2511. [PMID: 29288666 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.12.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunctional cell proliferation and death are the foundation of the malignant biological characteristics of cancers. In this study, we discovered that ZEB1 was positively correlated with hTERT in breast invasive ductal carcinoma samples at both the mRNA and protein levels. Further, our in vitro study in breast cancer cell lines confirmed that ZEB1 regulates hTERT expression at the mRNA and protein levels; thus, hTERT promotes or inhibits telomerase activity, and telomere length is either protected or reduced. Finally, we verified that ZEB1, which mostly functions as a transcriptional repressor, can recruit the co-activator YAP to enhance the transcriptional activation of hTERT. Fascinatingly, instead of acting on E-boxes, the ZEB1/YAP complex tends to function as a transcriptional activator by binding with sequences potentially located in the hTERT promoter. Consequently, our research revealed a new ZEB1-hTERT signaling pathway involved in cell proliferation regulation that has never before been illuminated in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Yu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xi Shen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunke Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunping Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promotes gastric cancer invasion through cooperating with c-Myc to upregulate heparanase expression. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11364-79. [PMID: 26689987 PMCID: PMC4905479 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a central regulator of multiple hallmarks of tumors. However, the potential roles of hTERT in tumor invasion and metastasis and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we found that the expression of hTERT in gastric cancer (GC) was significantly associated with an advanced TNM stage, lymphatic metastasis. Survival analysis identified hTERT as an independent prognostic factor for survival of GC patients. hTERT promoted the invasion and metastasis of GC cells by binding to c-Myc and recruiting the complex to heparanase promoter to upregulate heparanase expression. In addition, our data demonstrated that hTERT activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote c-Myc expression which could in turn activate hTERT transcription and expression, suggesting a positive feedback regulation in GC progression. Consistently, c-Myc and heparanase expression was positively correlated with hTERT levels, and was also an independent predictor of metastasis and survival. Collectively, our data provide a novel molecular mechanism for hTERT in promotion of GC invasion and metastasis, and highlight the molecular etiology and clinical significance of hTERT in GC progression. Targeting hTERT may represent a new therapeutic strategy to improve therapy and survival of GC patients.
Collapse
|
42
|
Immortalized Muscle Cell Model to Test the Exon Skipping Efficacy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Pers Med 2017; 7:jpm7040013. [PMID: 29035327 PMCID: PMC5748625 DOI: 10.3390/jpm7040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal genetic disorder that most commonly results from mutations disrupting the reading frame of the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Among the therapeutic approaches employed, exon skipping using antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) is one of the most promising strategies. This strategy aims to restore the reading frame, thus producing a truncated, yet functioning dystrophin protein. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conditionally approved the first AO-based drug, eteplirsen (Exondys 51), developed for DMD exon 51 skipping. An accurate and reproducible method to quantify exon skipping efficacy is essential for evaluating the therapeutic potential of different AOs sequences. However, previous in vitro screening studies have been hampered by the limited proliferative capacity and insufficient amounts of dystrophin expressed by primary muscle cell lines that have been the main system used to evaluate AOs sequences. In this paper, we illustrate the challenges associated with primary muscle cell lines and describe a novel approach that utilizes immortalized cell lines to quantitatively evaluate the exon skipping efficacy in in vitro studies.
Collapse
|
43
|
Telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes chemoresistance by suppressing cisplatin-dependent apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7070. [PMID: 28765565 PMCID: PMC5539325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07204-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is one of the most efficacious antimitotic drugs used in the treatment of a range of malignant tumors. However, treatment failures are common due to the development of chemoresistance. In addition to its telomere maintenance function, telomerase plays a pro-survival role, inducing decreased apoptosis and increased resistance against DNA damage. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect is critical to improve treatment outcomes. Previously, our group showed higher telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT) expression in cisplatin resistant osteosarcoma cells. In this study, confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments revealed that TERT translocates from the nucleus to mitochondria in cisplatin treated osteosarcoma cells. We observed decreased apoptosis rate and improved mitochondrial function in TERT-overexpressing cells following cisplatin treatment. Based on these results, we further established that TERT inhibits cisplatin-induced apoptosis independently of telomerase reverse transcriptase activity. Moreover, TERT suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis and improved mitochondrial function via alleviating intracellular ROS in osteosarcoma cells. Our finding that TERT shuttles from the nucleus to the mitochondrion in response to cisplatin treatment and inhibits cisplatin-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells may be especially important to overcome drug resistance.
Collapse
|
44
|
Saha D, Singh A, Hussain T, Srivastava V, Sengupta S, Kar A, Dhapola P, Dhople V, Ummanni R, Chowdhury S. Epigenetic suppression of human telomerase ( hTERT) is mediated by the metastasis suppressor NME2 in a G-quadruplex-dependent fashion. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15205-15215. [PMID: 28717007 PMCID: PMC5602382 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.792077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional activation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene, which remains repressed in adult somatic cells, is critical during tumorigenesis. Several transcription factors and the epigenetic state of the hTERT promoter are known to be important for tight control of hTERT in normal tissues, but the molecular mechanisms leading to hTERT reactivation in cancer are not well-understood. Surprisingly, here we found occupancy of the metastasis suppressor non-metastatic 2 (NME2) within the hTERT core promoter in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells and HCT116 colon cancer cells and NME2-mediated transcriptional repression of hTERT in these cells. We also report that loss of NME2 results in up-regulated hTERT expression. Mechanistically, additional results indicated that the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST)–lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1) co-repressor complex associates with the hTERT promoter in an NME2-dependent way and that this assembly is required for maintaining repressive chromatin at the hTERT promoter. Interestingly, a G-quadruplex motif at the hTERT promoter was essential for occupancy of NME2 and the REST repressor complex on the hTERT promoter. In light of this mechanistic insight, we studied the effects of G-quadruplex–binding ligands on hTERT expression and observed that several of these ligands repressed hTERT expression. Together, our results support a mechanism of hTERT epigenetic control involving a G-quadruplex promoter motif, which potentially can be targeted by tailored small molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhurjhoti Saha
- From the Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India and
| | - Ankita Singh
- From the Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India and
| | | | | | | | - Anirban Kar
- From the Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit
| | - Parashar Dhapola
- G.N.R. Knowledge Centre for Genome Informatics, and.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India and
| | - Vishnu Dhople
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Ramesh Ummanni
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Shantanu Chowdhury
- From the Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, .,G.N.R. Knowledge Centre for Genome Informatics, and.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India and
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Booth SA, Charchar FJ. Cardiac telomere length in heart development, function, and disease. Physiol Genomics 2017; 49:368-384. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00024.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive nucleoprotein structures at chromosome ends, and a decrease in the number of these repeats, known as a reduction in telomere length (TL), triggers cellular senescence and apoptosis. Heart disease, the worldwide leading cause of death, often results from the loss of cardiac cells, which could be explained by decreases in TL. Due to the cell-specific regulation of TL, this review focuses on studies that have measured telomeres in heart cells and critically assesses the relationship between cardiac TL and heart function. There are several lines of evidence that have identified rapid changes in cardiac TL during the onset and progression of heart disease as well as at critical stages of development. There are also many factors, such as the loss of telomeric proteins, oxidative stress, and hypoxia, that decrease cardiac TL and heart function. In contrast, antioxidants, calorie restriction, and exercise can prevent both cardiac telomere attrition and the progression of heart disease. TL in the heart is also indicative of proliferative potential and could facilitate the identification of cells suitable for cardiac rejuvenation. Although these findings highlight the involvement of TL in heart function, there are important questions regarding the validity of animal models, as well as several confounding factors, that need to be considered when interpreting results and planning future research. With these in mind, elucidating the telomeric mechanisms involved in heart development and the transition to disease holds promise to prevent cardiac dysfunction and potentiate regeneration after injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Booth
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Balllarat, Australia
| | - F. J. Charchar
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Balllarat, Australia
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; and
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cerchiara JA, Risques RA, Prunkard D, Smith JR, Kane OJ, Boersma PD. Magellanic penguin telomeres do not shorten with age with increased reproductive effort, investment, and basal corticosterone. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:5682-5691. [PMID: 28811878 PMCID: PMC5552965 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
All species should invest in systems that enhance longevity; however, a fundamental adult life‐history trade‐off exists between the metabolic resources allocated to maintenance and those allocated to reproduction. Long‐lived species will invest more in reproduction than in somatic maintenance as they age. We investigated this trade‐off by analyzing correlations among telomere length, reproductive effort and output, and basal corticosterone in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Telomeres shorten with age in most species studied to date, and may affect adult survival. High basal corticosterone is indicative of stressful conditions. Corticosterone, and stress, has been linked to telomere shortening in other species. Magellanic penguins are a particularly good model organism for this question as they are an unusually long‐lived species, exceeding their mass‐adjusted predicted lifespan by 26%. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found adults aged 5 years to over 24 years of age had similar telomere lengths. Telomeres of adults did not shorten over a 3‐year period, regardless of the age of the individual. Neither telomere length, nor the rate at which the telomeres changed over these 3 years, correlated with breeding frequency or investment. Older females also produced larger volume clutches until approximately 15 years old and larger eggs produced heavier fledglings. Furthermore, reproductive success (chicks fledged/eggs laid) is maintained as females aged. Basal corticosterone, however, was not correlated with telomere length in adults and suggests that low basal corticosterone may play a role in the telomere maintenance we observed. Basal corticosterone also declined during the breeding season and was positively correlated with the age of adult penguins. This higher basal corticosterone in older individuals, and consistent reproductive success, supports the prediction that Magellanic penguins invest more in reproduction as they age. Our results demonstrate that telomere maintenance may be a component of longevity even with increased reproductive effort, investment, and basal corticosterone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Cerchiara
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinals Department of BiologyUniversity of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | | | - Donna Prunkard
- Department of Pathology University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Jeffrey R Smith
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinals Department of BiologyUniversity of Washington Seattle WA USA.,School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Olivia J Kane
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinals Department of BiologyUniversity of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - P Dee Boersma
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinals Department of BiologyUniversity of Washington Seattle WA USA.,Wildlife Conservation Society The Bronx Zoo New York City, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ozturk MB, Li Y, Tergaonkar V. Current Insights to Regulation and Role of Telomerase in Human Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2017; 6:antiox6010017. [PMID: 28264499 PMCID: PMC5384180 DOI: 10.3390/antiox6010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex has a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation and senescence of normal somatic cells as well as cancer cells. This complex is comprised mainly of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), telomerase RNA component (TERC) and other associated proteins that function to elongate telomeres localized at the end of the chromosomes. While reactivation of telomerase is a major hallmark of most cancers, together with the synergistic activation of other oncogenic signals, deficiency in telomerase and telomeric proteins might lead to aging and senescence-associated disorders. Therefore, it is critically important to understand the canonical as well as non-canonical functions of telomerase through TERT to develop a therapeutic strategy against telomerase-related diseases. In this review, we shed light on the regulation and function of telomerase, and current therapeutic strategies against telomerase in cancer and age-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mert Burak Ozturk
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore.
| | - Yinghui Li
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore.
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore.
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Im E, Yoon JB, Lee HW, Chung KC. Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Positively Regulates 26S Proteasome Activity. J Cell Physiol 2017; 232:2083-2093. [PMID: 27648923 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic subunit of telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that elongates telomeric DNA. hTERT displays several extra-telomeric functions that are independent of its telomere-regulatory function, including tumor progression, and neuronal cell death regulation. In this study, we evaluated these additional hTERT non-telomeric functions. We determined that hTERT interacts with several 19S and 20S proteasome subunits. The 19S regulatory particle and 20S core particle are part of 26S proteasome complex, which plays a central role in ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. In addition, hTERT positively regulated 26S proteasome activity independent of its enzymatic activity. Moreover, hTERT enhanced subunit interactions, which may underlie hTERT's ability of hTERT to stimulate the 26S proteasome. Furthermore, hTERT displayed cytoprotective effect against ER stress via the activation of 26S proteasome in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Our data suggest that hTERT acts as a novel chaperone to promote 26S proteasome assembly and maintenance. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2083-2093, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Im
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Bok Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han-Woong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Chul Chung
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Chung SS, Adekoya D, Enenmoh I, Clarke O, Wang P, Sarkyssian M, Wu Y, Vadgama JV. Salinomycin Abolished STAT3 and STAT1 Interactions and Reduced Telomerase Activity in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Anticancer Res 2017; 37:445-453. [PMID: 28179289 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.11336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in most developed countries. This mortality is mainly due to the metastatic progression to the liver with frequent recurrence. Colorectal cancer remains a therapeutic challenge and this has intensified the search for new drug targets. In an effort to establish a novel targeted-therapy, we studied the molecular mechanisms of cancer stem cell inhibitor salinomycin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to examine STAT3-STAT1 protein interactions. Telomerase activity was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA assays. Apoptosis and cell stress arrays were analyzed to identify key proteins responding to salinomycin treatments. RESULTS IL-6 and TNF-α induced STAT3 and STAT1 interactions, however the interactions were abolished by salinomycin challenge. Salinomycin reduced cancer stem cell phenotype and decreased telomerase activity of colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSION Our work uncovers a new mechanism through which salinomycin inhibits cancer stemness suggesting a novel targeted-therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyung S Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. .,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Debbie Adekoya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Ikechukwu Enenmoh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Orette Clarke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Piwen Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Marianna Sarkyssian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Jaydutt V Vadgama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Research and Training, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. .,Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Cerchiara JA, Risques RA, Prunkard D, Smith JR, Kane OJ, Boersma PD. Telomeres shorten and then lengthen before fledging in Magellanic penguins ( Spheniscus magellanicus). Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 9:487-493. [PMID: 28186493 PMCID: PMC5361676 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
For all species, finite metabolic resources must be allocated toward three competing systems: maintenance, reproduction, and growth. Telomeres, the nucleoprotein tips of chromosomes, which shorten with age in most species, are correlated with increased survival. Chick growth is energetically costly and is associated with telomere shortening in most species. To assess the change in telomeres in penguin chicks, we quantified change in telomere length of wild known-age Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) chicks every 15 days during the species' growth period, from hatching to 60 days-of-age. Magellanic penguins continue to grow after fledging so we also sampled a set of 1-year-old juvenile penguins, and adults aged 5 years. Telomeres were significantly shorter on day 15 than on hatch day but returned to their initial length by 30 days old and remained at that length through 60 days of age. The length of telomeres of newly hatched chicks, chicks aged 30, 45 and 60 days, juveniles, and adults aged 5 years were similar. Chicks that fledged and those that died had similar telomere lengths. We show that while telomeres shorten during growth, Magellanic penguins elongate telomeres to their length at hatch, which may increase adult life span and reproductive opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Cerchiara
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rosa Ana Risques
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Donna Prunkard
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Smith
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Olivia J Kane
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - P Dee Boersma
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
- Global Penguin Society, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| |
Collapse
|