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Gallardo A, López-Onieva L, Belmonte-Reche E, Fernández-Rengel I, Serrano-Prados A, Molina A, Sánchez-Pozo A, Landeira D. EZH2 represses mesenchymal genes and upholds the epithelial state of breast carcinoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:609. [PMID: 39174513 PMCID: PMC11341823 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07011-y] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Emerging studies support that the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) regulates phenotypic changes of carcinoma cells by modulating their shifts among metastable states within the epithelial and mesenchymal spectrum. This new role of PRC2 in cancer has been recently proposed to stem from the ability of its catalytic subunit EZH2 to bind and modulate the transcription of mesenchymal genes during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer cells. Here, we asked whether this mechanism is conserved in other types of carcinomas. By combining TGF-β-mediated reversible induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and inhibition of EZH2 methyltransferase activity, we demonstrate that EZH2 represses a large set of mesenchymal genes and favours the residence of breast cancer cells towards the more epithelial spectrum during EMT. In agreement, analysis of human patient samples supports that EZH2 is required to efficiently repress mesenchymal genes in breast cancer tumours. Our results indicate that PRC2 operates through similar mechanisms in breast and lung cancer cells. We propose that PRC2-mediated direct transcriptional modulation of the mesenchymal gene expression programme is a conserved molecular mechanism underlying cell dissemination across human carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amador Gallardo
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Lourdes López-Onieva
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Efres Belmonte-Reche
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Iván Fernández-Rengel
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Serrano-Prados
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Aldara Molina
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Sánchez-Pozo
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - David Landeira
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016, Granada, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.
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2
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Shao M, Tian M, Chen K, Jiang H, Zhang S, Li Z, Shen Y, Chen F, Shen B, Cao C, Gu N. Leveraging Random Effects in Cistrome-Wide Association Studies for Decoding the Genetic Determinants of Prostate Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400815. [PMID: 39099406 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Cistrome-wide association studies (CWAS) are pivotal for identifying genetic determinants of diseases by correlating genetically regulated cistrome states with phenotypes. Traditional CWAS typically develops a model based on cistrome and genotype data to associate predicted cistrome states with phenotypes. The random effect cistrome-wide association study (RECWAS), reevaluates the necessity of cistrome state prediction in CWAS. RECWAS utilizes either a linear model or marginal effect for initial feature selection, followed by kernel-based feature aggregation for association testing is introduced. Through simulations and analysis of prostate cancer data, a thorough evaluation of CWAS and RECWAS is conducted. The results suggest that RECWAS offers improved power compared to traditional CWAS, identifying additional genomic regions associated with prostate cancer. CWAS identified 102 significant regions, while RECWAS found 50 additional significant regions compared to CWAS, many of which are validated. Validation encompassed a range of biological evidence, including risk signals from the GWAS catalog, susceptibility genes from the DisGeNET database, and enhancer-domain scores. RECWAS consistently demonstrated improved performance over traditional CWAS in identifying genomic regions associated with prostate cancer. These findings demonstrate the benefits of incorporating kernel methods into CWAS and provide new insights for genetic discovery in complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Shao
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Min Tian
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Kaiyang Chen
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Hangjin Jiang
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Shuting Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Zhenghui Li
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Yan Shen
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
| | - Baixin Shen
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210011, P. R. China
| | - Chen Cao
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210011, P. R. China
| | - Ning Gu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Electromagnetic Environment and Advanced Medical Theranostics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, P. R. China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory for Cardiovascular Information and Health Engineering Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P. R. China
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Kiri S, Ryba T. Cancer, metastasis, and the epigenome. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:154. [PMID: 39095874 PMCID: PMC11295362 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02069-w] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and disease burden is expected to increase globally throughout the next several decades, with the majority of cancer-related deaths occurring in metastatic disease. Cancers exhibit known hallmarks that endow them with increased survival and proliferative capacities, frequently as a result of de-stabilizing mutations. However, the genomic features that resolve metastatic clones from primary tumors are not yet well-characterized, as no mutational landscape has been identified as predictive of metastasis. Further, many cancers exhibit no known mutation signature. This suggests a larger role for non-mutational genome re-organization in promoting cancer evolution and dissemination. In this review, we highlight current critical needs for understanding cell state transitions and clonal selection advantages for metastatic cancer cells. We examine links between epigenetic states, genome structure, and misregulation of tumor suppressors and oncogenes, and discuss how recent technologies for understanding domain-scale regulation have been leveraged for a more complete picture of oncogenic and metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Kiri
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando, 32827, Florida, USA.
| | - Tyrone Ryba
- Department of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 34243, Florida, USA.
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Huang Z, Tang Y, Zhang J, Huang J, Cheng R, Guo Y, Kleer CG, Wang Y, Xue L. Hypoxia makes EZH2 inhibitor not easy-advances of crosstalk between HIF and EZH2. LIFE METABOLISM 2024; 3:loae017. [PMID: 38911968 PMCID: PMC11192520 DOI: 10.1093/lifemeta/loae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Histone methylation plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2is) have been shown to be effective in treating hematologic malignancies, while their effectiveness in solid tumors remains limited. One of the major challenges in the treatment of solid tumors is their hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is a key hypoxia responder that interacts with EZH2 to promote tumor progression. Here we discuss the implications of the relationship between EZH2 and hypoxia for expanding the application of EZH2is in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanya Huang
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanjun Tang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jianlin Zhang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yunyun Guo
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Celina G. Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Jiang L, Huang L, Jiang W. H3K27me3-mediated epigenetic regulation in pluripotency maintenance and lineage differentiation. CELL INSIGHT 2024; 3:100180. [PMID: 39072246 PMCID: PMC11278802 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2024.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Cell fate determination is an intricate process which is orchestrated by multiple regulatory layers including signal pathways, transcriptional factors, epigenetic modifications, and metabolic rewiring. Among the sophisticated epigenetic modulations, the repressive mark H3K27me3, deposited by PRC2 (polycomb repressive complex 2) and removed by demethylase KDM6, plays a pivotal role in mediating the cellular identity transition through its dynamic and precise alterations. Herein, we overview and discuss how H3K27me3 and its modifiers regulate pluripotency maintenance and early lineage differentiation. We primarily highlight the following four aspects: 1) the two subcomplexes PRC2.1 and PRC2.2 and the distribution of genomic H3K27 methylation; 2) PRC2 as a critical regulator in pluripotency maintenance and exit; 3) the emerging role of the eraser KDM6 in early differentiation; 4) newly identified additional factors influencing H3K27me3. We present a comprehensive insight into the molecular principles of the dynamic regulation of H3K27me3, as well as how this epigenetic mark participates in pluripotent stem cell-centered cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Jiang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Linfeng Huang
- Wang-Cai Biochemistry Lab, Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Chida K, Kanazawa H, Kinoshita H, Roy AM, Hakamada K, Takabe K. The role of lidocaine in cancer progression and patient survival. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 259:108654. [PMID: 38701900 PMCID: PMC11162934 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108654] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Since its development in 1943, lidocaine has been one of the most commonly used local anesthesia agents for surgical procedures. Lidocaine alters neuronal signal transmission by prolonging the inactivation of fast voltage-gated sodium channels in the cell membrane of neurons, which are responsible for action potential propagation. Recently, it has attracted attention due to emerging evidence suggesting its potential antitumor properties, particularly in the in vitro setting. Further, local administration of lidocaine around the tumor immediately prior to surgical removal has been shown to improve overall survival in breast cancer patients. However, the exact mechanisms driving these antitumor effects remain largely unclear. In this article, we will review the existing literature on the mechanism of lidocaine as a local anesthetic, its effects on the cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, involved pathways, and cancer progression. Additionally, we will explore recent reports highlighting its impact on clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Taken together, there remains significant ambiguity surrounding lidocaine's functions and roles in cancer biology, particularly in perioperative setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Chida
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki 036-8562, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Kanazawa
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler School of Medicine, TX, USA.
| | - Hirotaka Kinoshita
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki 036-8562, Japan.
| | - Arya Mariam Roy
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | - Kenichi Hakamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki 036-8562, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Takabe
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan; Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan; Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; Department of Breast Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan; Department of Breast Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
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Xu H, Zhang J, Zhuang J, Chen Y, Chen L, Wang J, Cao R, Liu F, Wang K, Zhang X, Wang L, Chen G. 2,2- dimethylbenzopyran derivatives containing pyridone structural fragments as selective dual-targeting inhibitors of HIF-1α and EZH2 for the treatment of lung cancer. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107419. [PMID: 38703440 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107419] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
We formerly reported that EZH2 inhibitors sensitized HIF-1 inhibitor-resistant cells and inhibited HIF-1α to promote SUZ12 transcription, leading to enhanced EZH2 enzyme activity and elevated H3K27me3 levels, and conversely, inhibition of EZH2 promoted HIF-1α transcription. HIF-1α and EZH2 interacted to form a negative feedback loop that reinforced each other's activity. In this paper, a series of 2,2- dimethylbenzopyran derivatives containing pyridone structural fragments were designed and synthesized with DYB-03, a HIF-1α inhibitor previously reported by our group, and Tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor approved by FDA, as lead compounds. Among these compounds, D-01 had significant inhibitory activities on HIF-1α and EZH2. In vitro experiments showed that D-01 significantly inhibited the migration of A549 cells, clone, invasion and angiogenesis. Moreover, D-01 had good pharmacokinetic profiles. All the results about compound D-01 could lay a foundation for the research and development of HIF-1α and EZH2 dual-targeting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huashen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, PR China
| | - Junning Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yuanguang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, PR China
| | - Ruolin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Fuqin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Kaibo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, PR China.
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
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Vlodavsky I, Hilwi M, Kayal Y, Soboh S, Ilan N. Impact of heparanase-2 (Hpa2) on cancer and inflammation: Advances and paradigms. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23670. [PMID: 38747803 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400286r] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
HPSE2, the gene-encoding heparanase 2 (Hpa2), is mutated in urofacial syndrome (UFS), a rare autosomal recessive congenital disease attributed to peripheral neuropathy. Hpa2 lacks intrinsic heparan sulfate (HS)-degrading activity, the hallmark of heparanase (Hpa1), yet it exhibits a high affinity toward HS, thereby inhibiting Hpa1 enzymatic activity. Hpa2 regulates selected genes that promote normal differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in antitumor, antiangiogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Importantly, stress conditions induce the expression of Hpa2, thus establishing a feedback loop, where Hpa2 enhances ER stress which, in turn, induces Hpa2 expression. In most cases, cancer patients who retain high levels of Hpa2 survive longer than patients bearing Hpa2-low tumors. Experimentally, overexpression of Hpa2 attenuates the growth of tumor xenografts, whereas Hpa2 gene silencing results in aggressive tumors. Studies applying conditional Hpa2 knockout (cHpa2-KO) mice revealed an essential involvement of Hpa2 contributed by the host in protecting against cancer and inflammation. This was best reflected by the distorted morphology of the Hpa2-null pancreas, including massive infiltration of immune cells, acinar to adipocyte trans-differentiation, and acinar to ductal metaplasia. Moreover, orthotopic inoculation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells into the pancreas of Hpa2-null vs. wild-type mice yielded tumors that were by far more aggressive. Likewise, intravenous inoculation of cancer cells into cHpa2-KO mice resulted in a dramatically increased lung colonization reflecting the involvement of Hpa2 in restricting the formation of a premetastatic niche. Elucidating Hpa2 structure-activity-relationships is expected to support the development of Hpa2-based therapies against cancer and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Vlodavsky
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maram Hilwi
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yasmin Kayal
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Soaad Soboh
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Neta Ilan
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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Herbein G. Cellular Transformation by Human Cytomegalovirus. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1970. [PMID: 38893091 PMCID: PMC11171319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi sarcoma human virus (KSHV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) are the seven human oncoviruses reported so far. While traditionally viewed as a benign virus causing mild symptoms in healthy individuals, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, spanning a wide range of tissue types and malignancies. This perspective article defines the biological criteria that characterize the oncogenic role of HCMV and based on new findings underlines a critical role for HCMV in cellular transformation and modeling the tumor microenvironment as already reported for the other human oncoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Herbein
- Department Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB EA4266, University of Franche-Comté (UFC), 25000 Besançon, France;
- Department of Virology, CHU Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
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10
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Wang H, Wang L, Zhang S, Liu Q, Gao F. EZH2 G553C significantly increases the risk of brain metastasis from lung cancer due to salt bridge instability. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:175. [PMID: 38764053 PMCID: PMC11103815 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03362-w] [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: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality of lung cancer is the highest in China and the world. Brain is the most common distant metastasis site of lung cancer. Its transfer mechanism and predictive biomarkers are still unclear. EZH2 participates in the catalysis of transcriptional inhibition complex, mediates chromatin compactness, leads to the silencing of its downstream target genes, participates in the silencing of multiple tumor suppressor genes, and is related to cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle regulation. In physiology, EZH2 has high activity in stem cells or progenitor cells, inhibits genes related to cell cycle arrest and promotes self-renewal. To detect the expression and mutation of EZH2 gene in patients with brain metastasis of lung cancer, and provide further theoretical basis for exploring the pathogenesis of brain metastasis of lung cancer and finding reliable biomarkers to predict brain metastasis of lung cancer. METHODS This study investigated susceptible genes for brain metastasis of lung cancer. The second-generation sequencing technology was applied to screen the differential genes of paired samples (brain metastasis tissues, lung cancer tissues and adjacent tissues) of lung cancer patients with brain metastasi. RESULTS It revealed that there was a significant difference in the G553C genotype of EZH2 between lung cancer brain metastasis tissues and lung cancer tissues (p = 0.045). The risk of lung cancer brain metastasis in G allele carriers was 2.124 times higher than that in C allele carriers. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with lung cancer patients and lung cancer patients with brain metastasis, the expression level of EZH2 in lung cancer tissues of lung cancer patients was significantly higher than that in adjacent lung tissues (p < 0.0001), and higher than that in brain metastasis tissues (p = 0.0309). RNA in situ immunohybridization showed that EZH2 mRNA expression was gradually high in lung cancer adjacent tissues, lung cancer tissues and lung cancer brain metastasis tissues. CONCLUSIONS EZH2 G553C polymorphism contributes to the prediction of brain metastasis of lung cancer, in which G allele carriers are more prone to brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qicai Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Kong L, Jin X. Dysregulation of deubiquitination in breast cancer. Gene 2024; 902:148175. [PMID: 38242375 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148175] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a highly frequent malignant tumor that poses a serious threat to women's health and has different molecular subtypes, histological subtypes, and biological features, which act by activating oncogenic factors and suppressing cancer inhibitors. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main process contributing to protein degradation, and deubiquitinases (DUBs) are reverse enzymes that counteract this process. There is growing evidence that dysregulation of DUBs is involved in the occurrence of BC. Herein, we review recent research findings in BC-associated DUBs, describe their nature, classification, and functions, and discuss the potential mechanisms of DUB-related dysregulation in BC. Furthermore, we present the successful treatment of malignant cancer with DUB inhibitors, as well as analyzing the status of targeting aberrant DUBs in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Luo Y, Li L, Hu Q, Zhang Z, Liu F, Peng Y, Zou Y, Chen L. Iron overload increases the sensitivity of endometriosis stromal cells to ferroptosis via a PRC2-independent function of EZH2. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 169:106553. [PMID: 38417568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106553] [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: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Given the high concentration of iron in the micro-environment of ovarian endometriosis, it is plausible to hypothesize that ectopic endometrial cells may be more susceptible to undergoing ferroptosis. Manipulation of ferroptosis has been explored as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat related diseases. In this study, we examined the impact on ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) of iron overload and an inducer of ferroptosis. We found that the iron concentration in the ovarian endometriosis was much higher than control samples. Treatment of cultured EESCs with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) increase the sensitivity to undergo ferroptosis. By analyzing the RNA-seq results, it was discovered that zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) was significantly downregulated in ferroptosis induced EESCs. Moreover, overexpression of EZH2 effectively prevented the induction of ferroptosis. In addition, the activity or expression of EZH2 is directly and specifically inhibited by the methyltransferase inhibitor GSK343, which raises the sensitivity of stromal cells to ferroptosis. Taken together, our findings revealed that EZH2 act as a suppressor in the induced cell ferroptosis through a PRC2-independent methyltransferase mechanism. Therefore, blocking EZH2 expression and inducing ferroptosis may be effective treatment approaches for ovarian endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Liping Li
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiwen Hu
- School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Department of pathology, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Faying Liu
- Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China; Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongbao Peng
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Yang Zou
- Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China; Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Lina Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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13
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Kaur P, Shankar E, Gupta S. EZH2-mediated development of therapeutic resistance in cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216706. [PMID: 38331087 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216706] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulates gene expression and plays a definite role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence. Overexpression of EZH2 has been found in various human malignancies, including prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers, and is associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. EZH2 catalyzes trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) as a canonical role in a PRC2-dependent manner. This mechanism silences various tumor suppressor genes through EZH2-mediated histone lysine methyltransferase activity. As a non-canonical role, EZH2 partners with other signaling molecules to undergo post-translational modification to orchestrate its function as a co-activator playing a critical role in cancer progression. Dysregulation of EZH2 has also been associated with therapeutic resistance in cancer cells. Given the role of EZH2 in promoting carcinogenesis and therapy resistance, both canonical and non-canonical EZH2 inhibitors have been used to combat multiple cancer types. Moreover, combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapeutic modalities have shown to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and overcome potential resistance mechanisms in these cancerous cells. Therefore, targeting EZH2 through canonical and non-canonical modes appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance efficacy and overcome resistance in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parminder Kaur
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA.
| | - Eswar Shankar
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Division of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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14
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Ozgun G, Yaras T, Akman B, Özden-Yılmaz G, Landman N, Karakülah G, van Lohuizen M, Senturk S, Erkek-Ozhan S. Retinoids and EZH2 inhibitors cooperate to orchestrate anti-oncogenic effects on bladder cancer cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:537-551. [PMID: 38233533 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00725-3] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The highly mutated nature of bladder cancers harboring mutations in chromatin regulatory genes opposing Polycomb-mediated repression highlights the importance of targeting EZH2 in bladder cancer. Furthermore, the critical role of the retinoic acid signaling pathway in the development and homeostasis of the urothelium, and the anti-oncogenic effects of retinoids are well established. Therefore, our aim is to simultaneously target EZH2 and retinoic acid signaling in bladder cancer to potentiate the therapeutic response. Here we report that this coordinated targeting strategy stimulates an anti-oncogenic profile, as reflected by inducing a synergistic reduction in cell viability that was associated with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a cooperative and orchestrated manner. This study characterized anti-oncogenic transcriptional reprogramming centered on the transcriptional regulator CHOP by stimulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. We further portrayed a molecular mechanism whereby EZH2 maintains H3K27me3-mediated repression of a subset of genes involved in unfolded protein responses, reflecting the molecular mechanism underlying this co-targeting strategy. These findings highlight the importance of co-targeting the EZH2 and retinoic acid pathway in bladder cancers and encourage the design of novel treatments employing retinoids coupled with EZH2 inhibitors in bladder carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Ozgun
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Tutku Yaras
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu Akman
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gülden Özden-Yılmaz
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nick Landman
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Maarten van Lohuizen
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Serif Senturk
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
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15
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Zhang M, Wu K, Zhang W, Lin X, Cao Q, Zhang L, Chen K. The therapeutic potential of targeting the CHD protein family in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108610. [PMID: 38367868 PMCID: PMC10942663 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic events undergo deregulation in various cancer types, playing crucial roles in tumor development. Among the epigenetic factors involved in the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) family frequently exhibits gain- or loss-of-function mutations in distinct cancer types. Therefore, targeting CHD remodelers holds the potential for antitumor treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic regulations of cancer development. We emphasize proteins in the CHD family, delving deeply into the intricate mechanisms governing their functions. Additionally, we provide an overview of current therapeutic strategies targeting CHD family members in preclinical trials. We further discuss the promising approaches that have demonstrated early signs of success in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wu
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Urology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lili Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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16
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Ding Y, Zhou G, Hu W. Epigenetic regulation of TGF-β pathway and its role in radiation response. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:834-848. [PMID: 38506660 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2024.2327395] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) plays a dual role in tumor progression as well as a pivotal role in radiation response. TGF-β-related epigenetic regulations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications (including methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination), chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA regulation, have been found to affect the occurrence and development of tumors as well as their radiation response in multiple dimensions. Due to the significance of radiotherapy in tumor treatment and the essential roles of TGF-β signaling in radiation response, it is important to better understand the role of epigenetic regulation mechanisms mediated by TGF-β signaling pathways in radiation-induced targeted and non-targeted effects. CONCLUSIONS By revealing the epigenetic mechanism related to TGF-β-mediated radiation response, summarizing the existing relevant adjuvant strategies for radiotherapy based on TGF-β signaling, and discovering potential therapeutic targets, we hope to provide a new perspective for improving clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guangming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wentao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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17
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Chang HW, Park JJ, Lee WH, Kim SH, Lee JC, Nam HY, Kim MR, Han MW, Lee YS, Kim SY, Kim SW. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-dependent sirtuin-3 determines sensitivity to glucose starvation in radioresistant head and neck cancer cells. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111029. [PMID: 38163576 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111029] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) regulates mitochondrial function as a mitochondrial deacetylase during oxidative stress. However, the specific regulatory mechanism and function of SIRT3 in radioresistant cancer cells are unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate how SIRT3 determines the susceptibility to glucose deprivation and its regulation in p53-based radioresistant head and neck cancer cells. We observed mitochondrial function using two established isogenic radioresistant subclones (HN3R-A [p53 null] and HN3R-B [p53 R282W]) with intratumoral p53 heterogeneity. Cell counting analysis was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and cell death. The correlation between the regulation of SIRT3 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) was confirmed by immunoblotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. p53-deficient radioresistant cells (HN3R-A) expression reduced SIRT3 levels and increased sensitivity to glucose deprivation due to mitochondrial dysfunction compared to other cells. In these cells, activation of SIRT3 significantly prevented glucose deprivation-induced cell death, whereas the loss of SIRT3 increased the susceptibility to glucose deficiency. We discovered that radiation-induced EZH2 directly binds to the SIRT3 promoter and represses the expression. Conversely, inhibiting EZH2 increased the expression of SIRT3 through epigenetic changes. Our findings indicate that p53-deficient radioresistant cells with enhanced EZH2 exhibit increased sensitivity to glucose deprivation due to SIRT3 suppression. The regulation of SIRT3 by EZH2 plays a critical role in determining the cell response to glucose deficiency in radioresistant cancer cells. Therefore, EZH2-dependent SIRT3 could be used as a predictive biomarker to select treatment options for patients with radiation-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Won Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Je Park
- Department of Otolaryngology, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Hyeok Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Hee Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Cheol Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Yun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Ra Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Woul Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Se Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Seong Who Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Li W, Zhuang Y, Shao SJ, Trivedi P, Zheng B, Huang GL, He Z, Zhang X. Essential contribution of the JAK/STAT pathway to carcinogenesis, lytic infection of herpesviruses and pathogenesis of COVID‑19 (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 29:39. [PMID: 38240082 PMCID: PMC10828999 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13163] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The intracellular pathway of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) and modification of nucleosome histone marks regulate the expression of proinflammatory mediators, playing an essential role in carcinogenesis, antiviral immunity and the interaction of host proteins with Herpesviral particles. The pathway has also been suggested to play a vital role in the clinical course of the acute infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2; known as coronavirus infection‑2019), a novel human coronavirus initially identified in the central Chinese city Wuhan towards the end of 2019, which evolved into a pandemic affecting nearly two million people worldwide. The infection mainly manifests as fever, cough, myalgia and pulmonary involvement, while it also attacks multiple viscera, such as the liver. The pathogenesis is characterized by a cytokine storm, with an overproduction of proinflammatory mediators. Innate and adaptive host immunity against the viral pathogen is exerted by various effectors and is regulated by different signaling pathways notably the JAK/STAT. The elucidation of the underlying mechanism of the regulation of mediating factors expressed in the viral infection would assist diagnosis and antiviral targeting therapy, which will help overcome the infection caused by SARS‑CoV‑2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
- Chinese-American Tumor Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Yunjing Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Song-Jun Shao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Pankaj Trivedi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome I-00158, Italy
| | - Biying Zheng
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Liang Huang
- Chinese-American Tumor Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
- Chinese-American Tumor Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Xiangning Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
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19
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Sharma S, Wang SA, Yang WB, Lin HY, Lai MJ, Chen HC, Kao TY, Hsu FL, Nepali K, Hsu TI, Liou JP. First-in-Class Dual EZH2-HSP90 Inhibitor Eliciting Striking Antiglioblastoma Activity In Vitro and In Vivo. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2963-2985. [PMID: 38285511 PMCID: PMC10895674 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02053] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Structural analysis of tazemetostat, an FDA-approved EZH2 inhibitor, led us to pinpoint a suitable site for appendage with a pharmacophoric fragment of second-generation HSP90 inhibitors. Resultantly, a magnificent dual EZH2/HSP90 inhibitor was pinpointed that exerted striking cell growth inhibitory efficacy against TMZ-resistant Glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. Exhaustive explorations of chemical probe 7 led to several revelations such as (i) compound 7 increased apoptosis/necrosis-related gene expression, whereas decreased M phase/kinetochore/spindle-related gene expression as well as CENPs protein expression in Pt3R cells; (ii) dual inhibitor 7 induced cell cycle arrest at the M phase; (iii) compound 7 suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) catabolism pathway, causing the death of TMZ-resistant GBM cells; and (iv) compound 7 elicited substantial in vivo anti-GBM efficacy in experimental mice xenografted with TMZ-resistant Pt3R cells. Collectively, the study results confirm the potential of dual EZH2-HSP90 inhibitor 7 as a tractable anti-GBM agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Sharma
- School
of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Shao-An Wang
- School
of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Bin Yang
- TMU
Research Center of Neuroscience, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yi Lin
- Graduate
Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Jung Lai
- TMU
Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chung Chen
- TMU
Research Center of Neuroscience, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department
of Neurosurgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research
Institutes, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yuan Kao
- School
of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research
Institutes, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Lin Hsu
- School
of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Kunal Nepali
- School
of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- TMU
Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-I Hsu
- TMU
Research Center of Neuroscience, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- TMU
Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research
Institutes, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- International
Master Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science
and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- TMU
Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei 110 Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ping Liou
- School
of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- TMU
Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- TMU
Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei 110 Taiwan
- Ph.D.
Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
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20
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Weinzapfel EN, Fedder-Semmes KN, Sun ZW, Keogh MC. Beyond the tail: the consequence of context in histone post-translational modification and chromatin research. Biochem J 2024; 481:219-244. [PMID: 38353483 PMCID: PMC10903488 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230342] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The role of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in chromatin structure and genome function has been the subject of intense debate for more than 60 years. Though complex, the discourse can be summarized in two distinct - and deceptively simple - questions: What is the function of histone PTMs? And how should they be studied? Decades of research show these queries are intricately linked and far from straightforward. Here we provide a historical perspective, highlighting how the arrival of new technologies shaped discovery and insight. Despite their limitations, the tools available at each period had a profound impact on chromatin research, and provided essential clues that advanced our understanding of histone PTM function. Finally, we discuss recent advances in the application of defined nucleosome substrates, the study of multivalent chromatin interactions, and new technologies driving the next era of histone PTM research.
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21
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Guo P, Lim RC, Rajawasam K, Trinh T, Sun H, Zhang H. A methylation-phosphorylation switch controls EZH2 stability and hematopoiesis. eLife 2024; 13:e86168. [PMID: 38346162 PMCID: PMC10901513 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86168] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) methylates H3K27 to regulate development and cell fate by transcriptional silencing. Alteration of PRC2 is associated with various cancers. Here, we show that mouse Kdm1a deletion causes a dramatic reduction of PRC2 proteins, whereas mouse null mutation of L3mbtl3 or Dcaf5 results in PRC2 accumulation and increased H3K27 trimethylation. The catalytic subunit of PRC2, EZH2, is methylated at lysine 20 (K20), promoting EZH2 proteolysis by L3MBTL3 and the CLR4DCAF5 ubiquitin ligase. KDM1A (LSD1) demethylates the methylated K20 to stabilize EZH2. K20 methylation is inhibited by AKT-mediated phosphorylation of serine 21 in EZH2. Mouse Ezh2K20R/K20R mutants develop hepatosplenomegaly associated with high GFI1B expression, and Ezh2K20R/K20R mutant bone marrows expand hematopoietic stem cells and downstream hematopoietic populations. Our studies reveal that EZH2 is regulated by methylation-dependent proteolysis, which is negatively controlled by AKT-mediated S21 phosphorylation to establish a methylation-phosphorylation switch to regulate the PRC2 activity and hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Guo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Rebecca C Lim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Keshari Rajawasam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Tiffany Trinh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States
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22
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Iwase T, Wang X, Thi Hanh Phi L, Sridhar N, Ueno NT, Lee J. Advances in targets in inflammatory breast cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 384:125-152. [PMID: 38637096 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Iwase
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States.
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lan Thi Hanh Phi
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nithya Sridhar
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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23
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Casanova AG, Roth GS, Hausmann S, Lu X, Bischoff LJM, Froeliger EM, Belmudes L, Bourova-Flin E, Flores NM, Benitez AM, Chasan T, Caporicci M, Vayr J, Blanchet S, Ielasi F, Rousseaux S, Hainaut P, Gozani O, Le Romancer M, Couté Y, Palencia A, Mazur PK, Reynoird N. Cytoskeleton remodeling induced by SMYD2 methyltransferase drives breast cancer metastasis. Cell Discov 2024; 10:12. [PMID: 38296970 PMCID: PMC10830559 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00644-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant forms of breast cancer refractory to existing therapies remain a major unmet health issue, primarily due to metastatic spread. A better understanding of the mechanisms at play will provide better insights for alternative treatments to prevent breast cancer cell dispersion. Here, we identify the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 as a clinically actionable master regulator of breast cancer metastasis. While SMYD2 is overexpressed in aggressive breast cancers, we notice that it is not required for primary tumor growth. However, mammary-epithelium specific SMYD2 ablation increases mouse overall survival by blocking the primary tumor cell ability to metastasize. Mechanistically, we identify BCAR3 as a genuine physiological substrate of SMYD2 in breast cancer cells. BCAR3 monomethylated at lysine K334 (K334me1) is recognized by a novel methyl-binding domain present in FMNLs proteins. These actin cytoskeleton regulators are recruited at the cell edges by the SMYD2 methylation signaling and modulate lamellipodia properties. Breast cancer cells with impaired BCAR3 methylation lose migration and invasiveness capacity in vitro and are ineffective in promoting metastases in vivo. Remarkably, SMYD2 pharmacologic inhibition efficiently impairs the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells, PDX and aggressive mammary tumors from genetically engineered mice. This study provides a rationale for innovative therapeutic prevention of malignant breast cancer metastatic progression by targeting the SMYD2-BCAR3-FMNL axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre G Casanova
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Gael S Roth
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Clinique Universitaire d'Hépato-gastroentérologie et Oncologie digestive, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Simone Hausmann
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoyin Lu
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ludivine J M Bischoff
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Emilie M Froeliger
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Lucid Belmudes
- Grenoble Alpes University, CEA, INSERM, UA13 BGE, CNRS CEA, FR2048, Grenoble, France
| | - Ekaterina Bourova-Flin
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Natasha M Flores
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ana Morales Benitez
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tourkian Chasan
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marcello Caporicci
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica Vayr
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandrine Blanchet
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Francesco Ielasi
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Sophie Rousseaux
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre Hainaut
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Muriel Le Romancer
- Université de Lyon, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Lyon, France
| | - Yohann Couté
- Grenoble Alpes University, CEA, INSERM, UA13 BGE, CNRS CEA, FR2048, Grenoble, France
| | - Andres Palencia
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Pawel K Mazur
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Nicolas Reynoird
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U 1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France.
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Yin J, Gu T, Chaudhry N, Davidson NE, Huang Y. Epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity and immunotherapy response in breast cancer: biological mechanisms and clinical implications. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325615. [PMID: 38268926 PMCID: PMC10806158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. The initiation and progression of BC can proceed through the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that allow transformed cells to escape the normal cell cycle checkpoint control. Unlike nucleotide mutations, epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), nucleosome remodeling and non-coding RNAs are generally reversible and therefore potentially responsive to pharmacological intervention. Epigenetic dysregulations are critical mechanisms for impaired antitumor immunity, evasion of immune surveillance, and resistance to immunotherapy. Compared to highly immunogenic tumor types, such as melanoma or lung cancer, breast cancer has been viewed as an immunologically quiescent tumor which displays a relatively low population of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), low tumor mutational burden (TMB) and modest response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Emerging evidence suggests that agents targeting aberrant epigenetic modifiers may augment host antitumor immunity in BC via several interrelated mechanisms such as enhancing tumor antigen presentation, activation of cytotoxic T cells, inhibition of immunosuppressive cells, boosting response to ICI, and induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). These discoveries have established a highly promising basis for using combinatorial approaches of epigenetic drugs with immunotherapy as an innovative paradigm to improve outcomes of BC patients. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how epigenetic processes regulate immune cell function and antitumor immunogenicity in the context of the breast tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic potential and latest clinical trials of the combination of immune checkpoint blockers with epigenetic agents in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yin
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Tiezheng Gu
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Norin Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Nancy E. Davidson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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25
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Liu J, Fan H, Liang X, Chen Y. Polycomb repressor complex: Its function in human cancer and therapeutic target strategy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115897. [PMID: 37981459 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115897] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb Repressor Complex (PRC) plays a pivotal role in gene regulation during development and disease, with dysregulation contributing significantly to various human cancers. The intricate interplay between PRC and cellular signaling pathways sheds light on cancer complexity. PRC presents promising therapeutic opportunities, with inhibitors undergoing rigorous evaluation in preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we emphasize the critical role of PRC complex in gene regulation, particularly PcG proteins mediated chromatin compaction through phase separation. We also highlight the pathological implications of PRC complex dysregulation in various tumors, elucidating underlying mechanisms driving cancer progression. The burgeoning field of therapeutic strategies targeting PRC complexes, notably EZH2 inhibitors, has advanced significantly. However, we explore the need for combination therapies to enhance PRC targeted treatments efficacy, providing a glimpse into the future of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Liu
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Hongjie Fan
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Xinmiao Liang
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Yang Chen
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
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26
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Jankowski K, Jagana V, Bisserier M, Hadri L. Switch-Independent 3A: An Epigenetic Regulator in Cancer with New Implications for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Biomedicines 2023; 12:10. [PMID: 38275371 PMCID: PMC10813728 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA, play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression and are pivotal in biological processes like apoptosis, cell proliferation, and differentiation. SIN3a serves as a scaffold protein and facilitates interactions with transcriptional epigenetic partners and specific DNA-binding transcription factors to modulate gene expression by adding or removing epigenetic marks. However, the activation or repression of gene expression depends on the factors that interact with SIN3a, as it can recruit both transcriptional activators and repressors. The role of SIN3a has been extensively investigated in the context of cancer, including melanoma, lung, and breast cancer. Our group is interested in defining the roles of SIN3a and its partners in pulmonary vascular disease. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a multifactorial disease often described as a cancer-like disease and characterized by disrupted cellular metabolism, sustained vascular cell proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. Molecularly, PAH shares many common signaling pathways with cancer cells, offering the opportunity to further consider therapeutic strategies used for cancer. As a result, many signaling pathways observed in cancer were studied in PAH and have encouraged new research studying SIN3a's role in PAH due to its impact on cancer growth. This comparison offers new therapeutic options. In this review, we delineate the SIN3a-associated epigenetic mechanisms in cancer and PAH cells and highlight their impact on cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, we explore in detail the role of SIN3a in cancer to provide new insights into its emerging role in PAH pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Jankowski
- Center for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Vineeta Jagana
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Physiology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (V.J.); (M.B.)
| | - Malik Bisserier
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Physiology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (V.J.); (M.B.)
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Center for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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27
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Shyu JY, Schlag PA, Karwowska SM, Manohar CF, Truong HM, Longshore JW, Zhang G. Performance of the cobas EZH2 mutation test on clinical samples from non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292251. [PMID: 38096164 PMCID: PMC10721068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To present the technical verification and clinical validation of the companion diagnostic assay, cobas® EZH2 Mutation Test (cobas EZH2 Test), targeting gain-of-function EZH2 mutations in follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The focus is on patient clinical samples proving that the test met the performance criteria required for FDA approval of a companion diagnostic test. DESIGN Epizyme, Inc., Eisai Co., Ltd., and Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., collaborated to develop the cobas EZH2 Test on an RT-PCR platform. The assay design needed to detect the gain-of-function EZH2 mutations found in FL and DLBCL indications. Thus, the test was optimized for investigational purposes in a clinical trial setting. Part of its technical verification included testing of patient tumor samples with a documented diagnosis of FL and DLBCL procured from commercial vendors, and the clinical validation used patient samples from the Epizyme clinical study. Both the technical performance verification method correlation study (104 clinical commercially acquired samples) and the clinical validation accuracy study (341 patient samples from the therapeutic study) used next-generation sequencing as a reference method to establish true vs. false results by cobas EZH2 Test. The reproducibility study used a 15-member panel of DNA samples with varying EZH2 mutation status from procured clinical FL and DLBCL patient samples under multiple variables. RESULTS Single and rare, infrequent double EZH2 mutations were detected in FL and DLBCL samples. Agreements between results from cobas EZH2 and sequencing were >98% from commercial clinical samples and from the therapeutic study clinical samples. The reproducibility study obtained 178 to 180 valid results for each panel member, with an overall invalid rate of 0.37%. The agreement for each per panel member was 100%. CONCLUSION cobas EZH2 Test data demonstrated that the test is reliable and will perform well in a commercial customer environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Y. Shyu
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Peter A. Schlag
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Sylwia M. Karwowska
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Chitra F. Manohar
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - Huan M. Truong
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | - John W. Longshore
- Carolinas Pathology Group and Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Guili Zhang
- Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California, United States of America
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28
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Kim SJ, Kiser PK, Asfaha S, DeKoter RP, Dick FA. EZH2 inhibition stimulates repetitive element expression and viral mimicry in resting splenic B cells. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114462. [PMID: 37934086 PMCID: PMC10711652 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114462] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells repress expression of repetitive genomic sequences by forming heterochromatin. However, the consequences of ectopic repeat expression remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that inhibitors of EZH2, the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), stimulate repeat misexpression and cell death in resting splenic B cells. B cells are uniquely sensitive to these agents because they exhibit high levels of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and correspondingly low DNA methylation at repeat elements. We generated a pattern recognition receptor loss-of-function mouse model, called RIC, with mutations in Rigi (encoding for RIG-I), Ifih1 (MDA5), and Cgas. In both wildtype and RIC mutant B cells, EZH2 inhibition caused loss of H3K27me3 at repetitive elements and upregulated their expression. However, NF-κB-dependent expression of inflammatory chemokines and subsequent cell death was suppressed by the RIC mutations. We further show that inhibition of EZH2 in cancer cells requires the same pattern recognition receptors to activate an interferon response. Together, the results reveal chemokine expression induced by EZH2 inhibitors in B cells as a novel inflammatory response to genomic repeat expression. Given the overlap of genes induced by EZH2 inhibitors and Epstein-Barr virus infection, this response can be described as a form of viral mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung J Kim
- London Regional Cancer ProgramChildren's Health Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- London Health Sciences Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
| | - Patti K Kiser
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
| | - Samuel Asfaha
- London Regional Cancer ProgramChildren's Health Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- London Health Sciences Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
- Department of MedicineWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
| | - Rodney P DeKoter
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
| | - Frederick A Dick
- London Regional Cancer ProgramChildren's Health Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- London Health Sciences Research InstituteLondonONCanada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineWestern UniversityLondonONCanada
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29
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Aziz N, Hong YH, Kim HG, Kim JH, Cho JY. Tumor-suppressive functions of protein lysine methyltransferases. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2475-2497. [PMID: 38036730 PMCID: PMC10766653 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01117-7] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) play crucial roles in histone and nonhistone modifications, and their dysregulation has been linked to the development and progression of cancer. While the majority of studies have focused on the oncogenic functions of PKMTs, extensive evidence has indicated that these enzymes also play roles in tumor suppression by regulating the stability of p53 and β-catenin, promoting α-tubulin-mediated genomic stability, and regulating the transcription of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Despite their contradictory roles in tumorigenesis, many PKMTs have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. However, PKMT inhibitors may have unintended negative effects depending on the specific cancer type and target enzyme. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize the tumor-suppressive effects of PKMTs and to provide new insights into the development of anticancer drugs targeting PKMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Aziz
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yo Han Hong
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Gyung Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Youl Cho
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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30
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Lu Y, Gu F, Ma Y, Li R, Luo Y, Da X, Jiang L, Li X, Liu Y. Simultaneous Delivery of Doxorubicin and EZH2-Targeting siRNA by Vortex Magnetic Nanorods Synergistically Improved Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2301307. [PMID: 37376877 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer, currently lacks a targeted therapy and has a high clinical recurrence rate. The present study reports an engineered magnetic nanodrug based on Fe3 O4 vortex nanorods coated with a macrophage membrane loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and Enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) siRNA. This novel nanodrug displays excellent tissue penetration and preferential tumor accumulation. More importantly, it significantly increases tumor suppression compared to chemotherapy, suggesting the synergistic activity of the combination of doxorubicin and EZH2-inhibition. Importantly, owing to tumor-targeted delivery, nanomedicine shows an excellent safety profile after systemic delivery, unlike conventional chemotherapy. In summary, chemotherapy and gene therapy are combined into a novel magnetic nanodrug carrying doxorubicin and EZH2 siRNA, which shows promising clinical application potential in TNBC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshu Lu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Fenfen Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Yuwei Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Ruonan Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, P. R. China
| | - Yi Luo
- Biotheus Inc., Guangdong Province, Zhuhai, 519080, P. R. China
- Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Xianhong Da
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, P. R. China
| | - Lan Jiang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, P. R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
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Alluli A, Rijnbout St James W, Eidelman DH, Baglole CJ. Dynamic relationship between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and long noncoding RNA balances cellular and toxicological responses. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115745. [PMID: 37597813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115745] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic transcription factor activated by endogenous ligands and xenobiotic chemicals. Once the AhR is activated, it translocates to the nucleus, dimerizes with the AhR nuclear translator (ARNT) and binds to xenobiotic response elements (XRE) to promote gene transcription, notably the cytochrome P450 CYP1A1. The AhR not only mediates the toxic effects of environmental chemicals, but also has numerous putative physiological functions. This dichotomy in AhR biology may be related to reciprocal regulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). lncRNA are defined as transcripts more than 200 nucleotides in length that do not encode a protein but are implicated in many physiological processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. lncRNA are also linked to disease pathogenesis, particularly the development of cancer. Recent studies have revealed that AhR activation by environmental chemicals affects the expression and function of lncRNA. In this article, we provide an overview of AhR signaling pathways activated by diverse ligands and highlight key differences in the putative biological versus toxicological response of AhR activation. We also detail the functions of lncRNA and provide current data on their regulation by the AhR. Finally, we outline how overlap in function between AhR and lncRNA may be one way in which AhR can be both a regulator of endogenous functions but also a mediator of toxicological responses to environmental chemicals. Overall, more research is still needed to fully understand the dynamic interplay between the AhR and lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aeshah Alluli
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - Willem Rijnbout St James
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - David H Eidelman
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Baglole
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Canada.
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32
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Casanova AG, Roth GS, Hausmann S, Lu X, Belmudes L, Bourova-Flin E, Flores NM, Benitez AM, Caporicci M, Vayr J, Blanchet S, Ielasi F, Rousseaux S, Hainaut P, Gozani O, Couté Y, Palencia A, Mazur PK, Reynoird N. Cytoskeleton remodeling induced by SMYD2 methyltransferase drives breast cancer metastasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558201. [PMID: 37790557 PMCID: PMC10542120 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Malignant forms of breast cancer refractory to existing therapies remain a major unmet health issue, primarily due to metastatic spread. A better understanding of the mechanisms at play will provide better insights for alternative treatments to prevent breast cancer cells dispersion. Here, we identify the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 as a clinically actionable master regulator of breast cancer metastasis. While SMYD2 is overexpressed in aggressive breast cancers, we notice that it is not required for primary tumor growth. However, mammary-epithelium specific SMYD2 ablation increases mouse overall survival by blocking the primary tumor cells ability to metastasize. Mechanistically, we identify BCAR3 as a genuine physiological substrate of SMYD2 in breast cancer cells. BCAR3 monomethylated at lysine K334 (K334me1) is recognized by a novel methyl-binding domain present in FMNLs proteins. These actin cytoskeleton regulators are recruited at the cell edges by the SMYD2 methylation signaling and modulates lamellipodia properties. Breast cancer cells with impaired BCAR3 methylation loose migration and invasiveness capacity in vitro and are ineffective in promoting metastases in vivo . Remarkably, SMYD2 pharmacologic inhibition efficiently impairs the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells, PDX and aggressive mammary tumors from genetically engineered mice. This study provides a rationale for innovative therapeutic prevention of malignant breast cancer metastatic progression by targeting the SMYD2-BCAR3-FMNL axis.
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Lanzi C, Arrighetti N, Pasquali S, Cassinelli G. Targeting EZH2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas: Advances and opportunities to potentiate the efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115727. [PMID: 37541451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115727] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare mesechymal malignancies characterized by distintive molecular, histological and clinical features. Many STSs are considered as predominatly epigenetic diseases due to underlying chromatin deregulation. Discovery of deregulated functional antagonism between the chromatin remodeling BRG1/BRM-associated (BAFs) and the histone modifying Polycomb repressor complexes (PRCs) has provided novel actionable targets. In epithelioid sarcoma (ES), extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumors (eMRTs) and synovial sarcoma (SS), the total or partial loss of the BAF core subunit SMARCB1, driven by different alterations, is associated with PRC2 deregulation and dependency on its enzymatic subunit, EZH2. In these SMARCB1-deficient STSs, aberrant EZH2 expression and/or activity emerged as a druggable vulnerability. Although preclinical investigation supported EZH2 targeting as a promising therapeutic option, clinical studies demonstrated a variable response to EZH2 inhibitors. Actually, whereas the clinical benefit recorded in ES patients prompted the FDA approval of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, the modest and sporadic responses observed in eMRT and SS patients highlighted the need to deepen mechanistic as well as pharmacological investigations to improve drug effectiveness. We summarize the current knowledge of different mechanisms driving SMARCB1 deficiency and EZH2 deregulation in ES, eMRT and SS along with preclinical and clinical studies of EZH2-targeting agents. Possible implication of the PRC2- and enzymatic-independent functions of EZH2 and of its homolog, EZH1, in the response to anti-EZH2 agents will be discussed together with combinatorial strategies under investigation to improve the efficacy of EZH2 targeting in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lanzi
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Pasquali
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cassinelli
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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34
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Ding N, You A, Zhao S, Yang H, Lai C, Ye F. EZH2 inhibitor Tazemetostat synergizes with JQ-1 in esophageal cancer by inhibiting c-Myc signaling pathway. Med Oncol 2023; 40:281. [PMID: 37634215 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02147-x] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
EZH2, a highly conserved histone methyltransferase, plays an essential role in tumorigenesis and development. The inhibitor of EZH2 tazemetostat has been approved to treat metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma and recurrent or refractory follicular lymphoma. However, the effect of tazemetostat alone or in combination with other drugs in esophageal cancer has not been reported. In this study, we found that EZH2 was highly expressed in esophageal cancer at both mRNA and protein levels through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Furthermore, the results of CCK8, colony formation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis assays revealed that tazemetostat exerted an antitumour effect on esophageal cancer cells. Mechanistically, RNA-sequencing analysis of the tazemetostat-treated cells and vehicle-treated ones suggested that tazemetostat mainly inhibited the c-Myc signaling pathway and its targets, which was validated by western blotting. JQ-1, an inhibitor of bromodomain 4, was proven to attenuate c-Myc signaling in tumors. Thus, a therapeutic strategy based on tazemetostat in combination with JQ-1 is promising. The results demonstrated that tazemetostat and JQ-1 had a synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo for esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Ding
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Abin You
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Senxia Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hu Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunping Lai
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Feng Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China.
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Grolleau E, Candiracci J, Lescuyer G, Barthelemy D, Benzerdjeb N, Haon C, Geiguer F, Raffin M, Hardat N, Balandier J, Rabeuf R, Chalabreysse L, Wozny AS, Rommelaere G, Rodriguez-Lafrasse C, Subtil F, Couraud S, Herzog M, Payen-Gay L. Circulating H3K27 Methylated Nucleosome Plasma Concentration: Synergistic Information with Circulating Tumor DNA Molecular Profiling. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1255. [PMID: 37627320 PMCID: PMC10452235 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular profiling of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a helpful tool not only in cancer treatment, but also in the early detection of relapse. However, the clinical interpretation of a ctDNA negative result remains challenging. The characterization of circulating nucleosomes (carrying cell-free DNA) and associated epigenetic modifications (playing a key role in the tumorigenesis of different cancers) may provide useful information for patient management, by supporting the contributive value of ctDNA molecular profiling. Significantly elevated concentrations of H3K27Me3 nucleosomes were found in plasmas at the diagnosis, and during the follow-up, of NSCLC patients, compared to healthy donors (p-value < 0.0001). By combining the H3K27Me3 level and the ctDNA molecular profile, we found that 25.5% of the patients had H3K27Me3 levels above the cut off, and no somatic alteration was detected at diagnosis. This strongly supports the presence of non-mutated ctDNA in the corresponding plasma. During the patient follow-up, a high H3K27Me3-nucleosome level was found in 15.1% of the sample, despite no somatic mutations being detected, allowing the identification of disease progression from 43.1% to 58.2% over molecular profiling alone. Measuring H3K27Me3-nucleosome levels in combination with ctDNA molecular profiling may improve confidence in the negative molecular result for cfDNA in lung cancer at diagnosis, and may also be a promising biomarker for molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring, during and/or after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Grolleau
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Pulmonology Department, Lyon Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Julie Candiracci
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Créalys, 5032 Isnes, Belgium
| | - Gaelle Lescuyer
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - David Barthelemy
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Nazim Benzerdjeb
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Pathology Department, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France
| | - Christine Haon
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Florence Geiguer
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Margaux Raffin
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Nathalie Hardat
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Créalys, 5032 Isnes, Belgium
| | - Julie Balandier
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Rémi Rabeuf
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Créalys, 5032 Isnes, Belgium
| | - Lara Chalabreysse
- Pathology Department, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Bron, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Wozny
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology Laboratory UMR CNRS5822/IP2I, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
| | | | - Claire Rodriguez-Lafrasse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology Laboratory UMR CNRS5822/IP2I, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
| | - Fabien Subtil
- Statistic Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- LBBE, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, UMR 5558, CNRS, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sébastien Couraud
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Pulmonology Department, Lyon Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Marielle Herzog
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Créalys, 5032 Isnes, Belgium
| | - Lea Payen-Gay
- Center for Innovation in Cancerology of Lyon (CICLY) EA 3738, Faculty of Medicine and Maieutic Lyon Sud, Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69921 Oullins, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (ISPB), Claude Bernard University Lyon I, 69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Circulating Cancer (CIRCAN) Program, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Cancer Institute, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
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Liu L, Xiao B, Hirukawa A, Smith HW, Zuo D, Sanguin-Gendreau V, McCaffrey L, Nam AJ, Muller WJ. Ezh2 promotes mammary tumor initiation through epigenetic regulation of the Wnt and mTORC1 signaling pathways. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303010120. [PMID: 37549258 PMCID: PMC10438390 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303010120] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression through histone posttranslational modifications plays a crucial role in breast cancer progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of histone modification to tumor initiation remain unclear. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of the histone modifier Enhancer of Zeste homology 2 (Ezh2) in the early stages of mammary tumor progression, we employed an inducible mammary organoid system bearing conditional Ezh2 alleles that faithfully recapitulates key events of luminal B breast cancer initiation. We showed that the loss of Ezh2 severely impairs oncogene-induced organoid growth, with Ezh2-deficient organoids maintaining a polarized epithelial phenotype. Transcriptomic profiling showed that Ezh2-deficient mammary epithelial cells up-regulated the expression of negative regulators of Wnt signaling and down-regulated genes involved in mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling. We identified Sfrp1, a Wnt signaling suppressor, as an Ezh2 target gene that is derepressed and expressed in Ezh2-deficient epithelium. Furthermore, an analysis of breast cancer data revealed that Sfrp1 expression was associated with favorable clinical outcomes in luminal B breast cancer patients. Finally, we confirmed that targeting Ezh2 impairs mTORC1 activity through an indirect mechanism that up-regulates the expression of the tumor suppressor Pten. These findings indicate that Ezh2 integrates the mTORC1 and Wnt signaling pathways during early mammary tumor progression, arguing that inhibiting Ezh2 or therapeutically targeting Ezh2-dependent programs could be beneficial for the treatment of early-stage luminal B breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Liu
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Bin Xiao
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Alison Hirukawa
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Harvey W. Smith
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Dongmei Zuo
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Virginie Sanguin-Gendreau
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Luke McCaffrey
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A0G4, Canada
| | - Alice Jisoo Nam
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - William J. Muller
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
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37
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Hong L, Williams NL, Jaffe M, Shields CE, Haynes KA. Synthetic Reader-Actuators Targeted to Polycomb-Silenced Genes Block Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Proliferation and Invasion. GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 2:301-316. [PMID: 37928406 PMCID: PMC10623628 DOI: 10.1089/genbio.2023.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Scientists have used pharmacological inhibitors of polycomb proteins to restore the expression of tumor suppressor genes and stop cancer proliferation and invasion. A major limitation of this approach is that key transcriptional activators, such as TP53 and BAF SWI/SNF, are often mutated in cancer. Poor clinical results for polycomb-targeting therapies in solid cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), could discourage the further development of epigenetic monotherapies. Here, we performed epigenome actuation with a synthetic reader-actuator (SRA) that binds trimethylated histone H3 lysine 27 in polycomb chromatin and modulates core transcriptional activators. In SRA-expressing TNBC BT-549 cells, 122 genes become upregulated ≥2-fold, including the genes involved in cell death, cell cycle arrest, and migration inhibition. The SRA-expressing spheroids showed reduced size in Matrigel and loss of invasion. Therefore, targeting Mediator-recruiting regulators to silenced chromatin can activate tumor suppressors and stimulate anti-cancer phenotypes, and further development of robust gene regulators might benefit TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hong
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Natecia L. Williams
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Maya Jaffe
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cara E. Shields
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karmella A. Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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38
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Dardis GJ, Wang J, Simon JM, Wang GG, Baldwin AS. An EZH2-NF-κB regulatory axis drives expression of pro-oncogenic gene signatures in triple negative breast cancer. iScience 2023; 26:107115. [PMID: 37416481 PMCID: PMC10319845 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase EZH2 has been studied most extensively in the context of PRC2-dependent gene repression. Accumulating evidence indicates non-canonical functions for EZH2 in cancer contexts including promoting paradoxical gene expression through interactions with transcription factors, including NF-κB in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We profile EZH2 and NF-κB factor co-localization and positive gene regulation genome-wide, and define a subset of NF-κB targets and genes associated with oncogenic functions in TNBC that is enriched in patient datasets. We demonstrate interaction between EZH2 and RelA requiring the recently identified transactivation domain (TAD) which mediates EZH2 recruitment to, and activation of certain NF-κB-dependent genes, and supports downstream migration and stemness phenotypes in TNBC cells. Interestingly, EZH2-NF-κB positive regulation of genes and stemness does not require PRC2. This study provides new insight into pro-oncogenic regulatory functions for EZH2 in breast cancer through PRC2-independent, and NF-κB-dependent regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle J. Dardis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Albert S. Baldwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Jensen M, Chandrasekaran V, García-Bonete MJ, Li S, Anindya AL, Andersson K, Erlandsson MC, Oparina NY, Burmann BM, Brath U, Panchenko AR, Bokarewa I. M, Katona G. Survivin prevents the polycomb repressor complex 2 from methylating histone 3 lysine 27. iScience 2023; 26:106976. [PMID: 37534134 PMCID: PMC10391610 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the role of survivin in epigenetic control of gene transcription through interaction with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). PRC2 is responsible for silencing gene expression by trimethylating lysine 27 on histone 3. We observed differential expression of PRC2 subunits in CD4+ T cells with varying levels of survivin expression, and ChIP-seq results indicated that survivin colocalizes with PRC2 along DNA. Inhibition of survivin resulted in a significant increase in H3K27 trimethylation, implying that survivin prevents PRC2 from functioning. Peptide microarray showed that survivin interacts with peptides from PRC2 subunits, and machine learning revealed that amino acid composition contains relevant information for predicting survivin interaction. NMR and BLI experiments supported the interaction of survivin with PRC2 subunit EZH2. Finally, protein-protein docking revealed that the survivin-EZH2 interaction interface overlaps with catalytic residues of EZH2, potentially inhibiting its H3K27 methylation activity. These findings suggest that survivin inhibits PRC2 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Jensen
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Venkataragavan Chandrasekaran
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - María-José García-Bonete
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 440, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shuxiang Li
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Atsarina Larasati Anindya
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Andersson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin C. Erlandsson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nina Y. Oparina
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Björn M. Burmann
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Brath
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and the Swedish NMR Centre, University of Gothenburg, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna R. Panchenko
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Maria Bokarewa I.
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Rheumatology Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gröna stråket 16, 41346 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gergely Katona
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Gautam N, Kaur S, Kashyap S. EZH2 Expression and Survival for ER+/tamoxifen Treated Breast Cancer Patients with rs2302427 C>G: A Novel Prognostic and Risk Predictive Biomarker. Arch Med Res 2023:102852. [PMID: 37438214 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2023.102852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Overexpression of the EZH2 gene silences several genes involved in DNA repair, cell-cell adhesion, and tumor suppressor genes, resulting in the development of several types of cancers. In the present study, a genetic polymorphism analysis was performed by selecting three SNPs (rs.2302427C>G, rs.3757441C>T, and rs.6950683T>C) of the EZH2 gene based on our previous in silico studies. METHODS A total of 250 breast cancer patients and 250 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. Patients with pre-operative breast cancer with different clinical-pathological variables and age-matched healthy women were recruited for the EZH2 gene expression analysis. RESULTS The genetic polymorphism analysis revealed two SNPs (rs.2302427C>G and rs.6950683T>C) of the three studied SNPs of the EZH2 gene have a protective role in all three genetic models. The haplotype analysis predicted that two haplotypes ACGT and ACGC were significantly associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Three significant findings of the SNP rs.2302427C>G (Asp193His) i.e., protective role against breast cancer, survival advantage in ER+/tamoxifen treated breast cancer patients, and decreased expression due to the presence of mutant GG genotype, suggests considering it as an important prognostic biomarker for a good survival outcome of breast cancer patients treated with ER+/tamoxifen. Compared with other studies, the other SNP rs.3757441T>C was observed to have a protective effect in breast cancer biology but plays an antagonistic role in colorectal cancer (CRC) biology. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study on computationally validated EZH2 SNPs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Gautam
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala, India.
| | - Satbir Kaur
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
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Gautam N, Kaur M, Kashyap S. Meta-analysis of Genetic polymorphism of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog2 gene in cancer susceptibility. J Cancer Res Ther 2023; 19:1079-1092. [PMID: 37787267 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1112_21] [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] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The alteration in the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2) gene is very well known in the progression, severity, and aggressiveness of cancer. Hence, it is important to study the genomic variation of the EZH2 gene. Previously, many association-based studies investigated the association between rs2302427C>G and cancer susceptibility. However, the result had been inconsistent. Therefore, our meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between EZH2 rs2302427 and cancer risk. A systematic literature search was done for databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane library up to September 2020 and statistical analysis was performed by RevMan v 5.3. A total of six studies comprised 1876 cases and 2555 controls were included in the current meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that overall, there is significant association of rs2302427 C>G change with reduced cancer risk (odds ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [0.35-1.03], P = 0.07) but non-significantly. Further, the subgroup analysis also revealed that there is no significant difference between the Asian and European population, and both exhibit the protective nature of rs2302427 with cancer. The present meta-analysis indicated that EZH2 rs2302427 has an association with cancer in reducing the risk but for the Indian population studies are required as the Indian population comprises various sub-population genetically isolated for long.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Gautam
- Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India
| | - Surender Kashyap
- Atal Medical and Research University, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Mohamedali R, Mitra S, Mandal S, Nayak P, Adhya AK, Purkait S. Expression of EZH2 and H3K27me3 predicts tumor biology of urothelial carcinoma. INDIAN J PATHOL MICR 2023; 66:488-494. [PMID: 37530328 DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1267_21] [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] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is one of the major epigenetic modifiers involved in the transcriptional repression of target genes through trimethylation of H3K27 (lysine 27 residue of histone H3). Deregulated expression of both EZH2 and H3K27me3 has been implicated in the biological behavior and prognostic outcome of various malignancies. Aim To assess the role of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the carcinogenesis of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder. Materials and Methods One hundred fifty consecutive urothelial carcinoma cases of urinary bladder (54.7% high-grade) were included in this study. Immunohistochemical analysis for EZH2 and H3K27me3 was performed on whole tissue sections. A multiplication score obtained by multiplying staining intensity and proportion of positively stained neoplastic cells was used for assessment. Results EZH2 showed a significant correlation with the tumor grade and lamina propria invasion (p < 0.001). The cases with high EZH2 expression showed a significantly high proliferative index (Mean- 32.7%; p < 0.001). In contrast, negative and low expression of H3K27me3 was significantly more common in high-grade cases (p = 0.006). The expression of H3K27me3 was significantly associated with lamina propria (p = 0.01) and deep muscle invasion (p = 0.007). EZH2 showed a significantly higher expression in the high-grade invasive areas as compared to the high-grade non-invasive areas of the same tumor (p = 0.03). Conclusions This study establishes an important role of the key epigenetic regulators EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the pathobiology of urothelial carcinomas. Strong expression of EZH2 and weak expression of H3K27me3 are associated with higher grade, proliferative index and invasive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suvradeep Mitra
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | | | - Prasant Nayak
- Department of Urology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Amit K Adhya
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Suvendu Purkait
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Takashima K, Lee DJ, Trovero MF, Rothi MH, Mistry M, Zhang Y, Li Z, Davis CP, Li Z, Natale J, Schmid E, Al Haddad J, Hoffmann GB, Dietmann S, Sui SH, Oshiumi H, Lieberman J, Greer EL. NOP16 is a histone mimetic that regulates Histone H3K27 methylation and gene repression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544862. [PMID: 37397991 PMCID: PMC10312736 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of histone tails alter chromatin accessibility to regulate gene expression. Some viruses exploit the importance of histone modifications by expressing histone mimetic proteins that contain histone-like sequences to sequester complexes that recognize modified histones. Here we identify an evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed, endogenous mammalian protein Nucleolar protein 16 (NOP16) that functions as a H3K27 mimic. NOP16 binds to EED in the H3K27 trimethylation PRC2 complex and to the H3K27 demethylase JMJD3. NOP16 knockout selectively globally increases H3K27me3, a heterochromatin mark, without altering methylation of H3K4, H3K9, or H3K36 or acetylation of H3K27. NOP16 is overexpressed and linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Depletion of NOP16 in breast cancer cell lines causes cell cycle arrest, decreases cell proliferation and selectively decreases expression of E2F target genes and of genes involved in cell cycle, growth and apoptosis. Conversely, ectopic NOP16 expression in triple negative breast cancer cell lines increases cell proliferation, cell migration and invasivity in vitro and tumor growth in vivo , while NOP16 knockout or knockdown has the opposite effect. Thus, NOP16 is a histone mimic that competes with Histone H3 for H3K27 methylation and demethylation. When it is overexpressed in cancer, it derepresses genes that promote cell cycle progression to augment breast cancer growth.
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Deshpande N, Bryk M. Diverse and dynamic forms of gene regulation by the S. cerevisiae histone methyltransferase Set1. Curr Genet 2023; 69:91-114. [PMID: 37000206 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01265-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Gene transcription is an essential and highly regulated process. In eukaryotic cells, the structural organization of nucleosomes with DNA wrapped around histone proteins impedes transcription. Chromatin remodelers, transcription factors, co-activators, and histone-modifying enzymes work together to make DNA accessible to RNA polymerase. Histone lysine methylation can positively or negatively regulate gene transcription. Methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 by SET-domain-containing proteins is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans. In higher eukaryotes, mutations in SET-domain proteins are associated with defects in the development and segmentation of embryos, skeletal and muscle development, and diseases, including several leukemias. Since histone methyltransferases are evolutionarily conserved, the mechanisms of gene regulation mediated by these enzymes are also conserved. Budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an excellent model system to study the impact of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation on eukaryotic gene regulation. Unlike larger eukaryotes, yeast cells have only one enzyme that catalyzes H3K4 methylation, Set1. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the impact of Set1-catalyzed H3K4 methylation on gene transcription in S. cerevisiae. We describe the COMPASS complex, factors that influence H3K4 methylation, and the roles of Set1 in gene silencing at telomeres and heterochromatin, as well as repression and activation at euchromatic loci. We also discuss proteins that "read" H3K4 methyl marks to regulate transcription and summarize alternate functions for Set1 beyond H3K4 methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Deshpande
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mary Bryk
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Ribeiro ML, Sánchez Vinces S, Mondragon L, Roué G. Epigenetic targets in B- and T-cell lymphomas: latest developments. Ther Adv Hematol 2023; 14:20406207231173485. [PMID: 37273421 PMCID: PMC10236259 DOI: 10.1177/20406207231173485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) comprise a diverse group of diseases, either of mature B-cell or of T-cell derivation, characterized by heterogeneous molecular features and clinical manifestations. While most of the patients are responsive to standard chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and/or stem cell transplantation, relapsed and/or refractory cases still have a dismal outcome. Deep sequencing analysis have pointed out that epigenetic dysregulations, including mutations in epigenetic enzymes, such as chromatin modifiers and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), are prevalent in both B- cell and T-cell lymphomas. Accordingly, over the past decade, a large number of epigenetic-modifying agents have been developed and introduced into the clinical management of these entities, and a few specific inhibitors have already been approved for clinical use. Here we summarize the main epigenetic alterations described in B- and T-NHL, that further supported the clinical development of a selected set of epidrugs in determined diseases, including inhibitors of DNMTs, histone deacetylases (HDACs), and extra-terminal domain proteins (bromodomain and extra-terminal motif; BETs). Finally, we highlight the most promising future directions of research in this area, explaining how bioinformatics approaches can help to identify new epigenetic targets in B- and T-cell lymphoid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras
Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular
Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista,
Brazil
| | - Salvador Sánchez Vinces
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular
Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista,
Brazil
| | - Laura Mondragon
- T Cell Lymphoma Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia
Research Institute, IJC. Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, 08916
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gael Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras
Leukaemia Research Institute, IJC. Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles
s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
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Chandnani N, Choudhari VS, Talukdar R, Rakshit S, Shanmugam G, Guchait S, Gupta I, George M, Sarkar K. Depletion of enhancer zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) directs transcription factors associated with T cell differentiation through epigenetic regulation of Yin Yang 1(YY1) in combating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Med Oncol 2023; 40:185. [PMID: 37212947 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of death in all countries alike. In the current study, we have found out that Histone H3Lys4trimethylation is abnormal on YY1 in CD4+T Helper (TH) cells of NSCLC patients which is evident by Histone H3Lys27 trimethylation mediated via EZH2. We investigated the status of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and the involvement of certain transcription factors that lead to tumorigenesis after depleting endogenous EZH2 in vitro by CRISPR/Cas9 in the CD4+TH1-or-TH2-polarized cells isolated initially as CD4+TH0 cells from the PBMC of the control subjects and patients suffering from NSCLC. After depletion of endogenous EZH2, RT-qPCR based mRNA expression analysis showed that there was an increase in the expression of TH1 specific genes and a decrease in the expression of TH2 specific genes in NSCLC patients CD4+TH cells. We can conclude that this group of NSCLC patients may have the tendency at least in vitro to elucidate adaptive/protective immunity through the depletion of endogenous EZH2 along with the reduction in the expression of YY1. Moreover, depletion of EZH2 not only suppressed the CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Regulatory T cells (Treg) but also it aided the generation of CD8+Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL) which were involved in killing of the NSCLC cells. Thus the transcription factors involved in EZH2 mediated T cell differentiation linked to malignancies offers us an appealing avenue of targeted therapeutic intervention for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Chandnani
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vedika Shrirang Choudhari
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajat Talukdar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudeshna Rakshit
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shiuli Guchait
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ishika Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Melvin George
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Yang X, Xu L, Yang L. Recent advances in EZH2-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115461. [PMID: 37156182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein is the catalytic subunit of one of the histone methyltransferases. EZH2 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) and further alters downstream target levels. EZH2 is upregulated in cancer tissues, wherein its levels correlate strongly with cancer genesis, progression, metastasis, and invasion. Consequently, it has emerged as a novel anticancer therapeutic target. Nonetheless, developing EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i) has encountered numerous difficulties, such as pre-clinical drug resistance and poor therapeutic effect. The EZH2i synergistically suppresses cancers when used in combination with additional antitumor drugs, such as PARP inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, BRD4 inhibitors, EZH1 inhibitors, and EHMT2 inhibitors. Typically, the use of dual inhibitors of two different targets mediated by one individual molecule has been recognized as the preferred approach for overcoming the limitations of EZH2 monotherapy. The present review discusses the theoretical basis for designing EZH2-based dual-target inhibitors, and also describes some in vitro and in vivo analysis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Lu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
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de Mello DC, Saito KC, Cristovão MM, Kimura ET, Fuziwara CS. Modulation of EZH2 Activity Induces an Antitumoral Effect and Cell Redifferentiation in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097872. [PMID: 37175580 PMCID: PMC10178714 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and lethal form of thyroid cancer that requires urgent investigation of new molecular targets involved in its aggressive biology. In this context, the overactivation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2/EZH2, which induces chromatin compaction, is frequently observed in aggressive solid tumors, making the EZH2 methyltransferase a potential target for treatment. However, the deregulation of chromatin accessibility is yet not fully investigated in thyroid cancer. In this study, EZH2 expression was modulated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and pharmacologically inhibited with EZH2 inhibitor EPZ6438 alone or in combination with the MAPK inhibitor U0126. The results showed that CRISPR/Cas9-induced EZH2 gene editing reduced cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and resulted in a 90% reduction in tumor growth when EZH2-edited cells were injected into an immunocompromised mouse model. Immunohistochemistry analysis of the tumors revealed reduced tumor cell proliferation and less recruitment of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the EZH2-edited tumors compared to the control tumors. Moreover, EZH2 inhibition induced thyroid-differentiation genes' expression and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in ATC cells. Thus, this study shows that targeting EZH2 could be a promising neoadjuvant treatment for ATC, as it promotes antitumoral effects in vitro and in vivo and induces cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Claro de Mello
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Kelly Cristina Saito
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcella Maringolo Cristovão
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Edna Teruko Kimura
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Cesar Seigi Fuziwara
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Fan K, Zhang BH, Han D, Sun YC. EZH2 as a prognostic-related biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma correlating with cell cycle and immune infiltrates. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:149. [PMID: 37069494 PMCID: PMC10111667 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS It has been observed that high levels of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression are associated with unsatisfactory prognoses and can be found in a wide range of malignancies. However, the effects of EZH2 on Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain elusive. Through the integration of bioinformatic analyses, the present paper sought to ascertain the effects of EZH2 in LUAD. METHODS The TIMER and UALCAN databases were applied to analyze mRNA and protein expression data for EZH2 in LUAD. The result of immunohistochemistry was obtained from the HPA database, and the survival curve was drawn according to the library provided by the HPA database. The LinkedOmics database was utilized to investigate the co-expressed genes and signal transduction pathways with EZH2. Up- and down-regulated genes from The Linked Omics database were introduced to the CMap database to predict potential drug targets for LUAD using the CMap database. The association between EZH2 and cancer-infiltrating immunocytes was studied through TIMER and TISIDB. In addition, this paper explores the relationship between EZH2 mRNA expression and NSCLC OS using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database to further validate and complement the research. Furthermore, the correlation between EZH2 expression and EGFR genes, KRAS genes, BRAF genes, and smoking from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database is analyzed. RESULTS In contrast to paracancer specimens, the mRNA and protein levels of EZH2 were higher in LUAD tissues. Significantly, high levels of EZH2 were associated with unsatisfactory prognoses in LUAD patients. Additionally, the coexpressed genes of EZH2 were predominantly associated with numerous cell growth-associated pathways, including the cell cycle, DNA replication, RNA transport, and the p53 signaling pathway, according to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The results of TCGA database revealed that the expression of EZH2 was lower in normal tissues than in lung cancer tissues (p < 0.05). Smoking was associated with elevated EZH2 expression (p < 0.001). EZH2 was highly expressed in lung cancers with positive KRAS expression, and the correlation was significant in lung adenocarcinoma (r = 0.3129, p < 0.001). CMap was applied to determine the top 15 positively correlated drugs/molecules and the top 15 negatively correlated drugs/molecules. MK-1775, MK-5108, fenbendazole, albendazole, BAY-K8644, evodiamine, purvalanol-a, mycophenolic-acid, PHA-793887, and cyclopamine are potential drugs for patients with lung adenocarcinoma and high EZH2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Highly expressed EZH2 is a predictor of a suboptimal prognosis in LUAD and may serve as a prognostic marker and target gene for LUAD. The underlying cause may be associated with the synergistic effect of KRAS, immune cell infiltration, and metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine-Hebei Province, No. 31, Huanghe West Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Bo-Hui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine-Hebei Province, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Deng Han
- Division of Gastroenterology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100105, China
| | - Yun-Chuan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine-Hebei Province, No. 31, Huanghe West Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China.
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Ghate NB, Kim S, Shin Y, Kim J, Doche M, Valena S, Situ A, Kim S, Rhie SK, Lenz HJ, Ulmer TS, Mumenthaler SM, An W. Phosphorylation and stabilization of EZH2 by DCAF1/VprBP trigger aberrant gene silencing in colon cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2140. [PMID: 37069142 PMCID: PMC10110550 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Our recent work has shown that DCAF1 (also known as VprBP) is overexpressed in colon cancer and phosphorylates histone H2AT120 to drive epigenetic gene inactivation and oncogenic transformation. We have extended these observations by investigating whether DCAF1 also phosphorylates non-histone proteins as an additional mechanism linking its kinase activity to colon cancer development. We now demonstrate that DCAF1 phosphorylates EZH2 at T367 to augment its nuclear stabilization and enzymatic activity in colon cancer cells. Consistent with this mechanistic role, DCAF1-mediated EZH2 phosphorylation leads to elevated levels of H3K27me3 and altered expression of growth regulatory genes in cancer cells. Furthermore, our preclinical studies using organoid and xenograft models revealed that EZH2 requires phosphorylation for its oncogenic function, which may have therapeutic implications for gene reactivation in colon cancer cells. Together, our data define a mechanism underlying DCAF1-driven colonic tumorigenesis by linking DCAF1-mediated EZH2 phosphorylation to EZH2 stability that is crucial for establishing H3K27me3 and gene silencing program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil B Ghate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Sungmin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Yonghwan Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jinman Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Michael Doche
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Scott Valena
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Alan Situ
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Sangnam Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Suhn K Rhie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Tobias S Ulmer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Shannon M Mumenthaler
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Woojin An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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