Compensation of BRG-1 function by Brm: insight into the role of the core SWI-SNF subunits in retinoblastoma tumor suppressor signaling

Bile acid metabolism and signaling in health and disease: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Bile acids, once considered mere dietary surfactants, now emerge as critical modulators of macronutrient (lipid, carbohydrate, protein) metabolism and the systemic pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance. Bile acid metabolism and signaling pathways play a crucial role in protecting against, or if aberrant, inducing cardiometabolic, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions, strongly influencing health and disease. No curative treatment exists for any bile acid influenced disease, while the most promising and well-developed bile acid therapeutic was recently rejected by the FDA. Here, we provide a bottom-up approach on bile acids, mechanistically explaining their biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacology at canonical and non-canonical receptors. Using this mechanistic model of bile acids, we explain how abnormal bile acid physiology drives disease pathogenesis, emphasizing how ceramide synthesis may serve as a unifying pathogenic feature for cardiometabolic diseases. We provide an in-depth summary on pre-existing bile acid receptor modulators, explain their shortcomings, and propose solutions for how they may be remedied. Lastly, we rationalize novel targets for further translational drug discovery and provide future perspectives. Rather than dismissing bile acid therapeutics due to recent setbacks, we believe that there is immense clinical potential and a high likelihood for the future success of bile acid therapeutics.

Smarca2 genetic ablation is phenotypically benign in a safety assessment of tamoxifen-inducible conditional knockout rats

SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 are the ATPases of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, which play a significant role in regulating transcriptional activity and DNA repair in cells. SMARCA2 has become an appealing synthetic-lethal, therapeutic target in oncology, as mutational loss of SMARCA4 in many cancers leads to a functional dependency on residual SMARCA2 activity. Thus, for therapeutic development, an important step is understanding any potential safety target-associated liabilities of SMARCA2 inhibition. To best mimic a SMARCA2 therapeutic, a tamoxifen-inducible (TAMi) conditional knockout (cKO) rat was developed using CRISPR technology to understand the safety profile of Smarca2 genetic ablation in a model system that avoids potential juvenile and developmental phenotypes. As the rat is the prototypical rodent species utilized in toxicology studies, a comprehensive toxicological and pathological assessment was conducted in both heterozygote and homozygous knockout rats at timepoints up to 28 days, alongside relevant corresponding controls. To our knowledge, this represents the first TAMi cKO rat model utilized for safety assessment evaluations. No significant target-associated phenotypes were observed when Smarca2 was ablated in mature (11- to 15-week-old) rats; however subsequent induction of SMARCA4 was evident that could indicate potential compensatory activity. Similar to mouse models, rat CreERT2-transgene and TAMi toxicities were characterized to avoid confounding study interpretation. In summary, a lack of significant safety findings in Smarca2 cKO rats highlights the potential for therapeutics targeting selective SMARCA2 ATPase activity; such therapies are predicted to be tolerated in patients without eliciting significant on-target toxicities.

SMARCB1 Loss in Poorly Differentiated Chordomas Drives Tumor Progression

Poorly differentiated (PD) chordoma, a rare, aggressive tumor originating from notochordal tissue, shows loss of SMARCB1 expression, a core component of the Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes. To determine the impact of SMARCB1 re-expression on cell growth and gene expression, two SMARCB1-negative PD chordoma cell lines with an inducible SMARCB1 expression system were generated. After 72 hours of induction of SMARCB1, both SMARCB1-negative PD chordoma cell lines continued to proliferate. This result contrasted with those observed with SMARCB1-negative rhabdoid cell lines in which SMARCB1 re-expression caused the rapid inhibition of growth. We found that the lack of growth inhibition may arise from the loss of CDKN2A (p16INK4A) expression in PD chordoma cell lines. RNA-sequencing of cell lines after SMARCB1 re-expression showed a down-regulation for rRNA and RNA processing as well as metabolic processing and increased expression of genes involved in cell adhesion, cell migration, and development. Taken together, these data establish that SMARCB1 re-expression in PD chordomas alters the repertoire of SWI/SNF complexes, perhaps restoring those associated with cellular differentiation. These novel findings support a model in which SMARCB1 inactivation blocks the conversion of growth-promoting SWI/SNF complexes to differentiation-inducing ones, and they implicate SMARCB1 loss as a late event in tumorigenic progression. Importantly, the absence of growth inhibition after SMARCB1 restoration creates a unique opportunity to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities.

The role of SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers in the repair of DNA double strand breaks and cancer therapy

Switch/Sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodelers hydrolyze ATP to push and slide nucleosomes along the DNA thus modulating access to various genomic loci. These complexes are the most frequently mutated epigenetic regulators in human cancers. SWI/SNF complexes are well known for their function in transcription regulation, but more recent work has uncovered a role for these complexes in the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). As radiotherapy and most chemotherapeutic agents kill cancer cells by inducing double strand breaks, by identifying a role for these complexes in double strand break repair we are also identifying a DNA repair vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically in the treatment of SWI/SNF-mutated cancers. In this review we summarize work describing the function of various SWI/SNF subunits in the repair of double strand breaks with a focus on homologous recombination repair and discuss the implication for the treatment of cancers with SWI/SNF mutations.

Epigenetic Regulation Towards Acquired Drug Resistance in Cancer

Therapy resistance remains the most challenging obstacle in cancer treatment. Substantial efforts and evidences have accumulated over decades suggesting not only genetic but non-genomic mechanisms underlying this adaptation of tumor cells. Alterations in epigenome can have a fundamental effect on cellular functions and response to stresses like anticancer therapy. This chapter discusses the principal mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications in the genome and transcriptome aid tumor cells toward acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy.

The SWI/SNF complex regulates the expression of miR-222, a tumor suppressor microRNA in lung adenocarcinoma

SWitch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes are key epigenetic regulators that are recurrently mutated in cancer. Most studies of these complexes are focused on their role in regulating protein-coding genes. However, here, we show that SWI/SNF complexes control the expression of microRNAs. We used a SMARCA4-deficient model of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) to track changes in the miRNome upon SMARCA4 restoration. We found that SMARCA4-SWI/SNF complexes induced significant changes in the expression of cancer-related microRNAs. The most significantly dysregulated microRNA was miR-222, whose expression was promoted by SMARCA4-SWI/SNF complexes, but not by SMARCA2-SWI/SNF complexes via their direct binding to a miR-222 enhancer region. Importantly, miR-222 expression decreased cell viability, phenocopying the tumor suppressor role of SMARCA4-SWI/SNF complexes in LUAD. Finally, we showed that the miR-222 enhancer region resides in a topologically associating domain that does not contain any cancer-related protein-coding genes, suggesting that miR-222 may be involved in exerting the tumor suppressor role of SMARCA4. Overall, this study highlights the relevant role of the SWI/SNF complex in regulating the non-coding genome, opening new insights into the pathogenesis of LUAD.

Targeting the BAF complex in advanced prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

The BRG1/BRM associated factors (BAF) complex is a chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF which is mutated in 20% of cancers. This complex has many interchangeable subunits which may have oncogenic or tumor suppressor activity in a context-dependent manner. The BAF complex is mutated in 35-50% of metastatic prostate cancer (PC); however, its role in advanced disease is unclear. This review attempts to consolidate current knowledge of the BAF complex in PC and explore potential therapeutic approaches.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the known roles of some BAF subunits, their alterations, and the models which best explain their mechanisms in driving PC. Following this, the authors provide their expert perspective on how this complex could be targeted in the future with a personalized medicine approach.

EXPERT OPINION

Personalized medicine would allow for patient stratification to exploit synthetic lethal strategies in targeting a mutated BAF complex as shown experimentally in other cancers. BAF dependency can also be targeted in patients stratified for other molecular markers such as BRG1 targeting in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) deficient PC.

SMARCA4/BRG1-Deficient Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

CONTEXT.—

Somatic mutations in SMARCA4 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4) gene and/or BRG1 (Brahma-related gene 1) loss identifies a subset of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) lacking alterations in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), and ROS1 (ROS proto-oncogene 1) genes. Preliminary observations suggest responsiveness to immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

OBJECTIVE.—

To study BRG1 loss in NSCLCs and elucidate the clinicopathologic profile of such SMARCA4-deficient NSCLCs.

DESIGN.—

Non-small cell lung carcinomas diagnosed during 6 years were subject to immunohistochemistry for BRG1 and BRM (Brahma). Tumors with BRG1 loss were stained with antibodies against thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), p40, cytokeratins, hepatocyte paraffin 1 (Hep Par 1), Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4), CD34, SRY-box 2 (SOX2), chromogranin, synaptophysin, p53, integrase interactor 1, ALK, and ROS1. EGFR mutation testing was performed by polymerase chain reaction-based method.

RESULTS.—

Among 100 NSCLCs tested, 4 cases (4%) showed BRG1 loss. The histology ranged from solid adenocarcinomas (n = 1) to large cell/poorly differentiated carcinomas (n = 3) with clear cell cytology in 2 cases. All showed loss/reduction of BRM with variable cytokeratin and SALL4 expression, and were negative for TTF-1, p40, Hep Par 1, ALK, ROS1, and EGFR mutations. CD34 and SOX2 were negative in all 4 cases. Isolated BRM loss was common (21%), distributed across all NSCLC subtypes including squamous cell carcinomas and a hepatoid adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS.—

BRG1 loss occurs in a subset of TTF-1/p40-negative poorly differentiated NSCLCs. Identification and follow-up will clarify the prognosis, diagnostic criteria, and potential for therapeutic personalization.

Re-expression of SMARCA4/BRG1 in small cell carcinoma of ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) promotes an epithelial-like gene signature through an AP-1-dependent mechanism

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. SCCOHT tumors have inactivating mutations in SMARCA4 (BRG1), one of the two mutually exclusive ATPases of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. To address the role that BRG1 loss plays in SCCOHT tumorigenesis, we performed integrative multi-omic analyses in SCCOHT cell lines +/- BRG1 reexpression. BRG1 reexpression induced a gene and protein signature similar to an epithelial cell and gained chromatin accessibility sites correlated with other epithelial originating TCGA tumors. Gained chromatin accessibility and BRG1 recruited sites were strongly enriched for transcription-factor-binding motifs of AP-1 family members. Furthermore, AP-1 motifs were enriched at the promoters of highly upregulated epithelial genes. Using a dominant-negative AP-1 cell line, we found that both AP-1 DNA-binding activity and BRG1 reexpression are necessary for the gene and protein expression of epithelial genes. Our study demonstrates that BRG1 reexpression drives an epithelial-like gene and protein signature in SCCOHT cells that depends upon by AP-1 activity.

Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Protein Roles in Epigenetic Regulation

Simple Summary

Loss of function of the retinoblastoma gene (RB1) is the rate-limiting step in the initiation of both the hereditary and sporadic forms of retinoblastoma tumor. Furthermore, loss of function of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) is frequently found in most human cancers. In retinoblastoma, tumor progression is driven by epigenetic changes following pRB loss. This review focuses on the diverse functions of pRB in epigenetic regulation.

Abstract

Mutations that result in the loss of function of pRB were first identified in retinoblastoma and since then have been associated with the propagation of various forms of cancer. pRB is best known for its key role as a transcriptional regulator during cell cycle exit. Beyond the ability of pRB to regulate transcription of cell cycle progression genes, pRB can remodel chromatin to exert several of its other biological roles. In this review, we discuss the diverse functions of pRB in epigenetic regulation including nucleosome mobilization, histone modifications, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs.

BRM-SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex enables functional telomeres by promoting co-expression of TRF2 and TRF1

TRF2 and TRF1 are a key component in shelterin complex that associates with telomeric DNA and protects chromosome ends. BRM is a core ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Whether and how BRM-SWI/SNF complex is engaged in chromatin end protection by telomeres is unknown. Here, we report that depletion of BRM does not affect heterochromatin state of telomeres, but results in telomere dysfunctional phenomena including telomere uncapping and replication defect. Mechanistically, expression of TRF2 and TRF1 is jointly regulated by BRM-SWI/SNF complex, which is localized to promoter region of both genes and facilitates their transcription. BRM-deficient cells bear increased TRF2-free or TRF1-free telomeres due to insufficient expression. Importantly, BRM depletion-induced telomere uncapping or replication defect can be rescued by compensatory expression of exogenous TRF2 or TRF1, respectively. Together, these results identify a new function of BRM-SWI/SNF complex in enabling functional telomeres for maintaining genome stability.

Human telomeres consist of repetitive “TTAGGG” DNA sequences and associated shelterin complex, which maintain genomic stability by preventing linear chromosome ends from being recognized as broken DNA. TRF1 and TRF2, as key components of shelterin complex, directly associate with double strand telomeric DNA. In this study, we discovered that both TRF1 and TRF2 are jointly regulated by BRM-SWI/SNF complex. Depletion of BRM led to insufficient amount of TRF1 and TRF2, which is associated with telomere replication defect and telomere uncapping. More importantly, these phenomena can be rescued by ectopically expressed TRF1 and TRF2. Our work demonstrates a specific role of BRM-SWI/SNF complex on safeguarding genome stability by enabling functional telomeres.

Genomic Alterations in Undifferentiated Malignant Tumors with Rhabdoid Phenotype and Loss of BRG1 Immunoexpression Identified by Fine Needle Aspirates

OBJECTIVE

Evidence shows that the switch/sucrose nonfermenting chromatin remodeling complex plays a critical role in DNA repair, cancer progression and dedifferentiation. BRG1 is one of its key catalytic subunits. While the loss of BRG1 expression by immunocytochemistry has been identified in a subset of malignancies arising in various sites with undifferentiated/rhabdoid morphology and poor prognosis, the underlying basis for its loss is unclear.

METHODS

A retrospective search was conducted in our cytopathology archive for undifferentiated malignant tumors with rhabdoid phenotype and BRG1 loss. Clinical information was obtained from electronic medical records. Next-generation sequencing was performed following macro-dissection of paraffin-embedded cellblock tissue.

RESULTS

Three cases were identified; all presented with widely metastatic disease with no previously diagnosed primary malignancy, and subsequently died within 6 months of initial presentation. Cytologically, the aspirates showed dyshesive and undifferentiated cells with rhabdoid features. Extensive immunocytochemical workup demonstrated immunoreactivity with vimentin only and could not establish a specific lineage. BRG1 expression was absent, while INI1 expression was retained. Two cases harbored deleterious mutations in BRG1/SMARCA4. Pathogenic mutations in TP53 were identified in all tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

BRG1 deficiency reflects underlying mutation in SMARCA4 gene in some but not all cases, suggesting that additional mechanisms may be causing BRG1 silencing. Pathogenic mutations in TP53 in all tumors are consistent with their highly aggressive nature. Recognizing the cytomorphology of this group of neoplasms and confirming their BRG1-deficient status by immunocytochemistry not only has prognostic implications, but may also impart potentially therapeutic value in the near future.

SWI/SNF: Complex complexes in genome stability and cancer

SWI/SNF complexes are among the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, mostly due to their critical role in coordinating chromatin architecture and gene expression. Mutations in genes encoding SWI/SNF subunits are frequently observed in a large variety of human cancers, suggesting that one or more of the multiple SWI/SNF functions protect against tumorigenesis. Chromatin remodeling is an integral component of the DNA damage response (DDR), which safeguards against DNA damage-induced genome instability and tumorigenesis by removing DNA damage through interconnected DNA repair and signaling pathways. SWI/SNF has been implicated in facilitating repair of double-strand breaks, by non-homologous end-joining as well as homologous recombination, and repair of helix-distorting DNA damage by nucleotide excision repair. Here, we review current knowledge on SWI/SNF activity in the DDR and discuss the potential of exploiting DDR-related vulnerabilities due to SWI/SNF dysfunction for precision cancer therapy.

Alterations in the glycome after HDAC inhibition impact oncogenic potential in epigenetically plastic SW13 cells

Background

Defects in the type and degree of cellular glycosylation impact oncogenesis on multiple levels. Although the type of glycosylation is determined by protein sequence encoded by the genome, the extent and modifications of glycosylation depends on the activity of biosynthetic enzymes and recent data suggests that the glycome is also subject to epigenetic regulation. This study focuses on the ability of HDAC inhibition to alter glycosylation and to lead to pro-oncogenic alterations in the glycome as assessed by metastatic potential and chemoresistance.

Methods

Epigenetically plastic SW13 adrenocortical carcinoma cells were treated with FK228, an HDAC inhibitor with high affinity for HDAC1 and, to a lesser extent, HDAC2. In comparing HDAC inhibitor treated and control cells, differential expression of glycome-related genes were assessed by microarray. Differential glycosylation was then assessed by lectin binding arrays and the ability of cellular proteins to bind to glycans was assessed by glycan binding arrays. Differential sensitivity to paclitaxel, proliferation, and MMP activity were also assessed.

Results

Treatment with FK228 alters expression of enzymes in the biosynthetic pathways for a large number of glycome related genes including enzymes in all major glycosylation pathways and several glycan binding proteins. 84% of these differentially expressed glycome-related genes are linked to cancer, some as prognostic markers and others contributing basic oncogenic functions such as metastasis or chemoresistance. Glycan binding proteins also appear to be differentially expressed as protein extracts from treated and untreated cells show differential binding to glycan arrays. The impact of differential mRNA expression of glycosylation enzymes was documented by differential lectin binding. However, the assessment of changes in the glycome is complicated by the fact that detection of differential glycosylation through lectin binding is dependent on the methods used to prepare samples as protein-rich lysates show different binding than fixed cells in several cases. Paralleling the alterations in the glycome, treatment of SW13 cells with FK228 increases metastatic potential and reduces sensitivity to paclitaxel.

Conclusions

The glycome is substantially altered by HDAC inhibition and these changes may have far-reaching impacts on oncogenesis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-5129-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Brahma deficiency in keratinocytes promotes UV carcinogenesis by accelerating the escape from cell cycle arrest and the formation of DNA photolesions

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the principal cause of keratinocyte skin cancers. Previous work found that levels of the chromatin remodelling protein, Brahma (Brm), are diminished during the progression from actinic keratoses to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in humans, and its loss in UV-irradiated mouse skin causes epidermal hyperplasia and increased tumour incidence.

METHODS

The skins of mice and mouse and human keratinocytes deficient in Brm were exposed to UVR and evaluated for cell cycle progression and DNA damage response.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the mechanisms by which loss of Brm contributes to UVR-induced skin carcinogenesis.

RESULTS

In both mouse keratinocytes and HaCaT cells, Brm deficiency led to an increased cell population growth following UVR exposure compared to cells with normal levels of Brm. Cell cycle analysis using a novel assay showed that Brm-deficient keratinocytes entered cell cycle arrest normally, but escaped from cell cycle arrest faster, enabling them to begin proliferating earlier. In mouse keratinocytes, Brm primarily affected accumulation in G₀/G₁-phase, whereas in HaCaT cells, which lack normal p53, accumulation in G₂/M-phase was affected. Brm-deficient keratinocytes in mouse skin and human cell cultures also had higher levels of UVR-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolesions. These effects occurred without any compensatory increase in DNA repair or cell death to remove photolesions or the cells that harbor them from the keratinocyte population.

CONCLUSION

The loss of Brm in keratinocytes exposed to UVR enables them to resume proliferation while harboring DNA photolesions, leading to an increased fixation of mutations and, consequently, increased carcinogenesis.

DNA damage sensitivity of SWI/SNF-deficient cells depends on TFIIH subunit p62/GTF2H1

Mutations in SWI/SNF genes are amongst the most common across all human cancers, but efficient therapeutic approaches that exploit vulnerabilities caused by SWI/SNF mutations are currently lacking. Here, we show that the SWI/SNF ATPases BRM/SMARCA2 and BRG1/SMARCA4 promote the expression of p62/GTF2H1, a core subunit of the transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) complex. Inactivation of either ATPase subunit downregulates GTF2H1 and therefore compromises TFIIH stability and function in transcription and nucleotide excision repair (NER). We also demonstrate that cells with permanent BRM or BRG1 depletion have the ability to restore GTF2H1 expression. As a consequence, the sensitivity of SWI/SNF-deficient cells to DNA damage induced by UV irradiation and cisplatin treatment depends on GTF2H1 levels. Together, our results expose GTF2H1 as a potential novel predictive marker of platinum drug sensitivity in SWI/SNF-deficient cancer cells.

SWI/SNF genes are commonly found to be mutated in different cancers. Here the authors report that the remodelers BRM and BRG1 are necessary for efficient nucleotide excision repair by promoting the expression of TFIIH subunit GTF2H1.

Mutational Landscapes and Phenotypic Spectrum of SWI/SNF-Related Intellectual Disability Disorders

Mutations in genes that encode proteins of the SWI/SNF complex, called BAF complex in mammals, cause a spectrum of disorders that ranges from syndromic intellectual disability to Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) to Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS). While NCBRS is known to be a recognizable and restricted phenotype, caused by missense mutations in SMARCA2, the term CSS has been used lately for a more heterogeneous group of phenotypes that are caused by mutations in either of the genes ARID1B, ARID1A, ARID2, SMARCA4, SMARCB1, SMARCE1, SOX11, or DPF2. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the phenotypic traits and molecular causes of the above named conditions, consider the question whether a clinical distinction of the phenotypes is still adequate, and suggest the term "SWI/SNF-related intellectual disability disorders" (SSRIDDs). We will also outline important features to identify the ARID1B-related phenotype in the absence of classic CSS features, and discuss distinctive and overlapping features of the SSRIDD subtypes. Moreover, we will briefly review the function of the SWI/SNF complex in development and describe the mutational landscapes of the genes involved in SSRIDD.

A Nucleolar Stress-Specific p53-miR-101 Molecular Circuit Functions as an Intrinsic Tumor-Suppressor Network

Background

Activation of intrinsic p53 tumor-suppressor (TS) pathways is an important principle underlying cancer chemotherapy. It is necessary to elucidate the precise regulatory mechanisms of these networks to create new treatment strategies.

Methods

Comprehensive analyses were carried out by microarray. Expression of miR-101 was analyzed by clinical samples of lung adenocarcinomas.

Findings

We discovered a functional link between p53 and miR-101, which form a molecular circuit in response to nucleolar stress. Inhibition of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription resulted in the post-transcriptional activation of miR-101 in a p53-dependent manner. miR-101 induced G2 phase–specific feedback regulation of p53 through direct repression of its target, EG5, resulting in elevated phosphorylation of ATM. In lung cancer patients, low expression of miR-101 was associated with significantly poorer prognosis exclusively in p53 WT cases. miR-101 sensitized cancer cells to Pol I transcription inhibitors and strongly repressed xenograft growth in mice. Interestingly, the most downstream targets of this circuit included the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Repression of cIAP1 by a selective inhibitor, birinapant, promoted activation of the apoptosis induced by Pol I transcription inhibitor in p53 WT cancer cells.

Interpretation

Our findings indicate that the p53–miR-101 circuit is a component of an intrinsic TS network formed by nucleolar stress, and that mimicking activation of this circuit represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy.

Fund

National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports & Technology of Japan, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.

Nuclearly translocated insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor phosphorylates histone H3 at tyrosine 41 and induces SNAI2 expression via Brg1 chromatin remodeling protein

The insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has crucial roles in cell proliferation and protection from apoptosis. It is therefore not surprising that IGF-1R is often found overexpressed in many types of tumors. This has made IGF-1R a prominent target molecule for pharmacological companies to develop new anti-cancer agents. However, several clinical trials during the last 5 years using IGF-1R specific antibodies have shown disappointing results. We have previously shown that upon IGF-1 stimulation, the receptor becomes SUMOylated and translocates into the nucleus of cancer cells to act as a transcription co-factor. Soon after our original study, several others have reported nuclear IGF-1R (nIGF-1R) as well, and some of them have demonstrated a prognostic value of nIGF-1R expression in cancer. In the current study we demonstrate that nIGF-1R binds to and phosphorylates histone H3 at tyrosine 41 (H3Y41) in HeLa cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that phosphorylation of H3Y41 by nIGF-1R, stabilizes the binding of Brg1 chromatin remodeling protein to Histone H3. Our findings suggest that phosphorylated nIGF-1R, rather than total nIGF-1R, plays a superior role in these contexts. We identified SNAI2 oncogene as a target gene for nIGF-1R and its expression was decreased upon mutation of H3Y41 or by Brg1 knockdown. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both IGF-1R and Brg1 binds to the SNAI2 promoter. As SNAI2 protein is implicated in e.g. cancer invasion and metastasis, the nIGF-1R-mediated effects shown in this study may influence such important tumor phenotypic actions.

Mechanism of BRG1 silencing in primary cancers

BRG1 (SMARCA4) is a documented tumor suppressor and a key subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex that is silenced in many cancer types. Studies have shown that BRG1 is mutated in cancer-derived cell lines, which led to the assertion that BRG1 is also mutated in primary human tumors. However, the sequencing of BRG1-deficient tumors has revealed a paucity of mutations; hence, the cause of BRG1 silencing in tumors remains an enigma. We conducted immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a number of tumor microarrays to characterize the frequency of BRG1 loss in different tumor types. We also analyzed BRG1-deficient tumors by sequencing the genomic DNA and the mRNA. We then tested if BRG1 expression could be induced in BRG1-negative cell lines (i.e., that lack mutations in BRG1) after the application of several different epigenetic agents, including drugs that inhibit the AKT pathway. We found that a subset of BRG1-negative cell lines also demonstrated aberrant splicing of BRG1, and in at least 30% of BRG1-deficient tumors, BRG1 expression appeared to be suppressed due to aberrant BRG1 splicing. As the majority of BRG1-deficient tumors lack mutations or splicing defects that could drive BRG1 loss of expression, this suggests that other mechanisms underlie BRG1 silencing. To this end, we analyzed 3 BRG1-deficient nonmutated cancer cell lines and found that BRG1 was inducible in these cell lines upon inhibition of the AKT pathway. We show that the loss of BRG1 is associated with the loss of E-cadherin and up-regulation of Vimentin in primary tumors, which explains why BRG1 loss is associated with a poor prognosis in multiple tumor types.

Roles of pRB in the Regulation of Nucleosome and Chromatin Structures

Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) interacts with E2F and other protein factors to play a pivotal role in regulating the expression of target genes that induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation. pRB controls the local promoter activity and has the ability to change the structure of nucleosomes and/or chromosomes via histone modification, epigenetic changes, chromatin remodeling, and chromosome organization. Functional inactivation of pRB perturbs these cellular events and causes dysregulated cell growth and chromosome instability, which are hallmarks of cancer cells. The role of pRB in regulation of nucleosome/chromatin structures has been shown to link to tumor suppression. This review focuses on the ability of pRB to control nucleosome/chromatin structures via physical interactions with histone modifiers and chromatin factors and describes cancer therapies based on targeting these protein factors.

BRG1 and BRM loss selectively impacts RB and P53, respectively: BRG1 and BRM have differential functions in vivo

The SWI/SNF complex is an important regulator of gene expression that functions by interacting with a diverse array of cellular proteins. The catalytic subunits of SWI/SNF, BRG1 and BRM, are frequently lost alone or concomitantly in a range of different cancer types. This loss abrogates SWI/SNF complex function as well as the functions of proteins that are required for SWI/SNF function, such as RB1 and TP53. Yet while both proteins are known to be dependent on SWI/SNF, we found that BRG1, but not BRM, is functionally linked to RB1, such that loss of BRG1 can directly or indirectly inactivate the RB1 pathway. This newly discovered dependence of RB1 on BRG1 is important because it explains why BRG1 loss can blunt the growth-inhibitory effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We also observed that selection for Trp53 mutations occurred in Brm-positive tumors but did not occur in Brm-negative tumors. Hence, these data indicate that, during cancer development, Trp53 is functionally dependent on Brm but not Brg1. Our findings show for the first time the key differences in Brm- and Brg1-specific SWI/SNF complexes and help explain why concomitant loss of Brg1 and Brm frequently occurs in cancer, as well as how their loss impacts cancer development.

Loss of the SWI/SNF ATPase subunits BRM and BRG1 drives lung cancer development

Inactivation of Brg1 and Brm accelerated lung tumor development, shortened tumor latency, and caused a loss of differentiation. Tumors with Brg1 and/or Brm loss recapitulated the evolution of human lung cancer as observed by the development of local tumor invasion as well as distal tumor metastasis, thereby making this model useful in lung cancer studies. Brg1 loss contributed to metastasis in part by driving E-cadherin loss and Vimentin up-regulation. By changing more than 6% of the murine genome with the down-regulation of tumor suppressors, DNA repair, differentiation and cell adhesion genes, and the concomitant up-regulation of oncogenes, angiogenesis, metastasis and antiapoptosis genes, caused by the dual loss of Brg1/Brm further accelerated tumor development. Additionally, this Brg1/Brm-driven change in gene expression resulted in a nearly two-fold increase in tumorigenicity in Brg1/Brm knockout mice compared with wild type mice. Most importantly, Brg1/Brm-driven lung cancer development histologically and clinically reflects human lung cancer development thereby making this GEMM model potentially useful.

Differential Expression of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeler Subunits Brahma and Brahma-Related Gene During Drug-Induced Liver Injury and Regeneration in Mouse Model

The chromatin remodeling activity of mammalian SWI/SNF complex is carried out by either Brahma (BRM) or Brahma-related gene (BRG-1). The BRG-1 regulates genes involved in cell proliferation, whereas BRM is associated with cell differentiation, and arrest of cell growth. Global modifications of histones and expression of genes of chromatin-remodeling subunits have not been studied in in vivo model systems. In the present study, we investigate epigenetic modifications of histones and the expression of genes in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury and regeneration in a mouse model. In the present study, we report that hepatocyte proliferation and H3S10 phosphorylation occur during 60 to 72 h post TAA treatment in mice. Furthermore, there was change in the H3K9 acetylation and H3K9 trimethylation pattern with respect to liver injury and regeneration phase. Looking into the expression pattern of Brg-1 and Brm, it is evident that they contribute substantially to the process of liver regeneration. The SWI/SNF remodeler might contain BRG-1 as its ATPase subunit during injury phase. Whereas, BRM-associated SWI/SNF remodeler might probably be predominant during decline of injury phase and initiation of regeneration phase. Furthermore, during the regeneration phase, BRG-1-containing remodeler again predominates. Considering all these observations, the present study depicts an interplay between chromatin interacting machineries in different phases of thioacetamide-induced liver injury and regeneration.

Dual loss of the SWI/SNF complex ATPases SMARCA4/BRG1 and SMARCA2/BRM is highly sensitive and specific for small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT) is a lethal and sometimes familial ovarian tumour of young women and children. We and others recently discovered that over 90% of SCCOHTs harbour inactivating mutations in the chromatin remodelling gene SMARCA4 with concomitant loss of its encoded protein SMARCA4 (BRG1), one of two mutually exclusive ATPases of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex. To determine the specificity of SMARCA4 loss for SCCOHT, we examined the expression of SMARCA4 by immunohistochemistry in more than 3000 primary gynaecological tumours. Among ovarian tumours, it was only absent in clear cell carcinoma (15 of 360, 4%). In the uterus, it was absent in endometrial stromal sarcomas (4 of 52, 8%) and high‐grade endometrioid carcinomas (2 of 338, 1%). Recent studies have shown that SMARCA2 (BRM), the other mutually exclusive ATPase of the SWI/SNF complex, is necessary for survival of tumour cells lacking SMARCA4. Therefore, we examined SMARCA2 expression and discovered that all SMARCA4‐negative SCCOHTs also lacked SMARCA2 protein by IHC, including the SCCOHT cell lines BIN67 and SCCOHT1. Among ovarian tumours, the SMARCA4/SMARCA2 dual loss phenotype appears completely specific for SCCOHT. SMARCA2 loss was not due to mutation but rather from an absence of mRNA expression, which was restored by treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. Re‐expression of SMARCA4 or SMARCA2 inhibited the growth of BIN67 and SCCOHT1 cell lines. Our results indicate that SMARCA4 loss, either alone or with SMARCA2, is highly sensitive and specific for SCCOHT and that restoration of either SWI/SNF ATPase can inhibit the growth of SCCOHT cell lines. © 2015 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

SMARCA4/BRG1 Is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker Predictive of Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy Outcomes in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Identification of predictive biomarkers is critically needed to improve selection of patients who derive the most benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy. We hypothesized that decreased expression of SMARCA4/BRG1, a known regulator of transcription and DNA repair, is a novel predictive biomarker of increased sensitivity to adjuvant platinum-based therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The prognostic value was tested using a gene-expression microarray from the Director's Challenge Lung Study (n = 440). The predictive significance of SMARCA4 was determined using a gene-expression microarray (n = 133) from control and treatment arms of the JBR.10 trial of adjuvant cisplatin/vinorelbine. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to estimate and test the differences of probabilities in overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) between expression groups and treatment arms. Multivariate Cox regression models were used while adjusting for other clinical covariates.

RESULTS

In the Director's Challenge Study, reduced expression of SMARCA4 was associated with poor OS compared with high and intermediate expression (P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). In multivariate analysis, compared with low, high SMARCA4 expression predicted a decrease in risk of death [HR, 0.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4-0.8; P = 0.002]. In the JBR.10 trial, improved 5-year DSS was noted only in patients with low SMARCA4 expression when treated with adjuvant cisplatin/vinorelbine [HR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.0-0.5, P = 0.002 (low); HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5-2.3, P = 0.92 (high)]. An interaction test was highly significant (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Low expression of SMARCA4/BRG1 is significantly associated with worse prognosis; however, it is a novel significant predictive biomarker for increased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2396-404. ©2015 AACR.

Chromatin remodeler mutations in human cancers: epigenetic implications

Chromatin remodeler complexes exhibit the ability to alter nucleosome composition and positions, with seemingly divergent roles in the regulation of chromatin architecture and gene expression. The outcome is directed by subunit variation and interactions with accessory factors. Recent studies have revealed that subunits of chromatin remodelers display an unexpectedly high mutation rate and/or are inactivated in a number of cancers. Consequently, a repertoire of epigenetic processes are likely to be affected, including interactions with histone modifying factors, as well as the ability to precisely modulate nucleosome positions, DNA methylation patterns and potentially, higher-order genome structure. However, the true significance of chromatin remodeler genetic aberrations in promoting a cascade of epigenetic changes, particularly during initiation and progression of cancer, remains largely unknown.

Induction of functional Brm protein from Brm knockout mice

Once the knockout of the Brm gene was found to be nontumorigenic in mice, the study of BRM's involvement in cancer seemed less important compared with that of its homolog, Brg1. This has likely contributed to the disparity that has been observed in the publication ratio between BRG1 and BRM. We show that a previously published Brm knockout mouse is an incomplete knockout whereby a truncated isoform of Brm is detected in normal tissue and in tumors. We show that this truncated Brm isoform has functionality comparable to wild type Brm. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), this truncated Brm is undetectable in normal lung tissue and is minimal to very low in Brmnull tumors. However, it is significant in a subset (~40%) of Brg1/Brm double knockout (DKO) tumors that robustly express this truncated BRM, which in part stems from an increase in Brm mRNA levels. Thus, it is likely that this mutant mouse model does not accurately reflect the role that Brm plays in cancer development. We suggest that the construction of a completely new mouse Brm knockout, where Brm is functionally absent, is needed to determine whether or not Brm is actually tumorigenic and if Brm might be a tumor suppressor.

Beyond Mutations: Additional Mechanisms and Implications of SWI/SNF Complex Inactivation

SWI/SNF is a major regulator of gene expression. Its role is to facilitate the shifting and exposure of DNA segments within the promoter and other key domains to transcription factors and other essential cellular proteins. This complex interacts with a wide range of proteins and does not function within a single, specific pathway; thus, it is involved in a multitude of cellular processes, including DNA repair, differentiation, development, cell adhesion, and growth control. Given SWI/SNF's prominent role in these processes, many of which are important for blocking cancer development, it is not surprising that the SWI/SNF complex is targeted during cancer initiation and progression both by mutations and by non-mutational mechanisms. Currently, the understanding of the types of alterations, their frequency, and their impact on the SWI/SNF subunits is an area of intense research that has been bolstered by a recent cadre of NextGen sequencing studies. These studies have revealed mutations in SWI/SNF subunits, indicating that this complex is thus important for cancer development. The purpose of this review is to put into perspective the role of mutations versus other mechanisms in the silencing of SWI/SNF subunits, in particular, BRG1 and BRM. In addition, this review explores the recent development of synthetic lethality and how it applies to this complex, as well as how BRM polymorphisms are becoming recognized as potential clinical biomarkers for cancer risk.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recent reviews have detailed the occurrence of mutations in nearly all SWI/SNF subunits, which indicates that this complex is an important target for cancer. However, when the frequency of mutations in a given tumor type is compared to the frequency of subunit loss, it becomes clear that other non-mutational mechanisms must play a role in the inactivation of SWI/SNF subunits. Such data indicate that epigenetic mechanisms that are known to regulate BRM may also be involved in the loss of expression of other SWI/SNF subunits. This is important since epigenetically silenced genes are inducible, and thus, the reversal of the silencing of these non-mutationally suppressed subunits may be a viable mode of targeted therapy.

Vulnerabilities of mutant SWI/SNF complexes in cancer

Cancer genome sequencing efforts have revealed the novel theme that chromatin modifiers are frequently mutated across a wide spectrum of cancers. Mutations in genes encoding subunits of SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes are particularly prevalent, occurring in 20% of all human cancers. As these are typically loss-of-function mutations and not directly therapeutically targetable, central goals have been to elucidate mechanism and identify vulnerabilities created by these mutations. Here, we discuss emerging data that these mutations lead to the formation of aberrant residual SWI/SNF complexes that constitute a specific vulnerability and discuss the potential for exploiting these dependencies in SWI/SNF mutant cancers.

Whole genome expression profiling shows that BRG1 transcriptionally regulates UV inducible genes and other novel targets in human cells

UV irradiation is known to cause cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6–4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs), and plays a large role in the development of cancer. Tumor suppression, through DNA repair and proper cell cycle regulation, is an integral factor in maintaining healthy cells and preventing development of cancer. Transcriptional regulation of the genes involved in the various tumor suppression pathways is essential for them to be expressed when needed and to function properly. BRG1, an ATPase catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, has been identified as a tumor suppressor protein, as it has been shown to play a role in Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) of CPDs, suppress apoptosis, and restore checkpoint deficiency, in response to UV exposure. Although BRG1 has been shown to regulate transcription of some genes that are instrumental in proper DNA damage repair and cell cycle maintenance in response to UV, its role in transcriptional regulation of the whole genome in response to UV has not yet been elucidated. With whole genome expression profiling in SW13 cells, we show that upon UV induction, BRG1 regulates transcriptional expression of many genes involved in cell stress response. Additionally, our results also highlight BRG1's general role as a master regulator of the genome, as it transcriptionally regulates approximately 4.8% of the human genome, including expression of genes involved in many pathways. RT-PCR and ChIP were used to validate our genome expression analysis. Importantly, our study identifies several novel transcriptional targets of BRG1, such as ATF3. Thus, BRG1 has a larger impact on human genome expression than previously thought, and our studies will provide inroads for future analysis of BRG1's role in gene regulation.

A rationale to target the SWI/SNF complex for cancer therapy

SWI/SNF is a multisubunit chromatin-remodeling complex that performs fundamental roles in gene regulation, cell lineage specification, and organismal development. Mutations that inactivate SWI/SNF subunits are found in nearly 20% of human cancers, which indicates that the proper functioning of this complex is necessary to prevent tumor formation in diverse tissues. Recent studies show that SWI/SNF-mutant cancers depend on residual SWI/SNF complexes for their aberrant growth, thus revealing synthetic lethal interactions that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Other studies reveal that certain acute leukemias and small cell lung cancers, which lack SWI/SNF mutations, can be vulnerable to inhibition of the SWI/SNF ATPase subunit BRG1, whereas several normal and malignant cell types do not show this sensitivity. Here, we review the emerging evidence that implicates SWI/SNF as a tumor-dependency and candidate drug target in human cancer.

The silencing of the SWI/SNF subunit and anticancer gene BRM in Rhabdoid tumors

Rhabdoid sarcomas are highly malignant tumors that usually occur in young children. A key to the genesis of this tumor is the mutational loss of the BAF47 gene as well as the widespread epigenetic suppression of other key anticancer genes. The BRM gene is one such epigenetically silenced gene in Rhabdoid tumors. This gene codes for an ATPase catalytic subunit that shifts histones and opens the chromatin. We show that BRM is an epigenetically silenced gene in 10/11 Rhabdoid cell lines and in 70% of Rhabdoid tumors. Moreover, BRM can be induced by BAF47 re-expression and by Flavopiridol. By selective shRNAi knockdown of BRM, we show that BRM re-expression is necessary for growth inhibition by BAF47 re-expression or Flavopiridol application. Similar to lung cancer cell lines, we found that HDAC3, HDAC9, MEF2D and GATA3 controlled BRM silencing and that HDAC9 was overexpressed in Rhabdoid cancer cell lines. In primary BRM-deficient Rhabdoid tumors, HDAC9 was also found to be highly overexpressed. Two insertional BRM promoter polymorphisms contribute to BRM silencing, but only the -1321 polymorphism correlated with BRM silencing in Rhabdoid cell lines. To determine how these polymorphisms were tied to BRM silencing, we conducted ChIP assays and found that both HDAC9 and MEF2D bound to the BRM promoter at or near these polymorphic sites. Using BRM promoter swap experiments, we indirectly showed that both HDAC9 and MEF2D bound to these polymorphic sites. Together, these data show that the mechanism of BRM silencing contributes to the pathogenesis of Rhabdoid tumors and appears to be conserved among tumor types.

Flavonoids from each of the six structural groups reactivate BRM, a possible cofactor for the anticancer effects of flavonoids

Flavonoids have been extensively studied and are well documented to have anticancer effects, but it is not entirely known how they impact cellular mechanisms to elicit these effects. In the course of this study, we found that a variety of different flavonoids readily restored Brahma (BRM) in BRM-deficient cancer cell lines. Flavonoids from each of the six different structural groups were effective at inducing BRM expression as well as inhibiting growth in these BRM-deficient cancer cells. By blocking the induction of BRM with shRNA, we found that flavonoid-induced growth inhibition was BRM dependent. We also found that flavonoids can restore BRM functionality by reversing BRM acetylation. In addition, we observed that an array of natural flavonoid-containing products both induced BRM expression as well as deacetylated the BRM protein. We also tested two of the BRM-inducing flavonoids (Rutin and Diosmin) at both a low and a high dose on the development of tumors in an established murine lung cancer model. We found that these flavonoids effectively blocked development of adenomas in the lungs of wild-type mice but not in that of BRMnull mice. These data demonstrate that BRM expression and function are regulated by flavonoids and that functional BRM appears to be a prerequisite for the anticancer effects of flavonoids both in vitro and in vivo.

Gene silencing associated with SWI/SNF complex loss during NSCLC development

The SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex regulates gene expression and alters chromatin structures in an ATP-dependent manner. Recent sequencing efforts have shown mutations in BRG1 (SMARCA4), one of two mutually exclusive ATPase subunits in the complex, in a significant number of human lung tumor cell lines and primary non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) clinical specimens. To determine how BRG1 loss fuels tumor progression in NSCLC, molecular profiling was performed after restoration of BRG1 expression or treatment with a histone deacetylase inhibitor or a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor in a BRG1-deficient NSCLC cells. Importantly, validation studies from multiple cell lines revealed that BRG1 reexpression led to substantial changes in the expression of CDH1, CDH3, EHF, and RRAD that commonly undergo silencing by other epigenetic mechanisms during NSCLC development. Furthermore, treatment with DNMT inhibitors did not restore expression of these transcripts, indicating that this common mechanism of gene silencing did not account for their loss of expression. Collectively, BRG1 loss is an important mechanism for the epigenetic silencing of target genes during NSCLC development.

IMPLICATIONS

Inactivation of the SWI/SNF complex provides a novel mechanism to induce gene silencing during NSCLC development.

Residual complexes containing SMARCA2 (BRM) underlie the oncogenic drive of SMARCA4 (BRG1) mutation

Collectively, genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex are mutated in 20% of all human cancers, with the SMARCA4 (BRG1) subunit being one of the most frequently mutated. The SWI/SNF complex modulates chromatin remodeling through the activity of two mutually exclusive catalytic subunits, SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 (BRM). Here, we show that a SMARCA2-containing residual SWI/SNF complex underlies the oncogenic activity of SMARCA4 mutant cancers. We demonstrate that a residual SWI/SNF complex exists in SMARCA4 mutant cell lines and plays essential roles in cellular proliferation. Further, using data from loss-of-function screening of 165 cancer cell lines, we identify SMARCA2 as an essential gene in SMARCA4 mutant cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, we reveal that Smarca4 inactivation leads to greater incorporation of the nonessential SMARCA2 subunit into the SWI/SNF complex. Collectively, these results reveal a role for SMARCA2 in oncogenesis caused by SMARCA4 loss and identify the ATPase and bromodomain-containing SMARCA2 as a potential therapeutic target in these cancers.

Brg1 is required for stem cell maintenance in the murine intestinal epithelium in a tissue-specific manner

Brg1 is a chromatin remodeling factor involved in mediation of a plethora of signaling pathways leading to its participation in various physiological processes both during development and in adult tissues. Among other signaling pathways, the Wnt pathway has been proposed to require Brg1 for transactivation of its target genes. Given the pivotal role of the Wnt pathway in the maintenance of normal intestinal homeostasis, we aimed to investigate the effects of Brg1 loss on the intestinal physiology. To this end, we deleted Brg1 in the murine small and large intestinal epithelia using a range of transgenic approaches. Pan-epithelial loss of Brg1 in the small intestine resulted in crypt ablation, while partial Brg1 deficiency led to gradual repopulation of the intestinal mucosa with wild-type cells. In contrast, Brg1 loss in the large intestinal epithelium was compensated by upregulation of Brm. We propose that while Brg1 is dispensable for the survival and function of the progenitor and differentiated cells in the murine intestinal epithelium, it is essential for the maintenance of the stem cell population in a tissue-specific manner.

Epigenomic regulation of bile acid metabolism: emerging role of transcriptional cofactors

The traditional role of bile acids is to simply facilitate absorption and digestion of lipid nutrients, but bile acids also act as endocrine signaling molecules that activate nuclear and membrane receptors to control integrative metabolism and energy balance. The mechanisms by which bile acid signals are integrated to regulate target genes are, however, largely unknown. Recently emerging evidence has shown that transcriptional cofactors sense metabolic changes and modulate gene transcription by mediating reversible epigenomic post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones and chromatin remodeling. Importantly, targeting these epigenomic changes has been a successful approach for treating human diseases, especially cancer. Here, we review emerging roles of transcriptional cofactors in the epigenomic regulation of liver metabolism, especially focusing on bile acid metabolism. Targeting PTMs of histones and chromatin remodelers, together with the bile acid-activated receptors, may provide new therapeutic options for bile acid-related disease, such as cholestasis, obesity, diabetes, and entero-hepatic cancers.

Chromatin regulators with tumor suppressor properties and their alterations in human cancers

Key components of the cell epigenome include DNA CpG methylation profile and chromatin modification patterns. Chromatin regulators act as master controllers of gene transcription in normal cells through regulation of histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. During human cancer pathogenesis, the functions of chromatin regulators are frequently disrupted by genetic mutations and/or epigenetic alterations, causing perturbation of broad or even genome-wide scale gene-expression profiles. Thus, histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling genes can be taken as critical 'cancer genes'. This review summarizes the current knowledge on chromatin regulators with tumor suppressor properties, as well as their aberrant alterations in human cancers.

Identifying targets for the restoration and reactivation of BRM

Brahma (BRM) is a novel anticancer gene, which is frequently inactivated in a variety of tumor types. Unlike many anticancer genes, BRM is not mutated, but rather epigenetically silenced. In addition, histone deacetylase complex (HDAC) inhibitors are known to reverse BRM silencing, but they also inactivate it via acetylation of its C-terminus. High-throughput screening has uncovered many compounds that are effective at pharmacologically restoring BRM and thereby inhibit cancer cell growth. As we do not know which specific proteins, if any, regulate BRM, we sought to identify the proteins, which underlie the epigenetic suppression of BRM. By selectively knocking down each HDAC, we found that HDAC3 and HDAC9 regulate BRM expression, whereas HDAC2 controls its acetylation. Similarly, we ectopically overexpressed 21 different histone acetyltransferases and found that KAT6A, KAT6B and KAT7 induce BRM expression, whereas KAT2B and KAT8 induce its acetylation. We also investigated the role of two transcription factors (TFs) linked to either BRM (GATA3) or HDAC9 (MEF2D) expression. Knockdown of either GATA3 and/or MEF2D downregulated HDAC9 and induced BRM. As targets for molecular biotherapy are typically uniquely, or simply differentially expressed in cancer cells, we also determined if any of these proteins are dysregulated. However, by sequencing, no mutations were found in any of these BRM-regulating HDACs, HATs or TFs. We selectively knocked down GATA3, MEF2D, HDAC3 and HDAC9, and found that each gene-specific knockdown induced growth inhibition. We observed that both GATA3 and HDAC9 were greatly overexpressed only in BRM-negative cell lines indicating that HDAC9 may be a good target for therapy. We also found that the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway regulates both BRM acetylation and BRM silencing as MAP kinase pathway inhibitors both induced BRM as well as caused BRM deacetylation. Together, these data identify a cadre of key proteins, which underlie the epigenetic regulation of BRM.

MITF-independent pro-survival role of BRG1-containing SWI/SNF complex in melanoma cells

Metastasized malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis because of its intrinsic resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The central role in the melanoma transcriptional network has the transcription factor MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor). It has been shown recently that the expression of MITF and some of its target genes require the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Here we demonstrate that survival of melanoma cells requires functional SWI/SNF complex not only by supporting expression of MITF and its targets and but also by activating expression of prosurvival proteins not directly regulated by MITF. Microarray analysis revealed that besides the MITF-driven genes, expression of proteins like osteopontin, IGF1, TGFß2 and survivin, the factors known to be generally associated with progression of tumors and the antiapoptotic properties, were reduced in acute BRG1-depleted 501mel cells. Western blots and RT-PCR confirmed the microarray findings. These proteins have been verified to be expressed independently of MITF, because MITF depletion did not impair their expression. Because these genes are not regulated by MITF, the data suggests that loss of BRG1-based SWI/SNF complexes negatively affects survival pathways beyond the MITF cascade. Immunohistochemistry showed high expression of both BRM and BRG1 in primary melanomas. Exogenous CDK2, osteopontin, or IGF1 each alone partly relieved the block of proliferation imposed by BRG1 depletion, implicating that more factors, besides the MITF target genes, are involved in melanoma cell survival. Together these results demonstrate an essential role of SWI/SNF for the expression of MITF-dependent and MITF-independent prosurvival factors in melanoma cells and suggest that SWI/SNF may be a potential and effective target in melanoma therapy.

Penetrance of biallelic SMARCAL1 mutations is associated with environmental and genetic disturbances of gene expression

Biallelic mutations of the DNA annealing helicase SMARCAL1 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a-like 1) cause Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD, MIM 242900), an incompletely penetrant autosomal recessive disorder. Using human, Drosophila and mouse models, we show that the proteins encoded by SMARCAL1 orthologs localize to transcriptionally active chromatin and modulate gene expression. We also show that, as found in SIOD patients, deficiency of the SMARCAL1 orthologs alone is insufficient to cause disease in fruit flies and mice, although such deficiency causes modest diffuse alterations in gene expression. Rather, disease manifests when SMARCAL1 deficiency interacts with genetic and environmental factors that further alter gene expression. We conclude that the SMARCAL1 annealing helicase buffers fluctuations in gene expression and that alterations in gene expression contribute to the penetrance of SIOD.

BRG1 mutations found in human cancer cell lines inactivate Rb-mediated cell-cycle arrest

Eukaryotic organisms package DNA into chromatin for compact storage in the cell nucleus. However, this process promotes transcriptional repression of genes. To overcome the transcriptional repression, chromatin remodeling complexes have evolved that alter the configuration of chromatin packaging of DNA into nucleosomes by histones. The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to reposition nucleosomes and make DNA accessible to transcription factors. Recent studies showing mutations of BRG1, one of two mutually exclusive ATPase subunits, in human tumor cell lines and primary tissue samples have implicated a role for its loss in cancer development. While most of the mutations lead to complete loss of BRG1 protein expression, others result in single amino acid substitutions. To better understand the role of these BRG1 point mutations in cancer development, we characterized SWI/SNF function in human tumor cell lines with these mutations in the absence of BRM expression, the other ATPase component. We found that the mutant BRG1 proteins still interacted with the core complex members and appeared at the promoters of target genes. However, while these mutations did not affect CD44 and CDH1 expression, known targets of the SWI/SNF complex, they did abrogate Rb-mediated cell-cycle arrest. Therefore, our results implicate that these mutations disrupt the de novo chromatin remodeling activity of the complex without affecting the status of existing nucleosome positioning.

The glucocorticoid receptor and the coregulator Brm selectively modulate each other's occupancy and activity in a gene-specific manner

The diverse transcriptional patterns that distinguish metazoan cells are specified by multifactor regulatory complexes containing distinct combinations of factors that assemble at genomic response elements. To investigate combinatorial control, we examined a set of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-regulated genes bearing nearby regulatory complexes that include both GR and the coregulator Brm, an ATPase subunit of the Swi/Snf chromatin remodeler. We analyzed how GR and Brm affect each other's occupancy and activity by utilizing glucocorticoid treatment and Brm knockdown to modulate GR-mediated transcriptional regulation and Brm-mediated chromatin remodeling, respectively. GR occupancy and activity were altered differentially by Brm knockdown at specific activated and repressed primary GR target genes. Brm knockdown decreased GR occupancy at activated Brm-dependent genes, whereas we identified two classes of repressed genes, at which Brm knockdown either increased or decreased GR occupancy. Glucocorticoid treatment increased both Brm occupancy and chromatin accessibility at Brm-dependent and Brm-independent GR-regulated genes. However, chromatin remodeling activity decreased after Brm knockdown only at genes with Brm-dependent transcription. Our study revealed multiple distinct patterns of GR and Brm interdependence. Thus, monitoring as few as two factors within regulatory complexes is sufficient to reveal functionally distinct assemblies, providing an analytical method for gaining insights into combinatorial regulation.

Two novel BRM insertion promoter sequence variants are associated with loss of BRM expression and lung cancer risk

SWI/SNF (SWItch/sucrose non-fermentable) complexes are ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes critically involved in the regulation of multiple functions, including gene expression, differentiation, development, DNA repair, cell adhesion and cell cycle control. BRM, a key SWI/SNF complex subunit, is silenced in 15-20% of many solid tumors. As BRM-deficient mice develop 10-fold more tumors when exposed to carcinogens, BRM is a strong candidate for a cancer susceptibility gene. In this paper, we show that BRM is regulated by transcription, thus demonstrating that the promoter region is important for BRM expression. We sequenced the BRM promoter region, finding two novel promoter indel polymorphisms, BRM -741 and BRM -1321, that are in linkage disequilibrium (D'≥0.83). The variant insertion alleles of both polymorphisms produce sequence variants that are highly homologous to myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcription factor-binding sites; MEF2 is known to recruit histone deacetylases that silence BRM expression. Each polymorphic BRM insertion variant is found in ~20% of Caucasians, and each correlates strongly with the loss of protein expression of BRM, both in cancer cell lines (P=0.009) and in primary human lung tumor specimens (P=0.015). With such strong functional evidence, we conducted a case-control study of 1199 smokers. We found an increased risk of lung cancer when both BRM homozygous promoter insertion variants were present: adjusted odds ratio of 2.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.40-3.43). Thus, we here demonstrate a strong functional association between these polymorphisms and loss of BRM expression. These polymorphisms thus have the potential to identify a sub-population of smokers at greater lung cancer risk, wherein this risk could be driven by an aberrant SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling pathway.

Pharmacologic reversal of epigenetic silencing of the anticancer protein BRM: a novel targeted treatment strategy

Tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes are both commonly altered during carcinogenesis. For oncogenes and other genes that drive growth, targeting mutated or activated forms (such as the EGFR-Her2/Nneu pathway) has been shown to be an effective anti-cancer approach. Pharmacologically targeting tumor suppressor genes has not been as fruitful, as many tumor suppressor genes are irreversibly silenced through somatic mutation or entirely deleted during carcinogenesis, thereby making it difficult to restore gene function. BRM, a key SWI/SNF complex subunit and a putative tumor suppressor gene, is inactivated in 15-20% of many solid tumor types. Unlike other tumor suppressor genes, the loss of BRM has been shown to be a reversible epigenetic change, rather than an irreversible genetic alteration. Using a high throughput drug screen, we identified a number of compounds that could effectively restore BRM expression and function. Two of these compounds, RH (RH02032) and GK (GK0037), were found to be such reactivating agents. Both compounds led to robust re-expression of BRM, induced downstream expression of BRM-dependent genes and inhibited BRM-dependent growth across a wide range of BRM-deficient cancer cell lines of different origins. We therefore show, for the first time, that pharmacologic reversal of epigenetic changes of the SWI/SNF chromatic remodeling complex subunit, BRM, is a potentially viable and novel therapeutic approach.

A switch from hBrm to Brg1 at IFNγ-activated sequences mediates the activation of human genes

The SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes utilize energy from ATP hydrolysis to reposition nucleosomes and regulate the expression of human genes. Here, we studied the roles of human Brahma (hBrm) and Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1), the ATPase subunits of the SWI/SNF complexes, in regulating human genes. Our results indicate that both hBrm and Brg1 interact with Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 1 in vitro. However, Stat1 in its native form only recruits hBrm to IFNγ-activated sequences (GAS) of individual genes; by contrast, in a stress-induced phosphorylated form, Stat1 mainly binds to Brg1. Under basal conditions, hBrm is recruited by native Stat1 to the GAS and exists in a mSin3/HDAC co-repressor complex on the hsp90α gene, which shows a compact chromatin structure. Upon heat-shock, hBrm is acetylated by p300 and dissociates from the co-repressor complex, which the phosphorylated Stat1 is increased, and binds and recruits Brg1 to the GAS, leading to elevated induction of the gene. This hBrm/Brg1 switch also occurs at the GAS of all of the three examined immune genes in heat-shocked cells; however, this switch only occurs in specific cell types upon exposure to IFNγ. Regardless of the stimulus, the hBrm/Brg1 switch at the GAS elicits an increase in gene activity. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the hBrm/Brg1 switch is an indicator of the responsiveness of a gene to heat-shock or IFNγ stimulation and may represent an "on-off switch" of gene expression in vivo.

Small molecule regulators of Rb-E2F pathway as modulators of transcription

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, Rb, plays a major role in the regulation of mammalian cell cycle progression. It has been shown that Rb function is essential for the proper modulation of G1/S transition and inactivation of Rb contributes to deregulated cell proliferation. Rb exerts its cell cycle regulatory functions mainly by targeting the E2F family of transcription factors and Rb has been shown to physically interact with E2Fs 1, 2 and 3, repressing their transcriptional activity. Multiple genes involved in DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression are regulated by E2Fs, and Rb prevents their expression by inhibiting E2F activity, inducing growth arrest. It has been established that inactivation of Rb by phosphorylation, mutation, or by the interaction of viral oncoproteins leads to a release of the repression of E2F activity, facilitating cell cycle progression. Rb-mediated repression of E2F activity involves the recruitment of a variety of transcriptional co-repressors and chromatin remodeling proteins, including histone deacetylases, DNA methyltransferases and Brg1/Brm chromatin remodeling proteins. Inactivation of Rb by sequential phosphorylation events during cell cycle progression leads to a dissociation of these co-repressors from Rb, facilitating transcription. It has been found that small molecules that prevent the phosphorylation of Rb prevent the dissociation of certain co-repressors from Rb, especially Brg1, leading to the maintenance of Rb-mediated transcriptional repression and cell cycle arrest. Such small molecules have anti-cancer activities and will also act as valuable probes to study chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation.

BRG1 expression is increased in human cutaneous melanoma

BACKGROUND

The SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex plays important roles in cellular processes including cell differentiation, cell cycle control and DNA repair. Aberrant expression of SWI/SNF subunits is involved in cancer development. The core subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, SNF5, has been shown to be inactivated in malignant rhabdoid tumours and has been defined as a tumour suppressor. However, the role of the catalytic subunit, BRG1, is not well defined in cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of BRG1 in melanoma development, we examined the expression of BRG1 in melanocytic lesions at different stages and analysed the correlation between BRG1 expression and clinicopathological variables and patient survival.

METHODS

Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry, we evaluated BRG1 staining in 48 dysplastic naevi, 90 primary melanomas and 47 metastatic melanomas. We studied melanoma cell proliferative ability with reduced BRG1 expression by small interfering RNA using cell proliferation assay and cell cycle analysis.

RESULTS

We found that BRG1 expression was increased in primary melanoma and metastatic melanoma compared with dysplastic naevi (P<0·0001). We did not find any correlation between BRG1 expression and melanoma patient survival. In addition, we demonstrated that knockdown of BRG1 in melanoma cell lines resulted in significantly reduced cell proliferative ability. This reduced cell proliferation is due to G(1) phase arrest as cyclin D(1) is downregulated upon BRG1 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that BRG1 is significantly increased in human melanoma and is involved in melanoma initiation.