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Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S, Najafi S, Kallenbach J, Keramatfar E, Atri Roozbahani G, Heidari Horestani M, Hussen BM, Baniahmad A. Hormonal regulation of telomerase activity and hTERT expression in steroid-regulated tissues and cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:258. [PMID: 35974340 PMCID: PMC9380309 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02678-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally, in somatic cells chromosome ends (telomeres) shorten during each cell division. This process ensures to limit proliferation of somatic cells to avoid malignant proliferation; however, it leads to proliferative senescence. Telomerase contains the reverse transcriptase TERT, which together with the TERC component, is responsible for protection of genome integrity by preventing shortening of telomeres through adding repetitive sequences. In addition, telomerase has non-telomeric function and supports growth factor independent growth. Unlike somatic cells, telomerase is detectable in stem cells, germ line cells, and cancer cells to support self-renewal and expansion. Elevated telomerase activity is reported in almost all of human cancers. Increased expression of hTERT gene or its reactivation is required for limitless cellular proliferation in immortal malignant cells. In hormonally regulated tissues as well as in prostate, breast and endometrial cancers, telomerase activity and hTERT expression are under control of steroid sex hormones and growth factors. Also, a number of hormones and growth factors are known to play a role in the carcinogenesis via regulation of hTERT levels or telomerase activity. Understanding the role of hormones in interaction with telomerase may help finding therapeutical targets for anticancer strategies. In this review, we outline the roles and functions of several steroid hormones and growth factors in telomerase regulation, particularly in hormone regulated cancers such as prostate, breast and endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Najafi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Julia Kallenbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Elmira Keramatfar
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany.
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2
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Bhattacharya A, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Hagiwara M, Morimoto Y, Rajabi H, Long MD, Abdulla M, Ahmad R, Street K, Liu S, Liu T, Kufe D. MUC1-C Dictates JUN and BAF-Mediated Chromatin Remodeling at Enhancer Signatures in Cancer Stem Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:556-567. [PMID: 35022313 PMCID: PMC8983489 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The oncogenic MUC1-C protein promotes dedifferentiation of castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Chromatin remodeling is critical for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state; however, there is no definitive evidence that MUC1-C regulates chromatin accessibility and thereby expression of stemness-associated genes. We demonstrate that MUC1-C drives global changes in chromatin architecture in the dedifferentiation of CRPC and TNBC cells. Our results show that MUC1-C induces differentially accessible regions (DAR) across their genomes, which are significantly associated with differentially expressed genes (DEG). Motif and cistrome analysis further demonstrated MUC1-C-induced DARs align with genes regulated by the JUN/AP-1 family of transcription factors. MUC1-C activates the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, which is recruited by JUN in enhancer selection. In studies of the NOTCH1 gene, which is required for CRPC and TNBC cell self-renewal, we demonstrate that MUC1-C is necessary for (i) occupancy of JUN and ARID1A/BAF, (ii) increases in H3K27ac and H3K4me3 signals, and (iii) opening of chromatin accessibility on a proximal enhancer-like signature. Studies of the EGR1 and LY6E stemness-associated genes further demonstrate that MUC1-C-induced JUN/ARID1A complexes regulate chromatin accessibility on proximal and distal enhancer-like signatures. These findings uncover a role for MUC1-C in chromatin remodeling that is mediated at least in part by JUN/AP-1 and ARID1A/BAF in association with driving the CSC state. IMPLICATIONS These findings show that MUC1-C, which is necessary for the CRPC and TNBC CSC state, activates a novel pathway involving JUN/AP-1 and ARID1A/BAF that regulates chromatin accessibility of stemness-associated gene enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Masayuki Hagiwara
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hasan Rajabi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark D Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Maha Abdulla
- Colorectal Research Chair, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehan Ahmad
- Colorectal Research Chair, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kelly Street
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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3
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Antithetic hTERT Regulation by Androgens in Prostate Cancer Cells: hTERT Inhibition Is Mediated by the ING1 and ING2 Tumor Suppressors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164025. [PMID: 34439179 PMCID: PMC8391603 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The expression of the catalytic subunit of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase subunit (hTERT) is hormonally controlled. Androgen treatment suppresses the hTERT expression at a transcriptional level in prostate cancer cells. Here, we identified the responsive promoter element that mediates the androgen receptor induced transrepression of hTERT. The negative androgen response element (nARE) is identified as 62 bp located in the core promoter of hTERT. Chromatin immunoprecipitations indicate an androgen-dependent recruitment of the androgen receptor (AR) ING1 and ING2 to the hTERT promoter. Interestingly, the androgen-induced transrepression is mediated by the class II tumor suppressors inhibitor of growth 1 and 2, namely ING1 and ING2, respectively. Abstract The human telomerase is a key factor during tumorigenesis in prostate cancer (PCa). The androgen receptor (AR) is a key drug target controlling PCa growth and regulates hTERT expression, but is described to either inhibit or to activate. Here, we reveal that androgens repress and activate hTERT expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Physiological low androgen levels activate, while, notably, supraphysiological androgen levels (SAL), used in bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), repress hTERT expression. We confirmed the SAL-mediated gene repression of hTERT in PCa cell lines, native human PCa samples derived from patients treated ex vivo, as well as in cancer spheroids derived from androgen-dependent or castration resistant PCa (CRPC) cells. Interestingly, chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP) combined with functional assays revealed a positive (pARE) and a negative androgen response element (nARE). The nARE was narrowed down to 63 bp in the hTERT core promoter region. AR and tumor suppressors, inhibitor of growth 1 and 2 (ING1 and ING2, respectively), are androgen-dependently recruited. Mechanistically, knockdown indicates that ING1 and ING2 mediate AR-regulated transrepression. Thus, our data suggest an oppositional, biphasic function of AR to control the hTERT expression, while the inhibition of hTERT by androgens is mediated by the AR co-repressors ING1 and ING2.
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Arantes Dos Santos G, Viana NI, Pimenta R, Reis ST, Ramos Moreira Leite K, Srougi M. Hypothesis: The triad androgen receptor, zinc finger proteins and telomeres modulates the global gene expression pattern during prostate cancer progression. Med Hypotheses 2021; 150:110566. [PMID: 33799157 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the biggest challenge for prostate cancer (PCa) is to understand the mechanism by which the disease acquires the castration-resistant phenotype and progresses to a fatal disease. PCa has a high genetic heterogeneity, and cannot be separated into well-defined molecular subtypes. Despite this, there is consensus about the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in all stages of the disease, including the transition to the castration-resistant phenotype. Since AR is a transcription factor, we investigated the possibility of PCa presenting a pattern of global gene expression during disease progression. By analyzing the TCGA and CCLE datasets, we were able to find a pattern of waves of genes being expressed during each stage of disease progression. This phenomenon suggests the existence of a mechanism that globally regulates gene expression, being AR, telomeres, and zinc finger proteins (ZNF), three important players. The AR modulates the telomere biology, and its transcription is regulated by ZNF. Recently, a study suggested that the telomere length might influence the expression of ZNF. Thus, we hypothesized that changes in the triad AR, telomeres, and ZNF control gene expression during the progression of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Arantes Dos Santos
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Nayara Izabel Viana
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ruan Pimenta
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sabrina T Reis
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; Athens University Center (UniAtenas), Passos, MG, Brazil; Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, MG, Brazil
| | - Katia Ramos Moreira Leite
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Miguel Srougi
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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5
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Kim JW. Questioning the evidence behind the Saturation Model for testosterone replacement therapy in prostate cancer. Investig Clin Urol 2020; 61:242-249. [PMID: 32377599 PMCID: PMC7189106 DOI: 10.4111/icu.2020.61.3.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Published in 2009, the Saturation Model suggested that there were limits to which androgen encouraged growth of the prostate. This was, in particular, applied to prostate cancer, where conventional wisdom since Huggins has considered it almost taboo for a patient being treated with cancer to receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Since then, several studies began to investigate the application of TRT in, at first, mild and stable prostate cancer patients. While early reports seem promising, the validity of the Saturation Model had not been addressed. The current review investigates the evidence synthesis behind the Saturation Model, based on its original publication where it was presented. The evidence reviewed includes in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies that were referenced as the basis when the model was presented. Despite promising associations, the evidence employed were troublingly taken out of context in many cases and applied freely in cases where it would be unwise to do so. In light of some shortcomings in evidence synthesis, we advise some caution when applying the Saturation Model in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wook Kim
- Department of Urology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Xie X, Li S, Zhu Y, Liu L, Ke R, Wang J, Yan X, Yang L, Gao L, Zang W, Li M. Egr-1 mediates leptin-induced PPARγ reduction and proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 29:356-362. [PMID: 29212876 PMCID: PMC5996952 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-03-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been found to contribute to pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and pulmonary arterial remodeling therefore the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying PPARγ reduction in PASMC remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that leptin dose- and time-dependently inducued PPARγ down-regulation and proliferation of primary cultured rat PASMC, this was accompanied with the activation of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway and subsequent induction of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) expression. The presence of MEK inhibitors U0126 or PD98059, or prior silencing Egr-1 with small interfering RNA suppressed leptin-induced PPARγ reduction. In addition, activation of PPARγ by pioglitazone or targeting ERK1/2/Egr-1 suppressed leptin-induced PASMC proliferation. Taken together, our study indicates that ERK1/2 signaling pathway-mediated leptin-induced PPARγ reduction and PASMC proliferation through up-regulation of Egr-1 and suggests that targeting leptin/ERK1/2/Egr-1 pathway might have potential value in ameliorating vascular remodeling and benefit PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Shaojun Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yanting Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Rui Ke
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Li Gao
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Weijin Zang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xian Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Manxiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
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7
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Ashtiani M, Nabatchian F, Galavi HR, Saravani R, Farajian-Mashhadi F, Salimi S. Effect of Achillea wilhelmsii extract on expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Biomed Rep 2017; 7:251-256. [PMID: 28811896 DOI: 10.3892/br.2017.956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence has indicated that human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) was overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa). Achillea wilhelmsii (AW) is a plant that has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. The aim of current study was to evaluate the effects of AW extract on a PCa cell line. The cytotoxic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of AW was studied on the PCa PC3 cell line using MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effects of the extract on the apoptosis. The expression of hTERT mRNA was analyzed by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. The ELISA method was used to measure the levels of telomerase enzyme. The hydroalcoholic AW extract demonstrated the appropriate inhibitory effect in 150 µg/ml concentration (IC50) on PC3 cell line following 48 h treatment. Treatment of the PC3 cells with AW resulted in a significant increase in early and late apoptotic cells and a decrease in live cells (P<0.001), in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the early apoptotic cells were significantly higher than late apoptotic cells. The hTERT mRNA expression was decreased following 24 h treatment of AW extract, although it was not different between 2, 4, 8 and 12 h treatments or 24, 48 and 72 h treatments. In addition, the hTERT concentration was significantly decreased following 24 h treatment of AW extract with the marginal P-value. There was no significant difference regarding hTERT concentration between 2, 4, 8 and 12 h treatments or 24, 48 and 72 h treatments. The hydroalcoholic extract of AW induced potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in PC3 cell line, which could be explainable by its high potency to inhibit expression of the prominent oncogene hTERT in PCa. Therefore, targeting telomerase represents a promising strategy for PCa therapy, and AW may have considerable potential for development as a novel natural anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Ashtiani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran
| | - Fariba Nabatchian
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416753955, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Galavi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran
| | - Ramin Saravani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Farajian-Mashhadi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Salimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743175, Iran
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8
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Cassar L, Nicholls C, Pinto AR, Chen R, Wang L, Li H, Liu JP. TGF-beta receptor mediated telomerase inhibition, telomere shortening and breast cancer cell senescence. Protein Cell 2016; 8:39-54. [PMID: 27696331 PMCID: PMC5233610 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-016-0322-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) plays a central role in telomere lengthening for continuous cell proliferation, but it remains unclear how extracellular cues regulate telomerase lengthening of telomeres. Here we report that the cytokine bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) induces the hTERT gene repression in a BMPRII receptor- and Smad3-dependent manner in human breast cancer cells. Chonic exposure of human breast cancer cells to BMP7 results in short telomeres, cell senescence and apoptosis. Mutation of the BMPRII receptor, but not TGFbRII, ACTRIIA or ACTRIIB receptor, inhibits BMP7-induced repression of the hTERT gene promoter activity, leading to increased telomerase activity, lengthened telomeres and continued cell proliferation. Expression of hTERT prevents BMP7-induced breast cancer cell senescence and apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that BMP7 induces breast cancer cell aging by a mechanism involving BMPRII receptor- and Smad3-mediated repression of the hTERT gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Cassar
- Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Central Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
| | - Craig Nicholls
- Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Central Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
| | - Alex R Pinto
- Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Central Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
| | - Ruping Chen
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - He Li
- Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Central Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
| | - Jun-Ping Liu
- Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Central Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia. .,Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang Province, China.
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9
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Xu Y, Goldkorn A. Telomere and Telomerase Therapeutics in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7060022. [PMID: 27240403 PMCID: PMC4929421 DOI: 10.3390/genes7060022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase capable of utilizing an integrated RNA component as a template to add protective tandem telomeric single strand DNA repeats, TTAGGG, to the ends of chromosomes. Telomere dysfunction and telomerase reactivation are observed in approximately 90% of human cancers; hence, telomerase activation plays a unique role as a nearly universal step on the path to malignancy. In the past two decades, multiple telomerase targeting therapeutic strategies have been pursued, including direct telomerase inhibition, telomerase interference, hTERT or hTERC promoter driven therapy, telomere-based approaches, and telomerase vaccines. Many of these strategies have entered clinical development, and some have now advanced to phase III clinical trials. In the coming years, one or more of these new telomerase-targeting drugs may be expected to enter the pharmacopeia of standard care. Here, we briefly review the molecular functions of telomerase in cancer and provide an update about the preclinical and clinical development of telomerase targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Xu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Amir Goldkorn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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