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Zhuang HH, Qu Q, Teng XQ, Dai YH, Qu J. Superenhancers as master gene regulators and novel therapeutic targets in brain tumors. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:290-303. [PMID: 36720920 PMCID: PMC9981748 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00934-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional deregulation, a cancer cell hallmark, is driven by epigenetic abnormalities in the majority of brain tumors, including adult glioblastoma and pediatric brain tumors. Epigenetic abnormalities can activate epigenetic regulatory elements to regulate the expression of oncogenes. Superenhancers (SEs), identified as novel epigenetic regulatory elements, are clusters of enhancers with cell-type specificity that can drive the aberrant transcription of oncogenes and promote tumor initiation and progression. As gene regulators, SEs are involved in tumorigenesis in a variety of tumors, including brain tumors. SEs are susceptible to inhibition by their key components, such as bromodomain protein 4 and cyclin-dependent kinase 7, providing new opportunities for antitumor therapy. In this review, we summarized the characteristics and identification, unique organizational structures, and activation mechanisms of SEs in tumors, as well as the clinical applications related to SEs in tumor therapy and prognostication. Based on a review of the literature, we discussed the relationship between SEs and different brain tumors and potential therapeutic targets, focusing on glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Hui Zhuang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Qiang Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410007, PR China.,Institute for Rational and Safe Medication Practices, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410007, PR China
| | - Xin-Qi Teng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Ying-Huan Dai
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China
| | - Jian Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China.
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Wang J, Ma X, Ma J. Identification of Four Enhancer-Associated Genes as Risk Signature for Diffuse Glioma Patients. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 72:410-419. [PMID: 34462884 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01861-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The abnormal expressions of enhancer-associated genes have been reported to be correlated with poor prognosis of tumors, including glioblastoma (GBM). The objective of the current study is to predict prognosis by identifying enhancer-associated genes (EAGs). The profiles of genome-wide expressions of low-grade glioma (LGG) and GBM tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were obtained to explore the expression patterns of EAGs in diffuse glioma. The capacity of prognosis prediction was validated by Rembrandt and GSE16011. Moreover, qPCR was utilized to confirm the effect of JQ1 and THZ1 on the EAGs. We detected 35 differentially expressed EAGs, which were predictive of overall survival. These candidate EAGs were then subjected to the multivariate cox regression analysis and were further scoped down to four signature genes, including TRAM2, SMAGP, KDELC2, and C7ORF25. A total of 662 patients were then stratified according to the expression levels of these four signature genes. The high-risk group accounted for poorer prognosis based on the Rembrandt and GSE16011 databases. The results of qPCR also demonstrated that the expression of the four EAGs could be abolished by JQ1 (bromodomain inhibitor) and THZ1 (CDK7 inhibitor) treatment. Our study not only highlights the potential role of EAGs, which can be used to improve clinical prognosis prediction in patients with diffuse glioma, but also sheds light on the specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diffuse glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated To Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated To Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Zheng C, Liu M, Fan H. Targeting complexes of super-enhancers is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:2557-2566. [PMID: 32782573 PMCID: PMC7400756 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hyperactivation and overexpression of critical oncogenes is a common occurrence in multiple types of malignant tumors. Recently, the abnormal activation mechanism of an oncogene by a super-enhancer (SE) has attracted significant attention. A series of changes (insertion, deletion, translocation and rearrangement) in the genome occurring in cancer cells may generate new SEs, leading to the overexpression of SE-driven oncogenes. SEs are composed of typical enhancers densely loaded with mediator complexes, transcription factors, and chromatin regulators, and drive the overexpression of oncogenes associated with cellular identity and disease. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) are critical mediator complexes associated with SE-mediated transcription. Clinical trials have shown that emerging small-molecule inhibitors (CDK7 and BRD4 inhibitor), targeting the SE exert a notable effect on cancer treatment. Increasing evidences has illustrated that the SE and its associated complexes play a critical role in the development of various types of cancer. The present review discusses the composition, function and regulation of SEs and their contribution to oncogenic transcription. In addition, creative therapeutic approaches that target SE, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the problems with their clinical application are discussed. It was found that targeting SE may be used in conventional treatment and establish more access for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqian Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210018, P.R. China
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
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