1
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Di Giorgio E, Dalla E, Tolotto V, D'Este F, Paluvai H, Ranzino L, Brancolini C. HDAC4 influences the DNA damage response and counteracts senescence by assembling with HDAC1/HDAC2 to control H2BK120 acetylation and homology-directed repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:8218-8240. [PMID: 38874468 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Access to DNA is the first level of control in regulating gene transcription, a control that is also critical for maintaining DNA integrity. Cellular senescence is characterized by profound transcriptional rearrangements and accumulation of DNA lesions. Here, we discovered an epigenetic complex between HDAC4 and HDAC1/HDAC2 that is involved in the erase of H2BK120 acetylation. The HDAC4/HDAC1/HDAC2 complex modulates the efficiency of DNA repair by homologous recombination, through dynamic deacetylation of H2BK120. Deficiency of HDAC4 leads to accumulation of H2BK120ac, impaired recruitment of BRCA1 and CtIP to the site of lesions, accumulation of damaged DNA and senescence. In senescent cells this complex is disassembled because of increased proteasomal degradation of HDAC4. Forced expression of HDAC4 during RAS-induced senescence reduces the genomic spread of γH2AX. It also affects H2BK120ac levels, which are increased in DNA-damaged regions that accumulate during RAS-induced senescence. In summary, degradation of HDAC4 during senescence causes the accumulation of damaged DNA and contributes to the activation of the transcriptional program controlled by super-enhancers that maintains senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Emiliano Dalla
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Vanessa Tolotto
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Este
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Harikrishnareddy Paluvai
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Liliana Ranzino
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
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2
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Lin H, Bei Y, Shen Z, Wei T, Ge Y, Yu L, Xu H, He W, Dai Y, Yao D, Dai H. HDAC9 Deficiency Upregulates cGMP-dependent Kinase II to Mitigate Neuronal Apoptosis in Ischemic Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2024:10.1007/s12975-024-01272-7. [PMID: 38940872 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-024-01272-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) is implicated in ischemic stroke by genome-wide association studies. We conducted a series of experiments using a mouse model of ischemic stroke (middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion) to examine the potential role of HDAC9. Briefly, HDAC9 was upregulated in the penumbra. Deletion of HDAC9 from neurons reduced infarction volume, inhibited neuronal apoptosis in the penumbra, and improved neurological outcomes. HDAC9 knockout from neurons in the penumbra upregulated cGMP-dependent kinase II (cGK II), blocking which abrogated the protective effects of HDAC9 deletion. Mechanistically, HDAC9 interacts with the transcription factor MEF2, thereby inhibiting MEF2's binding to the promoter region of the cGK II gene, which results in the suppression of cGK II expression. Inhibiting the interaction between HDAC9 and MEF2 by BML210 upregulated cGK II and attenuated ischemic injury in mice. These results encourage targeting the HDAC9-MEF2 interaction in developing novel therapy against ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yun Bei
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zexu Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Taofeng Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yuyang Ge
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lingyan Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yunjian Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Difei Yao
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Haibin Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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3
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Chinellato M, Perin S, Carli A, Lastella L, Biondi B, Borsato G, Di Giorgio E, Brancolini C, Cendron L, Angelini A. Folding of Class IIa HDAC Derived Peptides into α-helices Upon Binding to Myocyte Enhancer Factor-2 in Complex with DNA. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168541. [PMID: 38492719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Interaction of transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) family members with class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases. Though considerable knowledge on this topic has been accumulated over the years, a high resolution and detailed analysis of the binding mode of multiple class IIa HDAC derived peptides with MEF2D is still lacking. To fulfil this gap, we report here the crystal structure of MEF2D in complex with double strand DNA and four different class IIa HDAC derived peptides, namely HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC7 and HDAC9. All class IIa HDAC derived peptides form extended amphipathic α-helix structures that fit snugly in the hydrophobic groove of MEF2D domain. Binding mode of class IIa HDAC derived peptides to MEF2D is very similar and occur primarily through nonpolar interactions mediated by highly conserved branched hydrophobic amino acids. Further studies revealed that class IIa HDAC derived peptides are unstructured in solution and appear to adopt a folded α-helix structure only upon binding to MEF2D. Comparison of our peptide-protein complexes with previously characterized structures of MEF2 bound to different co-activators and co-repressors, highlighted both differences and similarities, and revealed the adaptability of MEF2 in protein-protein interactions. The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of MEF2D in complex with multiple class IIa HDAC derived peptides provide not only a better understanding of the molecular basis of their interactions but also have implications for the development of novel antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Chinellato
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Perin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy
| | - Alberto Carli
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luana Lastella
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padova Unit, CNR, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Biondi
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padova Unit, CNR, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Borsato
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy
| | - Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Angelini
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy; European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Calle Crosera, 30123 Venice, Italy.
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4
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Gagliano T, Kerschbamer E, Baccarani U, Minisini M, Di Giorgio E, Dalla E, Weichenberger CX, Cherchi V, Terrosu G, Brancolini C. Changes in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional landscape induced by HDAC inhibitors in TP53 mutated patient-derived colon cancer organoids. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116374. [PMID: 38447451 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Here we present the generation and characterization of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from colorectal cancer patients. PDOs derived from two patients with TP53 mutations were tested with two different HDAC inhibitors (SAHA and NKL54). Cell death induction, transcriptome, and chromatin accessibility changes were analyzed. HDACIs promote the upregulation of low expressed genes and the downregulation of highly expressed genes. A similar differential effect is observed at the level of chromatin accessibility. Only SAHA is a potent inducer of cell death, which is characterized by the upregulation of BH3-only genes BIK and BMF. Up-regulation of BIK is associated with increased accessibility in an intronic region that has enhancer properties. SAHA, but not NKL54, also causes downregulation of BCL2L1 and decreases chromatin accessibility in three distinct regions of the BCL2L1 locus. Both inhibitors upregulate the expression of innate immunity genes and members of the MHC family. In summary, our exploratory study indicates a mechanism of action for SAHA and demonstrate the low efficacy of NKL54 as a single agent for apoptosis induction, using two PDOs. These observations need to be validated in a larger cohort of PDOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gagliano
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Emanuela Kerschbamer
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Umberto Baccarani
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Martina Minisini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Emiliano Dalla
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Cherchi
- General Surgery Clinic and Liver Transplant Center, University-Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giovanni Terrosu
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Institute for Biomedicine, P.le Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy.
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5
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Marchesan E, Nardin A, Mauri S, Bernardo G, Chander V, Di Paola S, Chinellato M, von Stockum S, Chakraborty J, Herkenne S, Basso V, Schrepfer E, Marin O, Cendron L, Medina DL, Scorrano L, Ziviani E. Activation of Ca 2+ phosphatase Calcineurin regulates Parkin translocation to mitochondria and mitophagy in flies. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:217-238. [PMID: 38238520 PMCID: PMC10850161 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01251-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Selective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria via autophagy is crucial for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. This event is initiated by the translocation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin to damaged mitochondria, and it requires the Serine/Threonine-protein kinase PINK1. In a coordinated set of events, PINK1 operates upstream of Parkin in a linear pathway that leads to the phosphorylation of Parkin, Ubiquitin, and Parkin mitochondrial substrates, to promote ubiquitination of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins. Ubiquitin-decorated mitochondria are selectively recruiting autophagy receptors, which are required to terminate the organelle via autophagy. In this work, we show a previously uncharacterized molecular pathway that correlates the activation of the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase Calcineurin to Parkin translocation and Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Calcineurin downregulation or genetic inhibition prevents Parkin translocation to CCCP-treated mitochondria and impairs stress-induced mitophagy, whereas Calcineurin activation promotes Parkin mitochondrial recruitment and basal mitophagy. Calcineurin interacts with Parkin, and promotes Parkin translocation in the absence of PINK1, but requires PINK1 expression to execute mitophagy in MEF cells. Genetic activation of Calcineurin in vivo boosts basal mitophagy in neurons and corrects locomotor dysfunction and mitochondrial respiratory defects of a Drosophila model of impaired mitochondrial functions. Our study identifies Calcineurin as a novel key player in the regulation of Parkin translocation and mitophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Nardin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sofia Mauri
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Greta Bernardo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vivek Chander
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Simone Di Paola
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emilie Schrepfer
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Dulbecco-Telethon Institute, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Oriano Marin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DSB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Diego L Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical and Translational Science, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Scorrano
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Dulbecco-Telethon Institute, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Ziviani
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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6
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Minisini M, Cricchi E, Brancolini C. Acetylation and Phosphorylation in the Regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Activities: Additional Options to Modulate Adaptations to Changes in Oxygen Levels. Life (Basel) 2023; 14:20. [PMID: 38276269 PMCID: PMC10821055 DOI: 10.3390/life14010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
O2 is essential for the life of eukaryotic cells. The ability to sense oxygen availability and initiate a response to adapt the cell to changes in O2 levels is a fundamental achievement of evolution. The key switch for adaptation consists of the transcription factors HIF1A, HIF2A and HIF3A. Their levels are tightly controlled by O2 through the involvement of the oxygen-dependent prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing enzymes (PHDs/EGNLs), the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein (pVHL) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Furthermore, HIF1A and HIF2A are also under the control of additional post-translational modifications (PTMs) that positively or negatively regulate the activities of these transcription factors. This review focuses mainly on two PTMs of HIF1A and HIF2A: phosphorylation and acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudio Brancolini
- Lab of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (M.M.); (E.C.)
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7
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Di Giorgio E, Benetti R, Kerschbamer E, Xodo L, Brancolini C. Super-enhancer landscape rewiring in cancer: The epigenetic control at distal sites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 380:97-148. [PMID: 37657861 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Super-enhancers evolve as elements at the top of the hierarchical control of gene expression. They are important end-gatherers of signaling pathways that control stemness, differentiation or adaptive responses. Many epigenetic regulations focus on these regions, and not surprisingly, during the process of tumorigenesis, various alterations can account for their dysfunction. Super-enhancers are emerging as key drivers of the aberrant gene expression landscape that sustain the aggressiveness of cancer cells. In this review, we will describe and discuss about the structure of super-enhancers, their epigenetic regulation, and the major changes affecting their functionality in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Roberta Benetti
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuela Kerschbamer
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi Xodo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy.
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8
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Cuttini E, Goi C, Pellarin E, Vida R, Brancolini C. HDAC4 in cancer: A multitasking platform to drive not only epigenetic modifications. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1116660. [PMID: 36762207 PMCID: PMC9902726 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1116660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlling access to genomic information and maintaining its stability are key aspects of cell life. Histone acetylation is a reversible epigenetic modification that allows access to DNA and the assembly of protein complexes that regulate mainly transcription but also other activities. Enzymes known as histone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in the removal of the acetyl-group or in some cases of small hydrophobic moieties from histones but also from the non-histone substrate. The main achievement of HDACs on histones is to repress transcription and promote the formation of more compact chromatin. There are 18 different HDACs encoded in the human genome. Here we will discuss HDAC4, a member of the class IIa family, and its possible contribution to cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Cuttini
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Camilla Goi
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ester Pellarin
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vida
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Scuola Superiore Universitaria di Toppo Wassermann, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy,Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy,*Correspondence: Claudio Brancolini,
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9
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Fioravanti R, Proia E, Tyurenkov IN, Kurkin DV, Bakulin DA, Kovalev NS, Sheikin DS, Kirillov IA, Nawrozkij MB, Vernigora AA, Brunilina LL, Fiorentino F, Mladenović M, Rotili D, Ragno R. Pyrimidine thioethers: A novel class of antidepressant agents, endowed with anxiolytic, performance enhancing and nootropic activity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114902. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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10
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Iuliano L, Dalla E, Picco R, Mallavarapu S, Minisini M, Malavasi E, Brancolini C. Proteotoxic stress-induced apoptosis in cancer cells: understanding the susceptibility and enhancing the potency. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:407. [PMID: 36195608 PMCID: PMC9531228 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01202-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is aggressive cancer with few therapeutic options. LMS cells are more sensitive to proteotoxic stress compared to normal smooth muscle cells. We used small compound 2c to induce proteotoxic stress and compare the transcriptomic adaptations of immortalized human uterine smooth muscle cells (HUtSMC) and LMS cells SK-UT-1. We found that the expression of the heat shock proteins (HSPs) gene family is upregulated with higher efficiency in normal cells. In contrast, the upregulation of BH3-only proteins is higher in LMS cells. HSF1, the master regulator of HSP transcription, is sequestered into transcriptionally incompetent nuclear foci only in LMS cells, which explains the lower HSP upregulation. We also found that several compounds can enhance the cell death response to proteotoxic stress. Specifically, when low doses were used, an inhibitor of salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) and the inhibitor of IRE1α, a key element of the unfolded protein response (UPR), support proteotoxic-induced cell death with strength in LMS cells and without effects on the survival of normal cells. Overall, our data provide an explanation for the higher susceptibility of LMS cells to proteotoxic stress and suggest a potential option for co-treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Iuliano
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Emiliano Dalla
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Raffaella Picco
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Showmeya Mallavarapu
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Martina Minisini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Eleonora Malavasi
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P. le Kolbe 4 - 33100, Udine, Italy.
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11
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Lam L, Tien T, Wildung M, White L, Sellon RK, Fidel JL, Shelden EA. Comparative whole transcriptome analysis of gene expression in three canine soft tissue sarcoma types. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273705. [PMID: 36099287 PMCID: PMC9469979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas are pleiotropic tumors of mesenchymal cell origin. These tumors are rare in humans but common in veterinary practice, where they comprise up to 15% of canine skin and subcutaneous cancers. Because they present similar morphologies, primary sites, and growth characteristics, they are treated similarly, generally by surgical resection followed by radiation therapy. Previous studies have examined a variety of genetic changes as potential drivers of tumorigenesis and progression in soft tissue sarcomas as well as their use as markers for soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. However, few studies employing next generation sequencing approaches have been published. Here, we have examined gene expression patterns in canine soft tissue sarcomas using RNA-seq analysis of samples obtained from archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors. We provide a computational framework for using resulting data to categorize tumors, perform cross species comparisons and identify genetic changes associated with tumorigenesis. Functional overrepresentation analysis of differentially expressed genes further implicate both common and tumor-type specific transcription factors as potential mediators of tumorigenesis and aggression. Implications for tumor-type specific therapies are discussed. Our results illustrate the potential utility of this approach for the discovery of new therapeutic approaches to the management of canine soft tissue sarcomas and support the view that both common and tumor-type specific mechanisms drive the development of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Lam
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Tien Tien
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Mark Wildung
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Laura White
- Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Rance K. Sellon
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Janean L. Fidel
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Eric A. Shelden
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
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HDACs and the epigenetic plasticity of cancer cells: Target the complexity. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 238:108190. [PMID: 35430294 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells must adapt to the hostile conditions of the microenvironment in terms of nutrition, space, and immune system attack. Mutations of DNA are the drivers of the tumorigenic process, but mutations must be able to hijack cellular functions to sustain the spread of mutant genomes. Transcriptional control is a key function in this context and is controlled by the rearrangement of the epigenome. Unlike genomic mutations, the epigenome of cancer cells can in principle be reversed. The discovery of the first epigenetic drugs triggered a contaminating enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the complexity of the epigenetic machinery has frustrated this enthusiasm. To develop efficient patient-oriented epigenetic therapies, we need to better understand the nature of this complexity. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in understanding the contribution of HDACs to the maintenance of the transformed state and the rational for their selective targeting.
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