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Mayse L, Wang Y, Ahmad M, Movileanu L. Real-Time Measurement of a Weak Interaction of a Transcription Factor Motif with a Protein Hub at Single-Molecule Precision. ACS NANO 2024; 18:20468-20481. [PMID: 39049818 PMCID: PMC11308778 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c04857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors often interact with other protein cofactors, regulating gene expression. Direct detection of these brief events using existing technologies remains challenging due to their transient nature. In addition, intrinsically disordered domains, intranuclear location, and lack of cofactor-dependent active sites of transcription factors further complicate the quantitative analysis of these critical processes. Here, we create a genetically encoded label-free sensor to identify the interaction between a motif of the MYC transcription factor, a primary cancer driver, and WDR5, a chromatin-associated protein hub. Using an engineered nanopore equipped with this motif, WDR5 is probed through reversible captures and releases in a one-by-one and time-resolved fashion. Our single-molecule kinetic measurements indicate a weak-affinity interaction arising from a relatively slow complex association and a fast dissociation of WDR5 from the tethered motif. Further, we validate this subtle interaction by determinations in an ensemble using single nanodisc-wrapped nanopores immobilized on a biolayer interferometry sensor. This study also provides the proof-of-concept for a sensor that reveals unique recognition signatures of different protein binding sites. Our foundational work may be further developed to produce sensing elements for analytical proteomics and cancer nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren
A. Mayse
- Department
of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Yazheng Wang
- Department
of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Mohammad Ahmad
- Department
of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department
of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Biology, Syracuse University, 114 Life Sciences Complex, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- The
BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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2
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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3
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Terzi Cizmecioglu N. Roles and Regulation of H3K4 Methylation During Mammalian Early Embryogenesis and Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38231346 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
From generation of germ cells, fertilization, and throughout early mammalian embryonic development, the chromatin undergoes significant alterations to enable precise regulation of gene expression and genome use. Methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) correlates with active regions of the genome, and it has emerged as a dynamic mark throughout this timeline. The pattern and the level of H3K4 methylation are regulated by methyltransferases and demethylases. These enzymes, as well as their protein partners, play important roles in early embryonic development and show phenotypes in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The various roles of H3K4 methylation are interpreted by dedicated chromatin reader proteins, linking this modification to broader molecular and cellular phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the regulation of different levels of H3K4 methylation, their distinct accumulation pattern, and downstream molecular roles with an early embryogenesis perspective.
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4
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Barsoum M, Sayadi-Boroujeni R, Stenzel AT, Bussmann P, Lüscher-Firzlaff J, Lüscher B. Sequential deregulation of histone marks, chromatin accessibility and gene expression in response to PROTAC-induced degradation of ASH2L. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22565. [PMID: 38114530 PMCID: PMC10730889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49284-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The trithorax protein ASH2L is essential for organismal and tissue development. As a subunit of COMPASS/KMT2 complexes, ASH2L is necessary for methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). Mono- and tri-methylation at this site mark active enhancers and promoters, respectively, although the functional relevance of H3K4 methylation is only partially understood. ASH2L has a long half-life, which results in a slow decrease upon knockout. This has made it difficult to define direct consequences. To overcome this limitation, we employed a PROTAC system to rapidly degrade ASH2L and address direct effects. ASH2L loss resulted in inhibition of proliferation of mouse embryo fibroblasts. Shortly after ASH2L degradation H3K4me3 decreased with its half-life varying between promoters. Subsequently, H3K4me1 increased at promoters and decreased at some enhancers. H3K27ac and H3K27me3, histone marks closely linked to H3K4 methylation, were affected with considerable delay. In parallel, chromatin compaction increased at promoters. Of note, nascent gene transcription was not affected early but overall RNA expression was deregulated late after ASH2L loss. Together, these findings suggest that downstream effects are ordered but relatively slow, despite the rapid loss of ASH2L and inactivation of KMT2 complexes. It appears that the systems that control gene transcription are well buffered and strong effects are only beginning to unfold after considerable delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Barsoum
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Roksaneh Sayadi-Boroujeni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Alexander T Stenzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Bussmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Juliane Lüscher-Firzlaff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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5
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Ozyerli-Goknar E, Kala EY, Aksu AC, Bulut I, Cingöz A, Nizamuddin S, Biniossek M, Seker-Polat F, Morova T, Aztekin C, Kung SHY, Syed H, Tuncbag N, Gönen M, Philpott M, Cribbs AP, Acilan C, Lack NA, Onder TT, Timmers HTM, Bagci-Onder T. Epigenetic-focused CRISPR/Cas9 screen identifies (absent, small, or homeotic)2-like protein (ASH2L) as a regulator of glioblastoma cell survival. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:328. [PMID: 37974198 PMCID: PMC10652464 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor with extremely poor prognosis, highlighting an urgent need for developing novel treatment options. Identifying epigenetic vulnerabilities of cancer cells can provide excellent therapeutic intervention points for various types of cancers. METHOD In this study, we investigated epigenetic regulators of glioblastoma cell survival through CRISPR/Cas9 based genetic ablation screens using a customized sgRNA library EpiDoKOL, which targets critical functional domains of chromatin modifiers. RESULTS Screens conducted in multiple cell lines revealed ASH2L, a histone lysine methyltransferase complex subunit, as a major regulator of glioblastoma cell viability. ASH2L depletion led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RNA sequencing and greenCUT&RUN together identified a set of cell cycle regulatory genes, such as TRA2B, BARD1, KIF20B, ARID4A and SMARCC1 that were downregulated upon ASH2L depletion. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed the interaction partners of ASH2L in glioblastoma cell lines as SET1/MLL family members including SETD1A, SETD1B, MLL1 and MLL2. We further showed that glioblastoma cells had a differential dependency on expression of SET1/MLL family members for survival. The growth of ASH2L-depleted glioblastoma cells was markedly slower than controls in orthotopic in vivo models. TCGA analysis showed high ASH2L expression in glioblastoma compared to low grade gliomas and immunohistochemical analysis revealed significant ASH2L expression in glioblastoma tissues, attesting to its clinical relevance. Therefore, high throughput, robust and affordable screens with focused libraries, such as EpiDoKOL, holds great promise to enable rapid discovery of novel epigenetic regulators of cancer cell survival, such as ASH2L. CONCLUSION Together, we suggest that targeting ASH2L could serve as a new therapeutic opportunity for glioblastoma. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Ozyerli-Goknar
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ezgi Yagmur Kala
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
| | - Ali Cenk Aksu
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
| | - Ipek Bulut
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Cingöz
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
| | - Sheikh Nizamuddin
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Biniossek
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fidan Seker-Polat
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
| | - Tunc Morova
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Can Aztekin
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sonia H Y Kung
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hamzah Syed
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Data Management Lab, KUTTAM, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nurcan Tuncbag
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Gönen
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Martin Philpott
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam P Cribbs
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ceyda Acilan
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nathan A Lack
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tamer T Onder
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - H T Marc Timmers
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, 34450, Türkiye.
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye.
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6
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Barsoum M, Stenzel AT, Bochyńska A, Kuo CC, Tsompanidis A, Sayadi-Boroujeni R, Bussmann P, Lüscher-Firzlaff J, Costa IG, Lüscher B. Loss of the Ash2l subunit of histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes reduces chromatin accessibility at promoters. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21506. [PMID: 36513698 PMCID: PMC9747801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25881-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in gene expression programs are intimately linked to cell fate decisions. Post-translational modifications of core histones contribute to control gene expression. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) correlates with active promoters and gene transcription. This modification is catalyzed by KMT2 methyltransferases, which require interaction with 4 core subunits, WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L and DPY30, for catalytic activity. Ash2l is necessary for organismal development and for tissue homeostasis. In mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), Ash2l loss results in gene repression, provoking a senescence phenotype. We now find that upon knockout of Ash2l both H3K4 mono- and tri-methylation (H3K4me1 and me3, respectively) were deregulated. In particular, loss of H3K4me3 at promoters correlated with gene repression, especially at CpG island promoters. Ash2l loss resulted in increased loading of histone H3 and reduced chromatin accessibility at promoters, accompanied by an increase of repressing and a decrease of activating histone marks. Moreover, we observed altered binding of CTCF upon Ash2l loss. Lost and gained binding was noticed at promoter-associated and intergenic sites, respectively. Thus, Ash2l loss and reduction of H3K4me3 correlate with altered chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding. These findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of mechanistic consequences of H3K4me3 loss and associated repression of gene transcription and thus of the observed cellular consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Barsoum
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander T. Stenzel
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Bochyńska
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Chao-Chung Kuo
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute for Computational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany ,grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInterdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Tsompanidis
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Roksaneh Sayadi-Boroujeni
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Philip Bussmann
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Juliane Lüscher-Firzlaff
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan G. Costa
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XInstitute for Computational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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7
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Ash2l, an obligatory component of H3K4 methylation complexes, regulates neural crest development. Dev Biol 2022; 492:14-24. [PMID: 36162552 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate nervous system develops from embryonic neural plate and neural crest. Although genetic mechanisms governing vertebrate neural development have been investigated in depth, epigenetic regulation of this process remains less understood. Redundancy of epigenetic factors and early lethality of animals deficient in critical epigenetic components pose major challenges in characterization of epigenetic factors in vertebrate neural development. In this study, we use the amphibian model Xenopus laevis to investigate the roles of non-redundant, obligatory components of all histone H3K4 activating methylation complexes (COMPASS, also known as SET1/MLL complexes) in early neural development. The two genes that we focus on, Ash2l and Dpy30, regulate mesendodermal differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells and cause early embryonic lethality when removed from mouse embryos. Using targeted knockdown of the genes in dorsal ectoderm of Xenopus that gives rise to future nervous system, we show here that ash2l and dpy30 are required for neural and neural crest marker expression in Xenopus late neurula embryos but are dispensable for early neural and neural plate border gene expression. Co-immunoprecipitation assays reveal that Dpy30 and Ash2L associate with the neural plate border transcription factors, such as Msx1 and Tfap2a. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay further demonstrates that Ash2L and the H3K4me3 active histone mark accumulate at the promoter regions of the neural crest gene sox10 in a Tfap2a-dependent manner. Collectively, our data suggest that Ash2l and Dpy30 interact with specific transcription factors to recruit COMPASS complexes to the regulatory regions of neural crest specification genes to control their expression and influence development of the nervous system during vertebrate embryogenesis.
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8
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Mitchell AV, Wu L, James Block C, Zhang M, Hackett J, Craig DB, Chen W, Zhao Y, Zhang B, Dang Y, Zhang X, Zhang S, Wang C, Gibson H, Pile LA, Kidder B, Matherly L, Yang Z, Dou Y, Wu G. FOXQ1 recruits the MLL complex to activate transcription of EMT and promote breast cancer metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6548. [PMID: 36319643 PMCID: PMC9626503 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34239-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the Forkhead box transcription factor, FOXQ1, is a prevalent mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in multiple carcinoma types. However, it remains unknown how FOXQ1 regulates gene expression. Here, we report that FOXQ1 initiates EMT by recruiting the MLL/KMT2 histone methyltransferase complex as a transcriptional coactivator. We first establish that FOXQ1 promoter recognition precedes MLL complex assembly and histone-3 lysine-4 trimethylation within the promoter regions of critical genes in the EMT program. Mechanistically, we identify that the Forkhead box in FOXQ1 functions as a transactivation domain directly binding the MLL core complex subunit RbBP5 without interrupting FOXQ1 DNA binding activity. Moreover, genetic disruption of the FOXQ1-RbBP5 interaction or pharmacologic targeting of KMT2/MLL recruitment inhibits FOXQ1-dependent gene expression, EMT, and in vivo tumor progression. Our study suggests that targeting the FOXQ1-MLL epigenetic axis could be a promising strategy to combat triple-negative breast cancer metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison V Mitchell
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Ling Wu
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - C James Block
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Mu Zhang
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Justin Hackett
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Douglas B Craig
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yongzhong Zhao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yongjun Dang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Shengping Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Chuangui Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Heather Gibson
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Lori A Pile
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Benjamin Kidder
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Larry Matherly
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Guojun Wu
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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9
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Polyploidy and Myc Proto-Oncogenes Promote Stress Adaptation via Epigenetic Plasticity and Gene Regulatory Network Rewiring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179691. [PMID: 36077092 PMCID: PMC9456078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploid cells demonstrate biological plasticity and stress adaptation in evolution; development; and pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The nature of ploidy-related advantages is still not completely understood. Here, we summarize the literature on molecular mechanisms underlying ploidy-related adaptive features. Polyploidy can regulate gene expression via chromatin opening, reawakening ancient evolutionary programs of embryonality. Chromatin opening switches on genes with bivalent chromatin domains that promote adaptation via rapid induction in response to signals of stress or morphogenesis. Therefore, stress-associated polyploidy can activate Myc proto-oncogenes, which further promote chromatin opening. Moreover, Myc proto-oncogenes can trigger polyploidization de novo and accelerate genome accumulation in already polyploid cells. As a result of these cooperative effects, polyploidy can increase the ability of cells to search for adaptive states of cellular programs through gene regulatory network rewiring. This ability is manifested in epigenetic plasticity associated with traits of stemness, unicellularity, flexible energy metabolism, and a complex system of DNA damage protection, combining primitive error-prone unicellular repair pathways, advanced error-free multicellular repair pathways, and DNA damage-buffering ability. These three features can be considered important components of the increased adaptability of polyploid cells. The evidence presented here contribute to the understanding of the nature of stress resistance associated with ploidy and may be useful in the development of new methods for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
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10
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Bochyńska A, Stenzel AT, Boroujeni RS, Kuo CC, Barsoum M, Liang W, Bussmann P, Costa IG, Lüscher-Firzlaff J, Lüscher B. Induction of senescence upon loss of the Ash2l core subunit of H3K4 methyltransferase complexes. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7889-7905. [PMID: 35819198 PMCID: PMC9371893 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is controlled in part by post-translational modifications of core histones. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4), associated with open chromatin and gene transcription, is catalyzed by type 2 lysine methyltransferase complexes that require WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L and DPY30 as core subunits. Ash2l is essential during embryogenesis and for maintaining adult tissues. To expand on the mechanistic understanding of Ash2l, we generated mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) with conditional Ash2l alleles. Upon loss of Ash2l, methylation of H3K4 and gene expression were downregulated, which correlated with inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle progression. Moreover, we observed induction of senescence concomitant with a set of downregulated signature genes but independent of SASP. Many of the signature genes are FoxM1 responsive. Indeed, exogenous FOXM1 was sufficient to delay senescence. Thus, although the loss of Ash2l in MEFs has broad and complex consequences, a distinct set of downregulated genes promotes senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Bochyńska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander T Stenzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Roksaneh Sayadi Boroujeni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Chao-Chung Kuo
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mirna Barsoum
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Weili Liang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Philip Bussmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan G Costa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Juliane Lüscher-Firzlaff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany
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11
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Poreba E, Lesniewicz K, Durzynska J. Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) complexes - a new perspective. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 790:108443. [PMID: 36154872 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4) methylation is catalyzed by the Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) protein family, and its members are required for gene expression control. In vertebrates, the KMT2s function in large multisubunit complexes known as COMPASS or COMPASS-like complexes (COMplex of Proteins ASsociated with Set1). The activity of these complexes is critical for proper development, and mutation-induced defects in their functioning have frequently been found in human cancers. Moreover, inherited or de novo mutations in KMT2 genes are among the etiological factors in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Kabuki and Kleefstra syndromes. The canonical role of KMT2s is to catalyze H3K4 methylation, which results in a permissive chromatin environment that drives gene expression. However, current findings described in this review demonstrate that these enzymes can regulate processes that are not dependent on methylation: noncatalytic functions of KMT2s include DNA damage response, cell division, and metabolic activities. Moreover, these enzymes may also methylate non-histone substrates and play a methylation-dependent function in the DNA damage response. In this review, we present an overview of the new, noncanonical activities of KMT2 complexes in a variety of cellular processes. These discoveries may have crucial implications for understanding the functions of these methyltransferases in developmental processes, disease, and epigenome-targeting therapeutic strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Poreba
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Lesniewicz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Julia Durzynska
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
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12
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Damerell V, Ambele MA, Salisbury S, Neumann-Mufweba A, Durandt C, Pepper MS, Prince S. The c-Myc/TBX3 Axis Promotes Cellular Transformation of Sarcoma-Initiating Cells. Front Oncol 2022; 11:801691. [PMID: 35145908 PMCID: PMC8821881 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.801691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are highly aggressive cancers of mesenchymal origin whose clinical management is highly complex. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the transformation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) which are presumed to be the sarcoma-initiating cells. c-Myc is amplified/overexpressed in a range of sarcomas where it has an established oncogenic role and there is evidence that it contributes to the malignant transformation of MSCs. T-box transcription factor 3 (TBX3) is upregulated by c-Myc in a host of sarcoma subtypes where it promotes proliferation, tumor formation, migration, and invasion. This study investigated whether TBX3 is a c-Myc target in human MSCs (hMSCs) and whether overexpressing TBX3 in hMSCs can phenocopy c-Myc overexpression to promote malignant transformation. Using siRNA, qRT-PCR, luciferase reporter and chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays, we show that c-Myc binds and directly activates TBX3 transcription in hMSCs at a conserved E-box motif. When hMSCs were engineered to stably overexpress TBX3 using lentiviral gene transfer and the resulting cells characterised in 2D and 3D, the overexpression of TBX3 was shown to promote self-renewal, bypass senescence, and enhance proliferation which corresponded with increased levels of cell cycle progression markers (cyclin A, cyclin B1, CDK2) and downregulation of the p14ARF/MDM2/p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Furthermore, TBX3 promoted the migratory and invasive ability of hMSCs which associated with increased levels of markers of migration (Vimentin, SLUG, SNAIL, TWIST1) and invasion (MMP2, MMP9). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes upregulated upon TBX3 overexpression overlapped with c-myc targets, were involved in cell cycle progression, and were associated with sarcomagenesis. Together, the data described indicate that the c-Myc/TBX3 oncogenic molecular pathway may be a key mechanism that transforms hMSCs into sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melvin Anyasi Ambele
- Department of Immunology and SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Shanel Salisbury
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alexis Neumann-Mufweba
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chrisna Durandt
- Department of Immunology and SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael Sean Pepper
- Department of Immunology and SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Sharon Prince,
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13
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Zhou Y, Gao X, Yuan M, Yang B, He Q, Cao J. Targeting Myc Interacting Proteins as a Winding Path in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:748852. [PMID: 34658888 PMCID: PMC8511624 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.748852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC, as a well-known oncogene, plays essential roles in promoting tumor occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis in many kinds of solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms. In tumors, the low expression and the short half-life of Myc are reversed, cause tumorigenesis. And proteins that directly interact with different Myc domains have exerted a significant impact in the process of Myc-driven carcinogenesis. Apart from affecting the transcription of Myc target genes, Myc interaction proteins also regulate the stability of Myc through acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications, as well as competitive combination with Myc. In this review, we summarize a series of Myc interacting proteins and recent advances in the related inhibitors, hoping that can provide new opportunities for Myc-driven cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Zhou
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomeng Gao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Lourenco C, Resetca D, Redel C, Lin P, MacDonald AS, Ciaccio R, Kenney TMG, Wei Y, Andrews DW, Sunnerhagen M, Arrowsmith CH, Raught B, Penn LZ. MYC protein interactors in gene transcription and cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:579-591. [PMID: 34188192 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00367-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor and oncoprotein MYC is a potent driver of many human cancers and can regulate numerous biological activities that contribute to tumorigenesis. How a single transcription factor can regulate such a diverse set of biological programmes is central to the understanding of MYC function in cancer. In this Perspective, we highlight how multiple proteins that interact with MYC enable MYC to regulate several central control points of gene transcription. These include promoter binding, epigenetic modifications, initiation, elongation and post-transcriptional processes. Evidence shows that a combination of multiple protein interactions enables MYC to function as a potent oncoprotein, working together in a 'coalition model', as presented here. Moreover, as MYC depends on its protein interactome for function, we discuss recent research that emphasizes an unprecedented opportunity to target protein interactors to directly impede MYC oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Resetca
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cornelia Redel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Lin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alannah S MacDonald
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roberto Ciaccio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tristan M G Kenney
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yong Wei
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David W Andrews
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Sunnerhagen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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15
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Klonou A, Chlamydas S, Piperi C. Structure, Activity and Function of the MLL2 (KMT2B) Protein Lysine Methyltransferase. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:823. [PMID: 34440566 PMCID: PMC8401916 DOI: 10.3390/life11080823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mixed Lineage Leukemia 2 (MLL2) protein, also known as KMT2B, belongs to the family of mammalian histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases. It is a large protein of 2715 amino acids, widely expressed in adult human tissues and a paralog of the MLL1 protein. MLL2 contains a characteristic C-terminal SET domain responsible for methyltransferase activity and forms a protein complex with WRAD (WDR5, RbBP5, ASH2L and DPY30), host cell factors 1/2 (HCF 1/2) and Menin. The MLL2 complex is responsible for H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) on specific gene promoters and nearby cis-regulatory sites, regulating bivalent developmental genes as well as stem cell and germinal cell differentiation gene sets. Moreover, MLL2 plays a critical role in development and germ line deletions of Mll2 have been associated with early growth retardation, neural tube defects and apoptosis that leads to embryonic death. It has also been involved in the control of voluntary movement and the pathogenesis of early stage childhood dystonia. Additionally, tumor-promoting functions of MLL2 have been detected in several cancer types, including colorectal, hepatocellular, follicular cancer and gliomas. In this review, we discuss the main structural and functional aspects of the MLL2 methyltransferase with particular emphasis on transcriptional mechanisms, gene regulation and association with diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Klonou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (S.C.)
| | - Sarantis Chlamydas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (S.C.)
- Research and Development Department, Active Motif, Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (S.C.)
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16
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The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Regulation of the Proto-Oncogene MYC in Different Types of Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080921. [PMID: 34440124 PMCID: PMC8389562 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression level of the MYC gene are often found in the cells of various malignant tumors. Overexpressed MYC has been shown to stimulate the main processes of oncogenesis: uncontrolled growth, unlimited cell divisions, avoidance of apoptosis and immune response, changes in cellular metabolism, genomic instability, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Thus, controlling the expression of MYC is considered as an approach for targeted cancer treatment. Since c-Myc is also a crucial regulator of many cellular processes in healthy cells, it is necessary to find ways for selective regulation of MYC expression in tumor cells. Many recent studies have demonstrated that non-coding RNAs play an important role in the regulation of the transcription and translation of this gene and some RNAs directly interact with the c-Myc protein, affecting its stability. In this review, we summarize current data on the regulation of MYC by various non-coding RNAs that can potentially be targeted in specific tumor types.
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17
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Chen X, Xu J, Wang X, Long G, You Q, Guo X. Targeting WD Repeat-Containing Protein 5 (WDR5): A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10537-10556. [PMID: 34283608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) is a member of the WD40 protein family, and it is widely involved in various biological activities and not limited to epigenetic regulation in vivo. WDR5 is also involved in the initiation and development of many diseases and plays a key role in these diseases. Since WDR5 was discovered, it has been suggested as a potential disease treatment target, and a large number of inhibitors targeting WDR5 have been discovered. In this review, we discussed the development of inhibitors targeting WDR5 over the years, and the biological mechanisms of these inhibitors based on previous mechanistic studies were explored. Finally, we describe the development potential of inhibitors targeting WDR5 and prospects for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xianghan Wang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Guanlu Long
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoke Guo
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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18
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Imran A, Moyer BS, Canning AJ, Kalina D, Duncan TM, Moody KJ, Wolfe AJ, Cosgrove MS, Movileanu L. Kinetics of the multitasking high-affinity Win binding site of WDR5 in restricted and unrestricted conditions. Biochem J 2021; 478:2145-2161. [PMID: 34032265 PMCID: PMC8214142 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in quantitative proteomics show that WD40 proteins play a pivotal role in numerous cellular networks. Yet, they have been fairly unexplored and their physical associations with other proteins are ambiguous. A quantitative understanding of these interactions has wide-ranging significance. WD40 repeat protein 5 (WDR5) interacts with all members of human SET1/MLL methyltransferases, which regulate methylation of the histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4). Here, using real-time binding measurements in a high-throughput setting, we identified the kinetic fingerprint of transient associations between WDR5 and 14-residue WDR5 interaction (Win) motif peptides of each SET1 protein (SET1Win). Our results reveal that the high-affinity WDR5-SET1Win interactions feature slow association kinetics. This finding is likely due to the requirement of SET1Win to insert into the narrow WDR5 cavity, also named the Win binding site. Furthermore, our explorations indicate fairly slow dissociation kinetics. This conclusion is in accordance with the primary role of WDR5 in maintaining the functional integrity of a large multisubunit complex, which regulates the histone methylation. Because the Win binding site is considered a key therapeutic target, the immediate outcomes of this study could form the basis for accelerated developments in medical biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Imran
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
| | - Brandon S. Moyer
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc., 2521 US Route 11, LaFayette, New York 13084, USA
| | - Ashley J. Canning
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, 4249 Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Dan Kalina
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc., 2521 US Route 11, LaFayette, New York 13084, USA
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Thomas M. Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, 4249 Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Kelsey J. Moody
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc., 2521 US Route 11, LaFayette, New York 13084, USA
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Aaron J. Wolfe
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc., 2521 US Route 11, LaFayette, New York 13084, USA
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Michael S. Cosgrove
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, 4249 Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
- The BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, 13244, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
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19
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Mechanism for DPY30 and ASH2L intrinsically disordered regions to modulate the MLL/SET1 activity on chromatin. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2953. [PMID: 34012049 PMCID: PMC8134635 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent cryo-EM structures show the highly dynamic nature of the MLL1-NCP (nucleosome core particle) interaction. Functional implication and regulation of such dynamics remain unclear. Here we show that DPY30 and the intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of ASH2L work together in restricting the rotational dynamics of the MLL1 complex on the NCP. We show that DPY30 binding to ASH2L leads to stabilization and integration of ASH2L IDRs into the MLL1 complex and establishes new ASH2L-NCP contacts. The significance of ASH2L-DPY30 interactions is demonstrated by requirement of both ASH2L IDRs and DPY30 for dramatic increase of processivity and activity of the MLL1 complex. This DPY30 and ASH2L-IDR dependent regulation is NCP-specific and applies to all members of the MLL/SET1 family of enzymes. We further show that DPY30 is causal for de novo establishment of H3K4me3 in ESCs. Our study provides a paradigm of how H3K4me3 is regulated on chromatin and how H3K4me3 heterogeneity can be modulated by ASH2L IDR interacting proteins. Regulation of the MLL family of histone H3K4 methyltransferases on the nucleosome core particle (NCP) remains largely unknown. Here the authors show that intrinsically disordered regions of ASH2L and DPY30 restrict the rotational dynamics of MLL1 on the NCP, allowing more efficient enzyme-substrate engagement and higher H3K4 trimethylation activity.
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20
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Aberrant Activity of Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) Complexes in Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249340. [PMID: 33302406 PMCID: PMC7762615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2 (histone-lysine N-methyltransferase subclass 2) complexes methylate lysine 4 on the histone H3 tail at gene promoters and gene enhancers and, thus, control the process of gene transcription. These complexes not only play an essential role in normal development but have also been described as involved in the aberrant growth of tissues. KMT2 mutations resulting from the rearrangements of the KMT2A (MLL1) gene at 11q23 are associated with pediatric mixed-lineage leukemias, and recent studies demonstrate that KMT2 genes are frequently mutated in many types of human cancers. Moreover, other components of the KMT2 complexes have been reported to contribute to oncogenesis. This review summarizes the recent advances in our knowledge of the role of KMT2 complexes in cell transformation. In addition, it discusses the therapeutic targeting of different components of the KMT2 complexes.
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21
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Anatskaya OV, Vinogradov AE, Vainshelbaum NM, Giuliani A, Erenpreisa J. Phylostratic Shift of Whole-Genome Duplications in Normal Mammalian Tissues towards Unicellularity Is Driven by Developmental Bivalent Genes and Reveals a Link to Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228759. [PMID: 33228223 PMCID: PMC7699474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumours were recently revealed to undergo a phylostratic and phenotypic shift to unicellularity. As well, aggressive tumours are characterized by an increased proportion of polyploid cells. In order to investigate a possible shared causation of these two features, we performed a comparative phylostratigraphic analysis of ploidy-related genes, obtained from transcriptomic data for polyploid and diploid human and mouse tissues using pairwise cross-species transcriptome comparison and principal component analysis. Our results indicate that polyploidy shifts the evolutionary age balance of the expressed genes from the late metazoan phylostrata towards the upregulation of unicellular and early metazoan phylostrata. The up-regulation of unicellular metabolic and drug-resistance pathways and the downregulation of pathways related to circadian clock were identified. This evolutionary shift was associated with the enrichment of ploidy with bivalent genes (p < 10−16). The protein interactome of activated bivalent genes revealed the increase of the connectivity of unicellulars and (early) multicellulars, while circadian regulators were depressed. The mutual polyploidy-c-MYC-bivalent genes-associated protein network was organized by gene-hubs engaged in both embryonic development and metastatic cancer including driver (proto)-oncogenes of viral origin. Our data suggest that, in cancer, the atavistic shift goes hand-in-hand with polyploidy and is driven by epigenetic mechanisms impinging on development-related bivalent genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Anatskaya
- Department of Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (O.V.A.); (A.E.V.); (J.E.)
| | - Alexander E. Vinogradov
- Department of Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (O.V.A.); (A.E.V.); (J.E.)
| | - Ninel M. Vainshelbaum
- Department of Oncology, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Cancer Research Division, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
- Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, LV-1586 Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Jekaterina Erenpreisa
- Department of Oncology, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Cancer Research Division, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
- Correspondence: (O.V.A.); (A.E.V.); (J.E.)
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22
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Zeng K, Wu Y, Wang C, Wang S, Sun H, Zou R, Sun G, Song H, Liu W, Sun N, Wei S, Liu W, Su Y, Zhou T, Zhang Y, Zhao Y. ASH2L is involved in promotion of endometrial cancer progression via upregulation of PAX2 transcription. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2062-2077. [PMID: 32279431 PMCID: PMC7293091 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Absent, small or homeotic 2‐like protein (ASH2L) is a core component of a multimeric histone methyltransferase complex that is involved in the maintenance of active transcription, participating in several cancers, however the biological function and molecular mechanism of ASH2L in endometrial cancer (ECa) are largely unknown. Endometrial cancer is a common malignant tumor in women and the incidence of this cancer is on the rise. Estrogen‐ERα signaling, as an oncogenic pathway, plays a crucial role in endometrial carcinogenesis. Therefore, further exploration of the molecular mechanisms around ERα‐mediated gene transcription in ECa would be helpful to the understanding of tumor development and to finding a new therapeutic target for ECa. Here, our study demonstrated that ASH2L was highly expressed in ECa samples, and higher expression of ASH2L was positively correlated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, we identified that ASH2L associated with ERα and that knockdown of ASH2L resulted in decreased expression of a subset of the estrogen‐induced target genes, including paired box 2 (PAX2), an oncogenic gene in ECa. ASH2L was recruited to cis‐regulatory elements in PAX2, thereby altering histone H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 levels, to enhance ERα‐mediated transactivation. Finally, depletion of ASH2L suppressed endometrial cancer cell proliferation and migration. Our findings suggest that ASH2L participates in the promotion of ECa progression, if not totally at least partially, via upregulation of PAX2 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shengli Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hongmiao Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Renlong Zou
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ge Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Huijuan Song
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shan Wei
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wensu Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yingjie Su
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
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23
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Jiang H. The complex activities of the SET1/MLL complex core subunits in development and disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194560. [PMID: 32302696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In mammalian cells, the SET1/MLL complexes are the main writers of the H3K4 methyl mark that is associated with active gene expression. The activities of these complexes are critically dependent on the association of the catalytic subunit with their shared core subunits, WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, and DPY30, collectively referred as WRAD. In addition, some of these core subunits can bind to proteins other than the SET1/MLL complex components. This review starts with discussion of the molecular activities of these core subunits, with an emphasis on DPY30 in organizing the assembly of the SET1/MLL complexes with other associated factors. This review then focuses on the roles of the core subunits in stem cells and development, as well as in diseased cell states, mainly cancer, and ends with discussion on dissecting the responsible activities of the core subunits and how we may target them for potential disease treatment. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The MLL family of proteins in normal development and disease edited by Thomas A Milne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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24
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Li ST, Huang D, Shen S, Cai Y, Xing S, Wu G, Jiang Z, Hao Y, Yuan M, Wang N, Zhu L, Yan R, Yang D, Wang L, Liu Z, Hu X, Zhou R, Qu K, Li A, Duan X, Zhang H, Gao P. Myc-mediated SDHA acetylation triggers epigenetic regulation of gene expression and tumorigenesis. Nat Metab 2020; 2:256-269. [PMID: 32694775 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-0179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional role of cMyc (or Myc) in tumorigenesis is well appreciated; however, it remains to be fully established how extensively Myc is involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Here, we show that by deactivating succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) via acetylation, Myc triggers a regulatory cascade in cancer cells that leads to H3K4me3 activation and gene expression. We find that Myc facilitates the acetylation-dependent deactivation of SDHA by activating the SKP2-mediated degradation of SIRT3 deacetylase. We further demonstrate that Myc inhibition of SDH-complex activity leads to cellular succinate accumulation, which triggers H3K4me3 activation and tumour-specific gene expression. We demonstrate that acetylated SDHA at Lys 335 contributes to tumour growth in vitro and in vivo, and we confirm increased tumorigenesis in clinical samples. This study illustrates a link between acetylation-dependent SDHA deactivation and Myc-driven epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is critical for cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ting Li
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - De Huang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shengqi Shen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yongping Cai
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Songge Xing
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Gongwei Wu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zetan Jiang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yijie Hao
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mengqiu Yuan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nana Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lianbang Zhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ronghui Yan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Dongdong Yang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhaoji Liu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rongbin Zhou
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kun Qu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ailing Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotao Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.
| | - Huafeng Zhang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Ping Gao
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.
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25
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Wei D, Yiyuan C, Qian L, Jianhua L, Yazhuo Z, Hua G. The absence of PRDM2 involved the tumorigenesis of somatotroph adenomas through regulating c-Myc. Gene 2020; 737:144456. [PMID: 32044406 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Somatotroph adenoma is the main cause of acromegaly which have peripheral signs with growth of soft tissues and multiple comorbidities. Surgery and adjuvant therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSA) fail in more than 25% of patients. PRDM2, a tumor suppressor, plays an important role in cancer and obesity, including pituitary adenomas. In this study, we analyze the correlation of PRDM2 and oncogene c-Myc in 70 somatotroph adenomas according immunohistochemical staining, furthermore, we probed that whether PRDM2 participates in c-Myc signaling pathway in vitro experiment. 70 somatotroph adenomas patients were divided into low patients and high patients according to median of H-score of PRDM2 or c-Myc. Low PRDM2 patients had higher risk of invasive behavior, larger tumor volume and recurrence chance than high PRDM2 group (P = 0.015, P = 0.031, P = 0.017). High c-Myc patients had higher risk of invasive behavior, larger tumor volume and recurrence chance than low c-Myc group (P = 0.012, P = 0.002, P = 0.015). It was a negative correlation between H-score of PRDM2 and c-Myc (PRDM2 = -0.163 × c-Myc + 67.11, r = -0.407). The ability of cell proliferation was declined in a time dependent manner after overexpression of PRDM2 (PRDM2 group) compared to that in control GH3 cells (P < 0.05). Through flow cytometry assay, PRDM2 could induce the apoptosis and G2/M arrest in GH3 cell (both p < 0.05). Transwell experiment proved less trans-membrane cells in PRDM2 group than those in control group (415 ± 76 vs 145 ± 37, P < 0.01). RT-PCR and western blot both proved PRDM2 could inhibit the level c-Myc and elevate the levels of CDKN1A and CDKN1B. Combined with c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4, PRDM2 further inhibited cell proliferation and induced more apoptosis in GH3 cell. Taken together, we found that PRDM2 negatively regulated the expression of c-Myc in somatotroph adenomas, and testified the synergism between PRDM2 gene therapy and c-Myc inhibitor in vitro experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, China; Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chen Yiyuan
- Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Liu Qian
- Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Li Jianhua
- Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Binzhou People's Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong 256610, China
| | - Zhang Yazhuo
- Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Gao Hua
- Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury Research, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, 119# Southwest 4rd, Beijing 100050, China.
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26
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Tsai PH, Chien Y, Wang ML, Hsu CH, Laurent B, Chou SJ, Chang WC, Chien CS, Li HY, Lee HC, Huo TI, Hung JH, Chen CH, Chiou SH. Ash2l interacts with Oct4-stemness circuitry to promote super-enhancer-driven pluripotency network. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:10115-10133. [PMID: 31555818 PMCID: PMC6821267 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotency and cell fates can be modulated through the regulation of super-enhancers; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we showed a novel mechanism in which Ash2l directly binds to super-enhancers of several stemness genes to regulate pluripotency and self-renewal in pluripotent stem cells. Ash2l recruits Oct4/Sox2/Nanog (OSN) to form Ash2l/OSN complex at the super-enhancers of Jarid2, Nanog, Sox2 and Oct4, and further drives enhancer activation, upregulation of stemness genes, and maintains the pluripotent circuitry. Ash2l knockdown abrogates the OSN recruitment to all super-enhancers and further hinders the enhancer activation. In addition, CRISPRi/dCas9-mediated blocking of Ash2l-binding motifs at these super-enhancers also prevents OSN recruitment and enhancer activation, validating that Ash2l directly binds to super-enhancers and initiates the pluripotency network. Transfection of Ash2l with W118A mutation to disrupt Ash2l–Oct4 interaction fails to rescue Ash2l-driven enhancer activation and pluripotent gene upregulation in Ash2l-depleted pluripotent stem cells. Together, our data demonstrated Ash2l formed an enhancer-bound Ash2l/OSN complex that can drive enhancer activation, govern pluripotency network and stemness circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Hsing Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Yueh Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Lien Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Hsu
- Department of Public Health, and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Benoit Laurent
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115, USA
| | - Shih-Jie Chou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Chian-Shiu Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yang Li
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chen Lee
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Teh-Ia Huo
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Hung
- Institutes of Data Science and Engineering, and Department of computer science, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | | | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei VeteransGeneral Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.,Genomic Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.,Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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27
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Omomyc Reveals New Mechanisms To Inhibit the MYC Oncogene. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:MCB.00248-19. [PMID: 31501275 PMCID: PMC6817756 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00248-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncogene is upregulated in human cancers by translocation, amplification, and mutation of cellular pathways that regulate Myc. Myc/Max heterodimers bind to E box sequences in the promoter regions of genes and activate transcription. The MYC oncogene is upregulated in human cancers by translocation, amplification, and mutation of cellular pathways that regulate Myc. Myc/Max heterodimers bind to E box sequences in the promoter regions of genes and activate transcription. The MYC inhibitor Omomyc can reduce the ability of MYC to bind specific box sequences in promoters of MYC target genes by binding directly to E box sequences as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP). Here, we demonstrate by both a proximity ligation assay (PLA) and double chromatin immunoprecipitation (ReCHIP) that Omomyc preferentially binds to Max, not Myc, to mediate inhibition of MYC-mediated transcription by replacing MYC/MAX heterodimers with Omomyc/MAX heterodimers. The formation of Myc/Max and Omomyc/Max heterodimers occurs cotranslationally; Myc, Max, and Omomyc can interact with ribosomes and Max RNA under conditions in which ribosomes are intact. Taken together, our data suggest that the mechanism of action of Omomyc is to bind DNA as either a homodimer or a heterodimer with Max that is formed cotranslationally, revealing a novel mechanism to inhibit the MYC oncogene. We find that in vivo, Omomyc distributes quickly to kidneys and liver and has a short effective half-life in plasma, which could limit its use in vivo.
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28
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Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation requires the trithorax protein Ash2l. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8262. [PMID: 31164666 PMCID: PMC6547667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of core histones participate in controlling the expression of genes. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4), together with acetylation of H3K27, is closely associated with open chromatin and gene transcription. H3K4 methylation is catalyzed by KMT2 lysine methyltransferases that include the mixed-lineage leukemia 1–4 (MLL1-4) and SET1A and B enzymes. For efficient catalysis, all six require a core complex of four proteins, WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, and DPY30. We report that targeted disruption of Ash2l in the murine hematopoietic system results in the death of the mice due to a rapid loss of mature hematopoietic cells. However, lin−Sca1+Kit+ (LSK) cells, which are highly enriched in hematopoietic stem and multi-potent progenitor cells, accumulated in the bone marrow. The loss of Ash2l resulted in global reduction of H3K4 methylation and deregulated gene expression, including down-regulation of many mitosis-associated genes. As a consequence, LSK cells accumulated in the G2-phase of the cell cycle and were unable to proliferate and differentiate. In conclusion, Ash2l is essential for balanced gene expression and for hematopoietic stem and multi-potent progenitor cell physiology.
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Yang Z, Shah K, Busby T, Giles K, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Li W, Jiang H. Hijacking a key chromatin modulator creates epigenetic vulnerability for MYC-driven cancer. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:3605-3618. [PMID: 29870403 DOI: 10.1172/jci97072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While the genomic binding of MYC protein correlates with active epigenetic marks on chromatin, it remains largely unclear how major epigenetic mechanisms functionally impact the tumorigenic potential of MYC. Here, we show that, compared with the catalytic subunits, the core subunits, including DPY30, of the major H3K4 methyltransferase complexes were frequently amplified in human cancers and selectively upregulated in Burkitt lymphoma. We show that DPY30 promoted the expression of endogenous MYC and was also functionally important for efficient binding of MYC to its genomic targets by regulating chromatin accessibility. Dpy30 heterozygosity did not affect normal animal physiology including lifespan, but significantly suppressed Myc-driven lymphomagenesis, as cells failed to combat oncogene-triggered apoptosis as a result of insufficient epigenetic modulation and expression of a subset of antiapoptotic genes. Dpy30 reduction also greatly impeded MYC-dependent cellular transformation, without affecting normal cell growth. These results suggest that MYC hijacks a major epigenetic pathway - H3K4 methylation - to facilitate its molecular activity in target binding and to coordinate its oncogenic program for efficient tumorigenesis, meanwhile creating "epigenetic vulnerability." DPY30 and the H3K4 methylation pathway are thus potential epigenetic targets for treating certain MYC-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kushani Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Theodore Busby
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Keith Giles
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Alireza Khodadadi-Jamayran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Neilsen BK, Chakraborty B, McCall JL, Frodyma DE, Sleightholm RL, Fisher KW, Lewis RE. WDR5 supports colon cancer cells by promoting methylation of H3K4 and suppressing DNA damage. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:673. [PMID: 29925347 PMCID: PMC6011590 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4580-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND KMT2/MLL proteins are commonly overexpressed or mutated in cancer and have been shown to support cancer maintenance. These proteins are responsible for methylating histone 3 at lysine 4 and promoting transcription and DNA synthesis; however, they are inactive outside of a multi-protein complex that requires WDR5. WDR5 has been implicated in cancer for its role in the COMPASS complex and its interaction with Myc; however, the role of WDR5 in colon cancer has not yet been elucidated. METHODS WDR5 expression was evaluated using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Cell viability and colony forming assays were utilized to evaluate the effects of WDR5 depletion or inhibition in colon cancer cells. Downstream effects of WDR5 depletion and inhibition were observed by western blot. RESULTS WDR5 is overexpressed in colon tumors and colon cancer cell lines at the mRNA and protein level. WDR5 depletion reduces cell viability in HCT116, LoVo, RKO, HCT15, SW480, SW620, and T84 colon cancer cells. Inhibition of the WDR5:KMT2/MLL interaction using OICR-9429 reduces cell viability in the same panel of cell lines albeit not to the same extent as RNAi-mediated WDR5 depletion. WDR5 depletion reduced H3K4Me3 and increased phosphorylation of H2AX in HCT116, SW620, and RKO colon cancer cells; however, OICR-9429 treatment did not recapitulate these effects in all cell lines potentially explaining the reduced toxicity of OICR-9429 treatment as compared to WDR5 depletion. WDR5 depletion also sensitized colon cancer cells to radiation-induced DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate a clear role for WDR5 in colon cancer and future studies should examine its potential to serve as a therapeutic target in cancer. Additional studies are needed to fully elucidate if the requirement for WDR5 is independent of or consistent with its role within the COMPASS complex. OICR-9429 treatment was particularly toxic to SW620 and T84 colon cancer cells, two cell lines without mutations in WDR5 and KMT2/MLL proteins suggesting COMPASS complex inhibition may be particularly effective in tumors lacking KMT2 mutations. Additionally, the ability of WDR5 depletion to amplify the toxic effects of radiation presents the possibility of targeting WDR5 to sensitize cells to DNA-damaging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth K Neilsen
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Binita Chakraborty
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Present address: Department of Pharmacology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Jamie L McCall
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Present address: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Danielle E Frodyma
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Richard L Sleightholm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kurt W Fisher
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Robert E Lewis
- Eppley Institute, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Modes of Interaction of KMT2 Histone H3 Lysine 4 Methyltransferase/COMPASS Complexes with Chromatin. Cells 2018; 7:cells7030017. [PMID: 29498679 PMCID: PMC5870349 DOI: 10.3390/cells7030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression is achieved by sequence-specific transcriptional regulators, which convey the information that is contained in the sequence of DNA into RNA polymerase activity. This is achieved by the recruitment of transcriptional co-factors. One of the consequences of co-factor recruitment is the control of specific properties of nucleosomes, the basic units of chromatin, and their protein components, the core histones. The main principles are to regulate the position and the characteristics of nucleosomes. The latter includes modulating the composition of core histones and their variants that are integrated into nucleosomes, and the post-translational modification of these histones referred to as histone marks. One of these marks is the methylation of lysine 4 of the core histone H3 (H3K4). While mono-methylation of H3K4 (H3K4me1) is located preferentially at active enhancers, tri-methylation (H3K4me3) is a mark found at open and potentially active promoters. Thus, H3K4 methylation is typically associated with gene transcription. The class 2 lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) are the main enzymes that methylate H3K4. KMT2 enzymes function in complexes that contain a necessary core complex composed of WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, and DPY30, the so-called WRAD complex. Here we discuss recent findings that try to elucidate the important question of how KMT2 complexes are recruited to specific sites on chromatin. This is embedded into short overviews of the biological functions of KMT2 complexes and the consequences of H3K4 methylation.
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Poplutz M, Levikova M, Lüscher-Firzlaff J, Lesina M, Algül H, Lüscher B, Huber M. Endotoxin tolerance in mast cells, its consequences for IgE-mediated signalling, and the effects of BCL3 deficiency. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4534. [PMID: 28674400 PMCID: PMC5495797 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) not only causes rapid production of proinflammatory cytokines, but also induces a state of LPS hypo-responsiveness to a second LPS stimulation (endotoxin tolerance (ET)). Murine bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs) and peritoneal MCs (PMCs) developed ET as shown by an abrogated production of Il6/Tnf RNAs and IL-6/TNF-α proteins. In naive BMMCs, LPS stimulation induced a transient decline in the trimethylation of lysine 9 of the core histone H3 (H3K9me3), a suppressive chromatin mark, at the Il6/Tnf promoters, which correlated with p50(NFκB) and p65(NFκB) binding. Both demethylation and NFκB binding were abrogated in tolerant cells. In addition, cytosolic NFκB activation was suppressed in tolerant BMMCs. Intriguingly, antigen stimulation of naive and tolerant MCs induced comparable production of Il6/Tnf and IL-6/TNF-α, although ET also affected antigen-triggered activation of NFκB; pharmacological analysis indicated the importance of Ca2+-dependent transcription in this respect. In macrophages, the IκB member BCL3 is induced by LPS and known to be involved in ET, which was not corroborated comparing wild-type and Bcl3-deficient BMMCs. Interestingly, Bcl3-deficient PMCs produce markedly increased amounts of IL-6/TNF-α after LPS stimulation. Collectively, ET in MCs is BCL3-independent, however, in PMCs, BCL3 negatively regulates immediate LPS-induced cytokine production and quantitatively affects ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Poplutz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maryna Levikova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Lüscher-Firzlaff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marina Lesina
- Molecular Gastroenterology, Medical Clinic II, University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hana Algül
- Molecular Gastroenterology, Medical Clinic II, University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Huber
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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MYC Modulation around the CDK2/p27/SKP2 Axis. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8070174. [PMID: 28665315 PMCID: PMC5541307 DOI: 10.3390/genes8070174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor that controls a number of fundamental cellular processes required for the proliferation and survival of normal and malignant cells, including the cell cycle. MYC interacts with several central cell cycle regulators that control the balance between cell cycle progression and temporary or permanent cell cycle arrest (cellular senescence). Among these are the cyclin E/A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) complexes, the CDK inhibitor p27KIP1 (p27) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase component S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), which control each other by forming a triangular network. MYC is engaged in bidirectional crosstalk with each of these players; while MYC regulates their expression and/or activity, these factors in turn modulate MYC through protein interactions and post-translational modifications including phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, impacting on MYC's transcriptional output on genes involved in cell cycle progression and senescence. Here we elaborate on these network interactions with MYC and their impact on transcription, cell cycle, replication and stress signaling, and on the role of other players interconnected to this network, such as CDK1, the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the F-box proteins FBXW7 and FBXO28, the RAS oncoprotein and the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Finally, we describe how the MYC/CDK2/p27/SKP2 axis impacts on tumor development and discuss possible ways to interfere therapeutically with this system to improve cancer treatment.
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34
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Poole CJ, van Riggelen J. MYC-Master Regulator of the Cancer Epigenome and Transcriptome. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8050142. [PMID: 28505071 PMCID: PMC5448016 DOI: 10.3390/genes8050142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of MYC is a hallmark of many human cancers. The MYC oncogene has long been thought to execute its neoplastic functions by acting as a classic transcription factor, deregulating the expression of a large number of specific target genes. However, MYC’s influence on many of these target genes is rather modest and there is little overlap between MYC regulated genes in different cell types, leaving many mechanistic questions unanswered. Recent advances in the field challenge the dogma further, revealing a role for MYC that extends beyond the traditional concept of a sequence-specific transcription factor. In this article, we review MYC’s function as a regulator of the cancer epigenome and transcriptome. We outline our current understanding of how MYC regulates chromatin structure in both a site-specific and genome-wide fashion, and highlight the implications for therapeutic strategies for cancers with high MYC expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace J Poole
- Augusta University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1410 Laney-Walker Blvd., Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Jan van Riggelen
- Augusta University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1410 Laney-Walker Blvd., Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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35
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Menin enhances c-Myc-mediated transcription to promote cancer progression. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15278. [PMID: 28474697 PMCID: PMC5424160 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Menin is an enigmatic protein that displays unique ability to either suppress or promote tumorigenesis in a context-dependent manner. The role for Menin to promote oncogenic functions has been largely attributed to its essential role in forming the MLL methyltransferase complex, which mediates H3K4me3. Here, we identify an unexpected role of Menin in enhancing the transactivity of oncogene MYC in a way independent of H3K4me3 activity. Intriguingly, we find that Menin interacts directly with the TAD domain of MYC and co-localizes with MYC to E-Box to enhance the transcription of MYC target genes in a P-TEFb-dependent manner. We further demonstrate that, by transcriptionally promoting the expression of MYC target genes in cancer cells, Menin stimulates cell proliferation and cellular metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. Our results uncover a previously unappreciated mechanism by which Menin functions as an oncogenic regulatory factor that is critical for MYC-mediated gene transcription. Menin is a protein with context-dependent oncogenic or oncosuppressive roles; the oncogenic activity is mainly due to its function as a cofactor of the MLL1 histone methyltransferase complex. Here the authors show that Menin regulates c-Myc-dependent transformation independently of the MLL complex.
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36
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Evan GI, Hah N, Littlewood TD, Sodir NM, Campos T, Downes M, Evans RM. Re-engineering the Pancreas Tumor Microenvironment: A "Regenerative Program" Hacked. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:1647-1655. [PMID: 28373363 PMCID: PMC5381729 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-3275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The "hallmarks" of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) include proliferative, invasive, and metastatic tumor cells and an associated dense desmoplasia comprised of fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immune cells. The oncogenically activated pancreatic epithelium and its associated stroma are obligatorily interdependent, with the resulting inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironment contributing greatly to the evolution and maintenance of PDAC. The peculiar pancreas-specific tumor phenotype is a consequence of oncogenes hacking the resident pancreas regenerative program, a tissue-specific repair mechanism regulated by discrete super enhancer networks. Defined as genomic regions containing clusters of multiple enhancers, super enhancers play pivotal roles in cell/tissue specification, identity, and maintenance. Hence, interfering with such super enhancer-driven repair networks should exert a disproportionately disruptive effect on tumor versus normal pancreatic tissue. Novel drugs that directly or indirectly inhibit processes regulating epigenetic status and integrity, including those driven by histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferase and hydroxylases, DNA methyltransferases, various metabolic enzymes, and bromodomain and extraterminal motif proteins, have shown the feasibility of disrupting super enhancer-dependent transcription in treating multiple tumor types, including PDAC. The idea that pancreatic adenocarcinomas rely on embedded super enhancer transcriptional mechanisms suggests a vulnerability that can be potentially targeted as novel therapies for this intractable disease. Clin Cancer Res; 23(7); 1647-55. ©2017 AACRSee all articles in this CCR Focus section, "Pancreatic Cancer: Challenge and Inspiration."
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard I Evan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Nasun Hah
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Trevor D Littlewood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole M Sodir
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tania Campos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Downes
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Ronald M Evans
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
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Butler JS, Qiu YH, Zhang N, Yoo SY, Coombes KR, Dent SYR, Kornblau SM. Low expression of ASH2L protein correlates with a favorable outcome in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2016; 58:1207-1218. [PMID: 28185526 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2016.1235272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
ASH2L encodes a trithorax group protein that is a core component of all characterized mammalian histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, including mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) complexes. ASH2L protein levels in primary leukemia patient samples have not yet been defined. We analyzed ASH2L protein expression in 511 primary AML patient samples using reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology. We discovered that ASH2L expression is significantly increased in a subset of patients carrying fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations. Furthermore, we observed that low levels of ASH2L are associated with increased overall survival. We also compared ASH2L levels to the expression of 230 proteins previously analyzed on this array. ASH2L expression was inversely correlated with 32 proteins, mostly involved in cell adhesion and cell cycle inhibition, while a positive correlation was observed for 50 proteins, many of which promote cell proliferation. Together, these results indicate that a lower level of ASH2L protein is beneficial to AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill S Butler
- a Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Science Park , Smithville , TX , USA.,b Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Yi Hua Qiu
- c Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Leukemia , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | | | - Suk-Young Yoo
- e Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Kevin R Coombes
- f Department of Biomedical Informatics , The Ohio State University College of Medicine , Columbus , OH , USA
| | - Sharon Y R Dent
- a Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Science Park , Smithville , TX , USA.,b Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Steven M Kornblau
- c Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Leukemia , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
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Physical Interactions and Functional Coordination between the Core Subunits of Set1/Mll Complexes and the Reprogramming Factors. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145336. [PMID: 26691508 PMCID: PMC4686221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to the pluripotent state by overexpression of defined factors, and this process is profoundly influenced by epigenetic mechanisms including dynamic histone modifications. Changes in H3K4 methylation have been shown to be the predominant activating response in the early stage of cellular reprogramming. Mechanisms underlying such epigenetic priming, however, are not well understood. Here we show that the expression of the reprogramming factors (Yamanaka factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc), especially Myc, directly promotes the expression of certain core subunits of the Set1/Mll family of H3K4 methyltransferase complexes. A dynamic recruitment of the Set1/Mll complexes largely, though not sufficiently in its own, explains the dynamics of the H3K4 methylation during cellular reprogramming. We then demonstrate that the core subunits of the Set1/Mll complexes physically interact with mainly Sox2 and Myc among the Yamanaka factors. We further show that Sox2 directly binds the Ash2l subunit in the Set1/Mll complexes and this binding is mediated by the HMG domain of Sox2. Functionally, we show that the Set1/Mll complex core subunits are required for efficient cellular reprogramming. We also show that Dpy30, one of the core subunits in the complexes, is required for the efficient target binding of the reprogramming factors. Interestingly, such requirement is not necessarily dependent on locus-specific H3K4 methylation. Our work provides a better understanding of how the reprogramming factors physically interact and functionally coordinate with a key group of epigenetic modulators to mediate transitions of the chromatin state involved in cellular reprogramming.
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Myc and Omomyc functionally associate with the Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) in glioblastoma cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15494. [PMID: 26563484 PMCID: PMC4643314 DOI: 10.1038/srep15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The c-Myc protein is dysregulated in many human cancers and its function has not been fully elucitated yet. The c-Myc inhibitor Omomyc displays potent anticancer properties in animal models. It perturbs the c-Myc protein network, impairs c-Myc binding to the E-boxes, retaining transrepressive properties and inducing histone deacetylation. Here we have employed Omomyc to further analyse c-Myc activity at the epigenetic level. We show that both Myc and Omomyc stimulate histone H4 symmetric dimethylation of arginine (R) 3 (H4R3me2s), in human glioblastoma and HEK293T cells. Consistently, both associated with protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5)—the catalyst of the reaction—and its co-factor Methylosome Protein 50 (MEP50). Confocal experiments showed that Omomyc co-localized with c-Myc, PRMT5 and H4R3me2s-enriched chromatin domains. Finally, interfering with PRMT5 activity impaired target gene activation by Myc whereas it restrained Omomyc-dependent repression. The identification of a histone-modifying complex associated with Omomyc represents the first demonstration of an active role of this miniprotein in modifying chromatin structure and adds new information regarding its action on c-Myc targets. More importantly, the observation that c-Myc may recruit PRMT5-MEP50, inducing H4R3 symmetric di-methylation, suggests previously unpredictable roles for c-Myc in gene expression regulation and new potential targets for therapy.
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MINCR is a MYC-induced lncRNA able to modulate MYC's transcriptional network in Burkitt lymphoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E5261-70. [PMID: 26351698 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1505753112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the established role of the transcription factor MYC in cancer, little is known about the impact of a new class of transcriptional regulators, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), on MYC ability to influence the cellular transcriptome. Here, we have intersected RNA-sequencing data from two MYC-inducible cell lines and a cohort of 91 B-cell lymphomas with or without genetic variants resulting in MYC overexpression. We identified 13 lncRNAs differentially expressed in IG-MYC-positive Burkitt lymphoma and regulated in the same direction by MYC in the model cell lines. Among them, we focused on a lncRNA that we named MYC-induced long noncoding RNA (MINCR), showing a strong correlation with MYC expression in MYC-positive lymphomas. To understand its cellular role, we performed RNAi and found that MINCR knockdown is associated with an impairment in cell cycle progression. Differential gene expression analysis after RNAi showed a significant enrichment of cell cycle genes among the genes down-regulated after MINCR knockdown. Interestingly, these genes are enriched in MYC binding sites in their promoters, suggesting that MINCR acts as a modulator of the MYC transcriptional program. Accordingly, MINCR knockdown was associated with a reduction in MYC binding to the promoters of selected cell cycle genes. Finally, we show that down-regulation of Aurora kinases A and B and chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 may explain the reduction in cellular proliferation observed on MINCR knockdown. We, therefore, suggest that MINCR is a newly identified player in the MYC transcriptional network able to control the expression of cell cycle genes.
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MYC in pancreatic cancer: novel mechanistic insights and their translation into therapeutic strategies. Oncogene 2015; 35:1609-18. [PMID: 26119937 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Owing to its aggressiveness, late detection and marginal therapeutic accessibility, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a most challenging malignant disease. Despite scientific progress in the understanding of the mechanisms that underly PDAC initiation and progression, the successful translation of experimental findings into effective new therapeutic strategies remains a largely unmet need. The oncogene MYC is activated in many PDAC cases and is a master regulator of vital cellular processes. Excellent recent studies have shed new light on the tremendous functions of MYC in cancer and identified inhibition of MYC as a likewise beneficial and demanding effort. This review will focus on mechanisms that contribute to deregulation of MYC expression in pancreatic carcinogenesis and progression and will summarize novel biological findings from recent in vivo models. Finally, we provide a perspective, how regulation of MYC in PDAC may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Sadeghifar F, Böhm S, Vintermist A, Östlund Farrants AK. The B-WICH chromatin-remodelling complex regulates RNA polymerase III transcription by promoting Max-dependent c-Myc binding. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:4477-90. [PMID: 25883140 PMCID: PMC4482074 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The chromatin-remodelling complex B-WICH, comprised of William syndrome transcription factor, the ATPase SNF2h and nuclear myosin, specifically activates RNA polymerase III transcription of the 5S rRNA and 7SL genes. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Using high-resolution MN walking we demonstrate here that B-WICH changes the chromatin structure in the vicinity of the 5S rRNA and 7SL RNA genes during RNA polymerase III transcription. The action of B-WICH is required for the binding of the RNA polymerase machinery and the regulatory factors c-Myc at the 5S rRNA and 7SL RNA genes. In addition to the c-Myc binding site at the 5S genes, we have revealed a novel c-Myc and Max binding site in the intergenic spacer of the 5S rDNA. This region also contains a region remodelled by B-WICH. We demonstrate that c-Myc binds to both sites in a Max-dependent way, and thereby activate transcription by acetylating histone H3. The novel binding patterns of c-Myc and Max link transcription of 5S rRNA to the Myc/Max/Mxd network. Since B-WICH acts prior to c-Myc and other factors, we propose a model in which the B-WICH complex is required to maintain an open chromatin structure at these RNA polymerase III genes. This is a prerequisite for the binding of additional regulatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadeghifar
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Böhm
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Anna Vintermist
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden
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Thomas LR, Wang Q, Grieb BC, Phan J, Foshage AM, Sun Q, Olejniczak ET, Clark T, Dey S, Lorey S, Alicie B, Howard GC, Cawthon B, Ess KC, Eischen CM, Zhao Z, Fesik SW, Tansey WP. Interaction with WDR5 promotes target gene recognition and tumorigenesis by MYC. Mol Cell 2015; 58:440-52. [PMID: 25818646 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
MYC is an oncoprotein transcription factor that is overexpressed in the majority of malignancies. The oncogenic potential of MYC stems from its ability to bind regulatory sequences in thousands of target genes, which depends on interaction of MYC with its obligate partner, MAX. Here, we show that broad association of MYC with chromatin also depends on interaction with the WD40-repeat protein WDR5. MYC binds WDR5 via an evolutionarily conserved "MYC box IIIb" motif that engages a shallow, hydrophobic cleft on the surface of WDR5. Structure-guided mutations in MYC that disrupt interaction with WDR5 attenuate binding of MYC at ∼80% of its chromosomal locations and disable its ability to promote induced pluripotent stem cell formation and drive tumorigenesis. Our data reveal WDR5 as a key determinant for MYC recruitment to chromatin and uncover a tractable target for the discovery of anticancer therapies against MYC-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance R Thomas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Qingguo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brian C Grieb
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jason Phan
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Audra M Foshage
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Edward T Olejniczak
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Travis Clark
- VANTAGE, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Soumyadeep Dey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shelly Lorey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bethany Alicie
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Gregory C Howard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bryan Cawthon
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kevin C Ess
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Christine M Eischen
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Stephen W Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - William P Tansey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Wolf E, Lin CY, Eilers M, Levens DL. Taming of the beast: shaping Myc-dependent amplification. Trends Cell Biol 2014; 25:241-8. [PMID: 25475704 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Myc deregulation is a hallmark oncogenic event where overexpression of the transcription factor gives rise to numerous tumorigenic phenotypes. The complex consequences of Myc deregulation have prevented clear mechanistic interpretations of its function. A synthesis of recent experimental observations offers a consensus on the direct transcriptional function of Myc: when overexpressed, Myc broadly engages the established euchromatic cis-regulatory landscape of the cell, where the factor generally amplifies transcription. The level of Myc binding at target genes and the transcriptional output are differentially modulated by additional regulators, including Miz1. Targeting Myc oncogenic activity will require an understanding of whether amplification promotes tumorigenesis and the consequences of amplification in tumors adapted to oncogenic Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmar Wolf
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charles Y Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - David L Levens
- Laboratory of Pathology, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA.
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