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Naik A, Lattab B, Qasem H, Decock J. Cancer testis antigens: Emerging therapeutic targets leveraging genomic instability in cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200768. [PMID: 38596293 PMCID: PMC10876628 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer care has witnessed remarkable progress in recent decades, with a wide array of targeted therapies and immune-based interventions being added to the traditional treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, despite these advancements, the challenge of achieving high tumor specificity while minimizing adverse side effects continues to dictate the benefit-risk balance of cancer therapy, guiding clinical decision making. As such, the targeting of cancer testis antigens (CTAs) offers exciting new opportunities for therapeutic intervention of cancer since they display highly tumor specific expression patterns, natural immunogenicity and play pivotal roles in various biological processes that are critical for tumor cellular fitness. In this review, we delve deeper into how CTAs contribute to the regulation and maintenance of genomic integrity in cancer, and how these mechanisms can be exploited to specifically target and eradicate tumor cells. We review the current clinical trials targeting aforementioned CTAs, highlight promising pre-clinical data and discuss current challenges and future perspectives for future development of CTA-based strategies that exploit tumor genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adviti Naik
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Boucif Lattab
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hanan Qasem
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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2
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Traynor S, Ebstrup ML, Gammelgaard OL, Mansoori B, Terp MG, Rein CRH, Rattenborg S, Pedersen CB, Ditzel HJ, Gjerstorff MF. SSX addiction in melanoma propagates tumor growth and metastasis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:998000. [PMID: 36276095 PMCID: PMC9585237 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.998000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis antigens are receiving attention as targets for cancer therapy due to their germ- and cancer cell-restricted expression. However, many of these antigens are inconsistently expressed among cancer types and individual tumors. Here, we show that members of the SSX cancer/testis antigen family comprise attractive targets in the majority of melanoma patients, as SSX is expressed in more than 90% of primary melanomas and metastases and plays a critical role in metastatic progression. Accordingly, SSX silencing in melanoma mouse xenograft models reduced tumor growth and completely abolished the formation of metastatic lesions in lungs and livers. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that silencing SSX in melanoma cells induces cell cycle S-phase stalling, leading to proliferative arrest and enhanced apoptosis, which elucidates the inhibitory effect of SSX loss on tumor growth and colonization capacity. Silencing SSX further compromised the capacity of melanoma cells to migrate and invade, influencing these cells’ capability to spread and colonize. Taken together, these studies highlight SSX proteins as pivotal targets in melanoma with implications for blocking metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Malene Laage Ebstrup
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Odd Lilleng Gammelgaard
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Green Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Rose Hauge Rein
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sofie Rattenborg
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Bøg Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Jørn Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Morten Frier Gjerstorff,
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3
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Traynor S, Jakobsen ND, Ebbesen MF, Bennedsen SN, Johansen S, Ebstrup ML, Pedersen CB, Ditzel HJ, Brewer JR, Gjerstorff MF. SSX2 promotes the formation of a novel type of intranuclear lamin bodies. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 142:106121. [PMID: 34808373 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
SSX proteins are normally restricted to spermatogenic cells, but ectopic expression can be observed in many types of human cancer. We recently demonstrated that SSX family members may contribute to tumorigenesis by modifying chromatin structure and, in specific settings, compromise chromatin stability. Here, we used normal and tumorigenic breast epithelial cell line models to further study the effect of ectopic expression of SSX2 on nuclear organization. We show that SSX2 induces the formation of a novel type of nucleoplasmic lamin bodies. Ectopic expression of SSX2 in various breast epithelial cell lines led to the formation of a previously undescribed type of intranuclear bodies containing both A and B type lamins but no other components of the nuclear lamina. SSX2-expressing cells contained a highly variable number of lamin bodies distributed throughout the nuclear space. SSX2-mediated establishment of intranuclear lamin bodies could not be linked to previous molecular interactions of SSX proteins, including polycomb proteins and the Mediator complex, but was, however, dependent on S-phase progression. These results reveal a novel interaction between SSX2 and lamins in the nucleoplasmic space. They further suggest that SSX2 promotes the formation of chromatin neighborhoods supporting the organization of lamins into nuclear bodies. We speculate that this may have implications for the organization and functional regulation of chromatin in cancer cells. Our study contributes to the further understanding of the biology of SSX proteins in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - N D Jakobsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - M F Ebbesen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - S N Bennedsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - S Johansen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - M L Ebstrup
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - C B Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - H J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - J R Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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4
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Gjerstorff MF. Novel Insights Into Epigenetic Reprogramming and Destabilization of Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:594163. [PMID: 33251148 PMCID: PMC7674669 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.594163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pericentromeric heterochromatin is maintained in a condensed structure by repressive epigenetic control mechanisms and perturbation of these may cause diseases. The chromosome 1q12 region harbors the largest pericentromeric heterochromatin domain in the genome and is among the most common breakpoints in both solid and hematopoietic cancers. Furthermore, the 1q arm is frequently amplified in cancer and this may support tumorigenesis by increasing the dosage of the many oncogenes of this genomic region. Recent studies have provided insight into the mechanisms leading to loss of 1q12 stability and 1q amplification and DNA hypomethylation seems to play a prominent role. This may be the result of decreased activity of DNA methyltransferases and instrumental for 1q12 destabilization or arise secondary to perturbation of other important epigenetic mechanisms that control repression of pericentromeric heterochromatin. Polycomb proteins were recently demonstrated to epigenetically reprogram demethylated 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin in premalignant and malignant cells to form large subnuclear structures known as polycomb bodies. This may influence the regulation and stability of 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin and/or the distribution of polycomb factors to support tumorigenesis. This review will discuss recent insight into the epigenetic perturbations causing the destabilization of 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin and its possible implications for tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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5
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Abd Hamid M, Colin-York H, Khalid-Alham N, Browne M, Cerundolo L, Chen JL, Yao X, Rosendo-Machado S, Waugh C, Maldonado-Perez D, Bowes E, Verrill C, Cerundolo V, Conlon CP, Fritzsche M, Peng Y, Dong T. Self-Maintaining CD103 + Cancer-Specific T Cells Are Highly Energetic with Rapid Cytotoxic and Effector Responses. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:203-216. [PMID: 31771983 PMCID: PMC7611226 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Enrichment of CD103+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) is associated with improved outcomes in patients. However, the characteristics of human CD103+ cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTL) and their role in tumor control remain unclear. We investigated the features and antitumor mechanisms of CD103+ CTLs by assessing T-cell receptor (TCR)-matched CD103+ and CD103- cancer-specific CTL immunity in vitro and its immunophenotype ex vivo Interestingly, we found that differentiated CD103+ cancer-specific CTLs expressed the active form of TGFβ1 to continually self-regulate CD103 expression, without relying on external TGFβ1-producing cells. The presence of CD103 on CTLs improved TCR antigen sensitivity, which enabled faster cancer recognition and rapid antitumor cytotoxicity. These CD103+ CTLs had elevated energetic potential and faster migration capacity. However, they had increased inhibitory receptor coexpression and elevated T-cell apoptosis following prolonged cancer exposure. Our data provide fundamental insights into the properties of matured human CD103+ cancer-specific CTLs, which could have important implications for future designs of tissue-localized cancer immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megat Abd Hamid
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Huw Colin-York
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nasullah Khalid-Alham
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Molly Browne
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Cerundolo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ji-Li Chen
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xuan Yao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samara Rosendo-Machado
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Waugh
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Maldonado-Perez
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Bowes
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Verrill
- Oxford National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P Conlon
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yanchun Peng
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tao Dong
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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6
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Johansen S, Gjerstorff MF. Interaction between Polycomb and SSX Proteins in Pericentromeric Heterochromatin Function and Its Implication in Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010226. [PMID: 31963307 PMCID: PMC7016822 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The stability of pericentromeric heterochromatin is maintained by repressive epigenetic control mechanisms, and failure to maintain this stability may cause severe diseases such as immune deficiency and cancer. Thus, deeper insight into the epigenetic regulation and deregulation of pericentromeric heterochromatin is of high priority. We and others have recently demonstrated that pericentromeric heterochromatin domains are often epigenetically reprogrammed by Polycomb proteins in premalignant and malignant cells to form large subnuclear structures known as Polycomb bodies. This may affect the regulation and stability of pericentromeric heterochromatin domains and/or the distribution of Polycomb factors to support tumorigeneses. Importantly, Polycomb bodies in cancer cells may be targeted by the cancer/testis-related SSX proteins to cause derepression and genomic instability of pericentromeric heterochromatin. This review will discuss the interplay between SSX and Polycomb factors in the repression and stability of pericentromeric heterochromatin and its possible implications for tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Johansen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-21261563
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7
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Traynor S, Møllegaard NE, Jørgensen MG, Brückmann NH, Pedersen CB, Terp MG, Johansen S, Dejardin J, Ditzel HJ, Gjerstorff MF. Remodeling and destabilization of chromosome 1 pericentromeric heterochromatin by SSX proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:6668-6684. [PMID: 31114908 PMCID: PMC6648343 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rearrangement of the 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin and subsequent amplification of the 1q arm is commonly associated with cancer development and progression and may result from epigenetic deregulation. In many premalignant and malignant cells, loss of 1q12 satellite DNA methylation causes the deposition of polycomb factors and formation of large polycomb aggregates referred to as polycomb bodies. Here, we show that SSX proteins can destabilize 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin in melanoma cells when it is present in the context of polycomb bodies. We found that SSX proteins deplete polycomb bodies and promote the unfolding and derepression of 1q12 heterochromatin during replication. This further leads to segregation abnormalities during anaphase and generation of micronuclei. The structural rearrangement of 1q12 pericentromeric heterochromatin triggered by SSX2 is associated with loss of polycomb factors, but is not mediated by diminished polycomb repression. Instead, our studies suggest a direct effect of SSX proteins facilitated though a DNA/chromatin binding, zinc finger-like domain and a KRAB-like domain that may recruit chromatin modifiers or activate satellite transcription. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism for generation of 1q12-associated genomic instability in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Erik Møllegaard
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Mikkel G Jørgensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Natural Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Nadine H Brückmann
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina B Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel G Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Simone Johansen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jerome Dejardin
- Institute of Human Genetics CNRS-Université de Montpellier UMR 9002.141 rue de la Cardonille, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 25, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Denmark
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8
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Brückmann NH, Bennedsen SN, Duijf PHG, Terp MG, Thomassen M, Larsen M, Pedersen CB, Kruse T, Alcaraz N, Ditzel HJ, Gjerstorff MF. A functional genetic screen identifies the Mediator complex as essential for SSX2-induced senescence. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:841. [PMID: 31695025 PMCID: PMC6834653 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2068-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The senescence response to oncogenes is believed to be a barrier to oncogenic transformation in premalignant lesions, and describing the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade this response is important for early diagnosis and treatment. The male germ cell-associated protein SSX2 is ectopically expressed in many types of cancer and is functionally involved in regulating chromatin structure and supporting cell proliferation. Similar to many well-characterized oncogenes, SSX2 has the ability to induce senescence in cells. In this study, we performed a functional genetic screen to identify proteins implicated in SSX2-induced senescence and identified several subunits of the Mediator complex, which is central in regulating RNA polymerase-mediated transcription. Further experiments showed that reduced levels of MED1, MED4, and MED14 perturbed the development of senescence in SSX2-expressing cells. In contrast, knockdown of MED1 did not prevent development of B-Raf- and Epirubicin-induced senescence, suggesting that Mediator may be specifically linked to the cellular functions of SSX2 that may lead to development of senescence or be central in a SSX2-specific senescence response. Indeed, immunostaining of melanoma tumors, which often express SSX proteins, exhibited altered levels of MED1 compared to benign nevi. Similarly, RNA-seq analysis suggested that MED1, MED4, and MED14 were downregulated in some tumors, while upregulated in others. In conclusion, our study reveals the Mediator complex as essential for SSX2-induced senescence and suggests that changes in Mediator activity could be instrumental for tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine H Brückmann
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sofie N Bennedsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pascal H G Duijf
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Mikkel G Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mads Thomassen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Larsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina B Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Torben Kruse
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Alcaraz
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. .,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. .,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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9
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Hale R, Sandakly S, Shipley J, Walters Z. Epigenetic Targets in Synovial Sarcoma: A Mini-Review. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1078. [PMID: 31681608 PMCID: PMC6813544 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Synovial Sarcomas (SS) are a type of Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) and represent 8-10% of all STS cases. Although SS can arise at any age, it typically affects younger individuals aged 15-35 and is therefore part of both pediatric and adult clinical practices. SS occurs primarily in the limbs, often near joints, but can present anywhere. It is characterized by the recurrent pathognomonic chromosomal translocation t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) that most frequently fuses SSX1 or SSX2 genes with SS18. This leads to the expression of the SS18-SSX fusion protein, which causes disturbances in several interacting multiprotein complexes such as the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, also known as the BAF complex and the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 and 2 (PRC1 and PRC2). Furthermore, this promotes widespread epigenetic rewiring, leading to aberrant gene expression that drives the pathogenesis of SS. Good prognoses are characterized predominantly by small tumor size and young patient age. Whereas, high tumor grade and an increased genomic complexity of the tumor constitute poor prognostic factors. The current therapeutic strategy relies on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the latter of which can lead to chronic side effects for pediatric patients. We will focus on the known roles of SWI/SNF, PRC1, and PRC2 as the main effectors of the SS18-SSX-mediated genome modifications and we present existing biological rationale for potential therapeutic targets and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryland Hale
- Translational Epigenomics Team, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sami Sandakly
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zoë Walters
- Translational Epigenomics Team, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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10
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Wang R, Xue X, Wang Y, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Wang H, Miao D. BMI1 Deficiency Results in Female Infertility by Activating p16/p19 Signaling and Increasing Oxidative Stress. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:870-881. [PMID: 30906217 PMCID: PMC6429020 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.30488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The polycomb repressor B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI1) is a core composition of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and contributes to diverse fundamental cellular processes including cell senescence, apoptosis and proliferation. To investigate the role and mechanism of BMI1 in maintaining normal female reproductive function, we compared the differences in reproductive phenotypes between Bmi1-deficient and wild-type female mice. The Bmi1-deficient female mice were then supplemented with N-acetylcysteine in their drinking water to explore whether antioxidant supplementation could improve reproductive dysfunction caused by BMI1 deficiency. The results revealed that Bmi1 deletion resulted in complete infertility in female mice, estrous cycle disorder, and follicular developmental disorders. The reactive oxygen species levels in the ovarian tissue were increased; the ability of antioxidant enzymes was downregulated; the expression levels of p19 and p53 proteins were significantly upregulated. We also found that oocytes derived from Bmi1-deficient mice could not develop into embryos by in vitro fertilization and in vitro culture of embryos. Furthermore, supplementation with the antioxidant NAC not only improved the reproductive defects caused by Bmi1 deletion, but also largely rescued the ability of Bmi1-deficient oocytes to develop into embryos in vitro. These results indicated that cells lacking Bmi1 resulted in female infertility by activating the p16/p19 signaling pathway, increasing oxidative stress and DNA damage, inhibiting granulosa cell proliferation, and inducing granulosa cell apoptosis. Thus, BMI1 may be a novel potential target for the clinical treatment of female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xian Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiyang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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11
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Loubiere V, Martinez AM, Cavalli G. Cell Fate and Developmental Regulation Dynamics by Polycomb Proteins and 3D Genome Architecture. Bioessays 2019; 41:e1800222. [PMID: 30793782 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Targeted transitions in chromatin states at thousands of genes are essential drivers of eukaryotic development. Therefore, understanding the in vivo dynamics of epigenetic regulators is crucial for deciphering the mechanisms underpinning cell fate decisions. This review illustrates how, in addition to its cell memory function, the Polycomb group of transcriptional regulators orchestrates temporal, cell and tissue-specific expression of master genes during development. These highly sophisticated developmental transitions are dependent on the context- and tissue-specific assembly of the different types of Polycomb Group (PcG) complexes, which regulates their targeting and/or activities on chromatin. Here, an overview is provided of how PcG complexes function at multiple scales to regulate transcription, local chromatin environment, and higher order structures that support normal differentiation and are perturbed in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Loubiere
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR 9002, CNRS and University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Marie Martinez
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR 9002, CNRS and University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
| | - Giacomo Cavalli
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR 9002, CNRS and University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
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12
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Dai X, Zhang Q, Yu Z, Sun W, Wang R, Miao D. Bmi1 Deficient Mice Exhibit Male Infertility. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:358-368. [PMID: 29559852 PMCID: PMC5859480 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that the polycomb repressor Bmi1 is universally expressed in all types of testicular cells and might regulate the spermatogonia proliferation, however, it is unclear whether Bmi1 plays a critical role in maintaining normal male fertility in vivo. To answer this question, we first confirmed that Bmi1 is universally expressed in all types of testicular cells and found that the gene relative expression levels of Bmi1 in testis were the highest relative to other organs. Then we investigated the role of Bmi1 in maintaining normal male fertility using Bmi1 knockout male mouse model. Our results demonstrated that Bmi1 deficiency resulted in totally male infertility with smaller testis, severe oligospermia and sperm malformation. Mechanistically, decreased serum testosterone levels with down-regulating 3βHSD and 17βHSD expression levels, reduced germ cell proliferation, increased germ cell apoptosis with up-regulating p16, p19, p53 and p21 expression levels, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H2O2 levels with down-regulating gene expression levels of anti-oxidant enzymes, and increased 8-OHdG and γ.H2AX positive cells in testis were observed in Bmi1 deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. These results indicate that Bmi1 deficiency results in male infertility by reducing testosterone syntheses, increasing oxidative stress and DNA damage, activating p16 and p19 signaling pathway, inhibiting germ cell proliferation and inducing germ cell apoptosis and sperm malformation. Thus, Bmi1 may be a novel and potential target for the clinic treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuliang Dai
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenzhen Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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13
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Ness C, Garred Ø, Eide NA, Kumar T, Olstad OK, Bærland TP, Petrovski G, Moe MC, Noer A. Multicellular tumor spheroids of human uveal melanoma induce genes associated with anoikis resistance, lipogenesis, and SSXs. Mol Vis 2017; 23:680-694. [PMID: 29033534 PMCID: PMC5632686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Uveal melanoma (UM) has a high propensity for metastatic spread, and approximately 40-50% of patients die of metastatic disease. Metastases can be found at the time of diagnosis but also several years after the tumor has been removed. The survival of disseminated cancer cells is known to be linked to anchorage independence, anoikis resistance, and an adaptive cellular metabolism. The cultivation of cancer cells as multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) by anchorage-independent growth enriches for a more aggressive phenotype. The present study examines the differential gene expression of adherent cell cultures, non-adherent MCTS cultures, and uncultured tumor biopsies from three patients with UM. We elucidate the biochemical differences between the culture conditions to find whether the culture of UM as non-adherent MCTS could be linked to an anchorage-independent and more aggressive phenotype, thus unravelling potential targets for treatment of UM dissemination. METHODS The various culture conditions were evaluated with microarray analysis, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), RNAscope, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) followed by gene expression bioinformatics. RESULTS The MCTS cultures displayed traits associated with anoikis resistance demonstrated by ANGPTL4 upregulation, and a shift toward a lipogenic profile by upregulation of ACOT1 (lipid metabolism), FADS1 (biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids), SC4MOL, DHCR7, LSS (cholesterol biosynthesis), OSBPL9 (intracellular lipid receptor), and PLIN2 (lipid storage). Additionally, the present study shows marked upregulation of synovial sarcoma X breakpoint proteins (SSXs), transcriptional repressors related to the Polycomb group (PcG) proteins that modulate epigenetic silencing of genes. CONCLUSIONS The MCTS cultures displayed traits associated with anoikis resistance, a metabolic shift toward a lipogenic profile, and upregulation of SSXs, related to the PcG proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ness
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Øystein Garred
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Nils A. Eide
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Theresa Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ole K. Olstad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Thomas P. Bærland
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Morten C. Moe
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Agate Noer
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
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14
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Chen S, Wang X, Ye X, Ma D, Chen C, Cai J, Fu Y, Cheng X, Chen Y, Gong X, Jin J. Identification of Human UMP/CMP Kinase 1 as Doxorubicin Binding Target Using Protein Microarray. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017; 22:1007-1015. [DOI: 10.1177/2472555217707704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a leading anthracycline drug with exceptional efficacy; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of its side effects, which include heart muscle damage, noncancerous cell death, and drug resistance. A total of 17,950 human proteins expressed in HEK293 cells were screened and yielded 14 hits. Competitive and binding experiments further verified the binding of DOX to UMP/CMP kinase 1 (CMPK1), and microscale thermophoresis showed that DOX binds to CMPK1 with a Kd of 1216 nM. In addition, we observed that the binding of DOX to CMPK1 activated the phosphorylation of CMP, dCMP, and UMP. A significant activation was observed at the concentration of 30 µM DOX and reached plateau at the concentration of DOX 30 µM, 150 µM, and 100 µM, respectively. DOX would add up stimulation of CMPK1 by DTT and overcome inhibition of CMPK1 by NaF, EDTA. In summary, we showed that DOX might bind to the nonactive site of CMPK1 and regulate its activity with magnesium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xianghui Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Donghui Ma
- OriGene Technologies Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
- OriGene Technologies Inc. at Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Caiwei Chen
- OriGene Technologies Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
- OriGene Technologies Inc. at Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Junlong Cai
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfeng Fu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohai Gong
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Jin
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Planells-Palop V, Hazazi A, Feichtinger J, Jezkova J, Thallinger G, Alsiwiehri NO, Almutairi M, Parry L, Wakeman JA, McFarlane RJ. Human germ/stem cell-specific gene TEX19 influences cancer cell proliferation and cancer prognosis. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:84. [PMID: 28446200 PMCID: PMC5406905 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer/testis (CT) genes have expression normally restricted to the testis, but become activated during oncogenesis, so they have excellent potential as cancer-specific biomarkers. Evidence is starting to emerge to indicate that they also provide function(s) in the oncogenic programme. Human TEX19 is a recently identified CT gene, but a functional role for TEX19 in cancer has not yet been defined. Methods siRNA was used to deplete TEX19 levels in various cancer cell lines. This was extended using shRNA to deplete TEX19 in vivo. Western blotting, fluorescence activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence were used to study the effect of TEX19 depletion in cancer cells and to localize TEX19 in normal testis and cancer cells/tissues. RT-qPCR and RNA sequencing were employed to determine the changes to the transcriptome of cancer cells depleted for TEX19 and Kaplan-Meier plots were generated to explore the relationship between TEX19 expression and prognosis for a range of cancer types. Results Depletion of TEX19 levels in a range of cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo restricts cellular proliferation/self-renewal/reduces tumour volume, indicating TEX19 is required for cancer cell proliferative/self-renewal potential. Analysis of cells depleted for TEX19 indicates they enter a quiescent-like state and have subtle defects in S-phase progression. TEX19 is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in both cancerous cells and normal testis. In cancer cells, localization switches in a context-dependent fashion. Transcriptome analysis of TEX19 depleted cells reveals altered transcript levels of a number of cancer-/proliferation-associated genes, suggesting that TEX19 could control oncogenic proliferation via a transcript/transcription regulation pathway. Finally, overall survival analysis of high verses low TEX19 expressing tumours indicates that TEX19 expression is linked to prognostic outcomes in different tumour types. Conclusions TEX19 is required to drive cell proliferation in a range of cancer cell types, possibly mediated via an oncogenic transcript regulation mechanism. TEX19 expression is linked to a poor prognosis for some cancers and collectively these findings indicate that not only can TEX19 expression serve as a novel cancer biomarker, but may also offer a cancer-specific therapeutic target with broad spectrum potential. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0653-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Planells-Palop
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ali Hazazi
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Computational Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.,Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jana Jezkova
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Gerhard Thallinger
- Computational Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.,Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Naif O Alsiwiehri
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Mikhlid Almutairi
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.,Present address: Department of Zoology, King Saud University, Al-Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lee Parry
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Jane A Wakeman
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ramsay J McFarlane
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
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16
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Asaka MN, Kawaguchi A, Sakai Y, Mori K, Nagata K. Polycomb repressive complex 2 facilitates the nuclear export of the influenza viral genome through the interaction with M1. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33608. [PMID: 27646999 PMCID: PMC5028886 DOI: 10.1038/srep33608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The organization of nuclear domains is crucial for biological events including virus infection. Newly synthesized influenza viral genome forms viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes and is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm through a CRM1-dependent pathway mediated by viral proteins M1 and NS2. However, the spatio-temporal regulation of the progeny vRNP in the nucleus is still unclear. Here we found that polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which contains a methyltransferase subunit EZH2 and catalyzes histone H3K27me3 for the formation of facultative heterochromatin, is a positive factor for the virus production. Depletion of PRC2 complex showed the nuclear accumulation of vRNP and the reduction of M1-vRNP complex formation. We also found that PRC2 complex directly binds to M1, and facilitates the interaction of M1 with vRNP. In conclusion, we propose that the progeny vRNP could be recruited to facultative heterochromatin and assembled into the export complex mediated by PRC2 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu N Asaka
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuri Sakai
- Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kotaro Mori
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Nagata
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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17
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Mahmoud F, Shields B, Makhoul I, Hutchins LF, Shalin SC, Tackett AJ. Role of EZH2 histone methyltrasferase in melanoma progression and metastasis. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:579-91. [PMID: 27105109 PMCID: PMC4990393 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1167291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the main component of the polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is involved in melanoma progression and metastasis. Novel drugs that target and reverse such epigenetic changes may find a way into the management of patients with advanced melanoma. We provide a comprehensive up-to-date review of the role and biology of EZH2 on gene transcription, senescence/apoptosis, melanoma microenvironment, melanocyte stem cells, the immune system, and micro RNA. Furthermore, we discuss EZH2 inhibitors as potential anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fade Mahmoud
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bradley Shields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Issam Makhoul
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Laura F. Hutchins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sara C. Shalin
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Alan J. Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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18
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Oncogenic cancer/testis antigens: prime candidates for immunotherapy. Oncotarget 2016; 6:15772-87. [PMID: 26158218 PMCID: PMC4599236 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent developments have set the stage for immunotherapy as a supplement to conventional cancer treatment. Consequently, a significant effort is required to further improve efficacy and specificity, particularly the identification of optimal therapeutic targets for clinical testing. Cancer/testis antigens are immunogenic, highly cancer-specific, and frequently expressed in various types of cancer, which make them promising candidate targets for cancer immunotherapy, including cancer vaccination and adoptive T-cell transfer with chimeric T-cell receptors. Our current understanding of tumor immunology and immune escape suggests that targeting oncogenic antigens may be beneficial, meaning that identification of cancer/testis antigens with oncogenic properties is of high priority. Recent work from our lab and others provide evidence that many cancer/testis antigens, in fact, have oncogenic functions, including support of growth, survival and metastasis. This novel insight into the function of cancer/testis antigens has the potential to deliver more effective cancer vaccines. Moreover, immune targeting of oncogenic cancer/testis antigens in combination with conventional cytotoxic therapies or novel immunotherapies such as checkpoint blockade or adoptive transfer, represents a highly synergistic approach with the potential to improve patient survival.
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19
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Schubert T, Längst G. Studying epigenetic interactions using MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST). AIMS BIOPHYSICS 2015. [DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2015.3.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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