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Hjazi A, Jasim SA, Al-Dhalimy AMB, Bansal P, Kaur H, Qasim MT, Mohammed IH, Deorari M, Jawad MA, Zwamel AH. HOXA9 versus HOXB9; particular focus on their controversial role in tumor pathogenesis. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:473-492. [PMID: 38753266 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-024-00868-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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The Homeobox (HOX) gene family is essential to regulating cellular processes because it maintains the exact coordination required for tissue homeostasis, cellular differentiation, and embryonic development. The most distinctive feature of this class of genes is the presence of the highly conserved DNA region known as the homeobox, which is essential for controlling their regulatory activities. Important players in the intricate process of genetic regulation are the HOX genes. Many diseases, especially in the area of cancer, are linked to their aberrant functioning. Due to their distinctive functions in biomedical research-particularly in the complex process of tumor advancement-HOXA9 and HOXB9 have drawn particular attention. HOXA9 and HOXB9 are more significant than what is usually connected with HOX genes since they have roles in the intricate field of cancer and beyond embryonic processes. The framework for a focused study of the different effects of HOXA9 and HOXB9 in the context of tumor biology is established in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 11942, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-Be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560069, India
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh, 247341, India
- Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831001, India
| | - Maytham T Qasim
- College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, 64001, Iraq
| | - Israa Hussein Mohammed
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Mohammed Abed Jawad
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Hussein Zwamel
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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2
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Liu Y, Li Q, Song L, Gong C, Tang S, Budinich KA, Vanderbeck A, Mathias KM, Wertheim GB, Nguyen SC, Outen R, Joyce EF, Maillard I, Wan L. Condensate-Promoting ENL Mutation Drives Tumorigenesis In Vivo Through Dynamic Regulation of Histone Modifications and Gene Expression. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1522-1546. [PMID: 38655899 PMCID: PMC11294821 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Gain-of-function mutations in the histone acetylation "reader" eleven-nineteen-leukemia (ENL), found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Wilms tumor, are known to drive condensate formation and gene activation in cellular systems. However, their role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. Using a conditional knock-in mouse model, we show that mutant ENL perturbs normal hematopoiesis, induces aberrant expansion of myeloid progenitors, and triggers rapid onset of aggressive AML. Mutant ENL alters developmental and inflammatory gene programs in part by remodeling histone modifications. Mutant ENL forms condensates in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells at key leukemogenic genes, and disrupting condensate formation via mutagenesis impairs its chromatin and oncogenic function. Moreover, treatment with an acetyl-binding inhibitor of the mutant ENL displaces these condensates from target loci, inhibits mutant ENL-induced chromatin changes, and delays AML initiation and progression in vivo. Our study elucidates the function of ENL mutations in chromatin regulation and tumorigenesis and demonstrates the potential of targeting pathogenic condensates in cancer treatment. Significance: A direct link between ENL mutations, condensate formation, and tumorigenesis is lacking. This study elucidates the function and mechanism of ENL mutations in leukemogenesis, establishing these mutations as bona fide oncogenic drivers. Our results also support the role of condensate dysregulation in cancer and reveal strategies to target pathogenic condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiman Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Qinglan Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Lele Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Chujie Gong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Sylvia Tang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Krista A. Budinich
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cancer Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Ashley Vanderbeck
- VMD-PhD Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Kaeli M. Mathias
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Gerald B. Wertheim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Division of Hematopathology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Son C. Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Riley Outen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Eric F. Joyce
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Ivan Maillard
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Liling Wan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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3
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Smolko AE, Sullivan DW, Olsen SN, Kang H, Whedon SD, Baell JB, Cole PA, Armstrong SA, Kuroda MI. A MOZ-TIF2 leukemia mouse model displays KAT6-dependent H3K23 propionylation and overexpression of a set of active developmental genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405905121. [PMID: 38889153 PMCID: PMC11214132 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405905121] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant regulation of chromatin modifiers is a common occurrence across many cancer types, and a key priority is to determine how specific alterations of these proteins, often enzymes, can be targeted therapeutically. MOZ, a histone acyltransferase, is recurrently fused to coactivators CBP, p300, and TIF2 in cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using either pharmacological inhibition or targeted protein degradation in a mouse model for MOZ-TIF2-driven leukemia, we show that KAT6 (MOZ/MORF) enzymatic activity and the MOZ-TIF2 protein are necessary for indefinite proliferation in cell culture. MOZ-TIF2 directly regulates a small subset of genes encoding developmental transcription factors, augmenting their high expression. Furthermore, transcription levels in MOZ-TIF2 cells positively correlate with enrichment of histone H3 propionylation at lysine 23 (H3K23pr), a recently appreciated histone acylation associated with gene activation. Unexpectedly, we also show that MOZ-TIF2 and MLL-AF9 regulate transcription of unique gene sets, and their cellular models exhibit distinct sensitivities to multiple small-molecule inhibitors directed against AML pathways. This is despite the shared genetic pathways of wild-type MOZ and MLL. Overall, our data provide insight into how aberrant regulation of MOZ contributes to leukemogenesis. We anticipate that these experiments will inform future work identifying targeted therapies in the treatment of AML and other diseases involving MOZ-induced transcriptional dysregulation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Histones/metabolism
- Histone Acetyltransferases/metabolism
- Histone Acetyltransferases/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Humans
- Disease Models, Animal
- Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 2/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 2/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Smolko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Daniel W. Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Sarah Naomi Olsen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02215
| | - Hyuckjoon Kang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Samuel D. Whedon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Jonathan B. Baell
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Scott A. Armstrong
- The Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02215
| | - Mitzi I. Kuroda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
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4
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Shenoy US, Basavarajappa DS, Kabekkodu SP, Radhakrishnan R. Pan-cancer exploration of oncogenic and clinical impacts revealed that HOXA9 is a diagnostic indicator of tumorigenesis. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:134. [PMID: 38904676 PMCID: PMC11192824 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01389-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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Homeodomain transcription factor A9 (HOXA9) is a member of the HOX cluster family of transcription factors that are crucially involved in embryo implantation, morphogenesis, body axis development, and endothelial cell differentiation. Despite numerous reports on its aberrant expression in a few malignancies, the molecular and functional complexity of HOXA9 across cancers remains obscure. We aimed to analyze the dynamic role of HOXA9 across cancers by identifying, analyzing, and understanding its multiple modes of regulation and functional implications and identifying possible therapeutic avenues. We conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the role of HOXA9 across cancers. This approach involved the integration of large-scale datasets from public repositories such as the Genomic Data Commons, specifically the Cancer Genome Atlas (GDC-TCGA), across 33 different cancer types. The multiple modes of HOXA9 regulation by genetic and epigenetic factors were determined using online tools, which comprised experimentally validated observations. Furthermore, downstream pathways were identified by predicting the targets of HOXA9 and by performing functional enrichment analysis. We also assessed the clinical significance of HOXA9 in terms of prognosis and stage stratification. This study evaluated the correlation between HOXA9 and tumor-infiltrating molecules and discussed its association with therapeutically approved antineoplastic drugs. HOXA9 was significantly upregulated in 9 tumors and downregulated in 2 cancers. The deregulation of HOXA9 is primarily attributed to epigenetic factors, including promoter DNA methylation and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The HOXA9 transcription factor interacts with PBX/MEIS cofactors and regulates multiple genes involved in cancer-associated EMT, autophagy, the cell cycle, metabolic pathways, Wnt signaling, TGF-β signaling, the AMPK pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling, and NF-κB signaling, thereby establishing control over downstream mechanisms. Differential expression in various clinical stages across cancers was shown to have prognostic significance and to be correlated with tumor-infiltrating immune molecules. The assessment of the correlation of HOXA9 expression with approved antineoplastic drugs revealed that targeting HOXA9 could be the most reliable strategy for preventing cancer progression. HOXA9 is upregulated in the majority of malignancies and drives cancer progression by regulating multiple signaling mechanisms. Hence, HOXA9 could be a reliable diagnostic indicator and a potential therapeutic candidate for solid cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sangeetha Shenoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Dhanraj Salur Basavarajappa
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
- Academic Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield,, S10 2TA, UK.
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5
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Lawson H, Holt-Martyn JP, Dembitz V, Kabayama Y, Wang LM, Bellani A, Atwal S, Saffoon N, Durko J, van de Lagemaat LN, De Pace AL, Tumber A, Corner T, Salah E, Arndt C, Brewitz L, Bowen M, Dubusse L, George D, Allen L, Guitart AV, Fung TK, So CWE, Schwaller J, Gallipoli P, O'Carroll D, Schofield CJ, Kranc KR. The selective prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor IOX5 stabilizes HIF-1α and compromises development and progression of acute myeloid leukemia. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:916-937. [PMID: 38637657 PMCID: PMC11208159 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a largely incurable disease, for which new treatments are urgently needed. While leukemogenesis occurs in the hypoxic bone marrow, the therapeutic tractability of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) system remains undefined. Given that inactivation of HIF-1α/HIF-2α promotes AML, a possible clinical strategy is to target the HIF-prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), which promote HIF-1α/HIF-2α degradation. Here, we reveal that genetic inactivation of Phd1/Phd2 hinders AML initiation and progression, without impacting normal hematopoiesis. We investigated clinically used PHD inhibitors and a new selective PHD inhibitor (IOX5), to stabilize HIF-α in AML cells. PHD inhibition compromises AML in a HIF-1α-dependent manner to disable pro-leukemogenic pathways, re-program metabolism and induce apoptosis, in part via upregulation of BNIP3. Notably, concurrent inhibition of BCL-2 by venetoclax potentiates the anti-leukemic effect of PHD inhibition. Thus, PHD inhibition, with consequent HIF-1α stabilization, is a promising nontoxic strategy for AML, including in combination with venetoclax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Lawson
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James P Holt-Martyn
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vilma Dembitz
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of Physiology and Immunology and Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Yuka Kabayama
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lydia M Wang
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aarushi Bellani
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Samanpreet Atwal
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nadia Saffoon
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jozef Durko
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louie N van de Lagemaat
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Azzura L De Pace
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anthony Tumber
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Corner
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christine Arndt
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lennart Brewitz
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew Bowen
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Louis Dubusse
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Derek George
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Lewis Allen
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Amelie V Guitart
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Juerg Schwaller
- University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Gallipoli
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Donal O'Carroll
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher J Schofield
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Kamil R Kranc
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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6
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Shenoy US, Adiga D, Alhedyan F, Kabekkodu SP, Radhakrishnan R. HOXA9 transcription factor is a double-edged sword: from development to cancer progression. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:709-728. [PMID: 38062297 PMCID: PMC11156722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The HOXA9 transcription factor serves as a molecular orchestrator in cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and generation of the tumor microenvironment in hematological and solid malignancies. However, the multiple modes of regulation, multifaceted functions, and context-dependent interactions responsible for the dual role of HOXA9 as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in cancer remain obscure. Hence, unravelling its molecular complexities, binding partners, and interacting signaling molecules enables us to comprehend HOXA9-mediated transcriptional programs and molecular crosstalk. However, it is imperative to understand its central role in fundamental biological processes such as embryogenesis, foetus implantation, hematopoiesis, endothelial cell proliferation, and tissue homeostasis before designing targeted therapies. Indeed, it presents an enormous challenge for clinicians to selectively target its oncogenic functions or restore tumor-suppressive role without altering normal cellular functions. In addition to its implications in cancer, the present review also focuses on the clinical applications of HOXA9 in recurrence and drug resistance, which may provide a broader understanding beyond oncology, open new avenues for clinicians for accurate diagnoses, and develop personalized treatment strategies. Furthermore, we have also discussed the existing therapeutic options and accompanying challenges in HOXA9-targeted therapies in different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sangeetha Shenoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Divya Adiga
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Faisal Alhedyan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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7
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Talukdar P, Pal S, Biswas D. Post-translational modification-dependent oligomerization switch in regulation of global transcription and DNA damage repair during genotoxic stress. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4128. [PMID: 38750015 PMCID: PMC11096357 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48530-8] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of functional cross-talk between global transcriptional repression and efficient DNA damage repair during genotoxic stress are poorly known. In this study, using human AF9 as representative of Super Elongation Complex (SEC) components, we delineate detailed mechanisms of these processes. Mechanistically, we describe that Poly-Serine domain-mediated oligomerization is pre-requisite for AF9 YEATS domain-mediated TFIID interaction-dependent SEC recruitment at the promoter-proximal region for release of paused RNA polymerase II. Interestingly, during genotoxic stress, CaMKII-mediated phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of AF9-specific deacetylase HDAC5 enhances concomitant PCAF-mediated acetylation of K339 residue. This causes monomerization of AF9 and reduces TFIID interaction for transcriptional downregulation. Furthermore, the K339 acetylation-dependent enhanced AF9-DNA-PKc interaction leads to phosphorylation at S395 residue which reduces AF9-SEC interaction resulting in transcriptional downregulation and efficient repair of DNA damage. After repair, nuclear re-entry of HDAC5 reduces AF9 acetylation and restores its TFIID and SEC interaction to restart transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sujay Pal
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Debabrata Biswas
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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8
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Saadh MJ, Mahdi MS, Allela OQB, Alazzawi TS, Ubaid M, Rakhimov NM, Athab ZH, Ramaiah P, Chinnasamy L, Alsaikhan F, Farhood B. Critical role of miR-21/exosomal miR-21 in autophagy pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 257:155275. [PMID: 38643552 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Activation of autophagy, a process of cellular stress response, leads to the breakdown of proteins, organelles, and other parts of the cell in lysosomes, and can be linked to several ailments, such as cancer, neurological diseases, and rare hereditary syndromes. Thus, its regulation is very carefully monitored. Transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms domestically or in whole organisms utilized to control the autophagic activity, have been heavily researched. In modern times, microRNAs (miRNAs) are being considered to have a part in post-translational orchestration of the autophagic activity, with miR-21 as one of the best studied miRNAs, it is often more than expressed in cancer cells. This regulatory RNA is thought to play a major role in a plethora of processes and illnesses including growth, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. Different studies have suggested that a few autophagy-oriented genes, such as PTEN, Rab11a, Atg12, SIPA1L2, and ATG5, are all targeted by miR-21, indicating its essential role in the regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed J Saadh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman 11831, Jordan
| | | | | | - Tuqa S Alazzawi
- College of dentist, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | | | - Nodir M Rakhimov
- Department of Oncology, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Department of Oncology, Tashkent State Dental Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Zainab H Athab
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq
| | | | | | - Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia jSchool of Pharmacy, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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9
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Wenge DV, Armstrong SA. The future of HOXA- expressing leukemias: Menin inhibitor response and resistance. Curr Opin Hematol 2024; 31:64-70. [PMID: 38010951 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We provide an update on the successes and ongoing challenges of Menin inhibition as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with acute leukemias that express HOXA cluster genes including leukemias with KMT2A -rearrangements, NPM1 mutations or NUP98 -rearrangements. Initial clinical trials show promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients suggesting these inhibitors may have a significant impact on patient outcome. Furthermore, the development of resistance mutations that decrease drug binding affinity, validates Menin as a therapeutic target in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies aiming at overcoming and preventing resistance, are of high clinical relevance. RECENT FINDINGS Several Menin inhibitor chemotypes have entered clinical trials. Acquired point mutations have recently been described as a mechanism of resistance towards Menin inhibitors. However, resistance can develop in absence of these mutations. Combination therapies are currently being investigated in preclinical models and in early phase clinical trials. SUMMARY Given the remarkable overall response rates, shedding light on treatment options for patients whose leukemias develop resistance to Menin inhibitors is an imminent clinical need. Studying the underlying mechanisms to inform clinical decision making, and to potentially prevent the development of resistance is of outmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela V Wenge
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Barbosa K, Deshpande A, Perales M, Xiang P, Murad R, Pramod AB, Minkina A, Robertson N, Schischlik F, Lei X, Sun Y, Brown A, Amend D, Jeremias I, Doench JG, Humphries RK, Ruppin E, Shendure J, Mali P, Adams PD, Deshpande AJ. Transcriptional control of leukemogenesis by the chromatin reader SGF29. Blood 2024; 143:697-712. [PMID: 38048593 PMCID: PMC10900139 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Aberrant expression of stem cell-associated genes is a common feature in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is linked to leukemic self-renewal and therapy resistance. Using AF10-rearranged leukemia as a prototypical example of the recurrently activated "stemness" network in AML, we screened for chromatin regulators that sustain its expression. We deployed a CRISPR-Cas9 screen with a bespoke domain-focused library and identified several novel chromatin-modifying complexes as regulators of the TALE domain transcription factor MEIS1, a key leukemia stem cell (LSC)-associated gene. CRISPR droplet sequencing revealed that many of these MEIS1 regulators coordinately controlled the transcription of several AML oncogenes. In particular, we identified a novel role for the Tudor-domain-containing chromatin reader protein SGF29 in the transcription of AML oncogenes. Furthermore, SGF29 deletion impaired leukemogenesis in models representative of multiple AML subtypes in multiple AML subtype models. Our studies reveal a novel role for SGF29 as a nononcogenic dependency in AML and identify the SGF29 Tudor domain as an attractive target for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Barbosa
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anagha Deshpande
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Marlenne Perales
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Ping Xiang
- British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rabi Murad
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Akula Bala Pramod
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anna Minkina
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Neil Robertson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fiorella Schischlik
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Xue Lei
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Younguk Sun
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Adam Brown
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Diana Amend
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Irmela Jeremias
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Peter D. Adams
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Aniruddha J. Deshpande
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
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11
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Müller T, Reichlmeir M, Hau AC, Wittig I, Schulte D. The neuronal transcription factor MEIS2 is a calpain-2 protease target. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261482. [PMID: 38305737 PMCID: PMC10941658 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261482] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tight control over transcription factor activity is necessary for a sensible balance between cellular proliferation and differentiation in the embryo and during tissue homeostasis by adult stem cells, but mechanistic details have remained incomplete. The homeodomain transcription factor MEIS2 is an important regulator of neurogenesis in the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) adult stem cell niche in mice. We here identify MEIS2 as direct target of the intracellular protease calpain-2 (composed of the catalytic subunit CAPN2 and the regulatory subunit CAPNS1). Phosphorylation at conserved serine and/or threonine residues, or dimerization with PBX1, reduced the sensitivity of MEIS2 towards cleavage by calpain-2. In the adult V-SVZ, calpain-2 activity is high in stem and progenitor cells, but rapidly declines during neuronal differentiation, which is accompanied by increased stability of MEIS2 full-length protein. In accordance with this, blocking calpain-2 activity in stem and progenitor cells, or overexpression of a cleavage-insensitive form of MEIS2, increased the production of neurons, whereas overexpression of a catalytically active CAPN2 reduced it. Collectively, our results support a key role for calpain-2 in controlling the output of adult V-SVZ neural stem and progenitor cells through cleavage of the neuronal fate determinant MEIS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Müller
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology and Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), MSNZ Junior Group Translational Neurooncology, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Cancer Research (DoCR), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg Centre of Neuropathology (LCNP), 1445 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marina Reichlmeir
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Hau
- Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology and Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), MSNZ Junior Group Translational Neurooncology, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Functional Proteomics, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dorothea Schulte
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
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12
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Lin TL, Jaiswal AK, Ritter AJ, Reppas J, Tran TM, Neeb ZT, Katzman S, Thaxton ML, Cohen A, Sanford JR, Rao DS. Targeting IGF2BP3 enhances antileukemic effects of menin-MLL inhibition in MLL-AF4 leukemia. Blood Adv 2024; 8:261-275. [PMID: 38048400 PMCID: PMC10824693 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging as a novel class of therapeutic targets in cancer, including in leukemia, given their important role in posttranscriptional gene regulation, and have the unexplored potential to be combined with existing therapies. The RBP insulin-like growth factor 2 messenger RNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) has been found to be a critical regulator of MLL-AF4 leukemogenesis and represents a promising therapeutic target. Here, we study the combined effects of targeting IGF2BP3 and menin-MLL interaction in MLL-AF4-driven leukemia in vitro and in vivo, using genetic inhibition with CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of Igf2bp3 and pharmacologic inhibition of the menin-MLL interaction with multiple commercially available inhibitors. Depletion of Igf2bp3 sensitized MLL-AF4 leukemia to the effects of menin-MLL inhibition on cell growth and leukemic initiating cells in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that both Igf2bp3 depletion and menin-MLL inhibition led to increased differentiation in vitro and in vivo, seen in functional readouts and by gene expression analyses. IGF2BP3 knockdown had a greater effect on increasing survival and attenuating disease than pharmacologic menin-MLL inhibition with small molecule MI-503 alone and showed enhanced antileukemic effects in combination. Our work shows that IGF2BP3 is an oncogenic amplifier of MLL-AF4-mediated leukemogenesis and a potent therapeutic target, providing a paradigm for targeting leukemia at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasha L. Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Amit K. Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alexander J. Ritter
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Jenna Reppas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Tiffany M. Tran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Zachary T. Neeb
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Sol Katzman
- Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Michelle L. Thaxton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Amanda Cohen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jeremy R. Sanford
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
- Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Dinesh S. Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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13
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Zhang M, Hyle J, Chen X, Xin Y, Jin Y, Zhang J, Yang X, Chen X, Wright S, Liu Z, Rosikiewicz W, Xu B, He L, Liu H, Ping N, Wu D, Wen F, Li C, Xu P. RNA-binding protein RBM5 plays an essential role in acute myeloid leukemia by activating the oncogenic protein HOXA9. Genome Biol 2024; 25:16. [PMID: 38216972 PMCID: PMC10785552 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03149-8] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The oncogenic protein HOXA9 plays a critical role in leukemia transformation and maintenance, and its aberrant expression is a hallmark of most aggressive acute leukemia. Although inhibiting the upstream regulators of HOXA9 has been proven as a significant therapeutic intervention, the comprehensive regulation network controlling HOXA9 expression in leukemia has not been systematically investigated. RESULTS Here, we perform genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening in the HOXA9-driven reporter acute leukemia cells. We identify a poorly characterized RNA-binding protein, RBM5, as the top candidate gene required to maintain leukemia cell fitness. RBM5 is highly overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients compared to healthy individuals. RBM5 loss triggered by CRISPR knockout and shRNA knockdown significantly impairs leukemia maintenance in vitro and in vivo. Through domain CRISPR screening, we reveal that RBM5 functions through a noncanonical transcriptional regulation circuitry rather than RNA splicing, such an effect depending on DNA-binding domains. By integrative analysis and functional assays, we identify HOXA9 as the downstream target of RBM5. Ectopic expression of HOXA9 rescues impaired leukemia cell proliferation upon RBM5 loss. Importantly, acute protein degradation of RBM5 through auxin-inducible degron system immediately reduces HOXA9 transcription. CONCLUSIONS We identify RBM5 as a new upstream regulator of HOXA9 and reveal its essential role in controlling the survival of AML. These functional and molecular mechanisms further support RBM5 as a promising therapeutic target for myeloid leukemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Judith Hyle
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen Institute of Pediatrics, 7019 Yi Tian Road, Shenzhen, 518038, China
| | - Ye Xin
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingcai Jin
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianxiang Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaela Wright
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Zhenling Liu
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Wojciech Rosikiewicz
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Liusheng He
- Core Facility of Flow Cytometry, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Hong Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nana Ping
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Depei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feiqiu Wen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen Institute of Pediatrics, 7019 Yi Tian Road, Shenzhen, 518038, China
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Peng Xu
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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Cheng Y, Yang X, Wang Y, Li Q, Chen W, Dai R, Zhang C. Multiple machine-learning tools identifying prognostic biomarkers for acute Myeloid Leukemia. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:2. [PMID: 38167056 PMCID: PMC10759623 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) generally has a relatively low survival rate after treatment. There is an urgent need to find new biomarkers that may improve the survival prognosis of patients. Machine-learning tools are more and more widely used in the screening of biomarkers. METHODS Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), lrFuncs, IdaProfile, caretFuncs, and nbFuncs models were used to screen key genes closely associated with AML. Then, based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), pan-cancer analysis was performed to determine the correlation between important genes and AML or other cancers. Finally, the diagnostic value of important genes for AML was verified in different data sets. RESULTS The survival analysis results of the training set showed 26 genes with survival differences. After the intersection of the results of each machine learning method, DNM1, MEIS1, and SUSD3 were selected as key genes for subsequent analysis. The results of the pan-cancer analysis showed that MEIS1 and DNM1 were significantly highly expressed in AML; MEIS1 and SUSD3 are potential risk factors for the prognosis of AML, and DNM1 is a potential protective factor. Three key genes were significantly associated with AML immune subtypes and multiple immune checkpoints in AML. The results of the verification analysis show that DNM1, MEIS1, and SUSD3 have potential diagnostic value for AML. CONCLUSION Multiple machine learning methods identified DNM1, MEIS1, and SUSD3 can be regarded as prognostic biomarkers for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Cheng
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wanlu Chen
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Run Dai
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chan Zhang
- Department of blood transfusion, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, No.157 Jinbi Road, 650034, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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15
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Khalaji A, Mehrtabar S, Jabraeilipour A, Doustar N, Rahmani Youshanlouei H, Tahavvori A, Fattahi P, Alavi SMA, Taha SR, Fazlollahpour-Naghibi A, Shariat Zadeh M. Inhibitory effect of microRNA-21 on pathways and mechanisms involved in cardiac fibrosis development. Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis 2024; 18:17539447241253134. [PMID: 38819836 PMCID: PMC11143841 DOI: 10.1177/17539447241253134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a pivotal cardiovascular disease (CVD) process and represents a notable health concern worldwide. While the complex mechanisms underlying CVD have been widely investigated, recent research has highlighted microRNA-21's (miR-21) role in cardiac fibrosis pathogenesis. In this narrative review, we explore the molecular interactions, focusing on the role of miR-21 in contributing to cardiac fibrosis. Various signaling pathways, such as the RAAS, TGF-β, IL-6, IL-1, ERK, PI3K-Akt, and PTEN pathways, besides dysregulation in fibroblast activity, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of MMPs cause cardiac fibrosis. Besides, miR-21 in growth factor secretion, apoptosis, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition play crucial roles. miR-21 capacity regulatory function presents promising insights for cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, this review discusses numerous approaches to control miR-21 expression, including antisense oligonucleotides, anti-miR-21 compounds, and Notch signaling modulation, all novel methods of cardiac fibrosis inhibition. In summary, this narrative review aims to assess the molecular mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and its essential miR-21 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Khalaji
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
- Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saba Mehrtabar
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Nadia Doustar
- Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | | | - Amir Tahavvori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Payam Fattahi
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Reza Taha
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andarz Fazlollahpour-Naghibi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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16
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Luo M, Miao YR, Ke YJ, Guo AY, Zhang Q. A comprehensive landscape of transcription profiles and data resources for human leukemia. Blood Adv 2023; 7:3435-3449. [PMID: 36595475 PMCID: PMC10362280 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies, leukemia has been widely studied at the transcriptome level. However, a comprehensive transcriptomic landscape and resources for different leukemia subtypes are lacking. Thus, in this study, we integrated the RNA sequencing data sets of >3000 samples from 14 leukemia subtypes and 53 related cell lines via a unified analysis pipeline. We depicted the corresponding transcriptomic landscape and developed a user-friendly data portal LeukemiaDB. LeukemiaDB was designed with 5 main modules: protein-coding gene, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), circular RNA, alternative splicing, and fusion gene modules. In LeukemiaDB, users can search and browse the expression level, regulatory modules, and molecular information across leukemia subtypes or cell lines. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of data in LeukemiaDB demonstrates that (1) different leukemia subtypes or cell lines have similar expression distribution of the protein-coding gene and lncRNA; (2) some alternative splicing events are shared among nearly all leukemia subtypes, for example, MYL6 in A3SS, MYB in A5SS, HMBS in retained intron, GTPBP10 in mutually exclusive exons, and POLL in skipped exon; (3) some leukemia-specific protein-coding genes, for example, ABCA6, ARHGAP44, WNT3, and BLACE, and fusion genes, for example, BCR-ABL1 and KMT2A-AFF1 are involved in leukemogenesis; (4) some highly correlated regulatory modules were also identified in different leukemia subtypes, for example, the HOXA9 module in acute myeloid leukemia and the NOTCH1 module in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In summary, the developed LeukemiaDB provides valuable insights into oncogenesis and progression of leukemia and, to the best of our knowledge, is the most comprehensive transcriptome resource of human leukemia available to the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Luo
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ru Miao
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-Juan Ke
- Dian Diagnostics Group Co, Ltd, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Medical Diagnostics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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17
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Lu Y, Yang Y, Zhu G, Zeng H, Fan Y, Guo F, Xu D, Wang B, Chen D, Ge G. Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies to Overcome Undruggable Proteins in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3360-3382. [PMID: 37496997 PMCID: PMC10367563 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.83026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies in cancer treatment can improve in vivo efficacy and reduce adverse effects by altering the tissue exposure of specific biomolecules. However, there are still large number of target proteins in cancer are still undruggable, owing to the following factors including (1) lack of ligand-binding pockets, (2) function based on protein-protein interactions (PPIs), (3) the highly specific conserved active sites among protein family members, and (4) the variability of tertiary docking structures. The current status of undruggable targets proteins such as KRAS, TP53, C-MYC, PTP, are carefully introduced in this review. Some novel techniques and drug designing strategies have been applicated for overcoming these undruggable proteins, and the most classic and well-known technology is proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, the novel drug development strategies including targeting protein degradation, targeting PPI, targeting intrinsically disordered regions, as well as targeting protein-DNA binding are described, and we also discuss the potential of these strategies for overcoming the undruggable targets. Besides, intelligence-assisted technologies like Alpha-Fold help us a lot to predict the protein structure, which is beneficial for drug development. The discovery of new targets and the development of drugs targeting them, especially those undruggable targets, remain a huge challenge. New drug development strategies, better extraction processes that do not disrupt protein-protein interactions, and more precise artificial intelligence technologies may provide significant assistance in overcoming these undruggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuewen Yang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guanghao Zhu
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Hairong Zeng
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- Dalian Harmony Medical Testing Laboratory Co., Ltd, 116620 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fujia Guo
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dongshu Xu
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Boya Wang
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai City, China
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18
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Fiskus W, Mill CP, Birdwell C, Davis JA, Das K, Boettcher S, Kadia TM, DiNardo CD, Takahashi K, Loghavi S, Soth MJ, Heffernan T, McGeehan GM, Ruan X, Su X, Vakoc CR, Daver N, Bhalla KN. Targeting of epigenetic co-dependencies enhances anti-AML efficacy of Menin inhibitor in AML with MLL1-r or mutant NPM1. Blood Cancer J 2023; 13:53. [PMID: 37055414 PMCID: PMC10102188 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-023-00826-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Monotherapy with Menin inhibitor (MI), e.g., SNDX-5613, induces clinical remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory AML harboring MLL1-r or mtNPM1, but most patients either fail to respond or eventually relapse. Utilizing single-cell RNA-Seq, ChiP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, RNA-Seq, RPPA, and mass cytometry (CyTOF) analyses, present pre-clinical studies elucidate gene-expression correlates of MI efficacy in AML cells harboring MLL1-r or mtNPM1. Notably, MI-mediated genome-wide, concordant, log2 fold-perturbations in ATAC-Seq and RNA-Seq peaks were observed at the loci of MLL-FP target genes, with upregulation of mRNAs associated with AML differentiation. MI treatment also reduced the number of AML cells expressing the stem/progenitor cell signature. A protein domain-focused CRISPR-Cas9 screen in MLL1-r AML cells identified targetable co-dependencies with MI treatment, including BRD4, EP300, MOZ and KDM1A. Consistent with this, in vitro co-treatment with MI and BET, MOZ, LSD1 or CBP/p300 inhibitor induced synergistic loss of viability of AML cells with MLL1-r or mtNPM1. Co-treatment with MI and BET or CBP/p300 inhibitor also exerted significantly superior in vivo efficacy in xenograft models of AML with MLL1-r. These findings highlight novel, MI-based combinations that could prevent escape of AML stem/progenitor cells following MI monotherapy, which is responsible for therapy-refractory AML relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Fiskus
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - John A Davis
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kaberi Das
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steffen Boettcher
- University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tapan M Kadia
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Koichi Takahashi
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanam Loghavi
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Soth
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tim Heffernan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Xinjia Ruan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoping Su
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Naval Daver
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kapil N Bhalla
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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19
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Girgin B, Kocabaş F. Newly developed MEIS inhibitor selectively blocks MEIS High prostate cancer growth and induces apoptosis. Gene 2023; 871:147425. [PMID: 37044182 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in males. Understanding the molecular mechanism and investigation of novel ways to block PCa growth or metastasis are vital and a medical necessity. In this study, we examined differential expression of MEIS1/2/3 and its associated factors in PCa cell lines. MEIS1/2/3 content, reactive oxygen species, and cell cycle status were analyzed in PCa cells post MEIS inhibitor (MEISi) treatments, which is developed in our laboratory as a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor. A correlation was detected between MEIS content and MEISi IC50 values of PCa cells. MEISi decreased the viability of PC-3, DU145, 22Rv-1 and LNCaP cells, and significantly increased apoptosis in parallel with the increased cellular ROS content. The efficacy of MEISi was shown to positively correlate with the levels of MEIS1/2/3 proteins and the long term exposure to MEISi elevated MEIS1/2/3 protein content in PCa cells. Our findings suggest that MEISi could be used to target PCa with high MEIS expression in order to reduce PCa viability and growth; however, more research is needed before this can be translated into clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birkan Girgin
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey; Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Fatih Kocabaş
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey; Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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20
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Bhansali RS, Pratz KW, Lai C. Recent advances in targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:29. [PMID: 36966300 PMCID: PMC10039574 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. While survival for younger patients over the last several decades has improved nearly sixfold with the optimization of intensive induction chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT), this effect has been largely mitigated in older and less fit patients as well as those with adverse-risk disease characteristics. However, the last 10 years has been marked by major advances in the molecular profiling of AML characterized by a deeper understanding of disease pathobiology and therapeutic vulnerabilities. In this regard, the classification of AML subtypes has recently evolved from a morphologic to a molecular and genetic basis, reflected by recent updates from the World Health Organization and the new International Consensus Classification system. After years of stagnation in new drug approvals for AML, there has been a rapid expansion of the armamentarium against this disease since 2017. Low-intensity induction therapy with hypomethylating agents and venetoclax has substantially improved outcomes, including in those previously considered to have a poor prognosis. Furthermore, targeted oral therapies against driver mutations in AML have been added to the repertoire. But with an accelerated increase in treatment options, several questions arise such as how to best sequence therapy, how to combine therapies, and if there is a role for maintenance therapy in those who achieve remission and cannot undergo alloHSCT. Moreover, certain subtypes of AML, such as those with TP53 mutations, still have dismal outcomes despite these recent advances, underscoring an ongoing unmet need and opportunity for translational advances. In this review, we will discuss recent updates in the classification and risk stratification of AML, explore the literature regarding low-intensity and novel oral combination therapies, and briefly highlight investigative agents currently in early clinical development for high-risk disease subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul S Bhansali
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, South Pavilion, 12th Floor, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Keith W Pratz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, South Pavilion, 12th Floor, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Catherine Lai
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, South Pavilion, 12th Floor, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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21
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Aryal S, Zhang Y, Wren S, Li C, Lu R. Molecular regulators of HOXA9 in acute myeloid leukemia. FEBS J 2023; 290:321-339. [PMID: 34743404 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the oncogenic transcription factor HOXA9 is a prominent feature for most aggressive acute myeloid leukemia cases and a strong indicator of poor prognosis in patients. Leukemia subtypes with hallmark overexpression of HOXA9 include those carrying MLL gene rearrangements, NPM1c mutations, and other genetic alternations. A growing body of evidence indicates that HOXA9 dysregulation is both sufficient and necessary for leukemic transformation. The HOXA9 mRNA and protein regulation includes multilayered controls by transcription factors (such as CDX2/4 and USF2/1), epigenetic factors (such as MLL-menin-LEDGF, DOT1L, ENL, HBO1, NPM1c-XPO1, and polycomb proteins), microRNAs (such as miR-126 and miR-196b), long noncoding RNAs (such as HOTTIP), three-dimensional chromatin interactions, and post-translational protein modifications. Recently, insights into the dynamic regulation of HOXA9 have led to an advanced understanding of the HOXA9 regulome and provided new cancer therapeutic opportunities, including developing inhibitors targeting DOT1L, menin, and ENL proteins. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling HOXA9 regulation and the pharmacological approaches that target HOXA9 regulators to treat HOXA9-driven acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajesan Aryal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology & Cancer Biology Program/Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Spencer Wren
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology & Cancer Biology Program/Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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22
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Lieske A, Agyeman-Duah E, Selich A, Dörpmund N, Talbot SR, Schambach A, Maetzig T. A pro B cell population forms the apex of the leukemic hierarchy in Hoxa9/Meis1-dependent AML. Leukemia 2023; 37:79-90. [PMID: 36517672 PMCID: PMC9883166 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01775-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Relapse is a major challenge to therapeutic success in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and can be partly associated with heterogeneous leukemic stem cell (LSC) properties. In the murine Hoxa9/Meis1-dependent (H9M) AML model, LSC potential lies in three defined immunophenotypes, including Lin-cKit+ progenitor cells (Lin-), Gr1+CD11b+cKit+ myeloid cells, and lymphoid cells (Lym+). Previous reports demonstrated their interconversion and distinct drug sensitivities. In contrast, we here show that H9M AML is hierarchically organized. We, therefore, tracked the developmental potential of LSC phenotypes. This unexpectedly revealed a substantial fraction of Lin- LSCs that failed to regenerate Lym+ LSCs, and that harbored reduced leukemogenic potential. However, Lin- LSCs capable of producing Lym+ LSCs as well as Lym+ LSCs triggered rapid disease development suggestive of their high relapse-driving potential. Transcriptional analyses revealed that B lymphoid master regulators, including Sox4 and Bach2, correlated with Lym+ LSC development and presumably aggressive disease. Lentiviral overexpression of Sox4 and Bach2 induced dedifferentiation of H9M cells towards a lineage-negative state in vitro as the first step of lineage conversion. This work suggests that the potency to initiate a partial B lymphoid primed transcriptional program as present in infant AML correlates with aggressive disease and governs the H9M LSC hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lieske
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eric Agyeman-Duah
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anton Selich
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Dörpmund
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven R Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tobias Maetzig
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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23
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Matthews AH, Pratz KW, Carroll MP. Targeting Menin and CD47 to Address Unmet Needs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235906. [PMID: 36497385 PMCID: PMC9735817 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
After forty years of essentially unchanged treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), innovation over the past five years has been rapid, with nine drug approvals from 2016 to 2021. Increased understanding of the molecular changes and genetic ontology of disease have led to targeting mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), B-cell lymphoma 2 and hedgehog pathways. Yet outcomes remain variable; especially in defined molecular and genetic subgroups such as NPM1 (Nucleophosmin 1) mutations, 11q23/KMT2A rearranged and TP53 mutations. Emerging therapies seek to address these unmet needs, and all three of these subgroups have promising new therapeutic approaches. Here, we will discuss the normal biological roles of menin in acute leukemia, notably in KMT2A translocations and NPM1 mutation, as well as current drug development. We will also explore how CD47 inhibition may move immunotherapy into front-line settings and unlock new treatment strategies in TP53 mutated disease. We will then consider how these new therapeutic advances may change the management of AML overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H. Matthews
- Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keith W. Pratz
- Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Martin P. Carroll
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 715 Biomedical Research Building II/III, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence:
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24
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Wang W, Li H, Huang M, Wang X, Li W, Qian X, Jing L. Hoxa9/ meis1-transgenic zebrafish develops acute myeloid leukaemia-like disease with rapid onset and high penetrance. Open Biol 2022; 12:220172. [PMID: 36285442 PMCID: PMC9597180 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 and MEIS1 are co-expressed in over 50% of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and play essential roles in leukaemogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Diverse animal models offer valuable tools to recapitulate different aspects of AML and link in vitro studies to clinical trials. We generated a double transgenic zebrafish that enables hoxa9 overexpression in blood cells under the draculin (drl) regulatory element and an inducible expression of meis1 through a heat shock promoter. After induction, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos developed a preleukaemic state with reduced myeloid and erythroid differentiation coupled with the poor production of haematopoietic stem cells and myeloid progenitors. Importantly, most adult Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) fish at 3 months old showed abundant accumulations of immature myeloid precursors, interrupted differentiation and anaemia in the kidney marrow, and infiltration of myeloid precursors in peripheral blood, resembling human AML. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis also confirmed AML transformation by the transgene. Moreover, the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that reduces leukaemogenesis in mammals effectively restored haematopoiesis in Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos and improved their late survival. Thus, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) zebrafish is a rapid-onset high-penetrance AML-like disease model, which provides a novel tool to harness the unique advantages of zebrafish for mechanistic studies and drug screening against HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpressed high-risk AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongji Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengling Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Core facility and technical service center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Qian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Jing
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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25
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Fioretti T, Zanobio M, Raia M, Errichiello S, Izzo B, Cattaneo F, Ammendola R, Cevenini A, Esposito G. MiR-27a downregulates 14-3-3θ, RUNX1, AF4, and MLL-AF4, crucial drivers of blast transformation in t(4;11) leukemia cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2022; 40:706-717. [PMID: 35981137 PMCID: PMC9804920 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The chromosomal translocation t(4;11)(q21;q23), a hallmark of an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), encodes mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-AF4 oncogenic chimera that triggers aberrant transcription of genes involved in lymphocyte differentiation, including HOXA9 and MEIS1. The scaffold protein 14-3-3θ, which promotes the binding of MLL-AF4 to the HOXA9 promoter, is a target of MiR-27a, a tumor suppressor in different human leukemia cell types. We herein study the role of MiR-27a in the pathogenesis of t(4;11) ALL. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qPCR) reveals that MiR-27a and 14-3-3θ expression is inversely correlated in t(4;11) ALL cell lines; interestingly, MiR-27a relative expression is significantly lower in patients affected by t(4;11) ALL than in patients affected by the less severe t(12;21) leukemia. In t(4;11) leukemia cells, ectopic expression of MiR-27a decreases protein level of 14-3-3θ and of the key transcription factor RUNX1. We show for the first time that MiR-27a also targets AF4 and MLL-AF4; in agreement, MiR-27a overexpression strongly reduces AF4 and MLL-AF4 protein levels in RS4;11 cells. Consequent to AF4 and MLL-AF4 downregulation, MiR-27a overexpression negatively affects transcription of HOXA9 and MEIS1 in different t(4;11) leukemia cell lines. In agreement, we show through chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments that MiR-27a overexpression impairs the binding of MLL-AF4 to the HOXA9 promoter. Lastly, we found that MiR-27a overexpression decreases viability, proliferation, and clonogenicity of t(4;11) cells, whereas it enhances their apoptotic rate. Overall, our study identifies the first microRNAthat strikes in one hit four crucial drivers of blast transformation in t(4;11) leukemia. Therefore, MiR-27a emerges as a new promising therapeutic target for this aggressive and poorly curable form of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Fioretti
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly
| | - Mariateresa Zanobio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly,Precision MedicineUniversity of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”Naples, Italy
| | - Maddalena Raia
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly
| | - Santa Errichiello
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly
| | - Barbara Izzo
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Fabio Cattaneo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Rosario Ammendola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Armando Cevenini
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Gabriella Esposito
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore s.c. a r.l.NaplesItaly,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
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26
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Eagle K, Harada T, Kalfon J, Perez MW, Heshmati Y, Ewers J, Koren JV, Dempster JM, Kugener G, Paralkar VR, Lin CY, Dharia NV, Stegmaier K, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. Transcriptional Plasticity Drives Leukemia Immune Escape. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:394-409. [PMID: 35709529 PMCID: PMC9897290 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been linked to immune evasion due to reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) genes through unknown mechanisms. In this work, we developed CORENODE, a computational algorithm for genome-wide transcription network decomposition that identified a transcription factor (TF) tetrad consisting of IRF8, MYB, MEF2C, and MEIS1, regulating MHCII expression in AML cells. We show that reduced MHCII expression at relapse is transcriptionally driven by combinatorial changes in the expression of these TFs, where MYB and IRF8 play major opposing roles, acting independently of the IFNγ/CIITA pathway. Beyond the MHCII genes, MYB and IRF8 antagonistically regulate a broad genetic program responsible for cytokine signaling and T-cell stimulation that displays reduced expression at relapse. A small number of cells with altered TF abundance and silenced MHCII expression are present at the time of initial leukemia diagnosis, likely contributing to eventual relapse. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings point to an adaptive transcriptional mechanism of AML evolution after allogeneic transplantation whereby combinatorial fluctuations of TF expression under immune pressure result in the selection of cells with a silenced T-cell stimulation program. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, Texas
| | - Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Monika W. Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yaser Heshmati
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jazmin Ewers
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jošt Vrabič Koren
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Vikram R. Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles Y. Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Neekesh V. Dharia
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stuart H. Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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MOZ is critical for the development of MOZ/MLL-fusion-induced leukemia through regulation of Hoxa9/Meis1 expression. Blood Adv 2022; 6:5527-5537. [PMID: 35947126 PMCID: PMC9577624 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003490] [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: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (MOZ, MYST3, or KAT6A) is a MYST-type acetyltransferase involved in chromosomal translocation in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome. MOZ is established as essential for hematopoiesis; however, the role of MOZ in AML has not been addressed. We propose that MOZ is critical for AML development induced by MLL-AF9, MLL-AF10, or MOZ-TIF2 fusions. Moz-deficient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) transduced with an MLL-AF10 fusion gene neither formed colonies in methylcellulose nor induced AML in mice. Moz-deficient HSPCs bearing MLL-AF9 also generated significantly reduced colony and cell numbers. Moz-deficient HSPCs expressing MOZ-TIF2 could form colonies in vitro but could not induce AML in mice. By contrast, Moz was dispensable for colony formation by HOXA9-transduced cells and AML development caused by HOXA9 and MEIS1, suggesting a specific requirement for MOZ in AML induced by MOZ/MLL fusions. Expression of the Hoxa9 and Meis1 genes was decreased in Moz-deficient MLL fusion-expressing cells, while expression of Meis1, but not Hoxa9, was reduced in Moz-deficient MOZ-TIF2 AML cells. AML development induced by MOZ-TIF2 was rescued by introducing Meis1 into Moz-deficient cells carrying MOZ-TIF2. Meis1 deletion impaired MOZ-TIF2–mediated AML development. Active histone modifications were also severely reduced at the Meis1 locus in Moz-deficient MOZ-TIF2 and MLL-AF9 AML cells. These results suggest that endogenous MOZ is critical for MOZ/MLL fusion-induced AML development and maintains active chromatin signatures at target gene loci. MOZ is critical for MOZ/MLL fusion-mediated AML development, Meis1 induction by MOZ fusions, and Hoxa9/Meis1 induction by MLL fusions. Endogenous MOZ is required to maintain MOZ-target and active histone modifications at the Meis1 gene locus.
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28
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Ikeda D, Chi S, Uchiyama S, Nakamura H, Guo YM, Yamauchi N, Yuda J, Minami Y. Molecular Classification and Overcoming Therapy Resistance for Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Adverse Genetic Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5950. [PMID: 35682627 PMCID: PMC9180585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115950] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria define the adverse genetic factors of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML with adverse genetic factors uniformly shows resistance to standard chemotherapy and is associated with poor prognosis. Here, we focus on the biological background and real-world etiology of these adverse genetic factors and then describe a strategy to overcome the clinical disadvantages in terms of targeting pivotal molecular mechanisms. Different adverse genetic factors often rely on common pathways. KMT2A rearrangement, DEK-NUP214 fusion, and NPM1 mutation are associated with the upregulation of HOX genes. The dominant tyrosine kinase activity of the mutant FLT3 or BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins is transduced by the AKT-mTOR, MAPK-ERK, and STAT5 pathways. Concurrent mutations of ASXL1 and RUNX1 are associated with activated AKT. Both TP53 mutation and mis-expressed MECOM are related to impaired apoptosis. Clinical data suggest that adverse genetic factors can be found in at least one in eight AML patients and appear to accumulate in relapsed/refractory cases. TP53 mutation is associated with particularly poor prognosis. Molecular-targeted therapies focusing on specific genomic abnormalities, such as FLT3, KMT2A, and TP53, have been developed and have demonstrated promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ikeda
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
- Department of Hematology, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa 296-8602, Japan
| | - SungGi Chi
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Hirotaka Nakamura
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yong-Mei Guo
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Nobuhiko Yamauchi
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Junichiro Yuda
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; (D.I.); (S.C.); (S.U.); (H.N.); (Y.-M.G.); (N.Y.); (J.Y.)
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29
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Chi SG, Minami Y. Emerging Targeted Therapy for Specific Genomic Abnormalities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2362. [PMID: 35216478 PMCID: PMC8879537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe recent updates of existing molecular-targeting agents and emerging novel gene-specific strategies. FLT3 and IDH inhibitors are being tested in combination with conventional chemotherapy for both medically fit patients and patients who are ineligible for intensive therapy. FLT3 inhibitors combined with non-cytotoxic agents, such as BCL-2 inhibitors, have potential therapeutic applicability. The menin-MLL complex pathway is an emerging therapeutic target. The pathway accounts for the leukemogenesis in AML with MLL-rearrangement, NPM1 mutation, and NUP98 fusion genes. Potent menin-MLL inhibitors have demonstrated promising anti-leukemic effects in preclinical studies. The downstream signaling molecule SYK represents an additional target. However, the TP53 mutation continues to remain a challenge. While the p53 stabilizer APR-246 in combination with azacitidine failed to show superiority compared to azacitidine monotherapy in a phase 3 trial, next-generation p53 stabilizers are now under development. Among a number of non-canonical approaches to TP53-mutated AML, the anti-CD47 antibody magrolimab in combination with azacitidine showed promising results in a phase 1b trial. Further, the efficacy was somewhat better in patients with the TP53 mutation. Although clinical evidence has not been accumulated sufficiently, targeting activating KIT mutations and RAS pathway-related molecules can be a future therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 2778577, Japan;
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30
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Bai X, Bian Z. MicroRNA-21 Is a Versatile Regulator and Potential Treatment Target in Central Nervous System Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:842288. [PMID: 35173580 PMCID: PMC8841607 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.842288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs with a length of approximately 22 nucleotides that are found in eukaryotes. miRNAs are involved in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and metabolism by regulating the expression of their target genes. Emerging studies have suggested that various miRNAs play key roles in the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and may be viable therapeutic targets. In particular, miR-21 has prominently emerged as a focus of increasing research on the mechanisms of its involvement in CNS disorders. Herein, we reviewed recent studies on the critical roles of miR-21, including its dysregulated expression and target genes, in the regulation of pathophysiological processes of CNS disorders, with a special focus on apoptosis and inflammation. Collectively, miR-21 is a versatile regulator in the progression of CNS disorders and could be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for these diseases. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms by which miR-21 affects the pathogenesis of CNS disorders could pave the way for miR-21 to serve as a therapeutic target for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhigang Bian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhigang Bian,
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31
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Effective Menin inhibitor-based combinations against AML with MLL rearrangement or NPM1 mutation (NPM1c). Blood Cancer J 2022; 12:5. [PMID: 35017466 PMCID: PMC8752621 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-021-00603-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with Menin inhibitor (MI) disrupts the interaction between Menin and MLL1 or MLL1-fusion protein (FP), inhibits HOXA9/MEIS1, induces differentiation and loss of survival of AML harboring MLL1 re-arrangement (r) and FP, or expressing mutant (mt)-NPM1. Following MI treatment, although clinical responses are common, the majority of patients with AML with MLL1-r or mt-NPM1 succumb to their disease. Pre-clinical studies presented here demonstrate that genetic knockout or degradation of Menin or treatment with the MI SNDX-50469 reduces MLL1/MLL1-FP targets, associated with MI-induced differentiation and loss of viability. MI treatment also attenuates BCL2 and CDK6 levels. Co-treatment with SNDX-50469 and BCL2 inhibitor (venetoclax), or CDK6 inhibitor (abemaciclib) induces synergistic lethality in cell lines and patient-derived AML cells harboring MLL1-r or mtNPM1. Combined therapy with SNDX-5613 and venetoclax exerts superior in vivo efficacy in a cell line or PD AML cell xenografts harboring MLL1-r or mt-NPM1. Synergy with the MI-based combinations is preserved against MLL1-r AML cells expressing FLT3 mutation, also CRISPR-edited to introduce mtTP53. These findings highlight the promise of clinically testing these MI-based combinations against AML harboring MLL1-r or mtNPM1.
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32
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Moore JA, Mistry JJ, Hellmich C, Horton RH, Wojtowicz EE, Jibril A, Jefferson M, Wileman T, Beraza N, Bowles KM, Rushworth SA. LC3-associated phagocytosis in bone marrow macrophages suppresses acute myeloid leukemia progression through STING activation. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:153157. [PMID: 34990402 PMCID: PMC8884913 DOI: 10.1172/jci153157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment regulates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) initiation, proliferation, and chemotherapy resistance. Following cancer cell death, a growing body of evidence suggests an important role for remaining apoptotic debris in regulating the immunologic response to and growth of solid tumors. Here, we investigated the role of macrophage LC3–associated phagocytosis (LAP) within the BM microenvironment of AML. Depletion of BM macrophages (BMMs) increased AML growth in vivo. We show that LAP is the predominate method of BMM phagocytosis of dead and dying cells in the AML microenvironment. Targeted inhibition of LAP led to the accumulation of apoptotic cells (ACs) and apoptotic bodies (ABs), resulting in accelerated leukemia growth. Mechanistically, LAP of AML-derived ABs by BMMs resulted in stimulator of IFN genes (STING) pathway activation. We found that AML-derived mitochondrial damage–associated molecular patterns were processed by BMMs via LAP. Moreover, depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in AML-derived ABs showed that it was this mtDNA that was responsible for the induction of STING signaling in BMMs. Phenotypically, we found that STING activation suppressed AML growth through a mechanism related to increased phagocytosis. In summary, we report that macrophage LAP of apoptotic debris in the AML BM microenvironment suppressed tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A Moore
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jayna J Mistry
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Hellmich
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca H Horton
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aisha Jibril
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Jefferson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Wileman
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Naiara Beraza
- Quadram Institute Biosciences, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian M Bowles
- Department of Haematology, Norwich Medical School, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart A Rushworth
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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33
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Singh AP, Luo H, Matur M, Eshelman MA, Hamamoto K, Sharma A, Lesperance J, Huang S. A coordinated function of lncRNA HOTTIP and miRNA-196b underpinning leukemogenesis by targeting FAS signaling. Oncogene 2022; 41:718-731. [PMID: 34845377 PMCID: PMC8810734 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may modulate more than 60% of human coding genes and act as negative regulators, whereas long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression on multiple levels by interacting with chromatin, functional proteins, and RNAs such as mRNAs and microRNAs. However, the crosstalk between HOTTIP lncRNA and miRNAs in leukemogenesis remains elusive. Using combined integrated analyses of global miRNA expression profiling and state-of-the-art genomic analyses of chromatin such as ChIRP-seq (HOTTIP binding in genomewide), ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq, we found that some miRNA genes are directly controlled by HOTTIP. Specifically, the HOX cluster miRNAs (miR-196a, miR-196b, miR-10a, and miR-10b), located cis and trans, were most dramatically regulated and significantly decreased in HOTTIP-/- AML cells. HOTTIP bound to the miR-196b promoter and HOTTIP deletion reduced chromatin accessibility and enrichment of active histone modifications at HOX cluster-associated miRNAs in AML cells, whereas reactivation of HOTTIP restored miR gene expression and chromatin accessibility in the CTCF-boundary-attenuated AML cells. Inactivation of HOTTIP or miR-196b promotes apoptosis by altering the chromatin signature at the FAS promoter and increasing FAS expression. Transplantation of miR-196b knockdown MOLM13 cells in NSG mice increased overall survival of mice compared to wild-type cells transplanted into mice. Thus, HOTTIP remodels the chromatin architecture around miRNAs to promote their transcription and consequently represses tumor suppressors and promotes leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeet P Singh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Huacheng Luo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Meghana Matur
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Melanie A Eshelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Karina Hamamoto
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Julia Lesperance
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Suming Huang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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34
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Blanco MA, Sykes DB, Gu L, Wu M, Petroni R, Karnik R, Wawer M, Rico J, Li H, Jacobus WD, Jambhekar A, Cheloufi S, Meissner A, Hochedlinger K, Scadden DT, Shi Y. Chromatin-state barriers enforce an irreversible mammalian cell fate decision. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109967. [PMID: 34758323 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells have the capacity to balance self-renewal and differentiation. Hematopoietic myeloid progenitors replenish more than 25 billion terminally differentiated neutrophils every day under homeostatic conditions and can increase this output in response to stress or infection. At what point along the spectrum of maturation do progenitors lose capacity for self-renewal and become irreversibly committed to differentiation? Using a system of conditional myeloid development that can be toggled between self-renewal and differentiation, we interrogate determinants of this "point of no return" in differentiation commitment. Irreversible commitment is due primarily to loss of open regulatory site access and disruption of a positive feedback transcription factor activation loop. Restoration of the transcription factor feedback loop extends the window of cell plasticity and alters the point of no return. These findings demonstrate how the chromatin state enforces and perpetuates cell fate and identify potential avenues for manipulating cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Andrés Blanco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David B Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lei Gu
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Bad Nauheim, Germany; Epigenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Mengjun Wu
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Petroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rahul Karnik
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mathias Wawer
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua Rico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haitao Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William D Jacobus
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashwini Jambhekar
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sihem Cheloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, Stem Cell Center, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Konrad Hochedlinger
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David T Scadden
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Yang Shi
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Oxford Branch, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
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35
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The Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Is Required for the NUP98-HOXA9-Induced Aberrant Nuclear Envelope Phenotype. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112851. [PMID: 34831074 PMCID: PMC8616146 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the nucleoporin NUP98 gene are recurrently identified in leukemia; yet, the cellular defects accompanying NUP98 fusion proteins are poorly characterized. NUP98 fusions cause changes in nuclear and nuclear envelope (NE) organization, in particular, in the nuclear lamina and the lamina associated polypeptide 2α (LAP2α), a regulator of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein (RB). We demonstrate that, for NUP98-HOXA9 (NHA9), the best-studied NUP98 fusion protein, its effect(s) on nuclear architecture largely depend(s) on RB. Morphological alterations caused by the expression of NHA9 are largely diminished in the absence of RB, both in human cells expressing the human papillomavirus 16 E7 protein and in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking RB. We further show that NHA9 expression associates with distinct histone modification. Moreover, the pattern of trimethylation of histone H3 lysine-27 is affected by NHA9, again in an RB-dependent manner. Our results pinpoint to an unexpected interplay between NUP98 fusion proteins and RB, which may contribute to leukemogenesis.
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36
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Blasi F, Bruckmann C. MEIS1 in Hematopoiesis and Cancer. How MEIS1-PBX Interaction Can Be Used in Therapy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040044. [PMID: 34698191 PMCID: PMC8544432 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently MEIS1 emerged as a major determinant of the MLL-r leukemic phenotype. The latest and most efficient drugs effectively decrease the levels of MEIS1 in cancer cells. Together with an overview of the latest drugs developed to target MEIS1 in MLL-r leukemia, we review, in detail, the role of MEIS1 in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and suggest how a more profound knowledge of MEIS1 biochemistry can be used to design potent and effective drugs against MLL-r leukemia. In addition, we present data showing that the interaction between MEIS1 and PBX1 can be blocked efficiently and might represent a new avenue in anti-MLL-r and anti-leukemic therapy.
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37
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Goldberg L, Negi V, Chung YJ, Onozawa M, Zhu YJ, Walker RL, Pierce R, Patel DP, Krausz KW, Gonzalez FJ, Goodell MA, Rodriguez BAT, Meltzer PS, Aplan PD. Mutant Idh2 Cooperates with a NUP98-HOXD13 Fusion to Induce Early Immature Thymocyte Precursor ALL. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5033-5046. [PMID: 34321240 PMCID: PMC8487989 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 genes are frequently observed in a wide variety of hematologic malignancies, including myeloid and T-cell leukemias. In this study, we generated Idh2R140Q transgenic mice to examine the role of the Idh2R140Q mutation in leukemia. No leukemia developed in Idh2R140Q transgenic mice, suggesting a need for additional genetic events for leukemia development. Because myeloid cells from NUP98-HOXD13 fusion (NHD13) transgenic mice frequently acquire somatic Idh mutations when they transform to acute myeloid leukemia, we generated Idh2R140Q/NHD13 double transgenic mice. Idh2R140Q/NHD13 transgenic mice developed an immature T-cell leukemia with an immunophenotype similar to double-negative 1 (DN1) or DN2 thymocytes. Idh2R140Q/NHD13 leukemic cells were enriched for an early thymic precursor transcriptional signature, and the gene expression profile for Idh2R140Q/NHD13 DN1/DN2 T-ALL closely matched that of human early/immature T-cell precursor (EITP) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Moreover, recurrent mutations found in patients with EITP ALL, including KRAS, PTPN11, JAK3, SH2B3, and EZH2 were also found in Idh2R140Q/NHD13 DN1/DN2 T-ALL. In vitro treatment of Idh2R140Q/NHD13 thymocytes with enasidenib, a selective inhibitor of mutant IDH2, led to a marked decrease in leukemic cell proliferation. These findings demonstrate that Idh2R140Q/NHD13 mice can serve as a useful in vivo model for the study of early/immature thymocyte precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia development and therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: T-cell leukemia induced in Idh2R140Q/NUP98-HOXD13 mice is immunophenotypically, transcriptionally, and genetically similar to human EITP ALL, providing a model for studying disease development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Goldberg
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Vijay Negi
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yang Jo Chung
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Masahiro Onozawa
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuelin J Zhu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert L Walker
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Rachel Pierce
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daxesh P Patel
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kristopher W Krausz
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Margaret A Goodell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Benjamin A T Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Valo Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paul S Meltzer
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter D Aplan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Hassan JJ, Lieske A, Dörpmund N, Klatt D, Hoffmann D, Kleppa MJ, Kustikova OS, Stahlhut M, Schwarzer A, Schambach A, Maetzig T. A Multiplex CRISPR-Screen Identifies PLA2G4A as Prognostic Marker and Druggable Target for HOXA9 and MEIS1 Dependent AML. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179411. [PMID: 34502319 PMCID: PMC8431012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 and MEIS1 are frequently upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including those with MLL-rearrangement. Because of their pivotal role in hemostasis, HOXA9 and MEIS1 appear non-druggable. We, thus, interrogated gene expression data of pre-leukemic (overexpressing Hoxa9) and leukemogenic (overexpressing Hoxa9 and Meis1; H9M) murine cell lines to identify cancer vulnerabilities. Through gene expression analysis and gene set enrichment analyses, we compiled a list of 15 candidates for functional validation. Using a novel lentiviral multiplexing approach, we selected and tested highly active sgRNAs to knockout candidate genes by CRISPR/Cas9, and subsequently identified a H9M cell growth dependency on the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (PLA2G4A). Similar results were obtained by shRNA-mediated suppression of Pla2g4a. Remarkably, pharmacologic inhibition of PLA2G4A with arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3) accelerated the loss of H9M cells in bulk cultures. Additionally, AACOCF3 treatment of H9M cells reduced colony numbers and colony sizes in methylcellulose. Moreover, AACOCF3 was highly active in human AML with MLL rearrangement, in which PLA2G4A was significantly higher expressed than in AML patients without MLL rearrangement, and is sufficient as an independent prognostic marker. Our work, thus, identifies PLA2G4A as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for H9M-dependent AML with MLL-rearrangement.
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MESH Headings
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Cell Proliferation
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Group IV Phospholipases A2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Group IV Phospholipases A2/genetics
- High-Throughput Screening Assays
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein/genetics
- Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Jalil Hassan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Lieske
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Dörpmund
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Denise Klatt
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Dirk Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Marc-Jens Kleppa
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Olga S. Kustikova
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Maike Stahlhut
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Adrian Schwarzer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tobias Maetzig
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.J.H.); (A.L.); (N.D.); (D.K.); (D.H.); (M.-J.K.); (O.S.K.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Wilmerding A, Bouteille L, Rinaldi L, Caruso N, Graba Y, Delfini MC. HOXB8 Counteracts MAPK/ERK Oncogenic Signaling in a Chicken Embryo Model of Neoplasia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8911. [PMID: 34445617 PMCID: PMC8396257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HOX transcription factors are members of an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins required for the establishment of the anteroposterior body axis during bilaterian development. Although they are often deregulated in cancers, the molecular mechanisms by which they act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are only partially understood. Since the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway is deregulated in most cancers, we aimed at apprehending if and how the Hox proteins interact with ERK oncogenicity. Using an in vivo neoplasia model in the chicken embryo consisting in the overactivation of the ERK1/2 kinases in the trunk neural tube, we analyzed the consequences of the HOXB8 gain of function at the morphological and transcriptional levels. We found that HOXB8 acts as a tumor suppressor, counteracting ERK-induced neoplasia. The HOXB8 tumor suppressor function relies on a large reversion of the oncogenic transcriptome induced by ERK. In addition to showing that the HOXB8 protein controls the transcriptional responsiveness to ERK oncogenic signaling, our study identified new downstream targets of ERK oncogenic activation in an in vivo context that could provide clues for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Wilmerding
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
| | - Lauranne Bouteille
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
| | - Lucrezia Rinaldi
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine and the Cancer Center, Division of Hematology, Harvard Initiative of RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathalie Caruso
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
| | - Yacine Graba
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
| | - Marie-Claire Delfini
- Aix Marseille Université (AMU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM-UMR 7288), 13288 Marseille, France; (A.W.); (L.B.); (L.R.); (N.C.)
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Role of the HOXA cluster in HSC emergence and blood cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1817-1827. [PMID: 34374409 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis, the process of blood formation, is controlled by a complex developmental program that involves intrinsic and extrinsic regulators. Blood formation is critical to normal embryonic development and during embryogenesis distinct waves of hematopoiesis have been defined that represent the emergence of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. The Class I family of homeobox (HOX) genes are also critical for normal embryonic development, whereby mutations are associated with malformations and deformity. Recently, members of the HOXA cluster (comprising 11 genes and non-coding RNA elements) have been associated with the emergence and maintenance of long-term repopulating HSCs. Previous studies identified a gradient of HOXA expression from high in HSCs to low in circulating peripheral cells, indicating their importance in maintaining blood cell numbers and differentiation state. Indeed, dysregulation of HOXA genes either directly or by genetic lesions of upstream regulators correlates with a malignant phenotype. This review discusses the role of the HOXA cluster in both HSC emergence and blood cancer formation highlighting the need for further research to identify specific roles of these master regulators in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.
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Cigdem S, Saito S, Nishikata D, Nagata K, Okuwaki M. SET-NUP214 and MLL cooperatively regulate the promoter activity of the HoxA10 gene. Genes Cells 2021; 26:830-837. [PMID: 34320268 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
SET-Nup214 is a recurrent fusion gene that is mainly observed in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Dysregulation of homeobox (Hox) genes is frequently observed in patients with leukemia. Consistent with this, HoxA genes are upregulated in the SET-Nup214 + T-ALL cell line and patients. Although SET-Nup214 has been reported to be recruited to the promoter regions of HoxA genes, the detailed mechanisms of how SET-Nup214 specifically binds to HoxA gene promoters and regulates HoxA gene expression are not known. In this study, we demonstrated that SET-Nup214 interacts with MLL via the SET acidic region of SET-Nup214. SET-Nup214 and MLL cooperatively enhance the promoter activity of the HoxA10 gene. Neither the SET region alone nor the Nup214 region alone sufficiently enhanced the HoxA10 gene promoter. Our results indicated that the SET portion of the SET-Nup214-fusion protein is important for interactions with MLL and transcription enhancement of the HoxA10 gene. Thus, our study will contribute to the understanding of how SET-Nup214 and MLL disturb the expression of HoxA10 gene in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadik Cigdem
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Minato-ku, Japan.,Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shoko Saito
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Daiki Nishikata
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Minato-ku, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuru Okuwaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Minato-ku, Japan
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Mayoral-Varo V, Jiménez L, Link W. The Critical Role of TRIB2 in Cancer and Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112701. [PMID: 34070799 PMCID: PMC8198994 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Tribbles proteins are members of CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family. They are evolutionary conserved pseudokinases found in most tissues of eukaryotic organisms. This ubiquitously expressed protein family is characterized by containing a catalytically deficient kinase domain which lacks amino acid residues required for the productive interaction with ATP and metal ions. Tribbles proteins exert their biological functions mainly through direct interaction with MAPKK and AKT proteins, therefore regulating important pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Due to the role of MAPKK and AKT signalling in the context of cancer development, Tribbles proteins have been recently considered as biomarkers of cancer progression. Furthermore, as the atypical pseudokinase domain retains a binding platform for substrates, Tribbles targeting provides an attractive opportunity for drug development. Abstract The Tribbles pseudokinases family consists of TRIB1, TRIB2, TRIB3 and STK40 and, although evolutionarily conserved, they have distinctive characteristics. Tribbles members are expressed in a context and cell compartment-dependent manner. For example, TRIB1 and TRIB2 have potent oncogenic activities in vertebrate cells. Since the identification of Tribbles proteins as modulators of multiple signalling pathways, recent studies have linked their expression with several pathologies, including cancer. Tribbles proteins act as protein adaptors involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system, as they bridge the gap between substrates and E3 ligases. Between TRIB family members, TRIB2 is the most ancestral member of the family. TRIB2 is involved in protein homeostasis regulation of C/EBPα, β-catenin and TCF4. On the other hand, TRIB2 interacts with MAPKK, AKT and NFkB proteins, involved in cell survival, proliferation and immune response. Here, we review the characteristic features of TRIB2 structure and signalling and its role in many cancer subtypes with an emphasis on TRIB2 function in therapy resistance in melanoma, leukemia and glioblastoma. The strong evidence between TRIB2 expression and chemoresistance provides an attractive opportunity for targeting TRIB2.
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Liu T, Ji C, Sun Y, Bai W. HOXA9 Expression is Associated with Advanced Tumour Stage and Prognosis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:4147-4154. [PMID: 34045901 PMCID: PMC8149281 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s305814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Homeobox A9 (HOXA9), a member of the HOX protein family, plays diverse biological roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. The prognostic value of HOXA9 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not well-defined. The present study aimed to analyse NPC tissue HOXA9 expression and determine prognostic significance by investigating the relationship between HOXA9 expression and clinicopathologic features. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2014, 252 NPC patients and 30 chronic nasopharyngitis patients (control group) were recruited to participate in the present study. Correlations between HOXA9 expression level and clinicopathologic features (including survival) were analysed. Results High HOXA9 expression was significantly associated with clinical stage (p < 0.01) and higher T stage (p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, high HOXA9 expression predicted overall survival (OS) (p = 0.011). In multivariate analysis, HOXA9 over-expression independently and significantly predicted poorer PFS (p < 0.01, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.387, 95% CI [0.876, 6.545]) and OS (p < 0.01, HR = 2.486, 95% CI [1.041, 8.926]). Conclusion High HOXA9 expression is an independent prognostic factor associated with advanced tumour stage and poorer survival in NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancong Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Ji
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiliang Bai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are defined as unspecialized cells that give rise to more differentiated cells. In a similar way, leukaemic stem and progenitor cells (LSPCs) are defined as unspecialized leukaemic cells, which can give rise to more differentiated cells. Leukaemic cells carry leukaemic mutations/variants and have clear differentiation abnormalities. Pre-leukaemic HSPCs (PreL-HSPCs) carry pre-leukaemic mutations/variants (pLMs) and are capable of producing mature functional cells, which will carry the same variants. Under the roof of LSPCs, one can find a broad range of cell types genetic and disease phenotypes. Present-day knowledge suggests that this phenotypic heterogeneity is the result of interactions between the cell of origin, the genetic background and the microenvironment background. The combination of these attributes will define the LSPC phenotype, frequency, differentiation capacity and evolutionary trajectory. Importantly, as LSPCs are leukaemia-initiating cells that sustain clinical remission and are the source of relapse, an improved understanding of LSPCs phenotype would offer better clinical opportunities for the treatment and hopefully prevention of human leukaemia. The current review will focus on LSPCs attributes in the context of human haematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L I Shlush
- From the, Liran Shlush's Lab - Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - T Feldman
- From the, Liran Shlush's Lab - Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Belver L, Albero R, Ferrando AA. Deregulation of enhancer structure, function, and dynamics in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:418-431. [PMID: 33858773 PMCID: PMC8091164 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Enhancers control dynamic changes in gene expression and orchestrate the tightly controlled transcriptional circuitries that direct and coordinate cell growth, proliferation, survival, lineage commitment, and differentiation during lymphoid development. Enhancer hijacking and neoenhancer formation at oncogene loci, as well as aberrant activation of oncogene-associated enhancers, can induce constitutive activation of self-perpetuating oncogenic transcriptional circuitries, and contribute to the malignant transformation of immature lymphoid progenitors in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this review, we present recent discoveries of the role of enhancer dynamics in mouse and human lymphoid development, and discuss how genetic and epigenetic alterations of enhancer function can promote leukemogenesis, and potential strategies for targeting the enhancer machinery in the treatment of ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Belver
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, 08916, Spain
| | - Robert Albero
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo A Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Fioretti T, Cevenini A, Zanobio M, Raia M, Sarnataro D, Cattaneo F, Ammendola R, Esposito G. Nuclear FGFR2 Interacts with the MLL-AF4 Oncogenic Chimera and Positively Regulates HOXA9 Gene Expression in t(4;11) Leukemia Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094623. [PMID: 33924850 PMCID: PMC8124917 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromosomal translocation t(4;11) marks an infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated with dismal prognosis. This rearrangement leads to the synthesis of the MLL-AF4 chimera, which exerts its oncogenic activity by upregulating transcription of genes involved in hematopoietic differentiation. Crucial for chimera’s aberrant activity is the recruitment of the AF4/ENL/P-TEFb protein complex. Interestingly, a molecular interactor of AF4 is fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). We herein analyze the role of FGFR2 in the context of leukemia using t(4;11) leukemia cell lines. We revealed the interaction between MLL-AF4 and FGFR2 by immunoprecipitation, western blot, and immunofluorescence experiments; we also tested the effects of FGFR2 knockdown, FGFR2 inhibition, and FGFR2 stimulation on the expression of the main MLL-AF4 target genes, i.e., HOXA9 and MEIS1. Our results show that FGFR2 and MLL-AF4 interact in the nucleus of leukemia cells and that FGFR2 knockdown, which is associated with decreased expression of HOXA9 and MEIS1, impairs the binding of MLL-AF4 to the HOXA9 promoter. We also show that stimulation of leukemia cells with FGF2 increases nuclear level of FGFR2 in its phosphorylated form, as well as HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression. In contrast, preincubation with the ATP-mimetic inhibitor PD173074, before FGF2 stimulation, reduced FGFR2 nuclear amount and HOXA9 and MEIS1 transcript level, thereby indicating that MLL-AF4 aberrant activity depends on the nuclear availability of FGFR2. Overall, our study identifies FGFR2 as a new and promising therapeutic target in t(4;11) leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Fioretti
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies s.c. a r.l., via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Armando Cevenini
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies s.c. a r.l., via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Mariateresa Zanobio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Maddalena Raia
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies s.c. a r.l., via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniela Sarnataro
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies s.c. a r.l., via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Fabio Cattaneo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Rosario Ammendola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Gabriella Esposito
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies s.c. a r.l., via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.C.); (R.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-0817463146
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Stahlhut M, Ha TC, Takmakova E, Morgan MA, Schwarzer A, Schaudien D, Eder M, Schambach A, Kustikova OS. Conditionally immortalised leukaemia initiating cells co-expressing Hoxa9/Meis1 demonstrate microenvironmental adaptation properties ex vivo while maintaining myelomonocytic memory. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5294. [PMID: 33674652 PMCID: PMC7935976 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84468-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of haematopoietic stem cell fate through conditional gene expression could improve understanding of healthy haematopoietic and leukaemia initiating cell (LIC) biology. We established conditionally immortalised myeloid progenitor cell lines co-expressing constitutive Hoxa9.EGFP and inducible Meis1.dTomato (H9M-ciMP) to study growth behaviour, immunophenotype and morphology under different cytokine/microenvironmental conditions ex vivo upon doxycycline (DOX) induction or removal. The vector design and drug-dependent selection approach identified new retroviral insertion (RVI) sites that potentially collaborate with Meis1/Hoxa9 and define H9M-ciMP fate. For most cell lines, myelomonocytic conditions supported reversible H9M-ciMP differentiation into neutrophils and macrophages with DOX-dependent modulation of Hoxa9/Meis1 and CD11b/Gr-1 expression. Here, up-regulation of Meis1/Hoxa9 promoted reconstitution of exponential expansion of immature H9M-ciMPs after DOX reapplication. Stem cell maintaining conditions supported selective H9M-ciMP exponential growth. H9M-ciMPs that had Ninj2 RVI and were cultured under myelomonocytic or stem cell maintaining conditions revealed the development of DOX-dependent acute myeloid leukaemia in a murine transplantation model. Transcriptional dysregulation of Ninj2 and distal genes surrounding RVI (Rad52, Kdm5a) was detected. All studied H9M-ciMPs demonstrated adaptation to T-lymphoid microenvironmental conditions while maintaining immature myelomonocytic features. Thus, the established system is relevant to leukaemia and stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Stahlhut
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Teng Cheong Ha
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Takmakova
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael A Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Adrian Schwarzer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Eder
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Olga S Kustikova
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Fang Y, Yang C, Teng D, Su S, Luo X, Liu Z, Liao G. Discovery of higenamine as a potent, selective and cellular active natural LSD1 inhibitor for MLL-rearranged leukemia therapy. Bioorg Chem 2021; 109:104723. [PMID: 33618250 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural products are a rich source of lead compounds and have shown promise for epigenetic drug discovery. In this work, we discovered higenamine from our natural product library as a potent, selective and cellular active natural LSD1 inhibitor. Higenamine shows acceptable potency against LSD1 and high selectivity towards LSD1 over MAOA/B. Higenamine significantly increases expression of LSD1 substrates H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 in MLL-rearranged leukemia cells MV4-11 and MOLM-13, but nearly had no effect on LSD1 and H3K4Me3. Meanwhile, higenamine dose-dependently suppresses the levels of HOXA9 and MEIS1 that are overexpressed in leukemia cell lines. Notably, higenamine induces cell differentiation of MV4-11 and MOLM-13 cells accompanying by increased expression of CD11b, CD14 and CD86. Higenamine promotes cell apoptosis, inhibits colony formation, but does not inhibit proliferation of leukemia cells significantly. In addition, the expression levels of p53 are dramatically changed by higenamine in an LSD1-dependent manner in MV4-11 cells. Taken together, higenamine could be employed as a starting point for the development of more selective and potent LSD1 inhibitors. Our work firstly reveals the non-classical epigenetic regulation mechanism of higenamine in cancers, and also demonstrates the efficacy of higenamine for MLL-rearranged leukemia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Chao Yang
- National Engineering Research Center For Marine Aquaculture, Institute of Innovation & Application, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province 316022, China
| | - Dehong Teng
- National Engineering Research Center For Marine Aquaculture, Institute of Innovation & Application, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province 316022, China
| | - Shiwei Su
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiang Luo
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongqiu Liu
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| | - Guochao Liao
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
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Padam KSR, Chakrabarty S, Kabekkodu SP, Paul B, Hunter KD, Radhakrishnan R. In silico analysis of HOX-associated transcription factors as potential regulators of oral cancer. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2021; 132:72-79. [PMID: 33741282 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was identification of the transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) in the promoter of HOX genes and elucidation of the comprehensive interaction of transcription factors (TFs)/genes with HOX. METHODOLOGY Promoter sequences of HOXA3, HOXA5, HOXA9, HOXA10, HOXA13, HOXB5, HOXC10, HOXC12, and HOXD10 were analyzed to predict the TFBS and their targets using TRANSFAC, TRRUST, and Harmonizome. Functional analysis of the processed data sets was carried out using DAVID and GATHER gene annotation tools. A network of regulatory interactions was constructed using NetworkAnalyst and a comprehensive illustration of the TF-gene network was constructed with HOX as a central hub using the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data. Further, the enriched network was constructed to elucidate the roles of these genes in the various pathways. RESULTS Binding sites for E2F1, HNF3α, SP3, and KLF6 were common to promoter regions of all of the HOX genes. The functional annotation and pathway analysis elucidated the regulatory activity of a distinct set of TF-genes in interaction with HOX. A P value ≤.05 and false discovery rate ≤0.01 were considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION We have confirmed that the predicted TFBSs in the HOX gene promoters function in transcriptional regulation by modulating target gene activity. TF-gene interactions are crucial to understanding oral carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanaka Sai Ram Padam
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Sanjiban Chakrabarty
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Bobby Paul
- Department of Bioinformatics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Keith D Hunter
- Academic Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
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Gİrgİn B, KaradaĞ-Alpaslan M, KocabaŞ F. Oncogenic and tumor suppressor function of MEIS and associated factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 44:328-355. [PMID: 33402862 PMCID: PMC7759197 DOI: 10.3906/biy-2006-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MEIS proteins are historically associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and invasion in cancer. MEIS and associated PBX-HOX proteins may act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in different cellular settings. Their expressions tend to be misregulated in various cancers. Bioinformatic analyses have suggested their upregulation in leukemia/lymphoma, thymoma, pancreas, glioma, and glioblastoma, and downregulation in cervical, uterine, rectum, and colon cancers. However, every cancer type includes, at least, a subtype with high MEIS expression. In addition, studies have highlighted that MEIS proteins and associated factors may function as diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers for various diseases. Herein, MEIS proteins and associated factors in tumorigenesis are discussed with recent discoveries in addition to how they could be modulated by noncoding RNAs or newly developed small-molecule MEIS inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birkan Gİrgİn
- Regenerative Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, İstanbul Turkey.,Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Yeditepe University, İstanbul Turkey.,Meinox Pharma Technologies, İstanbul Turkey
| | - Medine KaradaĞ-Alpaslan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun Turkey
| | - Fatih KocabaŞ
- Regenerative Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, İstanbul Turkey.,Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Yeditepe University, İstanbul Turkey.,Meinox Pharma Technologies, İstanbul Turkey
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