1
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Yang Z, Zhang G, Zhao R, Tian T, Zhi J, Wei G, Roeder RG, Jing L, Yu M. MLL-AF9 regulates transcriptional initiation in mixed lineage leukemic cells. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107566. [PMID: 39002676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107566] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Mixed lineage leukemia-fusion proteins (MLL-FPs) are believed to maintain gene activation and induce MLL through aberrantly stimulating transcriptional elongation, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we show that both MLL1 and AF9, one of the major fusion partners of MLL1, mainly occupy promoters and distal intergenic regions, exhibiting chromatin occupancy patterns resembling that of RNA polymerase II in HEL, a human erythroleukemia cell line without MLL1 rearrangement. MLL1 and AF9 only coregulate over a dozen genes despite of their co-occupancy on thousands of genes. They do not interact with each other, and their chromatin occupancy is also independent of each other. Moreover, AF9 deficiency in HEL cells decreases global TBP occupancy while decreases CDK9 occupancy on a small number of genes, suggesting an accessory role of AF9 in CDK9 recruitment and a possible major role in transcriptional initiation via initiation factor recruitment. Importantly, MLL1 and MLL-AF9 occupy promoters and distal intergenic regions, exhibiting identical chromatin occupancy patterns in MLL cells, and MLL-AF9 deficiency decreased occupancy of TBP and TFIIE on major target genes of MLL-AF9 in iMA9, a murine acute myeloid leukemia cell line inducibly expressing MLL-AF9, suggesting that it can also regulate initiation. These results suggest that there is no difference between MLL1 and MLL-AF9 with respect to location and size of occupancy sites, contrary to what people have believed, and that MLL-AF9 may also regulate transcriptional initiation in addition to widely believed elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimei Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoyu Zhao
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhong Zhi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert G Roeder
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lili Jing
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Bianchi C, Margot H, Fernandes H, Pasquet M, Priqueler L, Roy-Peaud F, Bauduer F, Bayart S, Garnier N, Fain O, Van Gils J, Joly SB, Rialland F, Paillard C, Deparis M, Lambilliotte A, Leblanc T, Fahd M, Leverger G, Héritier S, Geneviève D, Rieux-Laucat F, Picard C, Neyraud C, Aladjidi N. Autoimmune cytopenia and Kabuki syndrome in paediatrics: Insights in 11 patients. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:1899-1907. [PMID: 38432067 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19387] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Kabuki syndrome (KS) is now listed in the Human Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) Classification. It is a rare disease caused by KMT2D and KDM6A variants, dominated by intellectual disability and characteristic facial features. Recurrently, pathogenic variants are identified in those genes in patients examined for autoimmune cytopenia (AIC), but interpretation remains challenging. This study aims to describe the genetic diagnosis and the clinical management of patients with paediatric-onset AIC and KS. Among 11 patients with AIC and KS, all had chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and seven had Evans syndrome. All had other associated immunopathological manifestations, mainly symptomatic hypogammaglobinaemia. They had a median of 8 (5-10) KS-associated manifestations. Pathogenic variants were detected in KMT2D gene without clustering, during the immunological work-up of AIC in three cases, and the clinical strategy to validate them is emphasized. Eight patients received second-line treatments, mainly rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil. With a median follow-up of 17 (2-31) years, 8/10 alive patients still needed treatment for AIC. First-line paediatricians should be able to recognize and confirm KS in children with ITP or multiple AIC, to provide early appropriate clinical management and specific long-term follow-up. The epigenetic immune dysregulation in KS opens exciting new perspectives.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Vestibular Diseases/genetics
- Vestibular Diseases/diagnosis
- Child
- Face/abnormalities
- Female
- Male
- Child, Preschool
- Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics
- Adolescent
- Histone Demethylases/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Hematologic Diseases/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/therapy
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/diagnosis
- Infant
- Thrombocytopenia/genetics
- Thrombocytopenia/diagnosis
- Thrombocytopenia/etiology
- Thrombocytopenia/therapy
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune/genetics
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune/diagnosis
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune/therapy
- Autoimmune Diseases/genetics
- Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis
- Rituximab/therapeutic use
- Mutation
- Cytopenia
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Bianchi
- Pediatric Haemato-Immunology, CIC1401, INSERM CICP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE), Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Henri Margot
- Department of Medical Genetics, MRGM INSERM U1211, Bordeaux University Hospital, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Helder Fernandes
- Pediatric Haemato-Immunology, CIC1401, INSERM CICP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE), Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marlène Pasquet
- Pediatric Oncology Immunology Hematology Unit, Children's University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurence Priqueler
- Department of Pediatrics, Mont de Marsan Hospital Center, Mont de Marsan, France
| | | | | | - Sophie Bayart
- Pediatric Hematology Unit, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Garnier
- Institute of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Fain
- Sorbonne Université, Service de Médecine Interne, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Julien Van Gils
- Department of Medical Genetics, MRGM INSERM U1211, Bordeaux University Hospital, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Fanny Rialland
- Pediatric Oncology Immunology Hematology Unit, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Catherine Paillard
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hautepierre University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marianna Deparis
- Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Anne Lambilliotte
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Jeanne de Flandre Hospital, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Thierry Leblanc
- Pediatric Hematology Unit, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE) Robert-Debré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Mony Fahd
- Pediatric Hematology Unit, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE) Robert-Debré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Guy Leverger
- Sorbonne University, AP-HP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE) Armand Trousseau Hospital, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Héritier
- Sorbonne University, AP-HP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE) Armand Trousseau Hospital, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit, Paris, France
| | - David Geneviève
- Department of Medical Genetics, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier University, INSERM U1183, Reference Center for Rare Disease Malformative Syndromes, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Rieux-Laucat
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, IMAGINE Institute, Unité Mixte de recherche (UMR) 1163, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Picard
- Study Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université de Paris cité, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Neyraud
- Pediatric Haemato-Immunology, CIC1401, INSERM CICP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE), Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nathalie Aladjidi
- Pediatric Haemato-Immunology, CIC1401, INSERM CICP, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Cytopenias in Children (CEREVANCE), Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
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3
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Konuma T, Zhou MM. Distinct Histone H3 Lysine 27 Modifications Dictate Different Outcomes of Gene Transcription. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168376. [PMID: 38056822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168376] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific histone modifications have long been recognized to play an important role in directing gene transcription in chromatin in biology of health and disease. However, concrete illustration of how different histone modifications in a site-specific manner dictate gene transcription outcomes, as postulated in the influential "Histone code hypothesis", introduced by Allis and colleagues in 2000, has been lacking. In this review, we summarize our latest understanding of the dynamic regulation of gene transcriptional activation, silence, and repression in chromatin that is directed distinctively by histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation, methylation, and crotonylation, respectively. This represents a special example of a long-anticipated verification of the "Histone code hypothesis."
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Konuma
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; School of Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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4
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Schnee P, Pleiss J, Jeltsch A. Approaching the catalytic mechanism of protein lysine methyltransferases by biochemical and simulation techniques. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 59:20-68. [PMID: 38449437 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2318547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) transfer up to three methyl groups to the side chains of lysine residues in proteins and fulfill important regulatory functions by controlling protein stability, localization and protein/protein interactions. The methylation reactions are highly regulated, and aberrant methylation of proteins is associated with several types of diseases including neurologic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and various types of cancer. This review describes novel insights into the catalytic machinery of various PKMTs achieved by the combined application of biochemical experiments and simulation approaches during the last years, focusing on clinically relevant and well-studied enzymes of this group like DOT1L, SMYD1-3, SET7/9, G9a/GLP, SETD2, SUV420H2, NSD1/2, different MLLs and EZH2. Biochemical experiments have unraveled many mechanistic features of PKMTs concerning their substrate and product specificity, processivity and the effects of somatic mutations observed in PKMTs in cancer cells. Structural data additionally provided information about the substrate recognition, enzyme-substrate complex formation, and allowed for simulations of the substrate peptide interaction and mechanism of PKMTs with atomistic resolution by molecular dynamics and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods. These simulation technologies uncovered important mechanistic details of the PKMT reaction mechanism including the processes responsible for the deprotonation of the target lysine residue, essential conformational changes of the PKMT upon substrate binding, but also rationalized regulatory principles like PKMT autoinhibition. Further developments are discussed that could bring us closer to a mechanistic understanding of catalysis of this important class of enzymes in the near future. The results described here illustrate the power of the investigation of enzyme mechanisms by the combined application of biochemical experiments and simulation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schnee
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Pleiss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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5
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Che Z, Liu X, Dai Q, Fang K, Guo C, Yue J, Fang H, Xie P, Luo Z, Lin C. Distinct roles of two SEC scaffold proteins, AFF1 and AFF4, in regulating RNA polymerase II transcription elongation. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad049. [PMID: 37528066 PMCID: PMC11113081 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad049] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The super elongation complex (SEC) containing positive transcription elongation factor b plays a critical role in regulating transcription elongation. AFF1 and AFF4, two members of the AF4/FMR2 family, act as central scaffold proteins of SEC and are associated with various human diseases. However, their precise roles in transcriptional control remain unclear. Here, we investigate differences in the genomic distribution patterns of AFF1 and AFF4 around transcription start sites (TSSs). AFF1 mainly binds upstream of the TSS, while AFF4 is enriched downstream of the TSS. Notably, disruption of AFF4 results in slow elongation and early termination in a subset of AFF4-bound active genes, whereas AFF1 deletion leads to fast elongation and transcriptional readthrough in the same subset of genes. Additionally, AFF1 knockdown increases AFF4 levels at chromatin, and vice versa. In summary, these findings demonstrate that AFF1 and AFF4 function antagonistically to regulate RNA polymerase II transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanzhuan Che
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiaoxu Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Qian Dai
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ke Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chenghao Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Junjie Yue
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Haitong Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Peng Xie
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhuojuan Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chengqi Lin
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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6
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Zhong H, Zhang R, Li G, Huang P, Zhang Y, Zhu J, Kuang J, Hutchins AP, Qin D, Zhu P, Pei D, Li D. c-JUN is a barrier in hESC to cardiomyocyte transition. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302121. [PMID: 37604584 PMCID: PMC10442936 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302121] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of c-JUN leads to early mouse embryonic death, possibly because of a failure to develop a normal cardiac system. How c-JUN regulates human cardiomyocyte cell fate remains unknown. Here, we used the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes to study the role of c-JUN. Surprisingly, the knockout of c-JUN improved cardiomyocyte generation, as determined by the number of TNNT2+ cells. ATAC-seq data showed that the c-JUN defect led to increased chromatin accessibility on critical regulatory elements related to cardiomyocyte development. ChIP-seq data showed that the knockout c-JUN increased RBBP5 and SETD1B expression, leading to improved H3K4me3 deposition on key genes that regulate cardiogenesis. The c-JUN KO phenotype could be copied using the histone demethylase inhibitor CPI-455, which also up-regulated H3K4me3 levels and increased cardiomyocyte generation. Single-cell RNA-seq data defined three cell branches, and knockout c-JUN activated more regulons that are related to cardiogenesis. In summary, our data demonstrated that c-JUN could regulate cardiomyocyte cell fate by modulating H3K4me3 modification and chromatin accessibility and shed light on how c-JUN regulates heart development in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhong
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- https://ror.org/00zat6v61 Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Bioland Laboratory Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guihuan Li
- https://ror.org/00zat6v61 Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yudan Zhang
- Bioland Laboratory Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieying Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junqi Kuang
- Laboratory of Cell Fate Control, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dajiang Qin
- https://ror.org/00zat6v61 Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Bioland Laboratory Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hong Kong, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Duanqing Pei
- Laboratory of Cell Fate Control, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dongwei Li
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- https://ror.org/00zat6v61 Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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7
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Ghosh A, Chakraborty P, Biswas D. Fine tuning of the transcription juggernaut: A sweet and sour saga of acetylation and ubiquitination. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194944. [PMID: 37236503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Among post-translational modifications of proteins, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination are most extensively studied over the last several decades. Owing to their different target residues for modifications, cross-talk between phosphorylation with that of acetylation and ubiquitination is relatively less pronounced. However, since canonical acetylation and ubiquitination happen only on the lysine residues, an overlap of the same lysine residue being targeted for both acetylation and ubiquitination happens quite frequently and thus plays key roles in overall functional regulation predominantly through modulation of protein stability. In this review, we discuss the cross-talk of acetylation and ubiquitination in the regulation of protein stability for the functional regulation of cellular processes with an emphasis on transcriptional regulation. Further, we emphasize our understanding of the functional regulation of Super Elongation Complex (SEC)-mediated transcription, through regulation of stabilization by acetylation, deacetylation and ubiquitination and associated enzymes and its implication in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avik Ghosh
- Laboratory of Transcription Biology Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 32, India
| | - Poushali Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Transcription Biology Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 32, India
| | - Debabrata Biswas
- Laboratory of Transcription Biology Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 32, India.
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8
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Affar M, Bottardi S, Quansah N, Lemarié M, Ramón AC, Affar EB, Milot E. IKAROS: from chromatin organization to transcriptional elongation control. Cell Death Differ 2023:10.1038/s41418-023-01212-2. [PMID: 37620540 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01212-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
IKAROS is a master regulator of cell fate determination in lymphoid and other hematopoietic cells. This transcription factor orchestrates the association of epigenetic regulators with chromatin, ensuring the expression pattern of target genes in a developmental and lineage-specific manner. Disruption of IKAROS function has been associated with the development of acute lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, chronic myeloid leukemia and immune disorders. Paradoxically, while IKAROS has been shown to be a tumor suppressor, it has also been identified as a key therapeutic target in the treatment of various forms of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma. Indeed, targeted proteolysis of IKAROS is associated with decreased proliferation and increased death of malignant cells. Although the molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated, the expression levels of IKAROS are variable during hematopoiesis and could therefore be a key determinant in explaining how its absence can have seemingly opposite effects. Mechanistically, IKAROS collaborates with a variety of proteins and complexes controlling chromatin organization at gene regulatory regions, including the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex, and may facilitate transcriptional repression or activation of specific genes. Several transcriptional regulatory functions of IKAROS have been proposed. An emerging mechanism of action involves the ability of IKAROS to promote gene repression or activation through its interaction with the RNA polymerase II machinery, which influences pausing and productive transcription at specific genes. This control appears to be influenced by IKAROS expression levels and isoform production. In here, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the biological roles and mechanisms by which IKAROS regulates gene expression. We highlight the dynamic regulation of this factor by post-translational modifications. Finally, potential avenues to explain how IKAROS destruction may be favorable in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Affar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Stefania Bottardi
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Norreen Quansah
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Maud Lemarié
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Ailyn C Ramón
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - El Bachir Affar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada.
| | - Eric Milot
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île de Montréal, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada.
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9
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Zheng B, Gold S, Iwanaszko M, Howard BC, Wang L, Shilatifard A. Distinct layers of BRD4-PTEFb reveal bromodomain-independent function in transcriptional regulation. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2896-2910.e4. [PMID: 37442129 PMCID: PMC10527981 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The BET family protein BRD4, which forms the CDK9-containing BRD4-PTEFb complex, is considered to be a master regulator of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pause release. Because its tandem bromodomains interact with acetylated histone lysine residues, it has long been thought that BRD4 requires these bromodomains for its recruitment to chromatin and transcriptional regulatory function. Here, using rapid depletion and genetic complementation with domain deletion mutants, we demonstrate that BRD4 bromodomains are dispensable for Pol II pause release. A minimal, bromodomain-less C-terminal BRD4 fragment containing the PTEFb-interacting C-terminal motif (CTM) is instead both necessary and sufficient to mediate Pol II pause release in the absence of full-length BRD4. Although BRD4-PTEFb can associate with chromatin through acetyl recognition, our results indicate that a distinct, active BRD4-PTEFb population functions to regulate transcription independently of bromodomain-mediated chromatin association. These findings may enable more effective pharmaceutical modulation of BRD4-PTEFb activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sarah Gold
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Marta Iwanaszko
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Benjamin Charles Howard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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10
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Pal S, Biswas D. Promoter-proximal regulation of gene transcription: Key factors involved and emerging role of general transcription factors in assisting productive elongation. Gene 2023:147571. [PMID: 37331491 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at the promoter-proximal sites is a key rate-limiting step in gene expression. Cells have dedicated a specific set of proteins that sequentially establish pause and then release the Pol II from promoter-proximal sites. A well-controlled pausing and subsequent release of Pol II is crucial for thefine tuning of expression of genes including signal-responsive and developmentally-regulated ones. The release of paused Pol II broadly involves its transition from initiation to elongation. In this review article, we will discuss the phenomenon of Pol II pausing, the underlying mechanism, and also the role of different known factors, with an emphasis on general transcription factors, involved in this overall regulation. We will further discuss some recent findings suggesting a possible role (underexplored) of initiation factors in assisting the transition of transcriptionally-engaged paused Pol II into productive elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay Pal
- Laboratory of Transcription Biology, Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata - 32, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Debabrata Biswas
- Laboratory of Transcription Biology, Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata - 32, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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11
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Turkalj S, Radtke FA, Vyas P. An Overview of Targeted Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e914. [PMID: 37304938 PMCID: PMC10256410 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most aggressive adult leukemia, characterized by clonal differentiation arrest of progenitor or precursor hematopoietic cells. Intense preclinical and clinical research has led to regulatory approval of several targeted therapeutics, administered either as single agents or as combination therapies. However, the majority of patients still face a poor prognosis and disease relapse frequently occurs due to selection of therapy-resistant clones. Hence, more effective novel therapies, most likely as innovative, rational combination therapies, are urgently needed. Chromosomal aberrations, gene mutations, and epigenetic alterations drive AML pathogenesis but concurrently provide vulnerabilities to specifically target leukemic cells. Other molecules, either aberrantly active and/or overexpressed in leukemic stem cells, may also be leveraged for therapeutic benefit. This concise review of targeted therapies for AML treatment, which are either approved or are being actively investigated in clinical trials or recent preclinical studies, provides a flavor of the direction of travel, but also highlights the current challenges in AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Turkalj
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Hematology, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Felix A. Radtke
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Hematology, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paresh Vyas
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Hematology, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Hematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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Chory EJ, Wang M, Ceribelli M, Michalowska AM, Golas S, Beck E, Klumpp-Thomas C, Chen L, McKnight C, Itkin Z, Wilson KM, Holland D, Divakaran S, Bradner J, Khan J, Gryder BE, Thomas CJ, Stanton BZ. High-throughput approaches to uncover synergistic drug combinations in leukemia. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2023; 28:193-201. [PMID: 37121274 PMCID: PMC10449086 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We report a comprehensive drug synergy study in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this work, we investigate a panel of cell lines spanning both MLL-rearranged and non-rearranged subtypes. The work comprises a resource for the community, with many synergistic drug combinations that could not have been predicted a priori, and open source code for automation and analyses. We base our definitions of drug synergy on the Chou-Talalay method, which is useful for visualizations of synergy experiments in isobolograms, and median-effects plots, among other representations. Our key findings include drug synergies affecting the chromatin state, specifically in the context of regulation of the modification state of histone H3 lysine-27. We report open source high throughput methodology such that multidimensional drug screening can be accomplished with equipment that is accessible to most laboratories. This study will enable preclinical investigation of new drug combinations in a lethal blood cancer, with data analysis and automation workflows freely available to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Chory
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA..
| | - Meng Wang
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michele Ceribelli
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Aleksandra M Michalowska
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Stefan Golas
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erin Beck
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Carleen Klumpp-Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Lu Chen
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Crystal McKnight
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Zina Itkin
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Kelli M Wilson
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - David Holland
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA
| | - Sanjay Divakaran
- Cardio-Oncology Program, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Berkley E Gryder
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20850, USA.; Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Stanton
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH, USA.; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA..
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13
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Malik KK, Sridhara SC, Lone KA, Katariya PD, Pulimamidi D, Tyagi S. MLL methyltransferases regulate H3K4 methylation to ensure CENP-A assembly at human centromeres. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002161. [PMID: 37379335 PMCID: PMC10335677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The active state of centromeres is epigenetically defined by the presence of CENP-A interspersed with histone H3 nucleosomes. While the importance of dimethylation of H3K4 for centromeric transcription has been highlighted in various studies, the identity of the enzyme(s) depositing these marks on the centromere is still unknown. The MLL (KMT2) family plays a crucial role in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene regulation by methylating H3K4. Here, we report that MLL methyltransferases regulate transcription of human centromeres. CRISPR-mediated down-regulation of MLL causes loss of H3K4me2, resulting in an altered epigenetic chromatin state of the centromeres. Intriguingly, our results reveal that loss of MLL, but not SETD1A, increases co-transcriptional R-loop formation, and Pol II accumulation at the centromeres. Finally, we report that the presence of MLL and SETD1A is crucial for kinetochore maintenance. Altogether, our data reveal a novel molecular framework where both the H3K4 methylation mark and the methyltransferases regulate stability and identity of the centromere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kausika Kumar Malik
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sreerama Chaitanya Sridhara
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kaisar Ahmad Lone
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Payal Deepakbhai Katariya
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Deepshika Pulimamidi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
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14
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Guo C, Zhang Y, Shuai S, Sigbessia A, Hao S, Xie P, Jiang X, Luo Z, Lin C. The super elongation complex (SEC) mediates phase transition of SPT5 during transcriptional pause release. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55699. [PMID: 36629390 PMCID: PMC9986819 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Release of promoter-proximally paused RNA Pol II into elongation is a tightly regulated and rate-limiting step in metazoan gene transcription. However, the biophysical mechanism underlying pause release remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the pausing and elongation regulator SPT5 undergoes phase transition during transcriptional pause release. SPT5 per se is prone to form clusters. The disordered domain in SPT5 is required for pause release and gene activation. During early elongation, the super elongation complex (SEC) induces SPT5 transition into elongation droplets. Depletion of SEC increases SPT5 pausing clusters. Furthermore, disease-associated SEC mutations impair phase properties of elongation droplets and transcription. Our study suggests that SEC-mediated SPT5 phase transition might be essential for pause release and early elongation and that aberrant phase properties could contribute to transcription abnormality in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Yadi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shimin Shuai
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Abire Sigbessia
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shaohua Hao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Peng Xie
- Southeast University‐Allen Institute Joint Center, Institute for Brain and IntelligenceSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhuojuan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongChina
- Shenzhen Research InstituteSoutheast UniversityShenzhenChina
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chengqi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongChina
- Shenzhen Research InstituteSoutheast UniversityShenzhenChina
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation of Non‐human primate, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
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15
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Wu X, Xie Y, Zhao K, Lu J. Targeting the super elongation complex for oncogenic transcription driven tumor malignancies: Progress in structure, mechanisms and small molecular inhibitor discovery. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:387-421. [PMID: 36990537 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic transcription activation is associated with tumor development and resistance derived from chemotherapy or target therapy. The super elongation complex (SEC) is an important complex regulating gene transcription and expression in metazoans closely related to physiological activities. In normal transcriptional regulation, SEC can trigger promoter escape, limit proteolytic degradation of transcription elongation factors and increase the synthesis of RNA polymerase II (POL II), and regulate many normal human genes to stimulate RNA elongation. Dysregulation of SEC accompanied by multiple transcription factors in cancer promotes rapid transcription of oncogenes and induce cancer development. In this review, we summarized recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of SEC in regulating normal transcription, and importantly its roles in cancer development. We also highlighted the discovery of SEC complex target related inhibitors and their potential applications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqiu Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kehao Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China.
| | - Jing Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China.
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16
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Qiu KY, Zhou DH, Liao XY, Huang K, Li Y, Xu HG, Weng WJ, Xu LH, Fang JP. Prognostic value and outcome for acute lymphocytic leukemia in children with MLL rearrangement: a case-control study. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1257. [DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10378-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the prognostic factors and outcome for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children with MLL rearrangement (MLL-r).
Methods
A total of 124 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with ALL were classified into two groups based on the MLL-r status by using a retrospective case-control study method from June 2008 to June 2020.
Results
The prevalence of MLL-r positive in the whole cohort was 4.9%. The complete remission (CR) rate on Day 33 in the MLL-r positive group was not statistically different from the negative group (96.8% vs 97.8%, P = 0.736). Multivariate analysis showed that T-cell, white blood cell counts (WBC) ≥ 50 × 109/L, MLL-AF4, and D15 minimal residual disease (MRD) positive were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of MLL-r positive children. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) was a favorable independent prognostic factor affecting event-free survival (EFS) in MLL-r positive patients (P = 0.027), and there was a trend toward an independent prognostic effect on overall survival (OS) (P = 0.065). The 10-year predicted EFS for patients with MLL-AF4, MLL-PTD, MLL-ENL, other MLL partner genes, and MLL-r negative cases were 46.67 ± 28.61%, 85.71 ± 22.37%, 75 ± 32.41%, 75 ± 32.41%, and 77.33 ± 10.81%, respectively (P = 0.048). The 10-year predicted OS were 46.67 ± 28.61%, 85.71 ± 22.37%, 75 ± 32.41%, 75 ± 32.41%, and 85.2 ± 9.77%, respectively (P = 0.049). The 124 patients with ALL were followed up and eventually 5 (4%) cases relapsed, with a median relapse time of 3.9 years.
Conclusion
Patients with MLL-r positive ALL have moderate remission rates, but are prone to relapse with low overall survival. The outcome of MLL-r positive ALL was closely related to the partner genes, and clinical attention should be paid to screening for MLL partner genes and combining them with other prognostic factors for accurate risk stratification.
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17
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Markouli M, Strepkos D, Piperi C. Impact of Histone Modifications and Their Therapeutic Targeting in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13657. [PMID: 36362442 PMCID: PMC9654260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are a large and heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by complex pathogenetic mechanisms. The abnormal regulation of epigenetic mechanisms and specifically, histone modifications, has been demonstrated to play a central role in hematological cancer pathogenesis and progression. A variety of epigenetic enzymes that affect the state of histones have been detected as deregulated, being either over- or underexpressed, which induces changes in chromatin compaction and, subsequently, affects gene expression. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics have revealed novel therapeutic targets, with many epigenetic drugs being investigated in clinical trials. The present review focuses on the biological impact of histone modifications in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies, describing a wide range of therapeutic agents that have been discovered to target these alterations and are currently under investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (D.S.)
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18
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Okuda H, Miyamoto R, Takahashi S, Kawamura T, Ichikawa J, Harada I, Tamura T, Yokoyama A. RNA-binding proteins of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families control the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6688. [PMID: 36335100 PMCID: PMC9637093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocation generates the MLL-AF4 fusion gene, which causes acute leukemia of multiple lineages. MLL-AF4 is a strong oncogenic driver that induces leukemia without additional mutations and is the most common cause of pediatric leukemia. However, establishment of a murine disease model via retroviral transduction has been difficult owning to a lack of understanding of its regulatory mechanisms. Here, we show that MLL-AF4 protein is post-transcriptionally regulated by RNA-binding proteins, including those of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families. MLL-AF4 translation is inhibited by ribosomal stalling, which occurs at regulatory sites containing AU-rich sequences recognized by KHDRBSs. Synonymous mutations disrupting the association of KHDRBSs result in proper translation of MLL-AF4 and leukemic transformation. Consequently, the synonymous MLL-AF4 mutant induces leukemia in vivo. Our results reveal that post-transcriptional regulation critically controls the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4; these findings might be valuable in developing novel therapies via modulation of the activity of RNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Okuda
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ryo Miyamoto
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan
| | - Takeshi Kawamura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XResearch Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo Japan
| | - Juri Ichikawa
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ibuki Harada
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Tomohiko Tamura
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo, Tokyo Japan
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19
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Huang W, Zhu JY, Fu Y, van de Leemput J, Han Z. Lpt, trr, and Hcf regulate histone mono- and dimethylation that are essential for Drosophila heart development. Dev Biol 2022; 490:53-65. [PMID: 35853502 PMCID: PMC10728806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian KMT2C, KMT2D, and HCFC1 are expressed during heart development and have been associated with congenital heart disease, but their roles in heart development remain elusive. We found that the Drosophila Lpt and trr genes encode the N-terminal and C-terminal homologs, respectively, of mammalian KMT2C or KMT2D. Lpt and trr mutant embryos showed reduced cardiac progenitor cells. Silencing of Lpt, trr, or both simultaneously in the heart led to similar abnormal cardiac morphology, tissue fibrosis, and cardiac functional defects. Like KMT2D, Lpt and trr were found to modulate histone H3K4 mono- and dimethylation, but not trimethylation. Investigation of downstream genes regulated by mouse KMT2D in the heart showed that their fly homologs are similarly regulated by Lpt or trr in the fly heart, suggesting that Lpt and trr regulate an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional network for heart development. Moreover, we showed that cardiac silencing of Hcf, the fly homolog of mammalian HCFC1, leads to heart defects similar to those observed in Lpt and trr silencing, as well as reduced H3K4 monomethylation. Our findings suggest that Lpt and trr function together to execute the conserved function of mammalian KMT2C and KMT2D in histone H3 lysine K4 mono- and dimethylation required for heart development. Possibly aided by Hcf, which we show plays a related role in H3K4 methylation during fly heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Huang
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun-Yi Zhu
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yulong Fu
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Joyce van de Leemput
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhe Han
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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20
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Chen Y, Li Q, Liu Y, Chen X, Jiang S, Lin W, Zhang Y, Liu R, Shao B, Chen C, Yuan Q, Zhou C. AFF4 regulates cellular adipogenic differentiation via targeting autophagy. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010425. [PMID: 36149892 PMCID: PMC9534390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional elongation is a universal and critical step during gene expression. The super elongation complex (SEC) regulates the rapid transcriptional induction by mobilizing paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Dysregulation of SEC is closely associated with human diseases. However, the physiological role of SEC during development and homeostasis remains largely unexplored. Here we studied the function of SEC in adipogenesis by manipulating an essential scaffold protein AF4/FMR2 family member 4 (AFF4), which assembles and stabilizes SEC. Knockdown of AFF4 in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes inhibits cellular adipogenic differentiation. Overexpression of AFF4 enhances adipogenesis and ectopic adipose tissue formation. We further generate Fabp4-cre driven adipose-specific Aff4 knockout mice and find that AFF4 deficiency impedes adipocyte development and white fat depot formation. Mechanistically, we discover AFF4 regulates autophagy during adipogenesis. AFF4 directly binds to autophagy-related protein ATG5 and ATG16L1, and promotes their transcription. Depleting ATG5 or ATG16L1 abrogates adipogenesis in AFF4-overepressing cells, while overexpression of ATG5 and ATG16L1 rescues the impaired adipogenesis in Aff4-knockout cells. Collectively, our results unveil the functional importance of AFF4 in regulating autophagy and adipogenic differentiation, which broaden our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of adipogenesis. Obesity is a major health problem jeopardizing millions of individuals worldwide. From a pathological perspective, obesity occurs in the process of white adipose tissue expanding its mass through the enlargement of adipocyte size or advanced differentiation of adipocyte precursors to mature adipocytes. Studies have documented the dysregulated adipocyte metabolism of adipose tissue and associated disorders. However, our understanding of adipocyte development in which mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) commit their fate and preadipocytes undergo differentiation and maturation is scarce. Here, we identify the super elongation complex (SEC) scaffold protein AFF4 as an essential regulator of adipogenesis. We reveal that AFF4 promotes adipocyte formation by regulating the cellular autophagic process. AFF4 directly regulates the transcription of the autophagy-related protein ATG5 and ATG16L1, which are essential for autophagosome formation. This finding further elucidates the physiological role of SEC during tissue development, besides its recognized role in cancer occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelan Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weimin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: ;
| | - Chenchen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: ;
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21
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Sehrawat P, Shobhawat R, Kumar A. Catching Nucleosome by Its Decorated Tails Determines Its Functional States. Front Genet 2022; 13:903923. [PMID: 35910215 PMCID: PMC9329655 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.903923] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fundamental packaging unit of chromatin, i.e., nucleosome, consists of ∼147 bp of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer composed of the core histones, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, in two copies each. DNA packaged in nucleosomes must be accessible to various machineries, including replication, transcription, and DNA damage repair, implicating the dynamic nature of chromatin even in its compact state. As the tails protrude out of the nucleosome, they are easily accessible to various chromatin-modifying machineries and undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs), thus playing a critical role in epigenetic regulation. PTMs can regulate chromatin states via charge modulation on histones, affecting interaction with various chromatin-associated proteins (CAPs) and DNA. With technological advancement, the list of PTMs is ever-growing along with their writers, readers, and erasers, expanding the complexity of an already intricate epigenetic field. In this review, we discuss how some of the specific PTMs on flexible histone tails affect the nucleosomal structure and regulate the accessibility of chromatin from a mechanistic standpoint and provide structural insights into some newly identified PTM–reader interaction.
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22
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Park SW, Kim J, Oh S, Lee J, Cha J, Lee HS, Kim KI, Park D, Baek SH. PHF20 is crucial for epigenetic control of starvation-induced autophagy through enhancer activation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7856-7872. [PMID: 35821310 PMCID: PMC9371932 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis under various stress conditions, including conditions of nutrient deprivation. To elevate autophagic flux to a sufficient level under stress conditions, transcriptional activation of autophagy genes occurs to replenish autophagy components. Thus, the transcriptional and epigenetic control of the genes regulating autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis. Here, we applied integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling to reveal the roles of plant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20), which is an epigenetic reader possessing methyl binding activity, in controlling the expression of autophagy genes. Phf20 deficiency led to impaired autophagic flux and autophagy gene expression under glucose starvation. Interestingly, the genome-wide characterization of chromatin states by Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin (ATAC)-sequencing revealed that the PHF20-dependent chromatin remodelling occurs in enhancers that are co-occupied by dimethylated lysine 36 on histone H3 (H3K36me2). Importantly, the recognition of H3K36me2 by PHF20 was found to be highly correlated with increased levels of H3K4me1/2 at the enhancer regions. Collectively, these results indicate that PHF20 regulates autophagy genes through enhancer activation via H3K36me2 recognition as an epigenetic reader. Our findings emphasize the importance of nuclear events in the regulation of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Won Park
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea
| | - Sungryong Oh
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jeongyoon Lee
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Joowon Cha
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyun Sik Lee
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Keun Il Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, South Korea
| | - Daechan Park
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea.,Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea
| | - Sung Hee Baek
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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23
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Eigenhuis KN, Somsen HB, van den Berg DLC. Transcription Pause and Escape in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:846272. [PMID: 35615272 PMCID: PMC9125161 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.846272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription pause-release is an important, highly regulated step in the control of gene expression. Modulated by various factors, it enables signal integration and fine-tuning of transcriptional responses. Mutations in regulators of pause-release have been identified in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that have several common features affecting multiple organ systems. This review summarizes current knowledge on this novel subclass of disorders, including an overview of clinical features, mechanistic details, and insight into the relevant neurodevelopmental processes.
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24
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IKAROS and MENIN coordinate therapeutically actionable leukemogenic gene expression in MLL-r acute myeloid leukemia. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:595-613. [PMID: 35534777 PMCID: PMC9404532 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00366-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains difficult to treat and requires new therapeutic approaches. Potent inhibitors of the chromatin-associated protein MENIN have recently entered human clinical trials, opening new therapeutic opportunities for some genetic subtypes of this disease. Using genome-scale functional genetic screens, we identified IKAROS (encoded by IKZF1) as an essential transcription factor in KMT2A (MLL1)-rearranged (MLL-r) AML that maintains leukemogenic gene expression while also repressing pathways for tumor suppression, immune regulation and cellular differentiation. Furthermore, IKAROS displays an unexpected functional cooperativity and extensive chromatin co-occupancy with mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)1-MENIN and the regulator MEIS1 and an extensive hematopoietic transcriptional complex involving homeobox (HOX)A10, MEIS1 and IKAROS. This dependency could be therapeutically exploited by inducing IKAROS protein degradation with immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). Finally, we demonstrate that combined IKAROS degradation and MENIN inhibition effectively disrupts leukemogenic transcriptional networks, resulting in synergistic killing of leukemia cells and providing a paradigm for improved drug targeting of transcription and an opportunity for rapid clinical translation.
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25
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Chen Z, Ye Z, Soccio RE, Nakadai T, Hankey W, Zhao Y, Huang F, Yuan F, Wang H, Cui Z, Sunkel B, Wu D, Dzeng RK, Thomas-Ahner JM, Huang THM, Clinton SK, Huang J, Lazar MA, Jin VX, Roeder RG, Wang Q. Phosphorylated MED1 links transcription recycling and cancer growth. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4450-4463. [PMID: 35394046 PMCID: PMC9071494 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac246] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mediator activates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) function during transcription, but it remains unclear whether Mediator is able to travel with Pol II and regulate Pol II transcription beyond the initiation and early elongation steps. By using in vitro and in vivo transcription recycling assays, we find that human Mediator 1 (MED1), when phosphorylated at the mammal-specific threonine 1032 by cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), dynamically moves along with Pol II throughout the transcribed genes to drive Pol II recycling after the initial round of transcription. Mechanistically, MED31 mediates the recycling of phosphorylated MED1 and Pol II, enhancing mRNA output during the transcription recycling process. Importantly, MED1 phosphorylation increases during prostate cancer progression to the lethal phase, and pharmacological inhibition of CDK9 decreases prostate tumor growth by decreasing MED1 phosphorylation and Pol II recycling. Our results reveal a novel role of MED1 in Pol II transcription and identify phosphorylated MED1 as a targetable driver of dysregulated Pol II recycling in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Chen
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zhenqing Ye
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Raymond E Soccio
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics, and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tomoyoshi Nakadai
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - William Hankey
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences and First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Furong Huang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Fuwen Yuan
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zhifen Cui
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Benjamin Sunkel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dayong Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Richard K Dzeng
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics, and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer M Thomas-Ahner
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tim H M Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Steven K Clinton
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mitchell A Lazar
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics, and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Victor X Jin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Robert G Roeder
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Qianben Wang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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26
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Yi Y, Ge S. Targeting the histone H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase DOT1L in MLL-rearranged leukemias. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:35. [PMID: 35331314 PMCID: PMC8944089 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupting the methylation of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L)-mediated histone H3 lysine 79 has been implicated in MLL fusion-mediated leukemogenesis. Recently, DOT1L has become an attractive therapeutic target for MLL-rearranged leukemias. Rigorous studies have been performed, and much progress has been achieved. Moreover, one DOT1L inhibitor, EPZ-5676, has entered clinical trials, but its clinical activity is modest. Here, we review the recent advances and future trends of various therapeutic strategies against DOT1L for MLL-rearranged leukemias, including DOT1L enzymatic activity inhibitors, DOT1L degraders, protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, and combinatorial interventions. In addition, the limitations, challenges, and prospects of these therapeutic strategies are discussed. In summary, we present a general overview of DOT1L as a target in MLL-rearranged leukemias to provide valuable guidance for DOT1L-associated drug development in the future. Although a variety of DOT1L enzymatic inhibitors have been identified, most of them require further optimization. Recent advances in the development of small molecule degraders, including heterobifunctional degraders and molecular glues, provide valuable insights and references for DOT1L degraders. However, drug R&D strategies and platforms need to be developed and preclinical experiments need to be performed with the purpose of blocking DOT1L-associated PPIs. DOT1L epigenetic-based combination therapy is worth considering and exploring, but the therapy should be based on a thorough understanding of the regulatory mechanism of DOT1L epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yi
- Departments of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenglei Ge
- Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Street, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Fritz AJ, El Dika M, Toor RH, Rodriguez PD, Foley SJ, Ullah R, Nie D, Banerjee B, Lohese D, Glass KC, Frietze S, Ghule PN, Heath JL, Imbalzano AN, van Wijnen A, Gordon J, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS, Stein GS. Epigenetic-Mediated Regulation of Gene Expression for Biological Control and Cancer: Cell and Tissue Structure, Function, and Phenotype. Results Probl Cell Differ 2022; 70:339-373. [PMID: 36348114 PMCID: PMC9753575 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06573-6_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic gene regulatory mechanisms play a central role in the biological control of cell and tissue structure, function, and phenotype. Identification of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer provides mechanistic into tumor initiation and progression and may prove valuable for a variety of clinical applications. We present an overview of epigenetically driven mechanisms that are obligatory for physiological regulation and parameters of epigenetic control that are modified in tumor cells. The interrelationship between nuclear structure and function is not mutually exclusive but synergistic. We explore concepts influencing the maintenance of chromatin structures, including phase separation, recognition signals, factors that mediate enhancer-promoter looping, and insulation and how these are altered during the cell cycle and in cancer. Understanding how these processes are altered in cancer provides a potential for advancing capabilities for the diagnosis and identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Fritz
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Mohammed El Dika
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Rabail H. Toor
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | | | - Stephen J. Foley
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Rahim Ullah
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Daijing Nie
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Bodhisattwa Banerjee
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Dorcas Lohese
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Karen C. Glass
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Seth Frietze
- University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Prachi N. Ghule
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jessica L. Heath
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405,University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Anthony N. Imbalzano
- UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Andre van Wijnen
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jonathan Gordon
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jane B. Lian
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Janet L. Stein
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Gary S. Stein
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
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28
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Tran TM, Philipp J, Bassi JS, Nibber N, Draper JM, Lin TL, Palanichamy JK, Jaiswal AK, Silva O, Paing M, King J, Katzman S, Sanford JR, Rao DS. The RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3 is critical for MLL-AF4-mediated leukemogenesis. Leukemia 2022; 36:68-79. [PMID: 34321607 PMCID: PMC8727287 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01346-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in therapeutic approaches, patients with MLL-rearranged leukemia still have poor outcomes. Here, we find that the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3, which is overexpressed in MLL-translocated leukemia, strongly amplifies MLL-Af4-mediated leukemogenesis. Deletion of Igf2bp3 significantly increases the survival of mice with MLL-Af4-driven leukemia and greatly attenuates disease, with a minimal impact on baseline hematopoiesis. At the cellular level, MLL-Af4 leukemia-initiating cells require Igf2bp3 for their function in leukemogenesis. At the molecular level, IGF2BP3 regulates a complex posttranscriptional operon governing leukemia cell survival and proliferation. IGF2BP3-targeted mRNA transcripts include important MLL-Af4-induced genes, such as those in the Hoxa locus, and the Ras signaling pathway. Targeting of transcripts by IGF2BP3 regulates both steady-state mRNA levels and, unexpectedly, pre-mRNA splicing. Together, our findings show that IGF2BP3 represents an attractive therapeutic target in this disease, providing important insights into mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M Tran
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Julia Philipp
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Jaspal Singh Bassi
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Neha Nibber
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jolene M Draper
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Tasha L Lin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jayanth Kumar Palanichamy
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Amit Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Oscar Silva
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - May Paing
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jennifer King
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sol Katzman
- UCSC Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Jeremy R Sanford
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Dinesh S Rao
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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29
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Koch J, Lang A, Whongsiri P, Schulz WA, Hoffmann MJ, Greife A. KDM6A mutations promote acute cytoplasmic DNA release, DNA damage response and mitosis defects. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:54. [PMID: 34702163 PMCID: PMC8549169 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-021-00394-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KDM6A, encoding a histone demethylase, is one of the top ten mutated epigenetic cancer genes. The effect of mutations on its structure and function are however poorly characterized. Methods Database search identified nonsense and missense mutations in the N-terminal TPR motifs and the C-terminal, catalytic JmjC domain, but also in the intrinsically disordered region connecting both these two well-structured domains. KDM6A variants with cancer-derived mutations were generated using site directed mutagenesis and fused to eGFP serving as an all-in-one affinity and fluorescence tag to study demethylase activity by an ELISA-based assay in vitro, apoptosis by FACS, complex assembly by Co-immunoprecipitation and localization by microscopy in urothelial cells and apoptosis by FACS. Results Independent of the mutation and demethylase activity, all KDM6A variants were detectable in the nucleus. Truncated KDM6A variants displayed changes in complex assemblies affecting (1) known interactions with the COMPASS complex component RBBP5 and (2) KDM6A-DNA associated assemblies with the nuclear protein Nucleophosmin. Some KDM6A variants induced a severe cellular phenotype characterized by multiple acute effects on nuclear integrity, namely, release of nuclear DNA into the cytoplasm, increased level of DNA damage indicators RAD51 and p-γH2A.X, and mitosis defects. These damaging effects were correlated with increased cell death. Conclusion These observations reveal novel effects of pathogenic variants pointing at new specific functions of KDM6A variants. The underlying mechanisms and affected pathways have to be investigated in future research to understand how tumor cells cope with and benefit from KDM6A truncations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00394-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Koch
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - A Lang
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - P Whongsiri
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University Bangkog, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - W A Schulz
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - M J Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - A Greife
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
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30
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Shang JY, Lu YJ, Cai XW, Su YN, Feng C, Li L, Chen S, He XJ. COMPASS functions as a module of the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex to mediate histone H3K4 methylation in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:3250-3271. [PMID: 34270751 PMCID: PMC8505878 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex, all of the accessory subunits are assembled on the following three domains of INO80: N-terminal domain (NTD), HSA domain, and ATPase domain. Although the ATPase and HSA domains and their interacting accessory subunits are known to be responsible for chromatin remodeling, it is largely unknown how the accessory subunits that interact with the INO80 NTD regulate chromatin status. Here, we identify both conserved and nonconserved accessory subunits that interact with the three domains in the INO80 complex in Arabidopsis thaliana. While the accessory subunits that interact with all the three INO80 domains can mediate transcriptional repression, the INO80 NTD and the accessory subunits interact with it can contribute to transcriptional activation even when the ATPase domain is absent, suggesting that INO80 has an ATPase-independent role. A subclass of the COMPASS histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes interact with the INO80 NTD in the INO80 complex and function together with the other accessory subunits that interact with the INO80 NTD, thereby facilitating H3K4 trimethylation and transcriptional activation. This study suggests that the opposite effects of the INO80 complex on transcription are required for the balance between vegetative growth and flowering under diverse environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xue-Wei Cai
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yin-Na Su
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Chao Feng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Lin Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - She Chen
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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31
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DOT1L complex regulates transcriptional initiation in human erythroleukemic cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106148118. [PMID: 34187895 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106148118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
DOT1L, the only H3K79 methyltransferase in human cells and a homolog of the yeast Dot1, normally forms a complex with AF10, AF17, and ENL or AF9, is dysregulated in most cases of mixed-lineage leukemia (MLLr), and has been believed to regulate transcriptional elongation on the basis of its colocalization with RNA polymerase II (Pol II), the sharing of subunits (AF9 and ENL) between the DOT1L and super elongation complexes, and the distribution of H3K79 methylation on both promoters and transcribed regions of active genes. Here we show that DOT1L depletion in erythroleukemic cells reduces its global occupancy without affecting the traveling ratio or the elongation rate (assessed by 4sUDRB-seq) of Pol II, suggesting that DOT1L does not play a major role in elongation in these cells. In contrast, analyses of transcription initiation factor binding reveal that DOT1L and ENL depletions each result in reduced TATA binding protein (TBP) occupancies on thousands of genes. More importantly, DOT1L and ENL depletions concomitantly reduce TBP and Pol II occupancies on a significant fraction of direct (DOT1L-bound) target genes, indicating a role for the DOT1L complex in transcription initiation. Mechanistically, proteomic and biochemical studies suggest that the DOT1L complex may regulate transcriptional initiation by facilitating the recruitment or stabilization of transcription factor IID, likely in a monoubiquitinated H2B (H2Bub1)-enhanced manner. Additional studies show that DOT1L enhances H2Bub1 levels by limiting recruitment of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex. These results advance our understanding of roles of the DOT1L complex in transcriptional regulation and have important implications for MLLr leukemias.
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32
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Histone H3K4 Methyltransferases as Targets for Drug-Resistant Cancers. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070581. [PMID: 34201935 PMCID: PMC8301125 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The KMT2 (MLL) family of proteins, including the major histone H3K4 methyltransferase found in mammals, exists as large complexes with common subunit proteins and exhibits enzymatic activity. SMYD, another H3K4 methyltransferase, and SET7/9 proteins catalyze the methylation of several non-histone targets, in addition to histone H3K4 residues. Despite these structural and functional commonalities, H3K4 methyltransferase proteins have specificity for their target genes and play a role in the development of various cancers as well as in drug resistance. In this review, we examine the overall role of histone H3K4 methyltransferase in the development of various cancers and in the progression of drug resistance. Compounds that inhibit protein-protein interactions between KMT2 family proteins and their common subunits or the activity of SMYD and SET7/9 are continuously being developed for the treatment of acute leukemia, triple-negative breast cancer, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. These H3K4 methyltransferase inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are expected to play a role in overcoming drug resistance in leukemia and various solid cancers.
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33
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Gene Expression at a Single Molecule Level: Implications for MDS and AML. Blood 2021; 138:625-636. [PMID: 34157070 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-genetic heterogeneity, or gene expression stochasticity, is an important source of variability in biological systems. With the advent and improvement of single molecule resolution technologies, it has been shown that transcription dynamics and resultant transcript number fluctuations generate significant cell-to-cell variability that has important biological effects and may contribute substantially to both tissue homeostasis and disease. In this respect, the pathophysiology of stem cell-derived malignancies such as AML and MDS, which has historically been studied at the ensemble level, may require re-evaluation. To that end, it is our aim in this review to highlight the results of recent single-molecule, biophysical, and systems studies of gene expression dynamics, with the explicit purpose of demonstrating how the insights from these basic science studies may help inform and progress the field of leukemia biology and, ultimately, research into novel therapies.
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34
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Epigenetic dysregulation in myeloid malignancies. Blood 2021; 138:613-624. [PMID: 34157099 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation is now a well-recognized -though not yet fully understood- mechanism that contributes to the development and progression of myeloid malignancies. In the past 15 years, next generation sequencing studies have revealed patterns of aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin states, and mutations in chromatin modifiers across the spectrum of myeloid malignancies. Studies into the mechanisms that drive these diseases through mouse modeling have helped identify new avenues for therapeutic interventions, from initial treatment to resistant, relapsed disease. This is particularly significant when chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents remains the general standard of care. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent findings of epigenetic mechanisms and how these are informing the development of more targeted strategies for therapeutic intervention in myeloid malignancies.
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35
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CDK9 keeps RNA polymerase II on track. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5543-5567. [PMID: 34146121 PMCID: PMC8257543 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03878-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), is essential for transcription of most protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). By releasing promoter-proximally paused RNAPII into gene bodies, CDK9 controls the entry of RNAPII into productive elongation and is, therefore, critical for efficient synthesis of full-length messenger (m)RNAs. In recent years, new players involved in P-TEFb-dependent processes have been identified and an important function of CDK9 in coordinating elongation with transcription initiation and termination has been unveiled. As the regulatory functions of CDK9 in gene expression continue to expand, a number of human pathologies, including cancers, have been associated with aberrant CDK9 activity, underscoring the need to properly regulate CDK9. Here, I provide an overview of CDK9 function and regulation, with an emphasis on CDK9 dysregulation in human diseases.
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36
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Schnell AP, Kohrt S, Thoma-Kress AK. Latency Reversing Agents: Kick and Kill of HTLV-1? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115545. [PMID: 34073995 PMCID: PMC8197370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the cause of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), is a retrovirus, which integrates into the host genome and persistently infects CD4+ T-cells. Virus propagation is stimulated by (1) clonal expansion of infected cells and (2) de novo infection. Viral gene expression is induced by the transactivator protein Tax, which recruits host factors like positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to the viral promoter. Since HTLV-1 gene expression is repressed in vivo by viral, cellular, and epigenetic mechanisms in late phases of infection, HTLV-1 avoids an efficient CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response directed against the immunodominant viral Tax antigen. Hence, therapeutic strategies using latency reversing agents (LRAs) sought to transiently activate viral gene expression and antigen presentation of Tax to enhance CTL responses towards HTLV-1, and thus, to expose the latent HTLV-1 reservoir to immune destruction. Here, we review strategies that aimed at enhancing Tax expression and Tax-specific CTL responses to interfere with HTLV-1 latency. Further, we provide an overview of LRAs including (1) histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and (2) activators of P-TEFb, that have mainly been studied in context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but which may also be powerful in the context of HTLV-1.
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37
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The H3K4 methyltransferase SETD1A is required for proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells by promoting S-phase progression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 561:120-127. [PMID: 34023776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation has been strongly implicated in carcinogenesis and is one of the mechanisms that contribute to the development of lung cancer. Using genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 library screening, we showed SET domain-containing protein 1A (SETD1A) is an essential epigenetic modifier of the proliferation of NSCLC H1299 cells. Depletion of SETD1A strikingly inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells. IHC staining and bioinformatics showed that SETD1A is upregulated in lung cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that high expression of SETD1A is associated with poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. We revealed that loss of SETD1A inhibits DNA replication and induces replication stress accompanied by impaired fork progression. In addition, transcription of CDC7 and TOP1, which are involved in replication origin activation and fork progression, respectively, was significantly reduced by knockdown of SETD1A. Taken together, these findings demonstrated SETD1A is a critical epigenetic modifier of NSCLC cell proliferation by promoting the transcription of a subset of DNA replication-associated genes.
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38
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Boniel S, Szymańska K, Śmigiel R, Szczałuba K. Kabuki Syndrome-Clinical Review with Molecular Aspects. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:468. [PMID: 33805950 PMCID: PMC8064399 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare developmental disorder principally comprised of developmental delay, hypotonia and a clearly defined dysmorphism: elongation of the structures surrounding the eyes, a shortened and depressed nose, thinning of the upper lip and thickening of the lower lip, large and prominent ears, hypertrichosis and scoliosis. Other characteristics include poor physical growth, cardiac, gastrointestinal and renal anomalies as well as variable behavioral issues, including autistic features. De novo or inherited pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the KMT2D gene are the most common cause of KS and account for up to 75% of patients. Variants in KDM6A cause up to 5% of cases (X-linked dominant inheritance), while the etiology of about 20% of cases remains unknown. Current KS diagnostic criteria include hypotonia during infancy, developmental delay and/or intellectual disability, typical dysmorphism and confirmed pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in KMT2D or KDM6A. Care for KS patients includes the control of physical and psychomotor development during childhood, rehabilitation and multi-specialist care. This paper reviews the current clinical knowledge, provides molecular and scientific links and sheds light on the treatment of Kabuki syndrome individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snir Boniel
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University, Pawinskiego 3c, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Krystyna Szymańska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Center, Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuropathology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Robert Śmigiel
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Propaedeutic of Paediatrics and Rare Disorders, Medical University, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Szczałuba
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University, Pawinskiego 3c, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
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39
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Zhao X, Wang MY, Jiang H, Lwin T, Park PM, Gao J, Meads MB, Ren Y, Li T, Sun J, Fahmi NA, Singh S, Sehgal L, Wang X, Silva AS, Sotomayor EM, Shain KH, Cleveland JL, Wang M, Zhang W, Qi J, Shah BD, Tao J. Transcriptional programming drives Ibrutinib-resistance evolution in mantle cell lymphoma. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108870. [PMID: 33730585 PMCID: PMC8057695 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib, a bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, provokes robust clinical responses in aggressive mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), yet many patients relapse with lethal Ibrutinib-resistant (IR) disease. Here, using genomic, chemical proteomic, and drug screen profiling, we report that enhancer remodeling-mediated transcriptional activation and adaptive signaling changes drive the aggressive phenotypes of IR. Accordingly, IR MCL cells are vulnerable to inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery and especially so to inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the catalytic subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Further, CDK9 inhibition disables reprogrammed signaling circuits and prevents the emergence of IR in MCL. Finally, and importantly, we find that a robust and facile ex vivo image-based functional drug screening platform can predict clinical therapeutic responses of IR MCL and identify vulnerabilities that can be targeted to disable the evolution of IR.
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MESH Headings
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- Adenine/pharmacology
- Adenine/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Cell Cycle Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic/genetics
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/enzymology
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/genetics
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinases/metabolism
- RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transcriptome/genetics
- Treatment Outcome
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Zhao
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Michelle Y Wang
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Huijuan Jiang
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Tint Lwin
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Paul M Park
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jing Gao
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mark B Meads
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Yuan Ren
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Tao Li
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Naima Ahmed Fahmi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Satishkumar Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 32816, USA
| | - Lalit Sehgal
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 32816, USA
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ariosto S Silva
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Eduardo M Sotomayor
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052, USA
| | - Kenneth H Shain
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - John L Cleveland
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Michael Wang
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Bijal D Shah
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| | - Jianguo Tao
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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40
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Tian X, Yu H, Li D, Jin G, Dai S, Gong P, Kong C, Wang X. The miR-5694/AF9/Snail Axis Provides Metastatic Advantages and a Therapeutic Target in Basal-like Breast Cancer. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1239-1257. [PMID: 33221433 PMCID: PMC7934584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation, especially mutagenesis or the abnormal expression of epigenetic regulatory factors (ERFs), plays an important role in malignant tumorigenesis. To screen natural inhibitors of breast cancer metastasis, we adopted small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to transiently knock down 591 ERF-coding genes in luminal breast cancer MCF-7 cells and found that depletion of AF9 significantly promoted MCF-7 cell invasion and migration. A mouse model of metastasis further confirmed the suppressive role of AF9 in breast cancer metastasis. RNA profiling revealed enrichment of AF9 targets genes in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, tandem mass spectrometry showed that AF9 interacts with Snail, which hampers Snail transcriptional activity in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cells. AF9 reconstitutes an activated state on the promoter of Snail, which is a master regulator of EMT, and derepresses genes by recruiting CBP or GCN5. Additionally, microRNA-5694 (miR-5694) targeted and degraded AF9 messenger RNA (mRNA) in BLBC cells, further enhancing cell invasion and migration. Notably, AF9 and miR-5694 expression in BLBC clinical samples correlated inversely. Hence, miR-5694 mediates downregulation of AF9 and provides metastatic advantages in BLBC. Restoring expression of the metastasis suppressor AF9 is a possible therapeutic strategy against metastatic breast cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology
- Cell Proliferation
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/secondary
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Prognosis
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics
- Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tian
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Hua Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The China Welfare Institute, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Guojiang Jin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shundong Dai
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pengchao Gong
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cuicui Kong
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiongjun Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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41
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Panagopoulos I, Andersen K, Eilert-Olsen M, Rognlien AG, Munthe-Kaas MC, Micci F, Heim S. Rare KMT2A-ELL and Novel ZNF56-KMT2A Fusion Genes in Pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:121-131. [PMID: 33608309 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Previous reports have associated the KMT2A-ELL fusion gene, generated by t(11;19)(q23;p13.1), with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We herein report a KMT2A-ELL and a novel ZNF56-KMT2A fusion genes in a pediatric T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). MATERIALS AND METHODS Genetic investigations were performed on bone marrow of a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with T-ALL. RESULTS A KMT2A-ELL and a novel ZNF56-KMT2A fusion genes were generated on der(11)t(11;19)(q23;p13.1) and der(19)t(11;19)(q23;p13.1), respectively. Exon 20 of KMT2A fused to exon 2 of ELL in KMT2A-ELL chimeric transcript whereas exon 1 of ZNF56 fused to exon 21 of KMT2A in ZNF56-KMT2A transcript. A literature search revealed four more T-ALL patients carrying a KMT2A-ELL fusion. All of them were males aged 11, 11, 17, and 20 years. CONCLUSION KMT2A-ELL fusion is a rare recurrent genetic event in T-ALL with uncertain prognostic implications. The frequency and impact of ZNF56-KMT2A in T-ALL are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Kristin Andersen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martine Eilert-Olsen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Gro Rognlien
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica Cheng Munthe-Kaas
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Micci
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Zheng B, Aoi Y, Shah AP, Iwanaszko M, Das S, Rendleman EJ, Zha D, Khan N, Smith ER, Shilatifard A. Acute perturbation strategies in interrogating RNA polymerase II elongation factor function in gene expression. Genes Dev 2021; 35:273-285. [PMID: 33446572 PMCID: PMC7849361 DOI: 10.1101/gad.346106.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression catalyzed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) requires a host of accessory factors to ensure cell growth, differentiation, and survival under environmental stress. Here, using the auxin-inducible degradation (AID) system to study transcriptional activities of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) and super elongation complex (SEC) families, we found that the CDK9-containing BRD4 complex is required for the release of Pol II from promoter-proximal pausing for most genes, while the CDK9-containing SEC is required for activated transcription in the heat shock response. By using both the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) dBET6 and the AID system, we found that dBET6 treatment results in two major effects: increased pausing due to BRD4 loss, and reduced enhancer activity attributable to BRD2 loss. In the heat shock response, while auxin-mediated depletion of the AFF4 subunit of the SEC has a more severe defect than AFF1 depletion, simultaneous depletion of AFF1 and AFF4 leads to a stronger attenuation of the heat shock response, similar to treatment with the SEC inhibitor KL-1, suggesting a possible redundancy among SEC family members. This study highlights the usefulness of orthogonal acute depletion/inhibition strategies to identify distinct and redundant biological functions among Pol II elongation factor paralogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Yuki Aoi
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Avani P Shah
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Marta Iwanaszko
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Siddhartha Das
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Emily J Rendleman
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Didi Zha
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Nabiha Khan
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Edwin R Smith
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Wesolowski R, Kowenz-Leutz E, Zimmermann K, Dörr D, Hofstätter M, Slany RK, Mildner A, Leutz A. Myeloid transformation by MLL- ENL depends strictly on C/EBP. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202000709. [PMID: 33144337 PMCID: PMC7652399 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene MLL1 are the hallmark of infant acute leukemia. The granulocyte-macrophage progenitor state forms the epigenetic basis for myelomonocytic leukemia stemness and transformation by MLL-type oncoproteins. Previously, it was shown that the establishment of murine myelomonocytic MLL-ENL transformation, but not its maintenance, depends on the transcription factor C/EBPα, suggesting an epigenetic hit-and-run mechanism of MLL-driven oncogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that compound deletion of Cebpa/Cebpb almost entirely abrogated the growth and survival of MLL-ENL-transformed cells. Rare, slow-growing, and apoptosis-prone MLL-ENL-transformed escapees were recovered from compound Cebpa/Cebpb deletions. The escapees were uniformly characterized by high expression of the resident Cebpe gene, suggesting inferior functional compensation of C/EBPα/C/EBPβ deficiency by C/EBPε. Complementation was augmented by ectopic C/EBPβ expression and downstream activation of IGF1 that enhanced growth. Cebpe gene inactivation was accomplished only in the presence of complementing C/EBPβ, but not in its absence, confirming the Cebpe dependency of the Cebpa/Cebpb double knockouts. Our data show that MLL-transformed myeloid cells are dependent on C/EBPs during the initiation and maintenance of transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dorothea Dörr
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Robert K Slany
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Achim Leutz
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Zhang C, Shen L, Zhu Y, Xu R, Deng Z, Liu X, Ding Y, Wang C, Shi Y, Bei L, Wei D, Thorne RF, Zhang XD, Yu L, Chen S. KDM6A promotes imatinib resistance through YY1-mediated transcriptional upregulation of TRKA independently of its demethylase activity in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2691-2705. [PMID: 33456567 PMCID: PMC7806474 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Despite landmark therapy of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), drug resistance remains problematic. Cancer pathogenesis involves epigenetic dysregulation and in particular, histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) have been implicated in TKI resistance. We sought to identify KDMs with altered expression in CML and define their contribution to imatinib resistance. Methods: Bioinformatics screening compared KDM expression in CML versus normal bone marrow with shRNA knockdown and flow cytometry used to measure effects on imatinib-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. Transcriptomic analyses were performed against KDM6A CRISPR knockout/shRNA knockdown K562 cells along with gene rescue experiments using wildtype and mutant demethylase-dead KDM6A constructs. Co-immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter and ChIP were employed to elucidate mechanisms of KDM6A-dependent resistance. Results: Amongst five KDMs upregulated in CML, only KDM6A depletion sensitized CML cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis. Re-introduction of demethylase-dead KDM6A as well as wild-type KDM6A restored imatinib resistance. RNA-seq identified NTRK1 gene downregulation after depletion of KDM6A. Moreover, NTRK1 expression positively correlated with KDM6A in a subset of clinical CML samples and KDM6A knockdown in fresh CML isolates decreased NTRK1 encoded protein (TRKA) expression. Mechanistically, KDM6A was recruited to the NTRK1 promoter by the transcription factor YY1 with subsequent TRKA upregulation activating down-stream survival pathways to invoke imatinib resistance. Conclusion: Contrary to its reported role as a tumor suppressor and independent of its demethylase function, KDM6A promotes imatinib-resistance in CML cells. The identification of the KDM6A/YY1/TRKA axis as a novel imatinib-resistance mechanism represents an unexplored avenue to overcome TKI resistance in CML.
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Li J, Bansal V, Tiwari M, Chen Y, Sen GL. ELL Facilitates RNA Polymerase II-Mediated Transcription of Human Epidermal Proliferation Genes. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:1352-1356.e3. [PMID: 33157094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingting Li
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Varun Bansal
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Manisha Tiwari
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yifang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - George L Sen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
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MLL-TFE3: a novel and aggressive KMT2A fusion identified in infant leukemia. Blood Adv 2020; 4:4918-4923. [PMID: 33035331 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
A novel KMT2A-rearrangement, MLL-TFE3, was identified in an infant leukemia patient. MLL-TFE3 expression produces aggressive leukemia in a mouse model.
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Abstract
Regeneration is the process by which organisms replace lost or damaged tissue, and regenerative capacity can vary greatly among species, tissues and life stages. Tissue regeneration shares certain hallmarks of embryonic development, in that lineage-specific factors can be repurposed upon injury to initiate morphogenesis; however, many differences exist between regeneration and embryogenesis. Recent studies of regenerating tissues in laboratory model organisms - such as acoel worms, frogs, fish and mice - have revealed that chromatin structure, dedicated enhancers and transcriptional networks are regulated in a context-specific manner to control key gene expression programmes. A deeper mechanistic understanding of the gene regulatory networks of regeneration pathways might ultimately enable their targeted reactivation as a means to treat human injuries and degenerative diseases. In this Review, we consider the regeneration of body parts across a range of tissues and species to explore common themes and potentially exploitable elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Goldman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Kenneth D Poss
- Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW B cell disorders result in decreased levels or function of immunoglobulins in an individual. Genetic mutations have been reported in a variety of B cell disorders. This review, in follow-up to a previous review, describes some rare B cell disorders as well as their known underlying genetic etiologies. RECENT FINDINGS Genetic studies identify and permit precise classification of an increasing number of B cell disorders, leading to a greater understanding of B cell development and function. The B cell disorders are rare diseases. While clinicians are most familiar with X-linked agammaglobulinemia and so-called common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), there are many causes of hypogammaglobulinemia. Genetic testing provides a specific diagnosis, offers useful information for genetic counseling, and can identify previously unrecognized B cell disorders.
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49
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The role of histone methylation in the development of digestive cancers: a potential direction for cancer management. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:143. [PMID: 32747629 PMCID: PMC7398912 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00252-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Digestive cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and have high risks of morbidity and mortality. Histone methylation, which is mediated mainly by lysine methyltransferases, lysine demethylases, and protein arginine methyltransferases, has emerged as an essential mechanism regulating pathological processes in digestive cancers. Under certain conditions, aberrant expression of these modifiers leads to abnormal histone methylation or demethylation in the corresponding cancer-related genes, which contributes to different processes and phenotypes, such as carcinogenesis, proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, invasion, and migration, during digestive cancer development. In this review, we focus on the association between histone methylation regulation and the development of digestive cancers, including gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer, as well as on its clinical application prospects, aiming to provide a new perspective on the management of digestive cancers.
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50
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Bacon CW, Challa A, Hyder U, Shukla A, Borkar AN, Bayo J, Liu J, Wu SY, Chiang CM, Kutateladze TG, D'Orso I. KAP1 Is a Chromatin Reader that Couples Steps of RNA Polymerase II Transcription to Sustain Oncogenic Programs. Mol Cell 2020; 78:1133-1151.e14. [PMID: 32402252 PMCID: PMC7305985 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of the RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) cycle, including pausing and pause release, maintains transcriptional homeostasis and organismal functions. Despite previous work to understand individual transcription steps, we reveal a mechanism that integrates RNA Pol II cycle transitions. Surprisingly, KAP1/TRIM28 uses a previously uncharacterized chromatin reader cassette to bind hypo-acetylated histone 4 tails at promoters, guaranteeing continuous progression of RNA Pol II entry to and exit from the pause state. Upon chromatin docking, KAP1 first associates with RNA Pol II and then recruits a pathway-specific transcription factor (SMAD2) in response to cognate ligands, enabling gene-selective CDK9-dependent pause release. This coupling mechanism is exploited by tumor cells to aberrantly sustain transcriptional programs commonly dysregulated in cancer patients. The discovery of a factor integrating transcription steps expands the functional repertoire by which chromatin readers operate and provides mechanistic understanding of transcription regulation, offering alternative therapeutic opportunities to target transcriptional dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis W Bacon
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Biological Chemistry Graduate Program, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ashwini Challa
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Usman Hyder
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ashutosh Shukla
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Aditi N Borkar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Juan Bayo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, CONICET, Universidad Austral, Derqui-Pilar, Buenos Aires 1629, Argentina
| | - Jiuyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Shwu-Yuan Wu
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tatiana G Kutateladze
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Iván D'Orso
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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