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Salvati A, Giurato G, Lamberti J, Terenzi I, Crescenzo L, Melone V, Palo L, Giordano A, Sabbatino F, Roscigno G, Quintavalle C, Condorelli G, Rizzo F, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Weisz A. Essential gene screening identifies the bromodomain-containing protein BRPF1 as a new actionable target for endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancers. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:160. [PMID: 39113071 PMCID: PMC11304578 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying master epigenetic factors controlling proliferation and survival of cancer cells allows to discover new molecular targets exploitable to overcome resistance to current pharmacological regimens. In breast cancer (BC), resistance to endocrine therapy (ET) arises from aberrant Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) signaling caused by genetic and epigenetic events still mainly unknown. Targeting key upstream components of the ERα pathway provides a way to interfere with estrogen signaling in cancer cells independently from any other downstream event. By combining computational analysis of genome-wide 'drop-out' screenings with siRNA-mediated gene knock-down (kd), we identified a set of essential genes in luminal-like, ERα + BC that includes BRPF1, encoding a bromodomain-containing protein belonging to a family of epigenetic readers that act as chromatin remodelers to control gene transcription. To gather mechanistic insights into the role of BRPF1 in BC and ERα signaling, we applied chromatin and transcriptome profiling, gene ablation and targeted pharmacological inhibition coupled to cellular and functional assays. Results indicate that BRPF1 associates with ERα onto BC cell chromatin and its blockade inhibits cell cycle progression, reduces cell proliferation and mediates transcriptome changes through the modulation of chromatin accessibility. This effect is elicited by a widespread inhibition of estrogen signaling, consequent to ERα gene silencing, in antiestrogen (AE) -sensitive and -resistant BC cells and pre-clinical patient-derived models (PDOs). Characterization of the functional interplay of BRPF1 with ERα reveals a new regulator of estrogen-responsive BC cell survival and suggests that this epigenetic factor is a potential new target for treatment of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, Rete Oncologica Campana, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Ilaria Terenzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Laura Crescenzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Luigi Palo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giordano
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Roscigno
- Department of Biology, "Federico II", University of Naples, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology 'G. Salvatore' (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Napoli, 80131, Italy
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology 'G. Salvatore' (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, Rete Oncologica Campana, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' Università di Salerno, Salerno, 84131, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, SA, 84081, Italy.
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Srivastava A, Ahmad R, Yadav K, Siddiqui S, Trivedi A, Misra A, Mehrotra S, Ahmad B, Ali Khan M. An update on existing therapeutic options and status of novel anti-metastatic agents in breast cancer: Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic action of Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in breast cancer attenuation. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 136:112232. [PMID: 38815352 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Major significant advancements in pharmacology and drug technology have been made to heighten the impact of cancer therapies, improving the life expectancy of subjects diagnosed with malignancy. Statistically, 99% of breast cancers occur in women while 0.5-1% occur in men, the female gender being the strongest breast cancer risk factor. Despite several breakthroughs, breast cancer continues to have a worldwide impact and is one of the leading causes of mortality. Additionally, resistance to therapy is a crucial factor enabling cancer cell persistence and resurgence. As a result, the search and discovery of novel modulatory agents and effective therapies capable of controlling tumor progression and cancer cell proliferation is critical. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS), commonly known as Indian ginseng, has long been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments in the Indian context. Recently, WS and its phytoconstituents have shown promising anti-breast cancer properties and, as such, can be employed as prophylactic as well as therapeutic adjuncts to the main line of breast cancer treatment. The present review is an attempt to explore and provide experimental evidences in support of the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of WS in breast cancer, along with a deeper insight into the multiple molecular mechanisms and novel targets through which it acts against breast and other hormonally-induced cancers viz. ovarian, uterine and cervical. This exploration might prove crucial in providing better understanding of breast cancer progression and metastasis and its use as an adjunct in improving disease prognosis and therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Srivastava
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Rumana Ahmad
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Kusum Yadav
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, UP., India.
| | - Sahabjada Siddiqui
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Era's Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Anchal Trivedi
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Aparna Misra
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Sudhir Mehrotra
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, UP., India.
| | - Bilal Ahmad
- Research Cell, Era University, Sarfarazganj, Hardoi Road, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
| | - Mohsin Ali Khan
- Dept. of Research & Development, Era University, Lucknow 226003, UP., India.
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3
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Dhahri H, Saintilnord WN, Chandler D, Fondufe-Mittendorf YN. Beyond the Usual Suspects: Examining the Role of Understudied Histone Variants in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6788. [PMID: 38928493 PMCID: PMC11203562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126788] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The incorporation of histone variants has structural ramifications on nucleosome dynamics and stability. Due to their unique sequences, histone variants can alter histone-histone or histone-DNA interactions, impacting the folding of DNA around the histone octamer and the overall higher-order structure of chromatin fibers. These structural modifications alter chromatin compaction and accessibility of DNA by transcription factors and other regulatory proteins to influence gene regulatory processes such as DNA damage and repair, as well as transcriptional activation or repression. Histone variants can also generate a unique interactome composed of histone chaperones and chromatin remodeling complexes. Any of these perturbations can contribute to cellular plasticity and the progression of human diseases. Here, we focus on a frequently overlooked group of histone variants lying within the four human histone gene clusters and their contribution to breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejer Dhahri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA or (H.D.); (W.N.S.)
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
| | - Wesley N. Saintilnord
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA or (H.D.); (W.N.S.)
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- The Edison Family Center of Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Darrell Chandler
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
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Thakur C, Qiu Y, Pawar A, Chen F. Epigenetic regulation of breast cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:597-619. [PMID: 37857941 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Recurrent metastasis is associated with poor patient outcomes and poses a significant challenge in breast cancer therapies. Cancer cells adapting to a new tissue microenvironment is the key event in distant metastasis development, where the disseminating tumor cells are likely to acquire genetic and epigenetic alterations during the process of metastatic colonization. Despite several decades of research in this field, the exact mechanisms governing metastasis are not fully understood. However, emerging body of evidence indicates that in addition to genetic changes, epigenetic reprogramming of cancer cells and the metastatic niche are paramount toward successful metastasis. Here, we review and discuss the latest knowledge about the salient attributes of metastasis and epigenetic regulation in breast cancer and crucial research domains that need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Thakur
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Aashna Pawar
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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5
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Wu D, Zhang J, Jun Y, Liu L, Huang C, Wang W, Yang C, Xiang Z, Wu J, Huang Y, Meng D, Yang Z, Zhou X, Cheng C, Yang J. The emerging role of DOT1L in cell proliferation and differentiation: Friend or foe. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:425-435. [PMID: 37706592 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell proliferation and differentiation are the basic physiological activities of cells. Mistakes in these processes may affect cell survival, or cause cell cycle dysregulation, such as tumorigenesis, birth defects and degenerative diseases. In recent years, it has been found that histone methyltransferase DOT1L is the only H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase, which plays an important role in the process of cell fate determination through monomethylation, dimethylation and trimethylation of H3K79. DOT1L has a pro-proliferative effect in leukemia cells; however, loss of heart-specific DOT1L leads to increased proliferation of cardiac tissue. Additionally, DOT1L has carcinogenic or tumor suppressive effects in different neoplasms. At present, some DOT1L inhibitors for the treatment of MLL-driven leukemia have achieved promising results in clinical trials, but completely blocking DOT1L will also bring some side effects. Thus, this uncertainty suggests that DOT1L has a unique function in cell physiology. In this review, we summarize the primary findings of DOT1L in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Correlations between DOT1L and cell fate specification might suggest DOT1L as a therapeutic target for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China.
| | - Yang Jun
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Cuiyuan Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Chaojun Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Zujin Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jingyi Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Yifan Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Di Meng
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Zishu Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China.
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6
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Rinaldi L, Chiuso F, Senatore E, Borzacchiello D, Lignitto L, Iannucci R, Donne RD, Fuggi M, Reale C, Russo F, Russo NA, Giurato G, Rizzo F, Sellitto A, Santangelo M, De Biase D, Paciello O, D'Ambrosio C, Amente S, Garbi C, Dalla E, Scaloni A, Weisz A, Ambrosino C, Insabato L, Feliciello A. Downregulation of praja2 restrains endocytosis and boosts tyrosine kinase receptors in kidney cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:208. [PMID: 38379085 PMCID: PMC10879500 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05823-4] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common kidney cancer in the adult population. Late diagnosis, resistance to therapeutics and recurrence of metastatic lesions account for the highest mortality rate among kidney cancer patients. Identifying novel biomarkers for early cancer detection and elucidating the mechanisms underlying ccRCC will provide clues to treat this aggressive malignant tumor. Here, we report that the ubiquitin ligase praja2 forms a complex with-and ubiquitylates the AP2 adapter complex, contributing to receptor endocytosis and clearance. In human RCC tissues and cells, downregulation of praja2 by oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) and the proteasome markedly impairs endocytosis and clearance of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and amplifies downstream mitogenic and proliferative signaling. Restoring praja2 levels in RCC cells downregulates EGFR, rewires cancer cell metabolism and ultimately inhibits tumor cell growth and metastasis. Accordingly, genetic ablation of praja2 in mice upregulates RTKs (i.e. EGFR and VEGFR) and induces epithelial and vascular alterations in the kidney tissue.In summary, our findings identify a regulatory loop between oncomiRs and the ubiquitin proteasome system that finely controls RTKs endocytosis and clearance, positively impacting mitogenic signaling and kidney cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiuso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Senatore
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Borzacchiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Lignitto
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Rosa Iannucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Delle Donne
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariano Fuggi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Reale
- Biogem, Biology and Molecular Genetics Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Filomena Russo
- Biogem, Biology and Molecular Genetics Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Giurato
- Genome Research Center for Health, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Genome Research Center for Health, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Michele Santangelo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Orlando Paciello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Pathology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara D'Ambrosio
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Stefano Amente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Corrado Garbi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emiliano Dalla
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Andrea Scaloni
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Genome Research Center for Health, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Concetta Ambrosino
- Biogem, Biology and Molecular Genetics Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology University of Sannio, Sannio, Italy
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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7
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Sepulveda GP, Gushchanskaia ES, Mora-Martin A, Esse R, Nikorich I, Ceballos A, Kwan J, Blum BC, Dholiya P, Emili A, Perissi V, Cardamone MD, Grishok A. DOT1L stimulates MYC/Mondo transcription factor activity by promoting its degradation cycle on chromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.06.579191. [PMID: 38370658 PMCID: PMC10871221 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.579191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The proto-oncogene c-MYC is a key representative of the MYC transcription factor network regulating growth and metabolism. MML-1 (Myc- and Mondo-like) is its homolog in C. elegans. The functional and molecular cooperation between c-MYC and H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase DOT1L was demonstrated in several human cancer types, and we have earlier discovered the connection between C. elegans MML-1 and DOT-1.1. Here, we demonstrate the critical role of DOT1L/DOT-1.1 in regulating c-MYC/MML-1 target genes genome-wide by ensuring the removal of "spent" transcription factors from chromatin by the nuclear proteasome. Moreover, we uncover a previously unrecognized proteolytic activity of DOT1L, which may facilitate c-MYC turnover. This new mechanism of c-MYC regulation by DOT1L may lead to the development of new approaches for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian P. Sepulveda
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Ekaterina S. Gushchanskaia
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Present address: Tessera Therapeutics, Somerville, MA, 02143, USA
| | - Alexandra Mora-Martin
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Present address: Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruben Esse
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Present address: Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Iana Nikorich
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Ainhoa Ceballos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Present address: Research Unit, Diagnostica Longwood S.L. 50011 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julian Kwan
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Benjamin C. Blum
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Prakruti Dholiya
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Andrew Emili
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Division of Computational Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Present address: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Valentina Perissi
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Maria D. Cardamone
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Present address: Korro Bio Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alla Grishok
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Genome Science Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
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8
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Arzate-Mejia RG, Carullo NVN, Mansuy IM. The epigenome under pressure: On regulatory adaptation to chronic stress in the brain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 84:102832. [PMID: 38141414 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress (CS) can have long-lasting consequences on behavior and cognition, that are associated with stable changes in gene expression in the brain. Recent work has examined the role of the epigenome in the effects of CS on the brain. This review summarizes experimental evidence in rodents showing that CS can alter the epigenome and the expression of epigenetic modifiers in brain cells, and critically assesses their functional effect on genome function. It discusses the influence of the developmental time of stress exposure on the type of epigenetic changes, and proposes new lines of research that can help clarify these changes and their causal involvement in the impact of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo G Arzate-Mejia
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/RodrigoArzt
| | - Nancy V N Carullo
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/DrNancyCarullo
| | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland.
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9
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Saggese P, Pandey A, Alcaraz M, Fung E, Hall A, Yanagawa J, Rodriguez EF, Grogan TR, Giurato G, Nassa G, Salvati A, Shirihai OS, Weisz A, Dubinett SM, Scafoglio C. Glucose Deprivation Promotes Pseudohypoxia and Dedifferentiation in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2024; 84:305-327. [PMID: 37934116 PMCID: PMC10790128 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1148] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Increased utilization of glucose is a hallmark of cancer. Sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) is a critical player in glucose uptake in early-stage and well-differentiated lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). SGLT2 inhibitors, which are FDA approved for diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease, have been shown to significantly delay LUAD development and prolong survival in murine models and in retrospective studies in diabetic patients, suggesting that they may be repurposed for lung cancer. Despite the antitumor effects of SGLT2 inhibition, tumors eventually escape treatment. Here, we studied the mechanisms of resistance to glucose metabolism-targeting treatments. Glucose restriction in LUAD and other tumors induced cancer cell dedifferentiation, leading to a more aggressive phenotype. Glucose deprivation caused a reduction in alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG), leading to attenuated activity of αKG-dependent histone demethylases and histone hypermethylation. The dedifferentiated phenotype depended on unbalanced EZH2 activity that suppressed prolyl-hydroxylase PHD3 and increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), triggering epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Finally, a HIF1α-dependent transcriptional signature of genes upregulated by low glucose correlated with prognosis in human LUAD. Overall, this study furthers current knowledge of the relationship between glucose metabolism and cell differentiation in cancer, characterizing the epigenetic adaptation of cancer cells to glucose deprivation and identifying targets to prevent the development of resistance to therapies targeting glucose metabolism. SIGNIFICANCE Epigenetic adaptation allows cancer cells to overcome the tumor-suppressive effects of glucose restriction by inducing dedifferentiation and an aggressive phenotype, which could help design better metabolic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Saggese
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aparamita Pandey
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Martín Alcaraz
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eileen Fung
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Abbie Hall
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jane Yanagawa
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Erika F. Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tristan R. Grogan
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana,’ University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana,’ University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana,’ University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Onco-Hematology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona,” University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Orian S. Shirihai
- Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana,’ University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Onco-Hematology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona,” University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Steven M. Dubinett
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Claudio Scafoglio
- Department of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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10
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Yin J, Gu T, Chaudhry N, Davidson NE, Huang Y. Epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity and immunotherapy response in breast cancer: biological mechanisms and clinical implications. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325615. [PMID: 38268926 PMCID: PMC10806158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. The initiation and progression of BC can proceed through the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that allow transformed cells to escape the normal cell cycle checkpoint control. Unlike nucleotide mutations, epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), nucleosome remodeling and non-coding RNAs are generally reversible and therefore potentially responsive to pharmacological intervention. Epigenetic dysregulations are critical mechanisms for impaired antitumor immunity, evasion of immune surveillance, and resistance to immunotherapy. Compared to highly immunogenic tumor types, such as melanoma or lung cancer, breast cancer has been viewed as an immunologically quiescent tumor which displays a relatively low population of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), low tumor mutational burden (TMB) and modest response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Emerging evidence suggests that agents targeting aberrant epigenetic modifiers may augment host antitumor immunity in BC via several interrelated mechanisms such as enhancing tumor antigen presentation, activation of cytotoxic T cells, inhibition of immunosuppressive cells, boosting response to ICI, and induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). These discoveries have established a highly promising basis for using combinatorial approaches of epigenetic drugs with immunotherapy as an innovative paradigm to improve outcomes of BC patients. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how epigenetic processes regulate immune cell function and antitumor immunogenicity in the context of the breast tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic potential and latest clinical trials of the combination of immune checkpoint blockers with epigenetic agents in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yin
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Tiezheng Gu
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Norin Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Nancy E. Davidson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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11
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Giurato G, Terenzi I, Chiuso F, Salvati A, Rizzo F, Tarallo R, Weisz A, Nassa G. Genome-wide DNA methylation changes upon DOT1L inhibition in hormone-responsive breast cancer cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1308025. [PMID: 38099289 PMCID: PMC10720356 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1308025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Ilaria Terenzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiuso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
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12
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Wille CK, Zhang X, Haws SA, Denu JM, Sridharan R. DOT1L is a barrier to histone acetylation during reprogramming to pluripotency. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf3980. [PMID: 37976354 PMCID: PMC10656071 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf3980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have transcriptionally permissive chromatin enriched for gene activation-associated histone modifications. A striking exception is DOT1L-mediated H3K79 dimethylation (H3K79me2) that is considered a positive regulator of transcription. We find that ESCs are depleted for H3K79me2 at shared locations of enrichment with somatic cells, which are highly and ubiquitously expressed housekeeping genes, and have lower RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) at the transcription start site (TSS) despite greater nascent transcription. Inhibiting DOT1L increases the efficiency of reprogramming of somatic to induced pluripotent stem cells, enables an ESC-like RNAPII pattern at the TSS, and functionally compensates for enforced RNAPII pausing. DOT1L inhibition increases H3K27 methylation and RNAPII elongation-enhancing histone acetylation without changing the expression of the causal histone-modifying enzymes. Only the maintenance of elevated histone acetylation is essential for enhanced reprogramming and occurs at loci that are depleted for H3K79me2. Thus, DOT1L inhibition promotes the hyperacetylation and hypertranscription pluripotent properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral K. Wille
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Xiaoya Zhang
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Spencer A. Haws
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - John M. Denu
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Rupa Sridharan
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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13
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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14
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Jin ML, Jeong KW. Histone modifications in drug-resistant cancers: From a cancer stem cell and immune evasion perspective. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-01014-z. [PMID: 37394580 PMCID: PMC10394043 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01014-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and immune evasion of cancer stem cells (CSCs) limit the efficacy of currently available anticancer therapies. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic reprogramming regulates the expression of characteristic marker proteins and tumor plasticity associated with cancer cell survival and metastasis in CSCs. CSCs also possess unique mechanisms to evade external attacks by immune cells. Hence, the development of new strategies to restore dysregulated histone modifications to overcome cancer resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy has recently attracted attention. Restoring abnormal histone modifications can be an effective anticancer strategy to increase the therapeutic effect of conventional chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs by weakening CSCs or by rendering them in a naïve state with increased sensitivity to immune responses. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the role of histone modifiers in the development of drug-resistant cancer cells from the perspectives of CSCs and immune evasion. In addition, we discuss attempts to combine currently available histone modification inhibitors with conventional chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li Jin
- Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Won Jeong
- Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Yoo H, La H, Park C, Yoo S, Lee H, Song H, Do JT, Choi Y, Hong K. Common and distinct functions of mouse Dot1l in the regulation of endothelial transcriptome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1176115. [PMID: 37397258 PMCID: PMC10311421 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1176115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are mandatory for endothelial called lymphangioblasts during cardiovascular development. Dot1l-mediated gene transcription in mice is essential for the development and function of lymphatic ECs (LECs). The role of Dot1l in the development and function of blood ECs blood endothelial cells is unclear. RNA-seq datasets from Dot1l-depleted or -overexpressing BECs and LECs were used to comprehensively analyze regulatory networks of gene transcription and pathways. Dot1l depletion in BECs changed the expression of genes involved in cell-to-cell adhesion and immunity-related biological processes. Dot1l overexpression modified the expression of genes involved in different types of cell-to-cell adhesion and angiogenesis-related biological processes. Genes involved in specific tissue development-related biological pathways were altered in Dot1l-depleted BECs and LECs. Dot1l overexpression altered ion transportation-related genes in BECs and immune response regulation-related genes in LECs. Importantly, Dot1l overexpression in BECs led to the expression of genes related to the angiogenesis and increased expression of MAPK signaling pathways related was found in both Dot1l-overexpressing BECs and LECs. Therefore, our integrated analyses of transcriptomics in Dot1l-depleted and Dot1l-overexpressed ECs demonstrate the unique transcriptomic program of ECs and the differential functions of Dot1l in the regulation of gene transcription in BECs and LECs.
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16
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Zhang J, Yang T, Han M, Wang X, Yang W, Guo N, Ren Y, Cui W, Li S, Zhao Y, Zhai X, Jia L, Yang J, Wu C, Wang L. Gain-of-function mutations in the catalytic domain of DOT1L promote lung cancer malignant phenotypes via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadc9273. [PMID: 37256945 PMCID: PMC10413674 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adc9273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a lethal malignancy lacking effective therapies. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic enzyme mutations are closely related to the malignant phenotype of lung cancer. Here, we identified a series of gain-of-function mutations in the histone methyltransferase DOT1L. The strongest of them is R231Q, located in the catalytic DOT domain. R231Q can enhance the substrate binding ability of DOT1L. Moreover, R231Q promotes cell growth and drug resistance of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies also revealed that the R231Q mutant specifically activates the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway by enriching H3K79me2 on the RAF1 promoter and epigenetically regulating the expression of downstream targets. The combination of a DOT1L inhibitor (SGC0946) and a MAPK/ERK axis inhibitor (binimetinib) can effectively reverse the R231Q-induced phenomena. Our results reveal gain-of-function mutations in an epigenetic enzyme and provide promising insights for the precise treatment of lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Mei Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Shangxiao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xin Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi 117004, China
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17
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Lin J, Wu Y, Tian G, Yu D, Yang E, Lam WH, Liu Z, Jing Y, Dang S, Bao X, Wong JWH, Zhai Y, Li XD. Menin "reads" H3K79me2 mark in a nucleosomal context. Science 2023; 379:717-723. [PMID: 36795828 DOI: 10.1126/science.adc9318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of histone H3 lysine-79 (H3K79) is an epigenetic mark for gene regulation in development, cellular differentiation, and disease progression. However, how this histone mark is translated into downstream effects remains poorly understood owing to a lack of knowledge about its readers. We developed a nucleosome-based photoaffinity probe to capture proteins that recognize H3K79 dimethylation (H3K79me2) in a nucleosomal context. In combination with a quantitative proteomics approach, this probe identified menin as a H3K79me2 reader. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of menin bound to an H3K79me2 nucleosome revealed that menin engages with the nucleosome using its fingers and palm domains and recognizes the methylation mark through a π-cation interaction. In cells, menin is selectively associated with H3K79me2 on chromatin, particularly in gene bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gaofei Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Daqi Yu
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eunjeong Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai Hei Lam
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yihang Jing
- Greater Bay Biomedical InnoCenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shangyu Dang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiucong Bao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason Wing Hon Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanliang Zhai
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiang David Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Greater Bay Biomedical InnoCenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
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18
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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Valdivia A, Huang H, Matei D. DOT1 L Regulates Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells by Activating β-catenin Signaling. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:140-154. [PMID: 36318113 PMCID: PMC9898143 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) represent a population of cancer cells responsible for tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. Here, we identified the H3K79 methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing-1-like (DOT1L) as a critical regulator of self-renewal and tumor initiation in ovarian CSCs. DOT1 L was upregulated in ovarian CSCs versus non-CSCs. shRNA-mediated DOT1 L knockdown decreased the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)+ cell population, impaired the tumor initiation capacity (TIC) of ovarian CSCs, and blocked the expression of stemness-associated genes. Inhibition of DOT1L's methyltransferase activity by the small-molecule inhibitor (DOT1Li) EPZ-5676 also effectively targeted ovarian CSCs. Integrated RNA-sequencing analyses of ovarian cancer cells in which DOT1 L was knocked down versus control cells and of ovarian CSCs versus non-CSCs, identified Wnt signaling as a shared pathway deregulated in both CSCs and in DOT1L-deficient ovarian cancer cells. β-catenin, a key transcription factor regulated by Wnt, was downregulated in ovarian cancer cells in which DOT1 L was knocked down and upregulated in DOT1 L overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed enrichment of the H3K79Me3 mark at the β-catenin promoter, suggesting that its transcription is regulated by DOT1L. Our results suggest that DOT1 L is critical for the self-renewal and TIC of ovarian CSCs by regulating β-catenin signaling. Targeting DOT1 L in ovarian cancer could be a new strategy to eliminate CSCs. IMPLICATIONS This study found that the histone methyltransferase DOT1 L regulates the self-renewal and tumor initiation capacity of ovarian CSCs and suggests DOT1 L as a new cancer target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,Driskill Graduate Training Program in Life Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yinu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andres Valdivia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Daniela Matei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
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19
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Saggese P, Pandey A, Fung E, Hall A, Yanagawa J, Rodriguez EF, Grogan TR, Giurato G, Nassa G, Salvati A, Weisz A, Dubinett SM, Scafoglio C. Glucose deprivation promotes pseudo-hypoxia and de-differentiation in lung adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526207. [PMID: 36778362 PMCID: PMC9915520 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Increased utilization of glucose is a hallmark of cancer. Several studies are investigating the efficacy of glucose restriction by glucose transporter blockade or glycolysis inhibition. However, the adaptations of cancer cells to glucose restriction are unknown. Here, we report the discovery that glucose restriction in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) induces cancer cell de-differentiation, leading to a more aggressive phenotype. Glucose deprivation causes a reduction in alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG), leading to attenuated activity of αKG-dependent histone demethylases and histone hypermethylation. We further show that this de-differentiated phenotype depends on unbalanced EZH2 activity, causing inhibition of prolyl-hydroxylase PHD3 and increased expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), triggering epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Finally, we identified an HIF1α-dependent transcriptional signature with prognostic significance in human LUAD. Our studies further current knowledge of the relationship between glucose metabolism and cell differentiation in cancer, characterizing the epigenetic adaptation of cancer cells to glucose deprivation and identifying novel targets to prevent the development of resistance to therapies targeting glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Saggese
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aparamita Pandey
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eileen Fung
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Abbie Hall
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane Yanagawa
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erika F. Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tristan R. Grogan
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Onco-Hematology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Onco-Hematology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Steven M. Dubinett
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Claudio Scafoglio
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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20
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Liao Q, Yang J, Ge S, Chai P, Fan J, Jia R. Novel insights into histone lysine methyltransferases in cancer therapy: From epigenetic regulation to selective drugs. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:127-141. [PMID: 36908859 PMCID: PMC9999304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The reversible and precise temporal and spatial regulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) is essential for epigenome homeostasis. The dysregulation of KMTs is associated with tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, invasiveness, and the immune microenvironment. Therapeutically, their promising effects are being evaluated in diversified preclinical and clinical trials, demonstrating encouraging outcomes in multiple malignancies. In this review, we have updated recent understandings of KMTs' functions and the development of their targeted inhibitors. First, we provide an updated overview of the regulatory roles of several KMT activities in oncogenesis, tumor suppression, and immune regulation. In addition, we summarize the current targeting strategies in different cancer types and multiple ongoing clinical trials of combination therapies with KMT inhibitors. In summary, we endeavor to depict the regulation of KMT-mediated epigenetic landscape and provide potential epigenetic targets in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
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21
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Functional Relationships between Long Non-Coding RNAs and Estrogen Receptor Alpha: A New Frontier in Hormone-Responsive Breast Cancer Management. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021145. [PMID: 36674656 PMCID: PMC9863308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the complex and articulated machinery of the human genome, less than 2% of the transcriptome encodes for proteins, while at least 75% is actively transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among the non-coding transcripts, those ≥200 nucleotides long (lncRNAs) are receiving growing attention for their involvement in human diseases, particularly cancer. Genomic studies have revealed the multiplicity of processes, including neoplastic transformation and tumor progression, in which lncRNAs are involved by regulating gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels by mechanism(s) that still need to be clarified. In breast cancer, several lncRNAs were identified and demonstrated to have either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles. The functional understanding of the mechanisms of lncRNA action in this disease could represent a potential for translational applications, as these molecules may serve as novel biomarkers of clinical use and potential therapeutic targets. This review highlights the relationship between lncRNAs and the principal hallmark of the luminal breast cancer phenotype, estrogen receptor α (ERα), providing an overview of new potential ways to inhibit estrogenic signaling via this nuclear receptor toward escaping resistance to endocrine therapy.
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22
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Yang YB, Wu CY, Wang XY, Deng J, Cao WJ, Tang YZ, Wan CC, Chen ZT, Zhan WY, Shan H, Kuang DM, Wei Y. Targeting inflammatory macrophages rebuilds therapeutic efficacy of DOT1L inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Ther 2023; 31:105-118. [PMID: 36183166 PMCID: PMC9840147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.019] [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: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic reprogramming is a promising therapeutic strategy for aggressive cancers, but its limitations in vivo remain unclear. Here, we showed, in detailed studies of data regarding 410 patients with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), that increased histone methyltransferase DOT1L triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition-mediated metastasis and served as a therapeutic target for human HCC. Unexpectedly, although targeting DOT1L in vitro abrogated the invasive potential of hepatoma cells, abrogation of DOT1L signals hardly affected the metastasis of hepatoma in vivo. Macrophages, which constitute the major cellular component of the stroma, abrogated the anti-metastatic effect of DOT1L targeting. Mechanistically, NF-κB signal elicited by macrophage inflammatory response operated via a non-epigenetic machinery to eliminate the therapeutic efficacy of DOT1L targeting. Importantly, therapeutic strategy combining DOT1L-targeted therapy with macrophage depletion or NF-κB inhibition in vivo effectively and successfully elicited cancer regression. Moreover, we found that the densities of macrophages in HCC determined malignant cell DOT1L-associated clinical outcome of the patients. Our results provide insight into the crosstalk between epigenetic reprogramming and cancer microenvironments and suggest that strategies to influence the functional activities of inflammatory cells may benefit epigenetic reprogramming therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Bin Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Cai-Yuan Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xu-Yan Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jia Deng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Wen-Jie Cao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yun-Zhi Tang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chao-Chao Wan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhi-Tian Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wan-Yu Zhan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hong Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China.
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Yuan Wei
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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23
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Xu C, Zhao S, Cai L. Epigenetic (De)regulation in Prostate Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:321-360. [PMID: 38113006 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease exhibiting both genetic and epigenetic deregulations. Epigenetic alterations are defined as changes not based on DNA sequence, which include those of DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. Androgen receptor (AR) is the main driver for PCa and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a backbone treatment for patients with PCa; however, ADT resistance almost inevitably occurs and advanced diseases develop termed castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), due to both genetic and epigenetic changes. Due to the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, inhibitors targeting epigenetic factors have become promising anti-cancer agents. In this chapter, we focus on recent studies about the dysregulation of epigenetic regulators crucially involved in the initiation, development, and progression of PCa and discuss the potential use of inhibitors targeting epigenetic modifiers for treatment of advanced PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Xu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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24
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Zhai LH, Chen KF, Hao BB, Tan MJ. Proteomic characterization of post-translational modifications in drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:3112-3129. [PMID: 36372853 PMCID: PMC9712763 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01017-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are usually enzymatically catalyzed, are major regulators of protein activity and involved in almost all celluar processes. Dysregulation of PTMs is associated with various types of diseases. Therefore, PTM regulatory enzymes represent as an attractive and important class of targets in drug research and development. Inhibitors against kinases, methyltransferases, deacetyltransferases, ubiquitin ligases have achieved remarkable success in clinical application. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies serve as a powerful approach for system-wide characterization of PTMs, which facilitates the identification of drug targets, elucidation of the mechanisms of action of drugs, and discovery of biomakers in personalized therapy. In this review, we summarize recent advances of proteomics-based studies on PTM targeting drugs and discuss how proteomics strategies facilicate drug target identification, mechanism elucidation, and new therapy development in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Kai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing-Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Min-Jia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
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25
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Scicchitano S, Montalcini Y, Lucchino V, Melocchi V, Gigantino V, Chiarella E, Bianchi F, Weisz A, Mesuraca M. Enhanced ZNF521 expression induces an aggressive phenotype in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274785. [PMID: 36191006 PMCID: PMC9529122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological tumor, that almost inevitably relapses and develops chemo-resistance. A better understanding of molecular events underlying the biological behavior of this tumor, as well as identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets are the prerequisite to improve its clinical management. ZNF521 gene amplifications are present in >6% of OCs and its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that it may play an important role in OC. Increased ZNF521 expression resulted in an enhancement of OC HeyA8 and ES-2 cell growth and motility. Analysis of RNA isolated from transduced cells by RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR revealed that several genes involved in growth, proliferation, migration and tumor invasiveness are differentially expressed following increased ZNF521 expression. The data illustrate a novel biological role of ZNF521 in OC that, thanks to the early and easy detection by RNA-Seq, can be used as biomarker for identification and treatment of OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Scicchitano
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy
- * E-mail: (SS); (MM)
| | - Ylenia Montalcini
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucchino
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Melocchi
- Unit of Cancer Biomarkers, Fondazione IRCCS–Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Valerio Gigantino
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Unit of Cancer Biomarkers, Fondazione IRCCS–Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, University of Salerno Campus, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Maria Mesuraca
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy
- * E-mail: (SS); (MM)
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26
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Thakur C, Qiu Y, Fu Y, Bi Z, Zhang W, Ji H, Chen F. Epigenetics and environment in breast cancer: New paradigms for anti-cancer therapies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:971288. [PMID: 36185256 PMCID: PMC9520778 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.971288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Delayed presentation of the disease, late stage at diagnosis, limited therapeutic options, metastasis, and relapse are the major factors contributing to breast cancer mortality. The development and progression of breast cancer is a complex and multi-step process that incorporates an accumulation of several genetic and epigenetic alterations. External environmental factors and internal cellular microenvironmental cues influence the occurrence of these alterations that drives tumorigenesis. Here, we discuss state-of-the-art information on the epigenetics of breast cancer and how environmental risk factors orchestrate major epigenetic events, emphasizing the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach toward a better understanding of the gene-environment interactions implicated in breast cancer. Since epigenetic modifications are reversible and are susceptible to extrinsic and intrinsic stimuli, they offer potential avenues that can be targeted for designing robust breast cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Thakur
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Zhuoyue Bi
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Haoyan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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27
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Chromatin modifiers – Coordinators of estrogen action. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113548. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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28
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Delle Donne R, Iannucci R, Rinaldi L, Roberto L, Oliva MA, Senatore E, Borzacchiello D, Lignitto L, Giurato G, Rizzo F, Sellitto A, Chiuso F, Castaldo S, Scala G, Campani V, Nele V, De Rosa G, D'Ambrosio C, Garbi C, Scaloni A, Weisz A, Ambrosino C, Arcella A, Feliciello A. Targeted inhibition of ubiquitin signaling reverses metabolic reprogramming and suppresses glioblastoma growth. Commun Biol 2022; 5:780. [PMID: 35918402 PMCID: PMC9345969 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03639-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive form of primary brain tumor in the adult population; its high recurrence rate and resistance to current therapeutics urgently demand a better therapy. Regulation of protein stability by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) represents an important control mechanism of cell growth. UPS deregulation is mechanistically linked to the development and progression of a variety of human cancers, including GBM. Thus, the UPS represents a potentially valuable target for GBM treatment. Using an integrated approach that includes proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolic profiling, we identify praja2, a RING E3 ubiquitin ligase, as the key component of a signaling network that regulates GBM cell growth and metabolism. Praja2 is preferentially expressed in primary GBM lesions expressing the wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1). Mechanistically, we found that praja2 ubiquitylates and degrades the kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2). As a consequence, praja2 restrains the activity of downstream AMP-dependent protein kinase in GBM cells and attenuates the oxidative metabolism. Delivery in the brain of siRNA targeting praja2 by transferrin-targeted self-assembling nanoparticles (SANPs) prevented KSR2 degradation and inhibited GBM growth, reducing the size of the tumor and prolonging the survival rate of treated mice. These data identify praja2 as an essential regulator of cancer cell metabolism, and as a potential therapeutic target to suppress GBM growth. The E3 ubiquitin ligase praja2 is expressed in glioblastoma (GBM), targets the kinase suppressor of Ras 2 for degradation and attenuates oxidative metabolism. Nanoparticle-mediated delivery of praja2 siRNA to GBM-bearing mice reduces tumour size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Delle Donne
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Iannucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuela Senatore
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Borzacchiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Lignitto
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiuso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Scala
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Nele
- Department of Pharmacy, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Chiara D'Ambrosio
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Corrado Garbi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Scaloni
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Concetta Ambrosino
- Biogem, Ariano Irpino, Avellino, Italy.,Department of Science and Technology University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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29
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Salvati A, Melone V, Sellitto A, Rizzo F, Tarallo R, Nyman TA, Giurato G, Nassa G, Weisz A. Combinatorial targeting of a chromatin complex comprising Dot1L, menin and the tyrosine kinase BAZ1B reveals a new therapeutic vulnerability of endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer. BREAST CANCER RESEARCH : BCR 2022; 24:52. [PMID: 35850772 PMCID: PMC9290241 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting vulnerabilities of cancer cells by inhibiting key regulators of cell proliferation or survival represents a promising way to overcome resistance to current therapies. In breast cancer (BC), resistance to endocrine therapy results from constitutively active or aberrant estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling to the genome. Targeting components of the ERα pathway in these tumors represents, therefore, a rational way toward effective new treatments. Interaction proteomics identified several proteins associated with ERα in BC cells, including epigenetic complexes controlling gene transcription comprising the scaffold protein menin and the histone methyltransferase Dot1L. METHODS We combined chromatin immunoprecipitation, transcriptome sequencing, siRNA-mediated gene knockdown (kd), pharmacological inhibition coupled to cellular and functional assays and interaction proteomics in antiestrogen (AE)-sensitive and AE-resistant human BC cell models to: map menin and Dot1L chromatin localization, search for their common and specific target genes, measure the effects of single or combinatorial knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of these proteins on cell proliferation and survival, and characterize their nuclear interactomes. RESULTS Dot1L and menin associate in MCF-7 cells chromatin, where they co-localize in a significant fraction of sites, resulting in co-regulation of genes involved, among others, in estrogen, p53, HIF1α and death receptor signaling, regulation of cell cycle and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Specific inhibitors of the two factors synergize with each other for inhibition of cell proliferation of AE (tamoxifen or fulvestrant)-sensitive and AE-resistant BC cells. Menin and Dot1L interactomes share a sizeable fraction of their nuclear partners, the majority being known BC fitness genes. Interestingly, these include B-WICH and WINAC complexes that share BAZ1B, a bromodomain protein comprising a tyrosine-protein kinase domain playing a central role in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. BAZ1B kd caused significant inhibition of ERα expression, proliferation and transcriptome changes resulting in inhibition of estrogen, myc, mTOR, PI3K and AKT signaling and metabolic pathways in AE-sensitive and AE-resistant BC cells. CONCLUSIONS Identification of a functional interplay between ERα, Dot1L, menin and BAZ1B and the significant effects of their co-inhibition on cell proliferation and survival in cell models of endocrine therapy-resistant BC reveal a new therapeutic vulnerability of these aggressive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.,Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.,Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.,Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Tuula A Nyman
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet Oslo, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy. .,Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy. .,Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 1, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy. .,Medical Genomics Program, Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona', Università di Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy. .,Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
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30
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Wille CK, Sridharan R. Connecting the DOTs on Cell Identity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:906713. [PMID: 35733849 PMCID: PMC9207516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.906713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DOT1-Like (DOT1L) is the sole methyltransferase of histone H3K79, a modification enriched mainly on the bodies of actively transcribing genes. DOT1L has been extensively studied in leukemia were some of the most frequent onco-fusion proteins contain portions of DOT1L associated factors that mislocalize H3K79 methylation and drive oncogenesis. However, the role of DOT1L in non-transformed, developmental contexts is less clear. Here we assess the known functional roles of DOT1L both in vitro cell culture and in vivo models of mammalian development. DOT1L is evicted during the 2-cell stage when cells are totipotent and massive epigenetic and transcriptional alterations occur. Embryonic stem cell lines that are derived from the blastocyst tolerate the loss of DOT1L, while the reduction of DOT1L protein levels or its catalytic activity greatly enhances somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells. DOT1L knockout mice are embryonically lethal when organogenesis commences. We catalog the rapidly increasing studies of total and lineage specific knockout model systems that show that DOT1L is broadly required for differentiation. Reduced DOT1L activity is concomitant with increased developmental potential. Contrary to what would be expected of a modification that is associated with active transcription, loss of DOT1L activity results in more upregulated than downregulated genes. DOT1L also participates in various epigenetic networks that are both cell type and developmental stage specific. Taken together, the functions of DOT1L during development are pleiotropic and involve gene regulation at the locus specific and global levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral K. Wille
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Coral K. Wille, , Rupa Sridharan,
| | - Rupa Sridharan
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Coral K. Wille, , Rupa Sridharan,
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31
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Alexandrova E, Salvati A, Pecoraro G, Lamberti J, Melone V, Sellitto A, Rizzo F, Giurato G, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Weisz A. Histone Methyltransferase DOT1L as a Promising Epigenetic Target for Treatment of Solid Tumors. Front Genet 2022; 13:864612. [PMID: 35495127 PMCID: PMC9043692 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.864612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone lysine methyltransferase DOT1L (DOT1-like histone lysine methyltransferase) is responsible for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression through specific methylation of lysine79 residue of histone H3 (H3K79) in actively transcribed genes. Its normal activity is crucial for embryonic development and adult tissues functions, whereas its aberrant functioning is known to contribute to leukemogenesis. DOT1L is the only lysine methyltransferase that does not contain a SET domain, which is a feature that allowed the development of selective DOT1L inhibitors that are currently investigated in Phase I clinical trials for cancer treatment. Recently, abnormal expression of this enzyme has been associated with poor survival and increased aggressiveness of several solid tumors. In this review evidences of aberrant DOT1L expression and activity in breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, and other solid tumors, and its relationships with biological and clinical behavior of the disease and response to therapies, are summarized. Current knowledge of the structural basis of DOT1L ability to regulate cell proliferation, invasion, plasticity and stemness, cell cycle progression, cell-to-cell signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance, through cooperation with several molecular partners including noncoding RNAs, is also reviewed. Finally, available options for the treatment of therapeutically challenging solid tumors by targeting DOT1L are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alexandrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
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32
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Epigenetic Factors as Etiological Agents, Diagnostic Markers, and Therapeutic Targets for Luminal Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040748. [PMID: 35453496 PMCID: PMC9031900 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040748] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Luminal breast cancer, an etiologically heterogeneous disease, is characterized by high steroid hormone receptor activity and aberrant gene expression profiles. Endocrine therapy and chemotherapy are promising therapeutic approaches to mitigate breast cancer proliferation and recurrence. However, the treatment of therapy-resistant breast cancer is a major challenge. Recent studies on breast cancer etiology have revealed the critical roles of epigenetic factors in luminal breast cancer tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Tumorigenic epigenetic factor-induced aberrant chromatin dynamics dysregulate the onset of gene expression and consequently promote tumorigenesis and metastasis. Epigenetic dysregulation, a type of somatic mutation, is a high-risk factor for breast cancer progression and therapy resistance. Therefore, epigenetic modulators alone or in combination with other therapies are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer. Several clinical trials have analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of potential epi-drugs for breast cancer and reported beneficial clinical outcomes, including inhibition of tumor cell adhesion and invasiveness and mitigation of endocrine therapy resistance. This review focuses on recent findings on the mechanisms of epigenetic factors in the progression of luminal breast cancer. Additionally, recent findings on the potential of epigenetic factors as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer are discussed.
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33
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Wille CK, Sridharan R. DOT1L inhibition enhances pluripotency beyond acquisition of epithelial identity and without immediate suppression of the somatic transcriptome. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 17:384-396. [PMID: 34995500 PMCID: PMC8828533 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting the histone 3 lysine 79 (H3K79) methyltransferase, disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), increases the efficiency of reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here, we find that, despite the enrichment of H3K79 methylation on thousands of actively transcribed genes in somatic cells, DOT1L inhibition (DOT1Li) does not immediately cause the shutdown of the somatic transcriptional profile to enable transition to pluripotency. Contrary to the prevalent view, DOT1Li promotes iPSC generation beyond the mesenchymal to epithelial transition and even from already epithelial cell types. DOT1Li is most potent at the midpoint of reprogramming in part by repressing Nfix that persists at late stages of reprogramming. Importantly, regulation of single genes cannot substitute for DOT1Li, demonstrating that H3K79 methylation has pleiotropic effects in maintaining cell identity. DOT1L is a barrier of reprogramming, especially at the mid-point DOT1L inhibition increases pluripotency beyond MET DOT1L inhibition does not immediately suppress somatic expression Single factors cannot replace the pleiotropic effects of DOT1L inhibition
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral K Wille
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, 330 North Orchard Street, Room 2118, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Rupa Sridharan
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, 330 North Orchard Street, Room 2118, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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34
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Targeting of histone methyltransferase DOT1L plays a dual role in chemosensitization of retinoblastoma cells and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1141. [PMID: 34887387 PMCID: PMC8660841 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant and exclusive expression of chromatin regulators in retinoblastoma (RB) in contrast to terminally differentiated normal retina presents a unique opportunity of selective targeting for RB. However, precise roles of these chromatin regulators in RB development and their potential as therapeutic targets have not been defined thoroughly. Here, we report that targeting of disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), a histone H3K79 methyltransferase, sensitizes RB cells to chemotherapeutic drugs by impairing the DNA damage response and thereby potentiating apoptosis while it is largely inefficacious as a single-agent therapy. Moreover, we identified high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) as a novel DOT1L target gene in RB cells and found that its aberrant expression is dependent on DOT1L. As HMGA2 depletion reduced CHK1 phosphorylation during DNA damage response and augmented the drug sensitivity in RB cells, our results suggested that DOT1L targeting has a dual role in chemosensitization of RB cells by directly interfering with the immediate involvement of DOT1L in early DNA damage response upon genotoxic insults and also by downregulating the expression of HMGA2 as a rather late effect of DOT1L inhibition. Furthermore, we provide the first preclinical evidence demonstrating that combined therapy with a DOT1L inhibitor significantly improves the therapeutic efficacy of etoposide in murine orthotopic xenografts of RB by rendering the response to etoposide more potent and stable. Taken together, these results support the therapeutic benefits of DOT1L targeting in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in RB, with mechanistic insights into how DOT1L targeting can improve the current chemotherapy in an RB cell-selective manner.
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35
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Li W, Wu H, Sui S, Wang Q, Xu S, Pang D. Targeting Histone Modifications in Breast Cancer: A Precise Weapon on the Way. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:736935. [PMID: 34595180 PMCID: PMC8476812 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.736935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications (HMs) contribute to maintaining genomic stability, transcription, DNA repair, and modulating chromatin in cancer cells. Furthermore, HMs are dynamic and reversible processes that involve interactions between numerous enzymes and molecular components. Aberrant HMs are strongly associated with tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer (BC), although the specific mechanisms are not completely understood. Moreover, there is no comprehensive overview of abnormal HMs in BC, and BC therapies that target HMs are still in their infancy. Therefore, this review summarizes the existing evidence regarding HMs that are involved in BC and the potential mechanisms that are related to aberrant HMs. Moreover, this review examines the currently available agents and approved drugs that have been tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies to evaluate their effects on HMs. Finally, this review covers the barriers to the clinical application of therapies that target HMs, and possible strategies that could help overcome these barriers and accelerate the use of these therapies to cure patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shiyao Sui
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shouping Xu
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Da Pang
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
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36
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Leon KE, Buj R, Lesko E, Dahl ES, Chen CW, Tangudu NK, Imamura-Kawasawa Y, Kossenkov AV, Hobbs RP, Aird KM. DOT1L modulates the senescence-associated secretory phenotype through epigenetic regulation of IL1A. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:e202008101. [PMID: 34037658 PMCID: PMC8160577 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202008101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is a stable cell cycle arrest that occurs in normal cells upon oncogene activation. Cells undergoing OIS express a wide variety of secreted factors that affect the senescent microenvironment termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which is beneficial or detrimental in a context-dependent manner. OIS cells are also characterized by marked epigenetic changes. We globally assessed histone modifications of OIS cells and discovered an increase in the active histone marks H3K79me2/3. The H3K79 methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) was necessary and sufficient for increased H3K79me2/3 occupancy at the IL1A gene locus, but not other SASP genes, and was downstream of STING. Modulating DOT1L expression did not affect the cell cycle arrest. Together, our studies establish DOT1L as an epigenetic regulator of the SASP, whose expression is uncoupled from the senescence-associated cell cycle arrest, providing a potential strategy to inhibit the negative side effects of senescence while maintaining the beneficial inhibition of proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E. Leon
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Raquel Buj
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Elizabeth Lesko
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Erika S. Dahl
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Chi-Wei Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Naveen Kumar Tangudu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Ryan P. Hobbs
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Katherine M. Aird
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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37
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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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Shuai L, Li BH, Jiang HW, Yang L, Li J, Li JY. DOT1L Regulates Thermogenic Adipocyte Differentiation and Function via Modulating H3K79 Methylation. Diabetes 2021; 70:1317-1333. [PMID: 33795413 DOI: 10.2337/db20-1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Brown and beige adipocytes are characterized as thermogenic adipocytes and have great potential for treating obesity and associated metabolic diseases. In this article, we identify a conserved mammalian lysine 79 of histone H3 (H3K79) methyltransferase, disruptor of telomeric silencing-1 like (DOT1L), as a new epigenetic regulator that controls thermogenic adipocyte differentiation and function. We show that deletion of DOT1L in thermogenic adipocytes potently protects mice from diet-induced obesity, improves glucose homeostasis, alleviates hepatic steatosis, and facilitates adaptive thermogenesis in vivo. Loss of DOT1L in primary preadipocytes significantly promotes brown and beige adipogenesis and thermogenesis in vitro. Mechanistically, DOT1L epigenetically regulates the brown adipose tissue-selective gene program by modulating H3K79 methylation, in particular H3K79me2 modification. Thus, our study demonstrates that DOT1L exerts an important role in energy homeostasis by regulating thermogenic adipocyte differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Han Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Wen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Ya Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Wang SW, Sheng H, Zheng F, Zhang F. Hesperetin promotes DOT1L degradation and reduces histone H3K79 methylation to inhibit gastric cancer metastasis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 84:153499. [PMID: 33667841 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been many researches on the effects of flavonoids on tumor treatment or adjuvant therapy, but there are few studies revealing their epigenetic effect on tumors. Hesperetin is a common citrus flavanone widely distributed among citrus fruits. The role of hesperetin in gastric cancer metastasis is unclear. PURPOSE To investigate the effect of hesperetin on gastric cancer metastasis and its underlying mechanism. METHODS We used cancer cell lines cultured in medium and nude mice implantation as in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the impact of hesperetin treatment on the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. The molecular biological experiments such as transwell assay, western blotting, qPCR, ChIP-qPCR, immunostaining and transfection were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS We found that hesperetin obviously reduced the protein abundance of DOT1L and the methylation of histone H3K79 in a variety of cells. In gastric cancer cells, the treatment of hesperetin decreased cell migration and invasion and the expression of genes closely related to the metastatic capability. Mechanistically, hesperetin affected the stability of DOT1L protein by regulating the activity of CBP. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the epigenetic effect of hesperetin and provide a new perspective to understand the tumor suppressive effect of flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Wei Wang
- Quzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324000, China; Department of Core Facility, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Hao Sheng
- Quzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324000, China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- Department of Core Facility, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Quzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324000, China; Department of Core Facility, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China.
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A New Anti-Estrogen Discovery Platform Identifies FDA-Approved Imidazole Anti-Fungal Drugs as Bioactive Compounds against ERα Expressing Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062915. [PMID: 33805656 PMCID: PMC8000495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) exerts its physiological effects through the estrogen receptor α (i.e., ERα). The E2:ERα signaling allows the regulation of cell proliferation. Indeed, E2 sustains the progression of ERα positive (ERα+) breast cancers (BCs). The presence of ERα at the BC diagnosis drives their therapeutic treatment with the endocrine therapy (ET), which restrains BC progression. Nonetheless, many patients develop metastatic BCs (MBC) for which a treatment is not available. Consequently, the actual challenge is to complement the drugs available to fight ERα+ primary and MBC. Here we exploited a novel anti-estrogen discovery platform to identify new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs inhibiting E2:ERα signaling to cell proliferation in cellular models of primary and MBC cells. We report that the anti-fungal drugs clotrimazole (Clo) and fenticonazole (Fenti) induce ERα degradation and prevent ERα transcriptional signaling and proliferation in cells modeling primary and metastatic BC. The anti-proliferative effects of Clo and Fenti occur also in 3D cancer models (i.e., tumor spheroids) and in a synergic manner with the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors palbociclib and abemaciclib. Therefore, Clo and Fenti behave as “anti-estrogens”-like drugs. Remarkably, the present “anti-estrogen” discovery platform represents a valuable method to rapidly identify bioactive compounds with anti-estrogenic activity.
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Kim S, Kim K, Choe J, Lee I, Kang J. Improved survival analysis by learning shared genomic information from pan-cancer data. Bioinformatics 2021; 36:i389-i398. [PMID: 32657401 PMCID: PMC7355236 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation Recent advances in deep learning have offered solutions to many biomedical tasks. However, there remains a challenge in applying deep learning to survival analysis using human cancer transcriptome data. As the number of genes, the input variables of survival model, is larger than the amount of available cancer patient samples, deep-learning models are prone to overfitting. To address the issue, we introduce a new deep-learning architecture called VAECox. VAECox uses transfer learning and fine tuning. Results We pre-trained a variational autoencoder on all RNA-seq data in 20 TCGA datasets and transferred the trained weights to our survival prediction model. Then we fine-tuned the transferred weights during training the survival model on each dataset. Results show that our model outperformed other previous models such as Cox Proportional Hazard with LASSO and ridge penalty and Cox-nnet on the 7 of 10 TCGA datasets in terms of C-index. The results signify that the transferred information obtained from entire cancer transcriptome data helped our survival prediction model reduce overfitting and show robust performance in unseen cancer patient samples. Availability and implementation Our implementation of VAECox is available at https://github.com/dmis-lab/VAECox. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunkyu Kim
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Keonwoo Kim
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Junseok Choe
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Inggeol Lee
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewoo Kang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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Ramarao-Milne P, Kondrashova O, Barry S, Hooper JD, Lee JS, Waddell N. Histone Modifying Enzymes in Gynaecological Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040816. [PMID: 33669182 PMCID: PMC7919659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetics is a process that allows genetic control, without the involvement of sequence changes to DNA or genes. In cancer, epigenetics is a key event in tumour development that can alter the expression of cancer driver genes and result in genomic instability. Due to the critical role of epigenetics in malignant transformation, therapies that target these processes have been developed to treat cancer. Here, we provide a summary of the epigenetic changes that have been described in a variety of gynaecological cancers. We then highlight how these changes are being targeted in preclinical models and clinical trials for gynaecological cancers. Abstract Genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to the development of cancer. Epigenetic dysregulation is common in gynaecological cancers and includes altered methylation at CpG islands in gene promoter regions, global demethylation that leads to genome instability and histone modifications. Histones are a major determinant of chromosomal conformation and stability, and unlike DNA methylation, which is generally associated with gene silencing, are amenable to post-translational modifications that induce facultative chromatin regions, or condensed transcriptionally silent regions that decondense resulting in global alteration of gene expression. In comparison, other components, crucial to the manipulation of chromatin dynamics, such as histone modifying enzymes, are not as well-studied. Inhibitors targeting DNA modifying enzymes, particularly histone modifying enzymes represent a potential cancer treatment. Due to the ability of epigenetic therapies to target multiple pathways simultaneously, tumours with complex mutational landscapes affected by multiple driver mutations may be most amenable to this type of inhibitor. Interrogation of the actionable landscape of different gynaecological cancer types has revealed that some patients have biomarkers which indicate potential sensitivity to epigenetic inhibitors. In this review we describe the role of epigenetics in gynaecological cancers and highlight how it may exploited for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
| | - Sinead Barry
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Mater Hospital Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - John D. Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Jason S. Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-38453951
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.R.-M.); (O.K.); (N.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
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Song Q, Lei Y, Shao L, Li W, Kong Q, Lin Z, Qin X, Wei W, Hou F, Li J, Guo X, Mao Y, Cao Y, Liu Z, Zheng L, Liang R, Jiang Y, Liu Y, Zhang L, Yang J, Lau YL, Zhang Y, Ban B, Wang YF, Yang W. Genome-wide association study on Northern Chinese identifies KLF2, DOT1L and STAB2 associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:4407-4417. [PMID: 33493351 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify novel genetic loci associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate potential genetic differences between ethnic Chinese and European populations in SLE susceptibility. METHODS A new genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted from Jining, North China, on 1506 individuals (512 SLE cases and 994 matched healthy controls). The association results were meta-analysed with existing data on Chinese populations from Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Central China, as well as GWAS results from four cohorts of European ancestry. A total of 26 774 individuals (9310 SLE cases and 17 464 controls) were included in this study. RESULTS Meta-analysis on four Chinese cohorts identifies KLF2 as a novel locus associated with SLE [rs2362475; odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, P=2.00E-09]. KLF2 is likely an Asian-specific locus as no evidence of association was detected in the four European cohorts (OR = 0.98, P =0.58), with evidence of heterogeneity (P=0.0019) between the two ancestral groups. Meta-analyses of results from both Chinese and Europeans identify STAB2 (rs10082873; OR= 0.89, P=4.08E-08) and DOT1L (rs4807205; OR= 1.12, P=8.17E-09) as trans-ancestral association loci, surpassing the genome-wide significance. CONCLUSIONS We identified three loci associated with SLE, with KLF2 a likely Chinese-specific locus, highlighting the importance of studying diverse populations in SLE genetics. We hypothesize that DOT1L and KLF2 are plausible SLE treatment targets, with inhibitors of DOT1L and inducers of KLF2 already available clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Song
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Yao Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong.,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Li Shao
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Weiyang Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong
| | - Qingsheng Kong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong
| | - Zhiming Lin
- Department of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University
| | - Xiao Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong
| | - Wei Wei
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong
| | - Fei Hou
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Shandong
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Xianghua Guo
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Yujing Mao
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Yujie Cao
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Zhongyi Liu
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Lichuan Zheng
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Rui Liang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yuping Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Lupus Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yu Lung Lau
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
| | - Bo Ban
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University.,Chinese Research Center for Behavior Medicine in Growth and Development, Shandong
| | - Yong-Fei Wang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR.,Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wanling Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
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Byun WS, Lee GH, Park HG, Lee SK. Inhibition of DOT1L by Half-Selenopsammaplin A Analogs Suppresses Tumor Growth and EMT-Mediated Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:ph14010018. [PMID: 33379275 PMCID: PMC7824081 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to a lack of hormone receptors, current treatment strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are limited with frequent disease recurrence and metastasis. Recent findings have suggested that aberrant methylation of histone H3 lysine 79 residue (H3K79me) by the histone methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is a potential therapeutic target for TNBC clinical management. Therefore, we developed DOT1L inhibitors as potential antitumor agents against TNBC cells. We reveal that a synthetic half-selenopsammaplin A analog 9l (subsequently known as 9l) exhibited inhibitory activity against DOT1L-mediated H3K79 methylation, and showed antitumor activity in TNBC cells. The analog 9l also significantly inhibited TNBC invasion and migration via the modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, including N-cadherin and vimentin downregulation and E-cadherin upregulation. In an MDA-MB-231/Luc-implanted orthotopic mouse metastasis model, treatment with 9l effectively inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis via DOT1L regulatory activity and EMT processes. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of 9l as a novel therapeutic candidate for treating metastatic TNBC via DOT1L modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woong Sub Byun
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Gyu Ho Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Hyeung-geun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.-g.P.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Sang Kook Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.-g.P.); (S.K.L.)
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Estrogen Receptor on the move: Cistromic plasticity and its implications in breast cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 78:100939. [PMID: 33358533 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor (ERα) is a hormone-driven transcription factor, critically involved in driving tumor cell proliferation in the vast majority of breast cancers (BCas). ERα binds the genome at cis-regulatory elements, dictating the expression of a large spectrum of responsive genes in 3D genomic space. While initial reports described a rather static ERα chromatin binding repertoire, we now know that ERα DNA interactions are highly versatile, altered in breast tumor development and progression, and deviate between tumors from patients with differential outcome. Multiple cellular signaling cascades are known to impinge on ERα genomic function, changing its cistrome to retarget the receptor to other regions of the genome and reprogram its impact on breast cell biology. This review describes the current state-of-the-art on which factors manipulate the ERα cistrome and how this alters the response to both endogenous and exogenous hormonal stimuli, ultimately impacting BCa cell progression and response to commonly used therapeutic interventions. Novel insights in ERα cistrome dynamics may pave the way for better patient diagnostics and the development of novel therapeutic interventions, ultimately improving cancer care and patient outcome.
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Busonero C, Leone S, Bianchi F, Maspero E, Fiocchetti M, Palumbo O, Cipolletti M, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. Ouabain and Digoxin Activate the Proteasome and the Degradation of the ERα in Cells Modeling Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123840. [PMID: 33352737 PMCID: PMC7766733 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer (BC) treatment relies on the detection of the estrogen receptor α (ERα). ERα-expressing BC patients are treated with anti-estrogen drugs (i.e., tamoxifen and fulvestrant). Despite their proven efficacy, these drugs cause serious side effects in a significant fraction of the patients, including both tumor insurgence in secondary organs, and resistant phenotypes, which result in a relapsing disease with scarce treatment options. Thus, new drugs for treatment of primary and metastatic BC (MBC) are needed. Here, we report the characterization of two cardiac glycosides (CGs) (i.e., ouabain and digoxin), approved by the FDA for treatment of heart disease, as novel ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs. We found that these drugs induce ERα degradation, and prevent the proliferation of cellular models of primary and metastatic BC cells. Remarkably, we discovered that these CGs are activators of the proteasome, and therefore may be repurposed for treatment not only of BC, but also for other proteasome-based diseases. Abstract Estrogen receptor α expressing breast cancers (BC) are classically treated with endocrine therapy. Prolonged endocrine therapy often results in a metastatic disease (MBC), for which a standardized effective therapy is still lacking. Thus, new drugs are required for primary and metastatic BC treatment. Here, we report that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, ouabain and digoxin, induce ERα degradation and prevent proliferation in cells modeling primary and metastatic BC. Ouabain and digoxin activate the cellular proteasome, instigating ERα degradation, which causes the inhibition of 17β-estradiol signaling, induces the cell cycle blockade in the G2 phase, and triggers apoptosis. Remarkably, these effects are independent of the inhibition of the Na/K pump. The antiproliferative effects of ouabain and digoxin occur also in diverse cancer models (i.e., tumor spheroids and xenografts). Additionally, gene profiling analysis reveals that these drugs downregulate the expression of genes related to endocrine therapy resistance. Therefore, ouabain and digoxin behave as ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs, and are appealing candidates for the treatment of primary and metastatic BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Elena Maspero
- Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Marco Fiocchetti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Orazio Palumbo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Manuela Cipolletti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-065-733-6320; Fax: +39-065-733-6321
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Metabolic Regulation of Epigenetic Modifications and Cell Differentiation in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123788. [PMID: 33339101 PMCID: PMC7765496 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells change their metabolism to support a chaotic and uncontrolled growth. In addition to meeting the metabolic needs of the cell, these changes in metabolism also affect the patterns of gene activation, changing the identity of cancer cells. As a consequence, cancer cells become more aggressive and more resistant to treatments. In this article, we present a review of the literature on the interactions between metabolism and cell identity, and we explore the mechanisms by which metabolic changes affect gene regulation. This is important because recent therapies under active investigation target both metabolism and gene regulation. The interactions of these new therapies with existing chemotherapies are not known and need to be investigated. Abstract Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, with consistent rewiring of glucose, glutamine, and mitochondrial metabolism. While these metabolic alterations are adequate to meet the metabolic needs of cell growth and proliferation, the changes in critical metabolites have also consequences for the regulation of the cell differentiation state. Cancer evolution is characterized by progression towards a poorly differentiated, stem-like phenotype, and epigenetic modulation of the chromatin structure is an important prerequisite for the maintenance of an undifferentiated state by repression of lineage-specific genes. Epigenetic modifiers depend on intermediates of cellular metabolism both as substrates and as co-factors. Therefore, the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in cancer likely plays an important role in the process of the de-differentiation characteristic of the neoplastic process. Here, we review the epigenetic consequences of metabolic reprogramming in cancer, with particular focus on the role of mitochondrial intermediates and hypoxia in the regulation of cellular de-differentiation. We also discuss therapeutic implications.
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48
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Chen H, Wang X, Sutrisno L, Zeng T, Kawazoe N, Yang Y, Chen G. Folic Acid-Functionalized Composite Scaffolds of Gelatin and Gold Nanoparticles for Photothermal Ablation of Breast Cancer Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:589905. [PMID: 33251201 PMCID: PMC7671968 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.589905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been developed as a useful therapeutic method for cancer treatment. Localization of PTT agents in cancer sites and targeting capacity are required to further increase therapeutic efficacy. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and gelatin were functionalized with folic acid (FA) and hybridized to prepare FA-functionalized gelatin-AuNPs composite scaffolds. AuNPs with rod and star shapes of three sizes (40, 70, and 110 nm) were used for the hybridization to investigate the influence of AuNPs shape and size. The composite scaffolds showed porous structures with good interconnectivity. Modification with FA increased capture capacity of the composite scaffolds. Hybridization with AuNPs rendered the composite scaffold a good photothermal conversion property under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. Temperature change during laser irradiation increased with the laser power intensity and irradiation time. The shape and size of AuNPs also affected their photothermal conversion property. The composite scaffold of gold nanorods 70 (FA-G/R70) had the highest photothermal conversion capacity. Breast cancer cells cultured in the FA-G/R70 composite scaffold were killed under NIR laser irradiation. Mouse subcutaneous implantation further demonstrated the excellent photothermal ablation capability of FA-G/R70 composite scaffold to breast cancer cells. The FA-functionalized composite scaffolds were demonstrated a high potential for local PPT of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajian Chen
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Xiuhui Wang
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linawati Sutrisno
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tianjiao Zeng
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawazoe
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yingnan Yang
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Guoping Chen
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Gigantino V, Salvati A, Giurato G, Palumbo D, Strianese O, Rizzo F, Tarallo R, Nyman TA, Weisz A, Nassa G. Identification of Antiestrogen‐Bound Estrogen Receptor α Interactomes in Hormone‐Responsive Human Breast Cancer Cell Nuclei. Proteomics 2020; 20:e2000135. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202000135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Gigantino
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Domenico Palumbo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Oriana Strianese
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Tuula A. Nyman
- Department of Immunology Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet Oslo Oslo 0372 Norway
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
- CRGS ‐ Genome Research Center for Health University of Salerno Campus of Medicine Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’ University of Salerno Baronissi Salerno 84081 Italy
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50
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Vatapalli R, Sagar V, Rodriguez Y, Zhao JC, Unno K, Pamarthy S, Lysy B, Anker J, Han H, Yoo YA, Truica M, Chalmers ZR, Giles F, Yu J, Chakravarti D, Carneiro B, Abdulkadir SA. Histone methyltransferase DOT1L coordinates AR and MYC stability in prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4153. [PMID: 32814769 PMCID: PMC7438336 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18013-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase DOT1L methylates lysine 79 (K79) on histone H3 and is involved in Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) fusion leukemogenesis; however, its role in prostate cancer (PCa) is undefined. Here we show that DOT1L is overexpressed in PCa and is associated with poor outcome. Genetic and chemical inhibition of DOT1L selectively impaired the viability of androgen receptor (AR)-positive PCa cells and organoids, including castration-resistant and enzalutamide-resistant cells. The sensitivity of AR-positive cells is due to a distal K79 methylation-marked enhancer in the MYC gene bound by AR and DOT1L not present in AR-negative cells. DOT1L inhibition leads to reduced MYC expression and upregulation of MYC-regulated E3 ubiquitin ligases HECTD4 and MYCBP2, which promote AR and MYC degradation. This leads to further repression of MYC in a negative feed forward manner. Thus DOT1L selectively regulates the tumorigenicity of AR-positive prostate cancer cells and is a promising therapeutic target for PCa. Histone methyltransferase, DOTL1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of MLL-rearranged leukemia, however, not much is known of its role in prostate cancer (PCa). Here, the authors report that DOTL1 inhibition suppresses both androgen receptor and MYC pathways in a negative feed forward manner to reduce growth of AR-positive PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vatapalli
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - V Sagar
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Y Rodriguez
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J C Zhao
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Unno
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - S Pamarthy
- Atrin Pharmaceuticals, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - B Lysy
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J Anker
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - H Han
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Y A Yoo
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Truica
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Z R Chalmers
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - F Giles
- Developmental Therapeutics Consortium, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D Chakravarti
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of OB/GYN, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - B Carneiro
- Lifespan Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - S A Abdulkadir
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. .,The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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