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Shi TH, Sugishita H, Gotoh Y. Crosstalk within and beyond the Polycomb repressive system. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202311021. [PMID: 38506728 PMCID: PMC10955045 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202311021] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of multicellular organisms depends on spatiotemporally controlled differentiation of numerous cell types and their maintenance. To generate such diversity based on the invariant genetic information stored in DNA, epigenetic mechanisms, which are heritable changes in gene function that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, are required to establish and maintain unique gene expression programs. Polycomb repressive complexes represent a paradigm of epigenetic regulation of developmentally regulated genes, and the roles of these complexes as well as the epigenetic marks they deposit, namely H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub, have been extensively studied. However, an emerging theme from recent studies is that not only the autonomous functions of the Polycomb repressive system, but also crosstalks of Polycomb with other epigenetic modifications, are important for gene regulation. In this review, we summarize how these crosstalk mechanisms have improved our understanding of Polycomb biology and how such knowledge could help with the design of cancer treatments that target the dysregulated epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Hideyuki Shi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sugishita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Gotoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Wachtel M, Surdez D, Grünewald TGP, Schäfer BW. Functional Classification of Fusion Proteins in Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1355. [PMID: 38611033 PMCID: PMC11010897 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin. More than 80 entities are associated with different mesenchymal lineages. Sarcomas with fibroblastic, muscle, bone, vascular, adipocytic, and other characteristics are distinguished. Nearly half of all entities contain specific chromosomal translocations that give rise to fusion proteins. These are mostly pathognomonic, and their detection by various molecular techniques supports histopathologic classification. Moreover, the fusion proteins act as oncogenic drivers, and their blockade represents a promising therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the current knowledge on fusion proteins in sarcoma. We categorize the different fusion proteins into functional classes, including kinases, epigenetic regulators, and transcription factors, and describe their mechanisms of action. Interestingly, while fusion proteins acting as transcription factors are found in all mesenchymal lineages, the others have a more restricted pattern. Most kinase-driven sarcomas belong to the fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lineage. Fusion proteins with an epigenetic function are mainly associated with sarcomas of unclear differentiation, suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation leads to a major change in cell identity. Comparison of mechanisms of action reveals recurrent functional modes, including antagonism of Polycomb activity by fusion proteins with epigenetic activity and recruitment of histone acetyltransferases by fusion transcription factors of the myogenic lineage. Finally, based on their biology, we describe potential approaches to block the activity of fusion proteins for therapeutic intervention. Overall, our work highlights differences as well as similarities in the biology of fusion proteins from different sarcomas and provides the basis for a functional classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, a Partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Arecco N, Mocavini I, Blanco E, Ballaré C, Libman E, Bonnal S, Irimia M, Di Croce L. Alternative splicing decouples local from global PRC2 activity. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1049-1061.e8. [PMID: 38452766 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.011] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediates epigenetic maintenance of gene silencing in eukaryotes via methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27). Accessory factors define two distinct subtypes, PRC2.1 and PRC2.2, with different actions and chromatin-targeting mechanisms. The mechanisms orchestrating PRC2 assembly are not fully understood. Here, we report that alternative splicing (AS) of PRC2 core component SUZ12 generates an uncharacterized isoform SUZ12-S, which co-exists with the canonical SUZ12-L isoform in virtually all tissues and developmental stages. SUZ12-S drives PRC2.1 formation and favors PRC2 dimerization. While SUZ12-S is necessary and sufficient for the repression of target genes via promoter-proximal H3K27me3 deposition, SUZ12-L maintains global H3K27 methylation levels. Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) lacking either isoform exit pluripotency more slowly and fail to acquire neuronal cell identity. Our findings reveal a physiological mechanism regulating PRC2 assembly and higher-order interactions in eutherians, with impacts on H3K27 methylation and gene repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Arecco
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
| | - Ivano Mocavini
- Genome Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Enrique Blanco
- Genome Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Cecilia Ballaré
- Genome Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Elina Libman
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Genome Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Luciano Di Croce
- Genome Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Chang WI, Honeyman JN, Zhang J, Lin C, Sharma A, Zhou L, Oliveira J, Tapinos N, Lulla RR, Prabhu VV, El-Deiry WS. Novel combination of imipridones and histone deacetylase inhibitors demonstrate cytotoxic effect through integrated stress response in pediatric solid tumors. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:6241-6255. [PMID: 38187038 PMCID: PMC10767354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a demonstrated need for new chemotherapy options in pediatric oncology, as pediatric solid tumors continue to plateau at 60% with event-free survival. Imipridones, a novel class of small molecules, represent a potential new therapeutic option, with promising pre-clinical data and emerging clinical trial data in adult malignancies. ONC201, ONC206, and ONC212 are imipridones showing pro-apoptotic anti-cancer response. Using cell viability assays, and protein immunoblotting, we were able to demonstrate single-agent efficacy of all 3 imipridones inducing cell death in pediatric solid tumor cell lines, including osteosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, Ewing sarcoma (EWS), and neuroblastoma. ONC201 displayed IC50 values for non-H3K27M-mutated EWS cell lines ranging from 0.86 µM (SK-N-MC) to 2.76 µM (RD-ES), which were comparable to the range of IC50 values for H3K27M-mutated DIPG cells lines (range 1.06 to 1.56 µM). ONC212 demonstrated the highest potency in single-agent cell killing, followed by ONC206, and ONC201. Additionally, pediatric solid tumor cells were treated with single-agent therapy with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) vorinostat, entinostat, and panobinostat, showing cell killing with all 3 HDACi drugs, with panobinostat showing the greatest potency. We demonstrate that dual-agent therapy with combinations of imipridones and HDACi lead to synergistic cell killing and apoptosis in all pediatric solid tumor cell lines tested, with ONC212 and panobinostat combinations demonstrating maximal potency. The imipridones induced the integrated stress response with ATF4 and TRAIL receptor upregulation, as well as reduced expression of ClpX. Hyperacetylation of H3K27 was associated with synergistic killing of tumor cells following exposure to imipridone plus HDAC inhibitor therapies. Our results introduce a novel class of small molecules to treat pediatric solid tumors in a precision medicine framework. Use of impridones in pediatric oncology is novel and shows promising pre-clinical efficacy in pediatric solid tumors, including in combination with HDAC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-I Chang
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Joshua N Honeyman
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Claire Lin
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Lanlan Zhou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Janice Oliveira
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Nikos Tapinos
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
| | - Rishi R Lulla
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
| | | | - Wafik S El-Deiry
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Translational Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Cancer InstituteProvidence, RI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lifespan and Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, USA
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5
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Morgan MA, Mohammad Parast S, Iwanaszko M, Aoi Y, Yoo D, Dumar ZJ, Howard BC, Helmin KA, Liu Q, Thakur WR, Zeidner JM, Singer BD, Eichler EE, Shilatifard A. ELOA3: A primate-specific RNA polymerase II elongation factor encoded by a tandem repeat gene cluster. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj1261. [PMID: 37992162 PMCID: PMC10664989 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The biological role of the repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome remains an outstanding question. Recent long-read human genome assemblies have allowed us to identify a function for one of these repetitive regions. We have uncovered a tandem array of conserved primate-specific retrogenes encoding the protein Elongin A3 (ELOA3), a homolog of the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation factor Elongin A (ELOA). Our genomic analysis shows that the ELOA3 gene cluster is conserved among primates and the number of ELOA3 gene repeats is variable in the human population and across primate species. Moreover, the gene cluster has undergone concerted evolution and homogenization within primates. Our biochemical studies show that ELOA3 functions as a promoter-associated RNAPII pause-release elongation factor with distinct biochemical and functional features from its ancestral homolog, ELOA. We propose that the ELOA3 gene cluster has evolved to fulfil a transcriptional regulatory function unique to the primate lineage that can be targeted to regulate cellular hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A. J. Morgan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Saeid Mohammad Parast
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Marta Iwanaszko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yuki Aoi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - DongAhn Yoo
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Zachary J. Dumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Benjamin C. Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Helmin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Qianli Liu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - William R. Thakur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jacob M. Zeidner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Singer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evan E. Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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6
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Wadhwani N, Nayak S, Wang Y, Hashizume R, Jie C, Mania-Farnell B, James CD, Xi G, Tomita T. WDR82-Mediated H3K4me3 Is Associated with Tumor Proliferation and Therapeutic Efficacy in Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3429. [PMID: 37444539 PMCID: PMC10340597 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs) are common malignant brain tumors without effective treatment and poor patient survival. Abnormal posttranslational modification at the histone H3 tail plays critical roles in tumor cell malignancy. We have previously shown that the trimethylation of lysine 4 at histone H3 (H3K4me3) plays a significant role in pediatric ependymoma malignancy and is associated with tumor therapeutic sensitivity. Here, we show that H3K4me3 and its methyltransferase WDR82 are elevated in pHGGs. A reduction in H3K4me3 by downregulating WDR82 decreases H3K4me3 promoter occupancy and the expression of genes associated with stem cell features, cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and DNA damage repair. A reduction in WDR82-mediated H3K4me3 increases the response of pediatric glioma cells to chemotherapy. These findings suggest that WDR82-mediated H3K4me3 is an important determinant of pediatric glioma malignancy and therapeutic response. This highlights the need for a more thorough understanding of the potential of WDR82 as an epigenetic target to increase therapeutic efficacy and improve the prognosis for children with malignant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Wadhwani
- Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sonali Nayak
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yufen Wang
- Department of Radio-oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chunfa Jie
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
| | - Barbara Mania-Farnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN 46323, USA
| | - Charles David James
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Guifa Xi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tadanori Tomita
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Morgan MA, Shilatifard A. Epigenetic moonlighting: Catalytic-independent functions of histone modifiers in regulating transcription. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6593. [PMID: 37083523 PMCID: PMC10121172 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The past three decades have yielded a wealth of information regarding the chromatin regulatory mechanisms that control transcription. The "histone code" hypothesis-which posits that distinct combinations of posttranslational histone modifications are "read" by downstream effector proteins to regulate gene expression-has guided chromatin research to uncover fundamental mechanisms relevant to many aspects of biology. However, recent molecular and genetic studies revealed that the function of many histone-modifying enzymes extends independently and beyond their catalytic activities. In this review, we highlight original and recent advances in the understanding of noncatalytic functions of histone modifiers. Many of the histone modifications deposited by these enzymes-previously considered to be required for transcriptional activation-have been demonstrated to be dispensable for gene expression in living organisms. This perspective aims to prompt further examination of these enigmatic chromatin modifications by inspiring studies to define the noncatalytic "epigenetic moonlighting" functions of chromatin-modifying enzymes.
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8
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Hwang EI, Hanson D, Filbin MG, Mack SC. Why haven't we solved intracranial pediatric ependymoma? Current questions and barriers to treatment advances. Neoplasia 2023; 39:100895. [PMID: 36944298 PMCID: PMC10036929 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric intracranial ependymoma has seen a recent exponential expansion of biological findings, rapidly dividing the diagnosis into several subgroups, each with specific molecular and clinical characteristics. While such subdivision may complicate clinical conclusions from historical trials, this knowledge also provides an opportunity for interrogating the major clinical and biological questions preventing near-term translation into effective therapy for children with ependymoma. In this article, we briefly review some of the most critical clinical questions facing both patient management and the construct of future trials in childhood ependymoma, as well as explore some of the current barriers to efficient translation of preclinical discovery to the clinic.
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Dermawan JK, Dashti N, Chiang S, Turashvili G, Dickson BC, Ellenson LH, Kirchner M, Stenzinger A, Mechtersheimer G, Agaimy A, Antonescu CR. Expanding the molecular spectrum of gene fusions in endometrial stromal sarcoma: Novel subunits of the chromatin remodeling complexes PRC2 and NuA4/TIP60 as alternative fusion partners. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:152-160. [PMID: 36445224 PMCID: PMC9825654 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are morphologically and molecularly heterogeneous. We report novel gene fusions (EPC1::EED, EPC1::EZH2, ING3::PHF1) identified by targeted RNA sequencing in five cases. The ING3::PHF1-fusion positive ESS presented in a 58-year-old female as extrauterine mesocolonic, ovarian masses, and displayed large, monomorphic ovoid-to-epithelioid cells arranged in solid sheets. The patient remained alive with disease 13 months after surgery. The three ESS with EPC1::EED occurred in the uterine corpus in patients with a median age of 58 years (range 27-62 years). One tumor showed a uniform epithelioid nested morphology, while the other two were composed of monomorphic spindle cells in fascicles with elevated mitotic figures, focal tumor cell necrosis, and lymphovascular invasion. At a median follow-up of 20 months, two patients developed local recurrence, including one with concomitant distant metastasis, while one patient remained free of disease. All three patients were alive at the last follow-up. The EPC1::EZH2-fusion positive ESS presented in a 52-year-old female in the uterus, and displayed uniform spindled cells arranged in short fascicles, with focally elevated mitotic activity but without necrosis. The patient remained free of disease 3 months after surgery. All cases were diffusely positive for CD10; four diffusely express estrogen and progesterone receptors. Our study expands the molecular spectrum of EPC1 and PHF1-related gene fusions in ESS to include additional novel subunits of the PRC2 and/or NuA4/TIP60 complexes. These cases displayed a monomorphic epithelioid or spindled phenotype, spanning low-grade and high-grade cytomorphology, all expressing CD10 and commonly ER and PR, and are prone to local and/or distant spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine K. Dermawan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nooshin Dashti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Chiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gulisa Turashvili
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brendan C. Dickson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lora H. Ellenson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Erlangen University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cristina R. Antonescu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Pun M, Pratt D, Nano PR, Joshi PK, Jiang L, Englinger B, Rao A, Cieslik M, Chinnaiyan AM, Aldape K, Pfister S, Filbin MG, Bhaduri A, Venneti S. Common molecular features of H3K27M DMGs and PFA ependymomas map to hindbrain developmental pathways. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:25. [PMID: 36759899 PMCID: PMC9912509 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01514-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally decreased histone 3, lysine 27 tri-methylation (H3K27me3) is a hallmark of H3K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) and group-A posterior fossa ependymomas (PFAs). H3K27-altered DMGs are largely characterized by lysine-to-methionine mutations in histone 3 at position 27 (H3K27M). Most PFAs overexpress EZH inhibitory protein (EZHIP), which possesses a region of similarity to the mutant H3K27M. Both H3K27M and EZHIP inhibit the function of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) responsible for H3K27me3 deposition. These tumors often arise in neighboring regions of the brainstem and posterior fossa. In rare cases PFAs harbor H3K27M mutations, and DMGs overexpress EZHIP. These findings together raise the possibility that certain cell populations in the developing hindbrain/posterior fossa are especially sensitive to modulation of H3K27me3 states. We identified shared molecular features by comparing genomic, bulk transcriptomic, chromatin-based profiles, and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the two tumor classes. Our approach demonstrated that 1q gain, a key biomarker in PFAs, is prognostic in H3.1K27M, but not H3.3K27M gliomas. Conversely, Activin A Receptor Type 1 (ACVR1), which is associated with mutations in H3.1K27M gliomas, is overexpressed in a subset of PFAs with poor outcome. Despite diffuse H3K27me3 reduction, previous work shows that both tumors maintain genomic H3K27me3 deposition at select sites. We demonstrate heterogeneity in shared patterns of residual H3K27me3 for both tumors that largely segregated with inferred anatomic tumor origins and progenitor populations of tumor cells. In contrast, analysis of genes linked to H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac)-marked enhancers showed higher expression in astrocytic-like tumor cells. Finally, common H3K27me3-marked genes mapped closely to expression patterns in the human developing hindbrain. Overall, our data demonstrate developmentally relevant molecular similarities between PFAs and H3K27M DMGs and support the overall hypothesis that deregulated mechanisms of hindbrain development are central to the biology of both tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Pun
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 3520E MSRB 1, 1150 W. Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 41804, USA
- Chad Carr Pediatric Tumor Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Drew Pratt
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr., Room 2S235, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Patricia R Nano
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Piyush K Joshi
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg, Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bernhard Englinger
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arvind Rao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marcin Cieslik
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Kenneth Aldape
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr., Room 2S235, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Stefan Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg, Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mariella G Filbin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sriram Venneti
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 3520E MSRB 1, 1150 W. Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 41804, USA.
- Chad Carr Pediatric Tumor Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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11
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Weber LM, Jia Y, Stielow B, Gisselbrecht S, Cao Y, Ren Y, Rohner I, King J, Rothman E, Fischer S, Simon C, Forné I, Nist A, Stiewe T, Bulyk M, Wang Z, Liefke R. The histone acetyltransferase KAT6A is recruited to unmethylated CpG islands via a DNA binding winged helix domain. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:574-594. [PMID: 36537216 PMCID: PMC9881136 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1188] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The lysine acetyltransferase KAT6A (MOZ, MYST3) belongs to the MYST family of chromatin regulators, facilitating histone acetylation. Dysregulation of KAT6A has been implicated in developmental syndromes and the onset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous work suggests that KAT6A is recruited to its genomic targets by a combinatorial function of histone binding PHD fingers, transcription factors and chromatin binding interaction partners. Here, we demonstrate that a winged helix (WH) domain at the very N-terminus of KAT6A specifically interacts with unmethylated CpG motifs. This DNA binding function leads to the association of KAT6A with unmethylated CpG islands (CGIs) genome-wide. Mutation of the essential amino acids for DNA binding completely abrogates the enrichment of KAT6A at CGIs. In contrast, deletion of a second WH domain or the histone tail binding PHD fingers only subtly influences the binding of KAT6A to CGIs. Overexpression of a KAT6A WH1 mutant has a dominant negative effect on H3K9 histone acetylation, which is comparable to the effects upon overexpression of a KAT6A HAT domain mutant. Taken together, our work revealed a previously unrecognized chromatin recruitment mechanism of KAT6A, offering a new perspective on the role of KAT6A in gene regulation and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Weber
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Yulin Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Bastian Stielow
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Stephen S Gisselbrecht
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yinghua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanpeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Iris Rohner
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Jessica King
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elisabeth Rothman
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sabrina Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Clara Simon
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Ignasi Forné
- Protein Analysis Unit, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Andrea Nist
- Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Martha L Bulyk
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhanxin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Robert Liefke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
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12
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Mameri A, Côté J. JAZF1: A metabolic actor subunit of the NuA4/TIP60 chromatin modifying complex. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1134268. [PMID: 37091973 PMCID: PMC10119425 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1134268] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The multisubunit NuA4/TIP60 complex is a lysine acetyltransferase, chromatin modifying factor and gene co-activator involved in diverse biological processes. The past decade has seen a growing appreciation for its role as a metabolic effector and modulator. However, molecular insights are scarce and often contradictory, underscoring the need for further mechanistic investigation. A particularly exciting route emerged with the recent identification of a novel subunit, JAZF1, which has been extensively linked to metabolic homeostasis. This review summarizes the major findings implicating NuA4/TIP60 in metabolism, especially in light of JAZF1 as part of the complex.
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13
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Guo Y, Yu Y, Wang GG. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 in Oncology. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:273-320. [PMID: 38113005 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic regulation of the chromatin state by Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) provides an important mean for epigenetic gene control that can profoundly influence normal development and cell lineage specification. PRC2 and PRC2-induced methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) are critically involved in a wide range of DNA-templated processes, which at least include transcriptional repression and gene imprinting, organization of three-dimensional chromatin structure, DNA replication and DNA damage response and repair. PRC2-based genome regulation often goes wrong in diseases, notably cancer. This chapter discusses about different modes-of-action through which PRC2 and EZH2, a catalytic subunit of PRC2, mediate (epi)genomic and transcriptomic regulation. We will also discuss about how alteration or mutation of the PRC2 core or axillary component promotes oncogenesis, how post-translational modification regulates functionality of EZH2 and PRC2, and how PRC2 and other epigenetic pathways crosstalk. Lastly, we will briefly touch on advances in targeting EZH2 and PRC2 dependence as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Yao Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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14
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Lee SH, Li Y, Kim H, Eum S, Park K, Lee CH. The role of EZH1 and EZH2 in development and cancer. BMB Rep 2022; 55:595-601. [PMID: 36476271 PMCID: PMC9813427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) exhibits key roles in mammalian development through its temporospatial repression of gene expression. EZH1 or EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of PRC2 that mediates the mono-, di- and tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), H3K27me2/me3 being a hallmark of facultative heterochromatin. PRC2 is a chromatinmodifying enzyme that is recruited to a limited number of "nucleation sites", spreads H3K27 methylation and fosters chromatin compaction. EZH1 and EZH2 exhibit differences in their expression patterns, levels of histone methyltransferase activity (HMT) in the context of PRC2, and DNA/nucleosome binding activity. This suggests that their roles in heterochromatin formation are disparate. Dysregulation of PRC2 activity leads to aberrant gene expression and is implicated in cancer and developmental diseases. In this review, we discuss the distinct function of PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2 in the early and late developmental stages. We then discuss the cancers associated with PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(12): 595-601].
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hanbyeol Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seounghyun Eum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Kyumin Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chul-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Ischemic/hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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15
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Lee SH, Li Y, Kim H, Eum S, Park K, Lee CH. The role of EZH1 and EZH2 in development and cancer. BMB Rep 2022; 55:595-601. [PMID: 36476271 PMCID: PMC9813427 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.12.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) exhibits key roles in mammalian development through its temporospatial repression of gene expression. EZH1 or EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of PRC2 that mediates the mono-, di- and tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), H3K27me2/me3 being a hallmark of facultative heterochromatin. PRC2 is a chromatinmodifying enzyme that is recruited to a limited number of "nucleation sites", spreads H3K27 methylation and fosters chromatin compaction. EZH1 and EZH2 exhibit differences in their expression patterns, levels of histone methyltransferase activity (HMT) in the context of PRC2, and DNA/nucleosome binding activity. This suggests that their roles in heterochromatin formation are disparate. Dysregulation of PRC2 activity leads to aberrant gene expression and is implicated in cancer and developmental diseases. In this review, we discuss the distinct function of PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2 in the early and late developmental stages. We then discuss the cancers associated with PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(12): 595-601].
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hanbyeol Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seounghyun Eum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Kyumin Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chul-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Ischemic/hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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16
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Gong L, Liu X, Jiao L, Yang X, Lemoff A, Liu X. CK2-mediated phosphorylation of SUZ12 promotes PRC2 function by stabilizing enzyme active site. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6781. [PMID: 36351927 PMCID: PMC9645763 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34431-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) plays a key role in maintaining cell identity during differentiation. Methyltransferase activity of PRC2 on histone H3 lysine 27 is regulated by diverse cellular mechanisms, including posttranslational modification. Here, we report a unique phosphorylation-dependent mechanism stimulating PRC2 enzymatic activity. Residue S583 of SUZ12 is phosphorylated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) in cells. A crystal structure captures phosphorylation in action: the flexible phosphorylation-dependent stimulation loop harboring S583 becomes engaged with the catalytic SET domain through a phosphoserine-centered interaction network, stabilizing the enzyme active site and in particular S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM)-binding pocket. CK2-mediated S583 phosphorylation promotes catalysis by enhancing PRC2 binding to SAM and nucleosomal substrates and facilitates reporter gene repression. Loss of S583 phosphorylation impedes PRC2 recruitment and H3K27me3 deposition in pluripotent mESCs and compromises the ability of PRC2 to maintain differentiated cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihu Gong
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lianying Jiao
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Andrew Lemoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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17
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Kim JJ, Kingston RE. Context-specific Polycomb mechanisms in development. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:680-695. [PMID: 35681061 PMCID: PMC9933872 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are crucial chromatin regulators that maintain repression of lineage-inappropriate genes and are therefore required for stable cell fate. Recent advances show that PcG proteins form distinct multi-protein complexes in various cellular environments, such as in early development, adult tissue maintenance and cancer. This surprising compositional diversity provides the basis for mechanistic diversity. Understanding this complexity deepens and refines the principles of PcG complex recruitment, target-gene repression and inheritance of memory. We review how the core molecular mechanism of Polycomb complexes operates in diverse developmental settings and propose that context-dependent changes in composition and mechanism are essential for proper epigenetic regulation in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongmin J. Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert E. Kingston
- Department of Molecular Biology and MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,
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de Almeida BC, dos Anjos LG, Dobroff AS, Baracat EC, Yang Q, Al-Hendy A, Carvalho KC. Epigenetic Features in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma and Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas: An Overview of the Literature. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102567. [PMID: 36289829 PMCID: PMC9599831 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a consensus that epigenetic alterations play a key role in cancer initiation and its biology. Studies evaluating the modification in the DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling patterns, as well as gene regulation profile by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have led to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat several tumor types. Indeed, despite clinical and translational challenges, combinatorial therapies employing agents targeting epigenetic modifications with conventional approaches have shown encouraging results. However, for rare neoplasia such as uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS) and endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), treatment options are still limited. LMS has high chromosomal instability and molecular derangements, while ESS can present a specific gene fusion signature. Although they are the most frequent types of “pure” uterine sarcomas, these tumors are difficult to diagnose, have high rates of recurrence, and frequently develop resistance to current treatment options. The challenges involving the management of these tumors arise from the fact that the molecular mechanisms governing their progression have not been entirely elucidated. Hence, to fill this gap and highlight the importance of ongoing and future studies, we have cross-referenced the literature on uterine LMS and ESS and compiled the most relevant epigenetic studies, published between 2009 and 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Cristine de Almeida
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Laura Gonzalez dos Anjos
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Andrey Senos Dobroff
- UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, (UNM) School of Medicine, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Edmund Chada Baracat
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Katia Candido Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-011-3061-7486
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19
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Doyle EJ, Morey L, Conway E. Know when to fold 'em: Polycomb complexes in oncogenic 3D genome regulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:986319. [PMID: 36105358 PMCID: PMC9464936 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.986319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin is spatially and temporally regulated through a series of orchestrated processes resulting in the formation of 3D chromatin structures such as topologically associating domains (TADs), loops and Polycomb Bodies. These structures are closely linked to transcriptional regulation, with loss of control of these processes a frequent feature of cancer and developmental syndromes. One such oncogenic disruption of the 3D genome is through recurrent dysregulation of Polycomb Group Complex (PcG) functions either through genetic mutations, amplification or deletion of genes that encode for PcG proteins. PcG complexes are evolutionarily conserved epigenetic complexes. They are key for early development and are essential transcriptional repressors. PcG complexes include PRC1, PRC2 and PR-DUB which are responsible for the control of the histone modifications H2AK119ub1 and H3K27me3. The spatial distribution of the complexes within the nuclear environment, and their associated modifications have profound effects on the regulation of gene transcription and the 3D genome. Nevertheless, how PcG complexes regulate 3D chromatin organization is still poorly understood. Here we glean insights into the role of PcG complexes in 3D genome regulation and compaction, how these processes go awry during tumorigenesis and the therapeutic implications that result from our insights into these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Doyle
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lluis Morey
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Building, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Eric Conway
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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20
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Critical Roles of Polycomb Repressive Complexes in Transcription and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179574. [PMID: 36076977 PMCID: PMC9455514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomp group (PcG) proteins are members of highly conserved multiprotein complexes, recognized as gene transcriptional repressors during development and shown to play a role in various physiological and pathological processes. PcG proteins consist of two Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) with different enzymatic activities: Polycomb repressive complexes 1 (PRC1), a ubiquitin ligase, and Polycomb repressive complexes 2 (PRC2), a histone methyltransferase. Traditionally, PRCs have been described to be associated with transcriptional repression of homeotic genes, as well as gene transcription activating effects. Particularly in cancer, PRCs have been found to misregulate gene expression, not only depending on the function of the whole PRCs, but also through their separate subunits. In this review, we focused especially on the recent findings in the transcriptional regulation of PRCs, the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of PcG proteins, and the research progress of inhibitors targeting PRCs.
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21
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Han J, Song X, Liu Y, Li L. Research progress on the function and mechanism of CXorf67 in PFA ependymoma. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2022. [DOI: 10.1360/tb-2022-0565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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22
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Liu X, Liu X. PRC2, Chromatin Regulation, and Human Disease: Insights From Molecular Structure and Function. Front Oncol 2022; 12:894585. [PMID: 35800061 PMCID: PMC9255955 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.894585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a multisubunit histone-modifying enzyme complex that mediates methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27). Trimethylated H3K27 (H3K27me3) is an epigenetic hallmark of gene silencing. PRC2 plays a crucial role in a plethora of fundamental biological processes, and PRC2 dysregulation has been repeatedly implicated in cancers and developmental disorders. Here, we review the current knowledge on mechanisms of cellular regulation of PRC2 function, particularly regarding H3K27 methylation and chromatin targeting. PRC2-related disease mechanisms are also discussed. The mode of action of PRC2 in gene regulation is summarized, which includes competition between H3K27 methylation and acetylation, crosstalk with transcription machinery, and formation of high-order chromatin structure. Recent progress in the structural biology of PRC2 is highlighted from the aspects of complex assembly, enzyme catalysis, and chromatin recruitment, which together provide valuable insights into PRC2 function in close-to-atomic detail. Future studies on the molecular function and structure of PRC2 in the context of native chromatin and in the presence of other regulators like RNAs will continue to deepen our understanding of the stability and plasticity of developmental transcriptional programs broadly impacted by PRC2.
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23
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Sudarshan D, Avvakumov N, Lalonde ME, Alerasool N, Joly-Beauparlant C, Jacquet K, Mameri A, Lambert JP, Rousseau J, Lachance C, Paquet E, Herrmann L, Thonta Setty S, Loehr J, Bernardini MQ, Rouzbahman M, Gingras AC, Coulombe B, Droit A, Taipale M, Doyon Y, Côté J. Recurrent chromosomal translocations in sarcomas create a megacomplex that mislocalizes NuA4/TIP60 to Polycomb target loci. Genes Dev 2022; 36:664-683. [PMID: 35710139 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348982.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations frequently promote carcinogenesis by producing gain-of-function fusion proteins. Recent studies have identified highly recurrent chromosomal translocations in patients with endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs) and ossifying fibromyxoid tumors (OFMTs), leading to an in-frame fusion of PHF1 (PCL1) to six different subunits of the NuA4/TIP60 complex. While NuA4/TIP60 is a coactivator that acetylates chromatin and loads the H2A.Z histone variant, PHF1 is part of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) linked to transcriptional repression of key developmental genes through methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27. In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation. The chimeric protein assembles a megacomplex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, in particular over an entire topologically associating domain including part of the HOXD cluster. This is linked to aberrant gene expression-most notably increased expression of PRC2 target genes. Furthermore, we show that JAZF1-implicated with a PRC2 component in the most frequent translocation in ESSs, JAZF1-SUZ12-is a potent transcription activator that physically associates with NuA4/TIP60, its fusion creating outcomes similar to those of EPC1-PHF1 Importantly, the specific increased expression of PRC2 targets/HOX genes was also confirmed with ESS patient samples. Altogether, these results indicate that most chromosomal translocations linked to these sarcomas use the same molecular oncogenic mechanism through a physical merge of NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 complexes, leading to mislocalization of histone marks and aberrant Polycomb target gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepthi Sudarshan
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Nikita Avvakumov
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Lalonde
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Nader Alerasool
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Charles Joly-Beauparlant
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Karine Jacquet
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Amel Mameri
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Lambert
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Centre for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Justine Rousseau
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Catherine Lachance
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Eric Paquet
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Lara Herrmann
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Samarth Thonta Setty
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Jeremy Loehr
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Marcus Q Bernardini
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2M9, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Marjan Rouzbahman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Centre for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Mikko Taipale
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Yannick Doyon
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Jacques Côté
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3S3, Canada
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24
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Tavares M, Khandelwal G, Muter J, Viiri K, Beltran M, Brosens JJ, Jenner RG. JAZF1-SUZ12 dysregulates PRC2 function and gene expression during cell differentiation. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110889. [PMID: 35649353 PMCID: PMC9637993 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) methylates histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) to maintain gene repression and is essential for cell differentiation. In low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), the PRC2 subunit SUZ12 is often fused with the NuA4/TIP60 subunit JAZF1. We show that JAZF1-SUZ12 dysregulates PRC2 composition, genome occupancy, histone modification, gene expression, and cell differentiation. Loss of the SUZ12 N terminus in the fusion protein abrogates interaction with specific PRC2 accessory factors, reduces occupancy at PRC2 target genes, and diminishes H3K27me3. Fusion to JAZF1 increases H4Kac at PRC2 target genes and triggers recruitment to JAZF1 binding sites during cell differentiation. In human endometrial stromal cells, JAZF1-SUZ12 upregulated PRC2 target genes normally activated during decidualization while repressing genes associated with immune clearance, and JAZF1-SUZ12-induced genes were also overexpressed in LG-ESS. These results reveal defects in chromatin regulation, gene expression, and cell differentiation caused by JAZF1-SUZ12 that may underlie its role in oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Tavares
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Garima Khandelwal
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Joanne Muter
- Warwick Medical School, Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Keijo Viiri
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Manuel Beltran
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jan J Brosens
- Warwick Medical School, Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Richard G Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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25
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Furth N, Algranati D, Dassa B, Beresh O, Fedyuk V, Morris N, Kasper LH, Jones D, Monje M, Baker SJ, Shema E. H3-K27M-mutant nucleosomes interact with MLL1 to shape the glioma epigenetic landscape. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110836. [PMID: 35584667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated mutations in genes encoding histones dramatically reshape chromatin and support tumorigenesis. Lysine to methionine substitution of residue 27 on histone H3 (K27M) is a driver mutation in high-grade pediatric gliomas, known to abrogate polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) activity. We applied single-molecule systems to image individual nucleosomes and delineate the combinatorial epigenetic patterns associated with H3-K27M expression. We found that chromatin marks on H3-K27M-mutant nucleosomes are dictated both by their incorporation preferences and by intrinsic properties of the mutation. Mutant nucleosomes not only preferentially bind PRC2 but also directly interact with MLL1, leading to genome-wide redistribution of H3K4me3. H3-K27M-mediated deregulation of repressive and active chromatin marks leads to unbalanced "bivalent" chromatin, which may support a poorly differentiated cellular state. This study provides evidence for a direct effect of H3-K27M oncohistone on the MLL1-H3K4me3 pathway and highlights the capability of single-molecule tools to reveal mechanisms of chromatin deregulation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Furth
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Danielle Algranati
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bareket Dassa
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Olga Beresh
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vadim Fedyuk
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Natasha Morris
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Lawryn H Kasper
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | | | - Michelle Monje
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Efrat Shema
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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26
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Gray JS, Wani SA, Campbell MJ. Epigenomic alterations in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:473-492. [PMID: 35383835 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The human cell requires ways to specify its transcriptome without altering the essential sequence of DNA; this is achieved through mechanisms which govern the epigenetic state of DNA and epitranscriptomic state of RNA. These alterations can be found as modified histone proteins, cytosine DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, and mRNA modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A). The different aspects of epigenomic and epitranscriptomic modifications require protein complexes to write, read, and erase these chemical alterations. Reflecting these important roles, many of these reader/writer/eraser proteins are either frequently mutated or differentially expressed in cancer. The disruption of epigenetic regulation in the cell can both contribute to cancer initiation and progression, and increase the likelihood of developing resistance to chemotherapies. Development of therapeutics to target proteins involved in epigenomic/epitranscriptomic modifications has been intensive, but further refinement is necessary to achieve ideal treatment outcomes without too many off-target effects for cancer patients. Therefore, further integration of clinical outcomes combined with large-scale genomic analyses is imperative for furthering understanding of epigenomic mechanisms in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie S Gray
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A
| | - Sajad A Wani
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A
| | - Moray J Campbell
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A
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27
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Bölicke N, Albert M. Polycomb-mediated gene regulation in human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dev Neurobiol 2022; 82:345-363. [PMID: 35384339 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The neocortex is considered the seat of higher cognitive function in humans. It develops from a sheet of neural progenitor cells, most of which eventually give rise to neurons. This process of cell fate determination is controlled by precise temporal and spatial gene expression patterns that in turn are affected by epigenetic mechanisms including Polycomb group (PcG) regulation. PcG proteins assemble in multiprotein complexes and catalyze repressive posttranslational histone modifications. Their association with neurodevelopmental disease and various types of cancer of the central nervous system, as well as observations in mouse models, has implicated these epigenetic modifiers in controlling various stages of cortex development. The precise mechanisms conveying PcG-associated transcriptional repression remain incompletely understood and are an active field of research. PcG activity appears to be highly context-specific, raising the question of species-specific differences in the regulation of neural stem and progenitor regulation. In this review, we will discuss our growing understanding of how PcG regulation affects human cortex development, based on studies in murine model systems, but focusing mostly on findings obtained from examining impaired PcG activity in the context of human neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. Furthermore, we will highlight relevant experimental approaches for functional investigations of PcG regulation in human cortex development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Bölicke
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mareike Albert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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28
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Abstract
Chromatin dysfunction has been implicated in a growing number of cancers especially in children and young adults. In addition to chromatin modifying and remodeling enzymes, mutations in histone genes are linked to human cancers. Since the first reports of hotspot missense mutations affecting key residues at histone H3 tail, studies have revealed how these so-called "oncohistones" dominantly (H3K27M and H3K36M) or locally (H3.3G34R/W) inhibit corresponding histone methyltransferases and misregulate epigenome and transcriptome to promote tumorigenesis. More recently, widespread mutations in all four core histones are identified in diverse cancer types. Furthermore, an "oncohistone-like" protein EZHIP has been implicated in driving childhood ependymomas through a mechanism highly reminiscent of H3K27M mutation. We will review recent progresses on understanding the biochemical, molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the canonical and novel histone mutations. Importantly, these mechanistic insights have identified therapeutic opportunities for oncohistone-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Sahu
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Corresponding author: Chao Lu:
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29
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Joudi AM, Reyes Flores CP, Singer BD. Epigenetic Control of Regulatory T Cell Stability and Function: Implications for Translation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:861607. [PMID: 35309306 PMCID: PMC8924620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.861607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain immune homeostasis, promote self-tolerance, and have an emerging role in resolving acute inflammation, providing tissue protection, and repairing tissue damage. Some data suggest that FoxP3+ T cells are plastic, exhibiting susceptibility to losing their function in inflammatory cytokine-rich microenvironments and paradoxically contributing to inflammatory pathology. As a result, plasticity may represent a barrier to Treg cell immunotherapy. Here, we discuss controversies surrounding Treg cell plasticity and explore determinants of Treg cell stability in inflammatory microenvironments, focusing on epigenetic mechanisms that clinical protocols could leverage to enhance efficacy and limit toxicity of Treg cell-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M. Joudi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Canning Thoracic Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Carla P. Reyes Flores
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Canning Thoracic Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Singer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Canning Thoracic Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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30
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Deshmukh S, Ptack A, Krug B, Jabado N. Oncohistones: a roadmap to stalled development. FEBS J 2022; 289:1315-1328. [PMID: 33969633 PMCID: PMC9990449 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of recurrent mutations in histone H3 variants in paediatric brain tumours, so-called 'oncohistones' have been identified in various cancers. While their mechanism of action remains under active investigation, several studies have shed light on how they promote genome-wide epigenetic perturbations. These findings converge on altered post-translational modifications on two key lysine (K) residues of the H3 tail, K27 and K36, which regulate several cellular processes, including those linked to cell differentiation during development. We will review how these oncohistones affect the methylation of cognate residues, but also disrupt the distribution of opposing chromatin marks, creating genome-wide epigenetic changes which participate in the oncogenic process. Ultimately, tumorigenesis is promoted through the maintenance of a progenitor state at the expense of differentiation in defined cellular and developmental contexts. As these epigenetic disruptions are reversible, improved understanding of oncohistone pathogenicity can result in needed alternative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shriya Deshmukh
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adam Ptack
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian Krug
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nada Jabado
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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31
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Epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric brain tumours: regulators lose control. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:167-185. [PMID: 35076654 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are essential to regulate gene expression during normal development. However, they are often disrupted in pathological conditions including tumours, where they contribute to their formation and maintenance through altered gene expression. In recent years, next generation genomic techniques has allowed a remarkable advancement of our knowledge of the genetic and molecular landscape of paediatric brain tumours and have highlighted epigenetic deregulation as a common hallmark in their pathogenesis. This review describes the main epigenetic dysregulations found in paediatric brain tumours, including at DNA methylation and histone modifications level, in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and in the expression of non-coding RNAs. How these altered processes influence tumour biology and how they can be leveraged to dissect the molecular heterogeneity of these tumours and contribute to their classification is also addressed. Finally, the availability and value of preclinical models as well as the current clinical trials exploring targeting key epigenetic mediators in paediatric brain tumours are discussed.
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32
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Fischer S, Weber LM, Liefke R. Evolutionary adaptation of the Polycomb repressive complex 2. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:7. [PMID: 35193659 PMCID: PMC8864842 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00439-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is an essential chromatin regulatory complex involved in repressing the transcription of diverse developmental genes. PRC2 consists of a core complex; possessing H3K27 methyltransferase activity and various associated factors that are important to modulate its function. During evolution, the composition of PRC2 and the functionality of PRC2 components have changed considerably. Here, we compare the PRC2 complex members of Drosophila and mammals and describe their adaptation to altered biological needs. We also highlight how the PRC2.1 subcomplex has gained multiple novel functions and discuss the implications of these changes for the function of PRC2 in chromatin regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Weber
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Robert Liefke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany. .,Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
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33
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Parreno V, Martinez AM, Cavalli G. Mechanisms of Polycomb group protein function in cancer. Cell Res 2022; 32:231-253. [PMID: 35046519 PMCID: PMC8888700 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00606-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractCancer arises from a multitude of disorders resulting in loss of differentiation and a stem cell-like phenotype characterized by uncontrolled growth. Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins are members of multiprotein complexes that are highly conserved throughout evolution. Historically, they have been described as essential for maintaining epigenetic cellular memory by locking homeotic genes in a transcriptionally repressed state. What was initially thought to be a function restricted to a few target genes, subsequently turned out to be of much broader relevance, since the main role of PcG complexes is to ensure a dynamically choregraphed spatio-temporal regulation of their numerous target genes during development. Their ability to modify chromatin landscapes and refine the expression of master genes controlling major switches in cellular decisions under physiological conditions is often misregulated in tumors. Surprisingly, their functional implication in the initiation and progression of cancer may be either dependent on Polycomb complexes, or specific for a subunit that acts independently of other PcG members. In this review, we describe how misregulated Polycomb proteins play a pleiotropic role in cancer by altering a broad spectrum of biological processes such as the proliferation-differentiation balance, metabolism and the immune response, all of which are crucial in tumor progression. We also illustrate how interfering with PcG functions can provide a powerful strategy to counter tumor progression.
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34
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Alerasool N, Leng H, Lin ZY, Gingras AC, Taipale M. Identification and functional characterization of transcriptional activators in human cells. Mol Cell 2022; 82:677-695.e7. [PMID: 35016035 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is orchestrated by thousands of transcription factors (TFs) and chromatin-associated proteins, but how these are causally connected to transcriptional activation is poorly understood. Here, we conduct an unbiased proteome-scale screen to systematically uncover human proteins that activate transcription in a natural chromatin context. By combining interaction proteomics and chemical inhibitors, we delineate the preference of these transcriptional activators for specific co-activators, highlighting how even closely related TFs can function via distinct cofactors. We also identify potent transactivation domains among the hits and use AlphaFold2 to predict and experimentally validate interaction interfaces of two activation domains with BRD4. Finally, we show that many novel activators are partners in fusion events in tumors and functionally characterize a myofibroma-associated fusion between SRF and C3orf62, a potent p300-dependent activator. Our work provides a functional catalog of potent transactivators in the human proteome and a platform for discovering transcriptional regulators at genome scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Alerasool
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - He Leng
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Zhen-Yuan Lin
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.
| | - Mikko Taipale
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.
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35
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Jenseit A, Camgöz A, Pfister SM, Kool M. EZHIP: a new piece of the puzzle towards understanding pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:1-13. [PMID: 34762160 PMCID: PMC8732814 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02382-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ependymomas (EPN) are tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) that can arise in the supratentorial brain (ST-EPN), hindbrain or posterior fossa (PF-EPN) or anywhere in the spinal cord (SP-EPN), both in children and adults. Molecular profiling studies have identified distinct groups and subtypes in each of these anatomical compartments. In this review, we give an overview on recent findings and new insights what is driving PFA ependymomas, which is the most common group. PFA ependymomas are characterized by a young median age at diagnosis, an overall balanced genome and a bad clinical outcome (56% 10-year overall survival). Sequencing studies revealed no fusion genes or other highly recurrently mutated genes, suggesting that the disease is epigenetically driven. Indeed, recent findings have shown that the characteristic global loss of the repressive histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) mark in PFA ependymoma is caused by aberrant expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog inhibitory protein (EZHIP) or in rare cases by H3K27M mutations, which both inhibit EZH2 thereby preventing the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) from spreading H3K27me3. We present the current status of the ongoing work on EZHIP and its essential role in the epigenetic disturbance of PFA biology. Comparisons to the oncohistone H3K27M and its role in diffuse midline glioma (DMG) are drawn, highlighting similarities but also differences between the tumor entities and underlying mechanisms. A strong focus is to point out missing information and to present directions of further research that may result in new and improved therapies for PFA ependymoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Jenseit
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aylin Camgöz
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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36
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Goossens R, Tihaya MS, van den Heuvel A, Tabot-Ndip K, Willemsen IM, Tapscott SJ, González-Prieto R, Chang JG, Vertegaal ACO, Balog J, van der Maarel SM. A proteomics study identifying interactors of the FSHD2 gene product SMCHD1 reveals RUVBL1-dependent DUX4 repression. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23642. [PMID: 34880314 PMCID: PMC8654949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03030-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain Containing 1 (SMCHD1) is a chromatin repressor, which is mutated in > 95% of Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) type 2 cases. In FSHD2, SMCHD1 mutations ultimately result in the presence of the cleavage stage transcription factor DUX4 in muscle cells due to a failure in epigenetic repression of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat on chromosome 4q, which contains the DUX4 locus. While binding of SMCHD1 to D4Z4 and its necessity to maintain a repressive D4Z4 chromatin structure in somatic cells are well documented, it is unclear how SMCHD1 is recruited to D4Z4, and how it exerts its repressive properties on chromatin. Here, we employ a quantitative proteomics approach to identify and characterize novel SMCHD1 interacting proteins, and assess their functionality in D4Z4 repression. We identify 28 robust SMCHD1 nuclear interactors, of which 12 are present in D4Z4 chromatin of myocytes. We demonstrate that loss of one of these SMCHD1 interacting proteins, RuvB-like 1 (RUVBL1), further derepresses DUX4 in FSHD myocytes. We also confirm the interaction of SMCHD1 with EZH inhibitory protein (EZHIP), a protein which prevents global H3K27me3 deposition by the Polycomb repressive complex PRC2, providing novel insights into the potential function of SMCHD1 in the repression of DUX4 in the early stages of embryogenesis. The SMCHD1 interactome outlined herein can thus provide further direction into research on the potential function of SMCHD1 at genomic loci where SMCHD1 is known to act, such as D4Z4 repeats, the inactive X chromosome, autosomal gene clusters, imprinted loci and telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remko Goossens
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mara S Tihaya
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anita van den Heuvel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Klorane Tabot-Ndip
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Iris M Willemsen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Román González-Prieto
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jer-Gung Chang
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alfred C O Vertegaal
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Cell-of-Origin and Genetic, Epigenetic, and Microenvironmental Factors Contribute to the Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity of Pediatric Intracranial Ependymoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236100. [PMID: 34885210 PMCID: PMC8657076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is a complex multifaceted phenomenon that posits major challenges for the clinical management of cancer patients. Genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors are concurrent drivers of diversity among the distinct populations of cancer cells. ITH may also be installed by cancer stem cells (CSCs), that foster unidirectional hierarchy of cellular phenotypes or, alternatively, shift dynamically between distinct cellular states. Ependymoma (EPN), a molecularly heterogeneous group of tumors, shows a specific spatiotemporal distribution that suggests a link between ependymomagenesis and alterations of the biological processes involved in embryonic brain development. In children, EPN most often arises intra-cranially and is associated with an adverse outcome. Emerging evidence shows that EPN displays large intra-patient heterogeneity. In this review, after touching on EPN inter-tumoral heterogeneity, we focus on the sources of ITH in pediatric intra-cranial EPN in the framework of the CSC paradigm. We also examine how single-cell technology has shed new light on the complexity and developmental origins of EPN and the potential impact that this understanding may have on the therapeutic strategies against this deadly pediatric malignancy.
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38
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Blackledge NP, Klose RJ. The molecular principles of gene regulation by Polycomb repressive complexes. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:815-833. [PMID: 34400841 PMCID: PMC7612013 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00398-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Precise control of gene expression is fundamental to cell function and development. Although ultimately gene expression relies on DNA-binding transcription factors to guide the activity of the transcription machinery to genes, it has also become clear that chromatin and histone post-translational modification have fundamental roles in gene regulation. Polycomb repressive complexes represent a paradigm of chromatin-based gene regulation in animals. The Polycomb repressive system comprises two central protein complexes, Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2, which are essential for normal gene regulation and development. Our early understanding of Polycomb function relied on studies in simple model organisms, but more recently it has become apparent that this system has expanded and diverged in mammals. Detailed studies are now uncovering the molecular mechanisms that enable mammalian PRC1 and PRC2 to identify their target sites in the genome, communicate through feedback mechanisms to create Polycomb chromatin domains and control transcription to regulate gene expression. In this Review, we discuss and contextualize the emerging principles that define how this fascinating chromatin-based system regulates gene expression in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert J Klose
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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39
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Bieluszewski T, Xiao J, Yang Y, Wagner D. PRC2 activity, recruitment, and silencing: a comparative perspective. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:1186-1198. [PMID: 34294542 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex (PRC)-mediated gene silencing is vital for cell identity and development in both the plant and the animal kingdoms. It also modulates responses to stress. Two major protein complexes, PRC1 and PRC2, execute conserved nuclear functions in metazoans and plants through covalent modification of histones and by compacting chromatin. While a general requirement for Polycomb complexes in mitotically heritable gene repression in the context of chromatin is well established, recent studies have brought new insights into the regulation of Polycomb complex activity and recruitment. Here, we discuss these recent advances with emphasis on PRC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Bieluszewski
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), the John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Yiman Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Doris Wagner
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.
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40
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Wang S, C Ordonez-Rubiano S, Dhiman A, Jiao G, Strohmier BP, Krusemark CJ, Dykhuizen EC. Polycomb group proteins in cancer: multifaceted functions and strategies for modulation. NAR Cancer 2021; 3:zcab039. [PMID: 34617019 PMCID: PMC8489530 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) are a heterogenous collection of dozens, if not hundreds, of protein complexes composed of various combinations of subunits. PRCs are transcriptional repressors important for cell-type specificity during development, and as such, are commonly mis-regulated in cancer. PRCs are broadly characterized as PRC1 with histone ubiquitin ligase activity, or PRC2 with histone methyltransferase activity; however, the mechanism by which individual PRCs, particularly the highly diverse set of PRC1s, alter gene expression has not always been clear. Here we review the current understanding of how PRCs act, both individually and together, to establish and maintain gene repression, the biochemical contribution of individual PRC subunits, the mis-regulation of PRC function in different cancers, and the current strategies for modulating PRC activity. Increased mechanistic understanding of PRC function, as well as cancer-specific roles for individual PRC subunits, will uncover better targets and strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Sandra C Ordonez-Rubiano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Alisha Dhiman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Guanming Jiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Brayden P Strohmier
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Casey J Krusemark
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Emily C Dykhuizen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
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41
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Panwalkar P, Tamrazi B, Dang D, Chung C, Sweha S, Natarajan SK, Pun M, Bayliss J, Ogrodzinski MP, Pratt D, Mullan B, Hawes D, Yang F, Lu C, Sabari BR, Achreja A, Heon J, Animasahun O, Cieslik M, Dunham C, Yip S, Hukin J, Phillips JJ, Bornhorst M, Griesinger AM, Donson AM, Foreman NK, Garton HJ, Heth J, Muraszko K, Nazarian J, Koschmann C, Jiang L, Filbin MG, Nagrath D, Kool M, Korshunov A, Pfister SM, Gilbertson RJ, Allis CD, Chinnaiyan A, Lunt SY, Blüml S, Judkins AR, Venneti S. Targeting integrated epigenetic and metabolic pathways in lethal childhood PFA ependymomas. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabc0497. [PMID: 34613815 PMCID: PMC8762577 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abc0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood posterior fossa group A ependymomas (PFAs) have limited treatment options and bear dismal prognoses compared to group B ependymomas (PFBs). PFAs overexpress the oncohistone-like protein EZHIP (enhancer of Zeste homologs inhibitory protein), causing global reduction of repressive histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), similar to the oncohistone H3K27M. Integrated metabolic analyses in patient-derived cells and tumors, single-cell RNA sequencing of tumors, and noninvasive metabolic imaging in patients demonstrated enhanced glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolism in PFAs. Furthermore, high glycolytic gene expression in PFAs was associated with a poor outcome. PFAs demonstrated high EZHIP expression associated with poor prognosis and elevated activating mark histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac). Genomic H3K27ac was enriched in PFAs at key glycolytic and TCA cycle–related genes including hexokinase-2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Similarly, mouse neuronal stem cells (NSCs) expressing wild-type EZHIP (EZHIP-WT) versus catalytically attenuated EZHIP-M406K demonstrated H3K27ac enrichment at hexokinase-2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase, accompanied by enhanced glycolysis and TCA cycle metabolism. AMPKα-2, a key component of the metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), also showed H3K27ac enrichment in PFAs and EZHIP-WT NSCs. The AMPK activator metformin lowered EZHIP protein concentrations, increased H3K27me3, suppressed TCA cycle metabolism, and showed therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo in patient-derived PFA xenografts in mice. Our data indicate that PFAs and EZHIP-WT–expressing NSCs are characterized by enhanced glycolysis and TCA cycle metabolism. Repurposing the antidiabetic drug metformin lowered pathogenic EZHIP, increased H3K27me3, and suppressed tumor growth, suggesting that targeting integrated metabolic/epigenetic pathways is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating childhood ependymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Panwalkar
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Benita Tamrazi
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Derek Dang
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Chan Chung
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Current address- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Stefan Sweha
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Siva Kumar Natarajan
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Matthew Pun
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jill Bayliss
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Martin P. Ogrodzinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Drew Pratt
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Brendan Mullan
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Debra Hawes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Fusheng Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Sabari
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Abhinav Achreja
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jin Heon
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Olamide Animasahun
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marcin Cieslik
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Christopher Dunham
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stephen Yip
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Juliette Hukin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Joanna J. Phillips
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. 94132
| | - Miriam Bornhorst
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, 20012, USA
- Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | - Andrea M Griesinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
| | - Andrew M Donson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, 80045, Colorado
| | - Hugh J.L. Garton
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jason Heth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Karin Muraszko
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, 20012, USA
- Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20012, USA
- DMG Research Center Department of Oncology University Children's Hospital, CH-8032 Zürich
| | - Carl Koschmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mariella G. Filbin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, 3584, the Netherlands
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Department of Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University Hospital Heidelberg and CCU Neuropathology, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Stefan M. Pfister
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | | | - C. David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Arul Chinnaiyan
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sophia Y. Lunt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Stefan Blüml
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Alexander R. Judkins
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Sriram Venneti
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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42
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Flora P, Dalal G, Cohen I, Ezhkova E. Polycomb Repressive Complex(es) and Their Role in Adult Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1485. [PMID: 34680880 PMCID: PMC8535826 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Populations of resident stem cells (SCs) are responsible for maintaining, repairing, and regenerating adult tissues. In addition to having the capacity to generate all the differentiated cell types of the tissue, adult SCs undergo long periods of quiescence within the niche to maintain themselves. The process of SC renewal and differentiation is tightly regulated for proper tissue regeneration throughout an organisms' lifetime. Epigenetic regulators, such as the polycomb group (PcG) of proteins have been implicated in modulating gene expression in adult SCs to maintain homeostatic and regenerative balances in adult tissues. In this review, we summarize the recent findings that elucidate the composition and function of the polycomb repressive complex machinery and highlight their role in diverse adult stem cell compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Flora
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Gil Dalal
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel;
| | - Idan Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel;
| | - Elena Ezhkova
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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43
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Lindroth AM, Park YJ, Matía V, Squatrito M. The mechanistic GEMMs of oncogenic histones. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:R226-R235. [PMID: 32639003 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade's progress unraveling the mutational landscape of all age groups of cancer has uncovered mutations in histones as vital contributors of tumorigenesis. Here we review three new aspects of oncogenic histones: first, the identification of additional histone mutations potentially contributing to cancer formation; second, tumors expressing histone mutations to study the crosstalk of post-translational modifications, and; third, development of sophisticated biological model systems to reproduce tumorigenesis. At the outset, we recapitulate the firstly discovered histone mutations in pediatric and adolescent tumors of the brain and bone, which still remain the most pronounced histone alterations in cancer. We branch out to discuss the ramifications of histone mutations, including novel ones, that stem from altered protein-protein interactions of cognate histone modifiers as well as the stability of the nucleosome. We close by discussing animal models of oncogenic histones that reproduce tumor formation molecularly and morphologically and the prospect of utilizing them for drug testing, leading to efficient treatment and cure of deadly cancers with histone mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders M Lindroth
- Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Park
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Verónica Matía
- Seve Ballesteros Foundation Brain Tumor Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Massimo Squatrito
- Seve Ballesteros Foundation Brain Tumor Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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44
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Li C, Wang C. LG-ESSs and HG-ESSs: underlying molecular alterations and potential therapeutic strategies. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2021; 22:633-646. [PMID: 34414699 PMCID: PMC8377580 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2000797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial stromal tumors (ESTs) include endometrial stromal nodule (ESN), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS), and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS). Since these are rare tumor types, there is an unmet clinical need for the systematic therapy of advanced LG-ESS or HG-ESS. Cytogenetic and molecular advances in ESTs have shown that multiple recurrent gene fusions are present in a large proportion of LG-ESSs, and HG-ESSs are identified by the tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein epsilon (YWHAE)-family with sequence similarity 22 (FAM22) fusion. Recently, a group of ESSs harboring both zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 7B (ZC3H7B)-B-cell lymphoma 6 corepressor(BCOR) fusion and internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the BCOR gene have been provisionally classified as HG-ESSs. In this review, we firstly describe current knowledge about the molecular characteristics of recurrent aberrant proteins and their roles in the tumorigenesis of LG-ESSs and HG-ESSs. Next, we summarize the possibly shared signal pathways in the tumorigenesis of LG-ESSs and HG-ESSs, and list potentially actionable targets. Finally, based on the above discussion, we propose a few promising therapeutic strategies for LG-ESSs and HG-ESSs with recurrent gene alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Li
- Quality Management Office, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Chunhong Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China.
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45
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Qi Z, Li J, Li M, Du X, Zhang L, Wang S, Xu B, Liu W, Xu Z, Deng Y. The Essential Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Neurodegenerative Diseases with Dyskinesia. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2459-2472. [PMID: 34383231 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01133-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics play an essential role in the occurrence and improvement of many diseases. Evidence shows that epigenetic modifications are crucial to the regulation of gene expression. DNA methylation is closely linked to embryonic development in mammalian. In recent years, epigenetic drugs have shown unexpected therapeutic effects on neurological diseases, leading to the study of the epigenetic mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike genetics, epigenetics modify the genome without changing the DNA sequence. Research shows that epigenetics is involved in all aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. The study of epigenetic will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, which may lead to new treatments and diagnoses. This article reviews the role of epigenetic modifications neurodegenerative diseases with dyskinesia, and discusses the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Qi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiashuo Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianchao Du
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaofa Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, People's Republic of China.
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46
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Yu JR, LeRoy G, Bready D, Frenster JD, Saldaña-Meyer R, Jin Y, Descostes N, Stafford JM, Placantonakis DG, Reinberg D. The H3K36me2 writer-reader dependency in H3K27M-DIPG. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg7444. [PMID: 34261657 PMCID: PMC8279504 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg7444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Histone H3K27M is a driving mutation in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a deadly pediatric brain tumor. H3K27M reshapes the epigenome through a global inhibition of PRC2 catalytic activity and displacement of H3K27me2/3, promoting oncogenesis of DIPG. As a consequence, a histone modification H3K36me2, antagonistic to H3K27me2/3, is aberrantly elevated. Here, we investigate the role of H3K36me2 in H3K27M-DIPG by tackling its upstream catalyzing enzymes (writers) and downstream binding factors (readers). We determine that NSD1 and NSD2 are the key writers for H3K36me2. Loss of NSD1/2 in H3K27M-DIPG impedes cellular proliferation and tumorigenesis by disrupting tumor-promoting transcriptional programs. Further, we demonstrate that LEDGF and HDGF2 are the main readers mediating the protumorigenic effects downstream of NSD1/2-H3K36me2. Treatment with a chemically modified peptide mimicking endogenous H3K36me2 dislodges LEDGF/HDGF2 from chromatin and specifically inhibits the proliferation of H3K27M-DIPG. Our results indicate a functional pathway of NSD1/2-H3K36me2-LEDGF/HDGF2 as an acquired dependency in H3K27M-DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ray Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gary LeRoy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Devin Bready
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua D Frenster
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ricardo Saldaña-Meyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ying Jin
- Shared Bioinformatics Core Cancer Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Descostes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- EMBL Rome, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - James M Stafford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Dimitris G Placantonakis
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Brain and Spine Tumor Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Danny Reinberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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47
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Krug B, Harutyunyan AS, Deshmukh S, Jabado N. Polycomb repressive complex 2 in the driver's seat of childhood and young adult brain tumours. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:814-828. [PMID: 34092471 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of the epigenome underlies oncogenesis in numerous primary brain tumours in children and young adults. In this review, we describe how recurrent mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases or histone 3 variants (oncohistones) in gliomas, expression of the oncohistone mimic enhancer of Zeste homologs inhibiting protein (EZHIP) in a subgroup of ependymoma, and epigenetic alterations in other embryonal tumours promote oncogenicity. We review the proposed mechanisms of cellular transformation, current tumorigenesis models and their link to development. We further stress the narrow developmental windows permissive to their oncogenic potential and how this may stem from converging effects deregulating polycomb repressive complex (PRC)2 function and targets. As altered chromatin states may be reversible, improved understanding of aberrant cancer epigenomes could orient the design of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Krug
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Shriya Deshmukh
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nada Jabado
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, H4A 3J, Canada.
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48
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Guo Y, Zhao S, Wang GG. Polycomb Gene Silencing Mechanisms: PRC2 Chromatin Targeting, H3K27me3 'Readout', and Phase Separation-Based Compaction. Trends Genet 2021; 37:547-565. [PMID: 33494958 PMCID: PMC8119337 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of chromatin structure and/or modification by Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) provides an important means to partition the genome into functionally distinct subdomains and to regulate the activity of the underlying genes. Both the enzymatic activity of PRC2 and its chromatin recruitment, spreading, and eviction are exquisitely regulated via interactions with cofactors and DNA elements (such as unmethylated CpG islands), histones, RNA (nascent mRNA and long noncoding RNA), and R-loops. PRC2-catalyzed histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) is recognized by distinct classes of effectors such as canonical PRC1 and BAH module-containing proteins (notably BAHCC1 in human). These effectors mediate gene silencing by different mechanisms including phase separation-related chromatin compaction and histone deacetylation. We discuss recent advances in understanding the structural architecture of PRC2, the regulation of its activity and chromatin recruitment, and the molecular mechanisms underlying Polycomb-mediated gene silencing. Because PRC deregulation is intimately associated with the development of diseases, a better appreciation of Polycomb-based (epi)genomic regulation will have far-reaching implications in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Guo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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49
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Li Y, Chen X, Lu C. The interplay between DNA and histone methylation: molecular mechanisms and disease implications. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51803. [PMID: 33844406 PMCID: PMC8097341 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylation of cytosine in CpG dinucleotides and histone lysine and arginine residues is a chromatin modification that critically contributes to the regulation of genome integrity, replication, and accessibility. A strong correlation exists between the genome-wide distribution of DNA and histone methylation, suggesting an intimate relationship between these epigenetic marks. Indeed, accumulating literature reveals complex mechanisms underlying the molecular crosstalk between DNA and histone methylation. These in vitro and in vivo discoveries are further supported by the finding that genes encoding DNA- and histone-modifying enzymes are often mutated in overlapping human diseases. Here, we summarize recent advances in understanding how DNA and histone methylation cooperate to maintain the cellular epigenomic landscape. We will also discuss the potential implication of these insights for understanding the etiology of, and developing biomarkers and therapies for, human congenital disorders and cancers that are driven by chromatin abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglu Li
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Genetics and Development and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
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50
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Morales-Nebreda L, Helmin KA, Torres Acosta MA, Markov NS, Hu JYS, Joudi AM, Piseaux-Aillon R, Abdala-Valencia H, Politanska Y, Singer BD. Aging imparts cell-autonomous dysfunction to regulatory T cells during recovery from influenza pneumonia. JCI Insight 2021; 6:141690. [PMID: 33600379 PMCID: PMC8026188 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.141690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells orchestrate resolution and repair of acute lung inflammation and injury after viral pneumonia. Compared with younger patients, older individuals experience impaired recovery and worse clinical outcomes after severe viral infections, including influenza and SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Whether age is a key determinant of Treg cell prorepair function after lung injury remains unknown. Here, we showed that aging results in a cell-autonomous impairment of reparative Treg cell function after experimental influenza pneumonia. Transcriptional and DNA methylation profiling of sorted Treg cells provided insight into the mechanisms underlying their age-related dysfunction, with Treg cells from aged mice demonstrating both loss of reparative programs and gain of maladaptive programs. Strategies to restore youthful Treg cell functional programs could be leveraged as therapies to improve outcomes among older individuals with severe viral pneumonia.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Aging/metabolism
- Aging/physiology
- Animals
- COVID-19/complications
- COVID-19/metabolism
- COVID-19/pathology
- COVID-19/virology
- Humans
- Influenza A virus
- Influenza, Human/complications
- Influenza, Human/metabolism
- Influenza, Human/pathology
- Influenza, Human/virology
- Lung/metabolism
- Lung/pathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Pneumonia, Viral/etiology
- Pneumonia, Viral/metabolism
- Pneumonia, Viral/pathology
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- SARS-CoV-2
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/pathology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn A. Helmin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
| | | | - Nikolay S. Markov
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
| | | | - Anthony M. Joudi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
| | | | | | - Yuliya Politanska
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Benjamin D. Singer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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