1
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Sun Y, Zhou R, Hu J, Feng S, Hu Q. Reversible control of kinase signaling through chemical-induced dephosphorylation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1073. [PMID: 39217250 PMCID: PMC11366001 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The coordination between kinases and phosphatases is crucial for regulating the phosphorylation levels of essential signaling molecules. Methods enabling precise control of kinase activities are valuable for understanding the kinase functions and for developing targeted therapies. Here, we use the abscisic acid (ABA)-induced proximity system to reversibly control kinase signaling by recruiting phosphatases. Using this method, we found that the oncogenic tyrosine kinase BCR::ABL1 can be inhibited by recruiting various cytoplasmic phosphatases. We also discovered that the oncogenic serine/threonine kinase BRAF(V600E), which has been reported to bypass phosphorylation regulation, can be positively regulated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and negatively regulated by PP5. Additionally, we observed that the dual-specificity kinase MEK1 can be inhibited by recruiting PP5. This suggests that bifunctional molecules capable of recruiting PP5 to MEK or RAF kinases could be promising anticancer drug candidates. Thus, the ABA-induced dephosphorylation method enables rapid screening of phosphatases to precisely control kinase signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rihong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake AI Therapeutics Lab, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Martin-Vega A, Cobb MH. Navigating the ERK1/2 MAPK Cascade. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1555. [PMID: 37892237 PMCID: PMC10605237 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS-ERK pathway is a fundamental signaling cascade crucial for many biological processes including proliferation, cell cycle control, growth, and survival; common across all cell types. Notably, ERK1/2 are implicated in specific processes in a context-dependent manner as in stem cells and pancreatic β-cells. Alterations in the different components of this cascade result in dysregulation of the effector kinases ERK1/2 which communicate with hundreds of substrates. Aberrant activation of the pathway contributes to a range of disorders, including cancer. This review provides an overview of the structure, activation, regulation, and mutational frequency of the different tiers of the cascade; with a particular focus on ERK1/2. We highlight the importance of scaffold proteins that contribute to kinase localization and coordinate interaction dynamics of the kinases with substrates, activators, and inhibitors. Additionally, we explore innovative therapeutic approaches emphasizing promising avenues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martin-Vega
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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3
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Moriizumi H, Kubota Y, Tsuchiya T, Naka R, Takekawa M. Caspase 3-specific cleavage of MEK1 suppresses ERK signaling and sensitizes cells to stress-induced apoptosis. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:684-700. [PMID: 36776127 PMCID: PMC10068311 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of apoptotic cell death is crucial for normal development and homeostasis in multicellular organisms and is achieved by the balance between pro-apoptotic processes, such as caspase activation, and pro-survival signaling, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. However, the functional interplay between these opposing signaling pathways remains incompletely understood. Here, we identified MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) 1, a central component of the ERK pathway, as a specific substrate for the executioner caspase-3. During apoptosis, MEK1 is cleaved at an evolutionarily conserved Asp282 residue in the kinase domain, thereby losing its catalytic activity. Gene knockout experiments showed that MEK1 cleavage was mediated by caspase-3, but not by the other executioner caspases, caspase-6 or -7. Following exposure of cells to osmotic stress, elevated ERK activity gradually decreased, and this was accompanied by increased cleavage of MEK1. In contrast, the expression of a caspase-uncleavable MEK1(D282N) mutant in cells maintained stress-induced ERK activity and thereby attenuated apoptotic cell death. Thus, caspase-3-mediated, proteolytic inhibition of MEK1 sensitizes cells to apoptosis by suppressing pro-survival ERK signaling. Furthermore, we found that a RASopathy-associated MEK1(Y130C) mutation prevented this caspase-3-mediated proteolytic inactivation of MEK1 and efficiently protected cells from stress-induced apoptosis. Our data reveal the functional crosstalk between ERK-mediated cell survival and caspase-mediated cell death pathways and suggest that its dysregulation by a disease-associated MEK1 mutation is at least partly involved in the pathophysiology of congenital RASopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Moriizumi
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuji Kubota
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Tsuchiya
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Naka
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsuhiro Takekawa
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
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4
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Abstract
Over the past decade, CRISPR has become as much a verb as it is an acronym, transforming biomedical research and providing entirely new approaches for dissecting all facets of cell biology. In cancer research, CRISPR and related tools have offered a window into previously intractable problems in our understanding of cancer genetics, the noncoding genome and tumour heterogeneity, and provided new insights into therapeutic vulnerabilities. Here, we review the progress made in the development of CRISPR systems as a tool to study cancer, and the emerging adaptation of these technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyna Katti
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bianca J Diaz
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina M Caragine
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neville E Sanjana
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Wang M, Huang C, Gao W, Zhu Y, Zhang F, Li Z, Tian Z. MicroRNA-181a-5p prevents the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in vivo and in vitro via the MEK1-mediated ERK-MMP signaling pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:3540-3553. [PMID: 35468097 PMCID: PMC9085224 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been revealed to play a crucial role in oncogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the biological role of miR-181a-5p in ESCC is currently less explored. The current study was designed to assess whether miR-181a-5p affects ESCC progression and further investigate relevant underlying mechanisms. Based on the data of GSE161533, GSE17351, GSE75241 and GSE67269 downloaded from GEO database, MAP2K1 (MEK1) was revealed to be one overlapping gene of the top 300 DGEs. Additionally, using the predicting software, miR-181a-5p was projected as the presumed target miRNA. Immunohistochemical staining and RT-qPCR research revealed that miR-181a-5p expression was decreased in human tumor tissues relative to surrounding peri-cancerous tissues. In an in vivo experiment, miR-181a-5p mimics could inhibit tumor growth and metastasis of ESCC. Gene expression profiles in combination with gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that MAP2K1 (MEK1) gene and ERK-MMP pathway were implicated in ESCC progression. MiR-181a-5p mimics inhibited the activity of p-ERK1/2, MMP2 and MMP9 in vivo, as shown by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry labeling. There were no variations in the expression of p-P38 and p-JNK proteins. Additionally, miR-181a-5p mimics lowered p-ERK1/2, MMP2 and MMP9 levels in ECA109 cells, which were restored by MEK1-OE lentivirus. MEK1-OE Lentivirus significantly reversed the function induced by miR-181a-5p mimics in ECA109 cells. Moreover, further investigation indicated that the capability of migration, invasion and proliferation was repressed by miR-181a-5p mimics in ECA109 cells. In short, repressed ERK-MMP pathway mediated by miR-181a-5p can inhibit cell migration, invasion and proliferation by targeting MAP2K1 (MEK1) in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingbo Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Wenda Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Ziqiang Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
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6
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Greenblatt MB, Shim JH, Bok S, Kim JM. The Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Osteoblasts. J Bone Metab 2022; 29:1-15. [PMID: 35325978 PMCID: PMC8948490 DOI: 10.11005/jbm.2022.29.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) are evolutionarily ancient signal transducers of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family that have long been linked to the regulation of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Here, we review the physiological functions, biochemistry, upstream activators, and downstream substrates of the ERK pathway. ERK is activated in skeletal progenitors and regulates osteoblast differentiation and skeletal mineralization, with ERK serving as a key regulator of Runt-related transcription factor 2, a critical transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation. However, new evidence highlights context-dependent changes in ERK MAPK pathway wiring and function, indicating a broader set of physiological roles associated with changes in ERK pathway components or substrates. Consistent with this importance, several human skeletal dysplasias are associated with dysregulation of the ERK MAPK pathway, including neurofibromatosis type 1 and Noonan syndrome. The continually broadening array of drugs targeting the ERK pathway for the treatment of cancer and other disorders makes it increasingly important to understand how interference with this pathway impacts bone metabolism, highlighting the importance of mouse studies to model the role of the ERK MAPK pathway in bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B. Greenblatt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical, New York, NY,
USA
- Research Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY,
USA
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA,
USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, and Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA,
USA
| | - Seoyeon Bok
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical, New York, NY,
USA
| | - Jung-Min Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA,
USA
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7
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COX4-like, a Nuclear-Encoded Mitochondrial Gene Duplicate, Is Essential for Male Fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030424. [PMID: 35327978 PMCID: PMC8950493 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (N-mt genes) in Drosophila melanogaster have shown a unique pattern of expression for newly duplicated N-mt genes, with many duplicates having a testis-biased expression and playing an essential role in spermatogenesis. In this study, we investigated a newly duplicated N-mt gene—i.e., Cytochrome c oxidase 4-like (COX4L)—in order to understand its function and, consequently, the reason behind its retention in the D. melanogaster genome. The COX4L gene is a duplicate of the Cytochrome c oxidase 4 (COX4) gene of OXPHOS complex IV. While the parental COX4 gene has been found in all eukaryotes, including single-cell eukaryotes such as yeast, we show that COX4L is only present in the Brachycera suborder of Diptera; thus, both genes are present in all Drosophila species, but have significantly different patterns of expression: COX4 is highly expressed in all tissues, while COX4L has a testis-specific expression. To understand the function of this new gene, we first knocked down its expression in the D. melanogaster germline using two different RNAi lines driven by the bam-Gal4 driver; second, we created a knockout strain for this gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Our results showed that knockdown and knockout lines of COX4L produce partial sterility and complete sterility in males, respectively, where a lack of sperm individualization was observed in both cases. Male infertility was prevented by driving COX4L-HA in the germline, but not when driving COX4-HA. In addition, ectopic expression of COX4L in the soma caused embryonic lethality, while overexpression in the germline led to a reduction in male fertility. COX4L-KO mitochondria show reduced membrane potential, providing a plausible explanation for the male sterility observed in these flies. This prominent loss-of-function phenotype, along with its testis-biased expression and its presence in the Drosophila sperm proteome, suggests that COX4L is a paralogous, specialized gene that is assembled in OXPHOS complex IV of male germline cells and/or sperm mitochondria.
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8
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Houde N, Beuret L, Bonaud A, Fortier-Beaulieu SP, Truchon-Landry K, Aoidi R, Pic É, Alouche N, Rondeau V, Schlecht-Louf G, Balabanian K, Espéli M, Charron J. Fine-tuning of MEK signaling is pivotal for limiting B and T cell activation. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110223. [PMID: 35021072 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
MEK1 and MEK2, the only known activators of ERK, are attractive therapeutic candidates for both cancer and autoimmune diseases. However, how MEK signaling finely regulates immune cell activation is only partially understood. To address this question, we specifically delete Mek1 in hematopoietic cells in the Mek2 null background. Characterization of an allelic series of Mek mutants reveals the presence of distinct degrees of spontaneous B cell activation, which are inversely proportional to the levels of MEK proteins and ERK activation. While Mek1 and Mek2 null mutants have a normal lifespan, 1Mek1 and 1Mek2 mutants retaining only one functional Mek1 or Mek2 allele in hematopoietic cell lineages die from glomerulonephritis and lymphoproliferative disorders, respectively. This establishes that the fine-tuning of the ERK/MAPK pathway is critical to regulate B and T cell activation and function and that each MEK isoform plays distinct roles during lymphocyte activation and disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Houde
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Laurent Beuret
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Amélie Bonaud
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris 75010, France; OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 75010, France
| | - Simon-Pierre Fortier-Beaulieu
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Kim Truchon-Landry
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Rifdat Aoidi
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Émilie Pic
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada
| | - Nagham Alouche
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris 75010, France; OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 75010, France
| | - Vincent Rondeau
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris 75010, France; OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 75010, France
| | - Géraldine Schlecht-Louf
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Clamart 92140, France
| | - Karl Balabanian
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris 75010, France; OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 75010, France
| | - Marion Espéli
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris 75010, France; OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris 75010, France
| | - Jean Charron
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology Axis), L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3 Canada; Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry & Pathology, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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9
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Integrative pan-cancer analysis of MEK1 aberrations and the potential clinical implications. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18366. [PMID: 34526571 PMCID: PMC8443600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97840-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) are commonly associated with tumorigenesis, and MEK1 is thought to be a suitable targeted therapy for various cancers. However, abnormal MEK1 alterations and their relevant clinical implications are unknown. Our research comprehensively analyzed the MEK1 alteration spectrum and provided novel insight for targeted therapies. There were 7694 samples covering 32 types of cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. They were used to conduct an integrative analysis of MEK1 expression, alterations, functional impacts and clinical significance. There was a dramatic difference in the alteration frequency and distribution and clinical implications in 32 types of cancer from the TCGA. Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) has the most alterations and has therapeutic targets located in the protein kinase domain, and the growing expression of SKCM is positively related to patient prognosis. MEK1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is decreased, which is associated with better prognosis, while MEK1 expression in thymoma (THYM), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is increased, which is associated with better prognosis. Mesothelioma (MESO) has the second highest alterations but has no therapy targets. This study provided a great and detailed interpretation of MEK1 expression, alterations and clinical implications in 32 types of cancer and reminded us to fill the gap in MEK1 research from a new perspective.
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10
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Beuret L, Fortier-Beaulieu SP, Rondeau V, Roy S, Houde N, Balabanian K, Espéli M, Charron J. Mek1 and Mek2 Functional Redundancy in Erythropoiesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:639022. [PMID: 34386488 PMCID: PMC8353236 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.639022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have established the crucial role of the extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation. MEK1 and MEK2 phosphorylate and activate ERK1 and ERK2. However, whether MEK1 and MEK2 differentially regulate these processes is unknown. To define the function of Mek genes in the activation of the ERK pathway during hematopoiesis, we generated a mutant mouse line carrying a hematopoietic-specific deletion of the Mek1 gene function in a Mek2 null background. Inactivation of both Mek1 and Mek2 genes resulted in death shortly after birth with a severe anemia revealing the essential role of the ERK pathway in erythropoiesis. Mek1 and Mek2 functional ablation also affected lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis. In contrast, mice that retained one functional Mek1 (1Mek1) or Mek2 (1Mek2) allele in hematopoietic cells were viable and fertile. 1Mek1 and 1Mek2 mutants showed mild signs of anemia and splenomegaly, but the half-life of their red blood cells and the response to erythropoietic stress were not altered, suggesting a certain level of Mek redundancy for sustaining functional erythropoiesis. However, subtle differences in multipotent progenitor distribution in the bone marrow were observed in 1Mek1 mice, suggesting that the two Mek genes might differentially regulate early hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Beuret
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Simon-Pierre Fortier-Beaulieu
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Rondeau
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, Inserm U1160, Paris, France.,OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Roy
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Houde
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Karl Balabanian
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, Inserm U1160, Paris, France.,OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Marion Espéli
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, EMiLy, Inserm U1160, Paris, France.,OPALE Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Jean Charron
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Oncology), Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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11
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Ikushima YM, Awazawa M, Kobayashi N, Osonoi S, Takemiya S, Kobayashi H, Suwanai H, Morimoto Y, Soeda K, Adachi J, Muratani M, Charron J, Mizukami H, Takahashi N, Ueki K. MEK/ERK Signaling in β-Cells Bifunctionally Regulates β-Cell Mass and Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion Response to Maintain Glucose Homeostasis. Diabetes 2021; 70:1519-1535. [PMID: 33906910 DOI: 10.2337/db20-1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In diabetic pathology, insufficiency in β-cell mass, unable to meet peripheral insulin demand, and functional defects of individual β-cells in production of insulin are often concurrently observed, collectively causing hyperglycemia. Here we show that the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 is significantly decreased in the islets of db/db mice as well as in those of a cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes. In mice with abrogation of ERK signaling in pancreatic β-cells through deletion of Mek1 and Mek2, glucose intolerance aggravates under high-fat diet-feeding conditions due to insufficient insulin production with lower β-cell proliferation and reduced β-cell mass, while in individual β-cells dampening of the number of insulin exocytosis events is observed, with the molecules involved in insulin exocytosis being less phosphorylated. These data reveal bifunctional roles for MEK/ERK signaling in β-cells for glucose homeostasis, i.e., in regulating β-cell mass as well as in controlling insulin exocytosis in individual β-cells, thus providing not only a novel perspective for the understanding of diabetes pathophysiology but also a potential clue for new drug development for diabetes treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiko Matsumoto Ikushima
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoharu Awazawa
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sho Osonoi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Seiichi Takemiya
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Suwanai
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Morimoto
- Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Soeda
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Jean Charron
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hiroki Mizukami
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Noriko Takahashi
- Department of Physiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kohjiro Ueki
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Molecular Diabetology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Ren LX, Qi JC, Zhao AN, Shi B, Zhang H, Wang DD, Yang Z. Myc-associated zinc-finger protein promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression through transcriptional activation of the MAP2K2-dependent ERK pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:323. [PMID: 34183010 PMCID: PMC8240279 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02020-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The dysfunction of myc-related zinc finger protein (MAZ) has been proven to contribute to tumorigenesis and development of multiple cancer types. However, the biological roles and clinical significance of MAZ in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) remain unclear. Methods MAZ expression was examined in ccRCC and normal kidney tissue by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the clinical correlation between MAZ expression and clinicopathological characteristics to determine the relationship between MAZ expression and the survival of ccRCC patients. The biological roles of MAZ in cells were investigated in vitro using MTT and colony assays. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to investigate the relationship between MAZ and its potential downstream signaling molecules. Results MAZ expression is elevated in ccRCC tissues, and higher levels of MAZ were correlated with poor survival of patients with ccRCC. MAZ upregulation elevates the proliferation ability of ccRCC cells in vitro, whereas silencing MAZ represses this ability. Our results further reveal that MAZ promotes cell growth, which is dependent on ERK signaling. Importantly, we found that MAZ positively regulates MAP2K2 expression in ccRCC cells. Mechanistically, MAZ binds to the MAP2K2 promoter and increases MAP2K2 transcription. Furthermore, MAP2K2 levels were shown to be increased in ccRCC tissues and to be associated with a poor prognosis of ccRCC patients. MAP2K2 upregulation activates the ERK signaling pathway and promotes ccRCC progression. Conclusion These results reveal that the MAZ/MAP2K2/ERK signaling axis plays a crucial role in promoting ccRCC progression, which suggests the potential therapeutic utility of MAZ in ccRCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02020-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xin Ren
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Jin-Chun Qi
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - An-Ning Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Bei Shi
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Dan-Dan Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Zhan Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Heping West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China.
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13
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In Vitro Studies on the Immunomodulatory Effects of Pulicaria crispa Extract on Human THP-1 Monocytes. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2020:7574606. [PMID: 33628359 PMCID: PMC7895603 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7574606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Pulicaria crispa (P. crispa) is a plant from the Compositae family that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. Objective The current study aimed at investigating the immunomodulatory effects of P. crispa extract in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated human monocytic THP-1 cells. Methods To induce macrophage differentiation, THP-1 cell lines were treated with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate, followed by exposure to LPS with or without 50 or 100 μg/ml of P. crispa extract. The following tests were employed to test the immunomodulatory effects of the extract: MTT assay, ELISA, Western blotting analysis, cell migration and phagocytosis assays, and Annexin V staining method. Results Exposure to 100 μg/ml P. crispa extract significantly reduced THP-1 cell proliferation, migration, and phagocytosis (in LPS-stimulated cells, but not in unstimulated cells). Moreover, the extract alone significantly reduced the rate of THP-1 cell apoptosis, while it increased the rate of late apoptosis. Molecular investigations showed that treatment with P. crispa extract significantly upregulated the expression of ERK1, p-MAPK, P-P38, and Bcl2, while it significantly reduced the expression of ERK5, Bax, NF-κB, P-NF-κB, CCL1, CCL2, CCL5, CCL22, CXCL1, and CXCL10. Conclusion Pulicaria crispa extract exhibited anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antimigratory, and antiphagocytic effects in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Future studies should investigate these mechanisms in animal models with chronic inflammatory diseases.
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14
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Xu Y, Sheng X, Zhao T, Zhang L, Ruan Y, Lu H. O-GlcNAcylation of MEK2 promotes the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Glycobiology 2020; 31:571-581. [PMID: 33226073 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwaa103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases are an important part of evolutionary conserved signaling modules that are involved in a variety of cellular processes in response to environmental stimuli. Among them, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MEK2) is the most crucial upstream signaling pathway of ERK1/2 cascade as a therapeutic target for overcoming Ras-driven cancers. However, the mechanisms of MEK2 regulation during tumor progression remain not fully elucidated. Herein, we identified that MEK2 was post-translationally regulated by O-GlcNAcylation. We found that MEK2 associated with OGT and was modified by O-GlcNAc. Mass spectrometry analysis further verified that O-GlcNAcylation of MEK2 occurred at Thr13, which was in the docking domain for specifically identifying its target proteins. While total O-GlcNAcylation stimulated the protein stability and phosphorylation of MEK2, Thr13 O-GlcNAcylation of MEK2 specifically enhanced its Thr394 phosphorylation as well as downstream ERK1/2 activation. Genetic ablation of MEK2 O-GlcNAcylation at Thr13 abrogated its ability to promote the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Together, our data demonstrate that O-GlcNAcylation of MEK2 might be a key regulatory mechanism during tumorigenesis and is a potential therapeutic target for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Xu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiangying Sheng
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ruan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haojie Lu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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15
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ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway Activated by EGF Promotes Proliferation, Transdifferentiation, and Migration of Cultured Primary Newborn Rat Lung Fibroblasts. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:7176169. [PMID: 33083482 PMCID: PMC7559493 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7176169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common and serious complication in premature infants. Lung fibroblasts (LFs) are present in the extracellular matrix and participate in pulmonary development in response to BPD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) on LFs cultured from newborn rats. Material and Methods. Primary LFs were isolated and treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF, 20 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of an ERK inhibitor, PD98059 (10 μmol/L). Phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) protein levels were determined using immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription quantitative (RT–q)PCR. LF proliferation was examined by flow cytometry and a cell counting kit-8 assay. LF transdifferentiation was examined by protein and mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and RT–qPCR. LF migration was examined by the transwell method. Results Phosphorylated ERK1/2, which was activated by EGF, promoted LF proliferation by accelerating cell-cycle progression from the G1 to S phase. After treatment with PD98059, the expression of p-ERK1/2 in LFs, cellular proliferation, and the percentage of cells in S phase were significantly decreased. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 also promoted the differentiation of LFs into myofibroblasts through increased α-SMA synthesis and migration. Conclusion The activation of ERK promotes proliferation, transdifferentiation, and migration of lung fibroblasts from newborn rats.
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16
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Hanrahan AJ, Sylvester BE, Chang MT, Elzein A, Gao J, Han W, Liu Y, Xu D, Gao SP, Gorelick AN, Jones AM, Kiliti AJ, Nissan MH, Nimura CA, Poteshman AN, Yao Z, Gao Y, Hu W, Wise HC, Gavrila EI, Shoushtari AN, Tiwari S, Viale A, Abdel-Wahab O, Merghoub T, Berger MF, Rosen N, Taylor BS, Solit DB. Leveraging Systematic Functional Analysis to Benchmark an In Silico Framework Distinguishes Driver from Passenger MEK Mutants in Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4233-4243. [PMID: 32641410 PMCID: PMC7541597 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in cancer precision medicine, a significant hurdle to its broader adoption remains the multitude of variants of unknown significance identified by clinical tumor sequencing and the lack of biologically validated methods to distinguish between functional and benign variants. Here we used functional data on MAP2K1 and MAP2K2 mutations generated in real-time within a co-clinical trial framework to benchmark the predictive value of a three-part in silico methodology. Our computational approach to variant classification incorporated hotspot analysis, three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulation, and sequence paralogy. In silico prediction accurately distinguished functional from benign MAP2K1 and MAP2K2 mutants, yet drug sensitivity varied widely among activating mutant alleles. These results suggest that multifaceted in silico modeling can inform patient accrual to MEK/ERK inhibitor clinical trials, but computational methods need to be paired with laboratory- and clinic-based efforts designed to unravel variabilities in drug response. SIGNIFICANCE: Leveraging prospective functional characterization of MEK1/2 mutants, it was found that hotspot analysis, molecular dynamics simulation, and sequence paralogy are complementary tools that can robustly prioritize variants for biologic, therapeutic, and clinical validation.See related commentary by Whitehead and Sebolt-Leopold, p. 4042.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aphrothiti J Hanrahan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brooke E Sylvester
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Matthew T Chang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Arijh Elzein
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- The Graduate Program in Pharmacology, The Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Jianjiong Gao
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Weiwei Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Sizhi P Gao
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexander N Gorelick
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Alexis M Jones
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amber J Kiliti
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Moriah H Nissan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Clare A Nimura
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Abigail N Poteshman
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Zhan Yao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Center for Mechanism-Based Therapeutics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yijun Gao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Center for Mechanism-Based Therapeutics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Wenhuo Hu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Hannah C Wise
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elena I Gavrila
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexander N Shoushtari
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Shakuntala Tiwari
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Agnes Viale
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael F Berger
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Diagnostics Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Center for Mechanism-Based Therapeutics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Barry S Taylor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David B Solit
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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17
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Miningou N, Blackwell KT. The road to ERK activation: Do neurons take alternate routes? Cell Signal 2020; 68:109541. [PMID: 31945453 PMCID: PMC7127974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The ERK cascade is a central signaling pathway that regulates a wide variety of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, learning and memory, development, and synaptic plasticity. A wide range of inputs travel from the membrane through different signaling pathway routes to reach activation of one set of output kinases, ERK1&2. The classical ERK activation pathway beings with growth factor activation of receptor tyrosine kinases. Numerous G-protein coupled receptors and ionotropic receptors also lead to ERK through increases in the second messengers calcium and cAMP. Though both types of pathways are present in diverse cell types, a key difference is that most stimuli to neurons, e.g. synaptic inputs, are transient, on the order of milliseconds to seconds, whereas many stimuli acting on non-neural tissue, e.g. growth factors, are longer duration. The ability to consolidate these inputs to regulate the activation of ERK in response to diverse signals raises the question of which factors influence the difference in ERK activation pathways. This review presents both experimental studies and computational models aimed at understanding the control of ERK activation and whether there are fundamental differences between neurons and other cells. Our main conclusion is that differences between cell types are quite subtle, often related to differences in expression pattern and quantity of some molecules such as Raf isoforms. In addition, the spatial location of ERK is critical, with regulation by scaffolding proteins producing differences due to colocalization of upstream molecules that may differ between neurons and other cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadiatou Miningou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States of America
| | - Kim T Blackwell
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience and Bioengineering Department, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States of America.
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18
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Hekselman I, Yeger-Lotem E. Mechanisms of tissue and cell-type specificity in heritable traits and diseases. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 21:137-150. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0200-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Zamanighomi M, Jain SS, Ito T, Pal D, Daley TP, Sellers WR. GEMINI: a variational Bayesian approach to identify genetic interactions from combinatorial CRISPR screens. Genome Biol 2019; 20:137. [PMID: 31300006 PMCID: PMC6624979 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1745-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems for CRISPR-based combinatorial perturbation of two or more genes are emerging as powerful tools for uncovering genetic interactions. However, systematic identification of these relationships is complicated by sample, reagent, and biological variability. We develop a variational Bayes approach (GEMINI) that jointly analyzes all samples and reagents to identify genetic interactions in pairwise knockout screens. The improved accuracy and scalability of GEMINI enables the systematic analysis of combinatorial CRISPR knockout screens, regardless of design and dimension. GEMINI is available as an open source R package on GitHub at https://github.com/sellerslab/gemini.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Takahiro Ito
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 02142, USA
| | - Debjani Pal
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 02142, USA
| | - Timothy P Daley
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, USA
| | - William R Sellers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 02142, USA. .,Deparment of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, 02115, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, USA.
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20
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Kurtzeborn K, Kwon HN, Kuure S. MAPK/ERK Signaling in Regulation of Renal Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1779. [PMID: 30974877 PMCID: PMC6479953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are common birth defects derived from abnormalities in renal differentiation during embryogenesis. CAKUT is the major cause of end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney diseases in children, but its genetic causes remain largely unresolved. Here we discuss advances in the understanding of how mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity contributes to the regulation of ureteric bud branching morphogenesis, which dictates the final size, shape, and nephron number of the kidney. Recent studies also demonstrate that the MAPK/ERK pathway is directly involved in nephrogenesis, regulating both the maintenance and differentiation of the nephrogenic mesenchyme. Interestingly, aberrant MAPK/ERK signaling is linked to many cancers, and recent studies suggest it also plays a role in the most common pediatric renal cancer, Wilms' tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Kurtzeborn
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Hyuk Nam Kwon
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Satu Kuure
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- GM-unit, Laboratory Animal Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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21
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Hu Y, Fu J, Xue X. Association of the proliferation of lung fibroblasts with the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung fibrosis. Exp Ther Med 2018; 17:701-708. [PMID: 30651853 PMCID: PMC6307421 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common, serious complication occurring in premature infants. Although clinical characteristics and pathologic changes are well described, the pathogenesis of alveolar dysplasia and interstitial fibrosis is less clear. Lung fibroblasts (LFs) are present in the extracellular matrix and serve essential roles during pulmonary epithelial injury and in response to fibrosis development in BPD. The current study investigated hyperoxia-induced proliferation of primary LFs in vitro and mechanisms that may be involved. Newborn rats were exposed to 90% oxygen, while control rats were kept in normal atmosphere. Primary LFs were isolated on postnatal day 3, 7 and 14. Hyperoxia-induced proliferation of LFs isolated on day 7 and 14 by accelerating the cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. Collagen type I protein secretion and mRNA expression on day 7 and 14 were increased by hyperoxia compared with the controls. Hyperoxia significantly increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and significantly increased collagen type I expression compared with the room air control group. The findings indicated that an increase in LF proliferation in response to hyperoxia was associated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This mechanism may contribute to over-proliferation of LFs leading to disturbed formation of normal alveoli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Jianhua Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Xindong Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
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22
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Barshir R, Hekselman I, Shemesh N, Sharon M, Novack L, Yeger-Lotem E. Role of duplicate genes in determining the tissue-selectivity of hereditary diseases. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007327. [PMID: 29723191 PMCID: PMC5953478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A longstanding puzzle in human genetics is what limits the clinical manifestation of hundreds of hereditary diseases to certain tissues, while their causal genes are expressed throughout the human body. A general conception is that tissue-selective disease phenotypes emerge when masking factors operate in unaffected tissues, but are specifically absent or insufficient in disease-manifesting tissues. Although this conception has critical impact on the understanding of disease manifestation, it was never challenged in a systematic manner across a variety of hereditary diseases and affected tissues. Here, we address this gap in our understanding via rigorous analysis of the susceptibility of over 30 tissues to 112 tissue-selective hereditary diseases. We focused on the roles of paralogs of causal genes, which are presumably capable of compensating for their aberration. We show for the first time at large-scale via quantitative analysis of omics datasets that, preferentially in the disease-manifesting tissues, paralogs are under-expressed relative to causal genes in more than half of the diseases. This was observed for several susceptible tissues and for causal genes with varying number of paralogs, suggesting that imbalanced expression of paralogs increases tissue susceptibility. While for many diseases this imbalance stemmed from up-regulation of the causal gene in the disease-manifesting tissue relative to other tissues, it was often combined with down-regulation of its paralog. Notably in roughly 20% of the cases, this imbalance stemmed only from significant down-regulation of the paralog. Thus, dosage relationships between paralogs appear as important, yet currently under-appreciated, modifiers of disease manifestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Barshir
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Hekselman
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Netta Shemesh
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Moran Sharon
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Lena Novack
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Esti Yeger-Lotem
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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23
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Aoidi R, Houde N, Landry-Truchon K, Holter M, Jacquet K, Charron L, Krishnaswami SR, Yu BD, Rauen KA, Bisson N, Newbern J, Charron J. Mek1Y130C mice recapitulate aspects of human cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.031278. [PMID: 29590634 PMCID: PMC5897723 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAS/MAPK signaling pathway is one of the most investigated pathways, owing to its established role in numerous cellular processes and implication in cancer. Germline mutations in genes encoding members of the RAS/MAPK pathway also cause severe developmental syndromes collectively known as RASopathies. These syndromes share overlapping characteristics, including craniofacial dysmorphology, cardiac malformations, cutaneous abnormalities and developmental delay. Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC) is a rare RASopathy associated with mutations in BRAF, KRAS, MEK1 (MAP2K1) and MEK2 (MAP2K2). MEK1 and MEK2 mutations are found in ∼25% of the CFC patients and the MEK1Y130C substitution is the most common one. However, little is known about the origins and mechanisms responsible for the development of CFC. To our knowledge, no mouse model carrying RASopathy-linked Mek1 or Mek2 gene mutations has been reported. To investigate the molecular and developmental consequences of the Mek1Y130C mutation, we generated a mouse line carrying this mutation. Analysis of mice from a Mek1 allelic series revealed that the Mek1Y130C allele expresses both wild-type and Y130C mutant forms of MEK1. However, despite reduced levels of MEK1 protein and the lower abundance of MEK1 Y130C protein than wild type, Mek1Y130C mutants showed increased ERK (MAPK) protein activation in response to growth factors, supporting a role for MEK1 Y130C in hyperactivation of the RAS/MAPK pathway, leading to CFC. Mek1Y130C mutant mice exhibited pulmonary artery stenosis, cranial dysmorphia and neurological anomalies, including increased numbers of GFAP+ astrocytes and Olig2+ oligodendrocytes in regions of the cerebral cortex. These data indicate that the Mek1Y130C mutation recapitulates major aspects of CFC, providing a new animal model to investigate the physiopathology of this RASopathy. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: A mouse model for cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome caused by MEK1 Y130C mutant protein reveals the role of hyperactivation of the RAS/MAPK pathway in the development of the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifdat Aoidi
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Houde
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Kim Landry-Truchon
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Michael Holter
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Kevin Jacquet
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Louis Charron
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Suguna Rani Krishnaswami
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0761, USA
| | - Benjamin D Yu
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0761, USA.,Interpreta Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Katherine A Rauen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genomic Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Nicolas Bisson
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jason Newbern
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jean Charron
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec G1R 3S3, Canada .,Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
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24
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Nowacka JD, Baumgartner C, Pelorosso C, Roth M, Zuber J, Baccarini M. MEK1 is required for the development of NRAS-driven leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 7:80113-80130. [PMID: 27741509 PMCID: PMC5348309 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The dual-specificity kinases MEK1 and MEK2 act downstream of RAS/RAF to induce ERK activation, which is generally considered protumorigenic. Activating MEK mutations have not been discovered in leukemia, in which pathway activation is caused by mutations in upstream components such as RAS or Flt3. The anti-leukemic potential of MEK inhibitors is being tested in clinical trials; however, downregulation of MEK1 promotes Eμ-Myc-driven lymphomagenesis and MEK1 ablation induces myeloproliferative disease in mice, raising the concern that MEK inhibitors may be inefficient or counterproductive in this context. We investigated the role of MEK1 in the proliferation of human leukemic cell lines and in retroviral models of leukemia. Our data show that MEK1 suppression via RNA interference and genomic engineering does not affect the proliferation of human leukemic cell lines in culture; similarly, MEK1 ablation does not impact the development of MYC-driven leukemia in vivo. In contrast, MEK1 ablation significantly reduces tumorigenesis driven by Nras alone or in combination with Myc. Thus, while MEK1 restricts proliferation and tumorigenesis in some cellular and genetic contexts, it cannot be considered a tumor suppressor in the context of leukemogenesis. On the contrary, its role in NRAS-driven leukemogenesis advocates the use of MEK inhibitors, particularly in combination with PI3K/AKT inhibitors, in hematopoietic malignancies involving RAS activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna D Nowacka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Baumgartner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cristiana Pelorosso
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, A. Meyer Children's Hospital-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mareike Roth
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Baccarini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Liu SM, Lin CH, Lu J, Lin IY, Tsai MS, Chen MH, Ma N. miR-596 Modulates Melanoma Growth by Regulating Cell Survival and Death. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 138:911-921. [PMID: 29183729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumors grow because cancer cells lack the ability to balance cell survival and death signaling pathways. miR-596, a microRNA located at the 8p23.3 locus, has been shown by the TCGA-Assembler to be deleted in a significant number of melanoma samples. Here, we also validated the low levels of miR-596 in melanoma compared to tissue nevi, and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that low miR-596 expression was associated with worse overall survival. Moreover, we showed that miR-596 overexpression effectively inhibited MAPK/ERK signaling, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased the cell apoptosis of melanoma cells. In addition, we found that miR-596 directly targets MEK1 and two apoptotic proteins, MCL1, and BCL2L1, in melanoma cells. Our findings indicated that miR-596 is an important miRNA that both negatively regulates the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway by targeting MEK1 and modulates the apoptosis pathway by targeting MCL1 and BCL2L1, suggesting that miR-596 could be a therapeutic candidate for treating melanoma, and a prognostic factor for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Mam Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Huan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jean Lu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - In-Yu Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Shiun Tsai
- Department of Pathology, Landseed Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Saint Paul's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Nianhan Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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26
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Thompson N, Adams DJ, Ranzani M. Synthetic lethality: emerging targets and opportunities in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 30:183-193. [PMID: 28097822 PMCID: PMC5396340 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Great progress has been made in the treatment of melanoma through use of targeted therapies and immunotherapy. One approach that has not been fully explored is synthetic lethality, which exploits somatically acquired changes, usually driver mutations, to specifically kill tumour cells. We outline the various approaches that may be applied to identify synthetic lethal interactions and define how these interactions may drive drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Thompson
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - David J Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Marco Ranzani
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
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27
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Dorard C, Vucak G, Baccarini M. Deciphering the RAS/ERK pathway in vivo. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:27-36. [PMID: 28202657 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The RAS/ERK pathway has been intensely studied for about three decades, not least because of its role in human pathologies. ERK activation is observed in the majority of human cancers; in about one-third of them, it is driven by mutational activation of pathway components. The pathway is arguably one of the best targets for molecule-based pharmacological intervention, and several small-molecule inhibitors are in clinical use. Genetically engineered mouse models have greatly contributed to our understanding of signaling pathways in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. In the specific case of the RAS/ERK pathway, they have revealed unique biological roles of structurally and functionally similar proteins, new kinase-independent effectors, and unsuspected relationships with other cascades. This short review summarizes the contribution of mouse models to our current understanding of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Dorard
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Georg Vucak
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Manuela Baccarini
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
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28
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Boucherat O, Landry-Truchon K, Aoidi R, Houde N, Nadeau V, Charron J, Jeannotte L. Lung development requires an active ERK/MAPK pathway in the lung mesenchyme. Dev Dyn 2016; 246:72-82. [PMID: 27748998 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal communications are critical throughout lung development, dictating branching morphogenesis and cell specification. Numerous signaling molecules are involved in these interactions, but the way epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk is coordinated remains unclear. The ERK/MAPK pathway transduces several important signals in lung formation. Epithelial inactivation of both Mek genes, encoding ERK/MAPK kinases, causes lung agenesis and death. Conversely, Mek mutation in mesenchyme results in lung hypoplasia, trachea cartilage malformations, kyphosis, omphalocele, and death. Considering the negative impact of kyphosis and omphalocele on intrathoracic space and, consequently, on lung growth, the exact role of ERK/MAPK pathway in lung mesenchyme remains unresolved. RESULTS To address the role of the ERK/MAPK pathway in lung mesenchyme in absence of kyphosis and omphalocele, we used the Tbx4Cre deleter mouse line, which acts specifically in lung mesenchyme. These Mek mutants did not develop kyphosis and omphalocele but they presented lung hypoplasia, tracheal defects, and neonatal death. Tracheal cartilage anomalies suggested a role for the ERK/MAPK pathway in the control of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, expression data indicated potential interactions between the ERK/MAPK and canonical Wnt pathways during lung formation. CONCLUSIONS Lung development necessitates a functional ERK/MAPK pathway in the lung mesenchymal layer in order to coordinate efficient epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Developmental Dynamics 246:72-82, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Boucherat
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
| | - Kim Landry-Truchon
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
| | - Rifdat Aoidi
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
| | - Nicolas Houde
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
| | - Valérie Nadeau
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
| | - Jean Charron
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6
| | - Lucie Jeannotte
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, CRCHUQ, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3S3
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6
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29
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Saba-El-Leil MK, Frémin C, Meloche S. Redundancy in the World of MAP Kinases: All for One. Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:67. [PMID: 27446918 PMCID: PMC4921452 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2 are the effector components of the prototypical ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. This signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, and is essential for embryonic development and cellular homeostasis. ERK1 and ERK2 homologs share similar biochemical properties but whether they exert specific physiological functions or act redundantly has been a matter of controversy. However, recent studies now provide compelling evidence in support of functionally redundant roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in embryonic development and physiology. In this review, we present a critical assessment of the evidence for the functional specificity or redundancy of MAP kinase isoforms. We focus on the ERK1/ERK2 pathway but also discuss the case of JNK and p38 isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc K Saba-El-Leil
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christophe Frémin
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Institute for Research in Cancer of MontpellierMontpellier, France
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada
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30
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Rubinstein BY, Mattingly HH, Berezhkovskii AM, Shvartsman SY. Long-term dynamics of multisite phosphorylation. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:2331-40. [PMID: 27226482 PMCID: PMC4945148 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-03-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A systematic framework for exploring the long-term dynamics of a reaction network is applied to a minimal model of ERK regulation that distinguishes both monophosphorylated forms and allows for nonzero enzyme processivity. Bistability and oscillations can be observed at high levels of processivity. Multisite phosphorylation cycles are ubiquitous in cell regulation systems and are studied at multiple levels of complexity, from molecules to organisms, with the ultimate goal of establishing predictive understanding of the effects of genetic and pharmacological perturbations of protein phosphorylation in vivo. Achieving this goal is essentially impossible without mathematical models, which provide a systematic framework for exploring dynamic interactions of multiple network components. Most of the models studied to date do not discriminate between the distinct partially phosphorylated forms and focus on two limiting reaction regimes, distributive and processive, which differ in the number of enzyme–substrate binding events needed for complete phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Here we use a minimal model of extracellular signal-related kinase regulation to explore the dynamics of a reaction network that includes all essential phosphorylation forms and arbitrary levels of reaction processivity. In addition to bistability, which has been studied extensively in distributive mechanisms, this network can generate periodic oscillations. Both bistability and oscillations can be realized at high levels of reaction processivity. Our work provides a general framework for systematic analysis of dynamics in multisite phosphorylation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry H Mattingly
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Alexander M Berezhkovskii
- Mathematical and Statistical Computing Laboratory, Division of Computational Bioscience, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
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31
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Cristea S, Sage J. Is the Canonical RAF/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway a Therapeutic Target in SCLC? J Thorac Oncol 2016; 11:1233-1241. [PMID: 27133774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The activity of the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is critical for the proliferation of normal and cancerous cells. Oncogenic mutations driving the development of lung adenocarcinoma often activate this signaling pathway. In contrast, pathway activity levels and their biological roles are not well established in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a fast-growing neuroendocrine lung cancer subtype. Here we discuss the function of the RAF/MEK/ERK kinase pathway and the mechanisms leading to its activation in SCLC cells. In particular, we argue that activation of this pathway may be beneficial to the survival, proliferation, and spread of SCLC cells in response to multiple stimuli. We also consider evidence that high levels of RAF/MEK/ERK pathway activity may be detrimental to SCLC tumors, including in part by interfering with their neuroendocrine fate. On the basis of these observations, we examined when small molecules targeting kinases in the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway may be useful therapeutically in patients with SCLC, including in combination with other therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cristea
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Julien Sage
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
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