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Neefjes J, Gurova K, Sarthy J, Szabó G, Henikoff S. Chromatin as an old and new anticancer target. Trends Cancer 2024:S2405-8033(24)00095-5. [PMID: 38825423 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.05.005] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent genome-wide analyses identified chromatin modifiers as one of the most frequently mutated classes of genes across all cancers. However, chemotherapies developed for cancers involving DNA damage remain the standard of care for chromatin-deranged malignancies. In this review we address this conundrum by establishing the concept of 'chromatin damage': the non-genetic damage to protein-DNA interactions induced by certain small molecules. We highlight anthracyclines, a class of chemotherapeutic agents ubiquitously applied in oncology, as an example of overlooked chromatin-targeting agents. We discuss our current understanding of this phenomenon and explore emerging chromatin-damaging agents as a basis for further studies to maximize their impact in modern cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, LUMC, Einthovenweg 20, 2333, ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Katerina Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
| | - Jay Sarthy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Gábor Szabó
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Hungary
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
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2
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Luzhin A, Rajan P, Safina A, Leonova K, Stablewski A, Wang J, Robinson D, Isaeva N, Kantidze O, Gurova K. Comparison of cell response to chromatin and DNA damage. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11836-11855. [PMID: 37855682 PMCID: PMC10681726 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-targeting drugs are widely used for anti-cancer treatment. Many of these drugs cause different types of DNA damage, i.e. alterations in the chemical structure of DNA molecule. However, molecules binding to DNA may also interfere with DNA packing into chromatin. Interestingly, some molecules do not cause any changes in DNA chemical structure but interfere with DNA binding to histones and nucleosome wrapping. This results in histone loss from chromatin and destabilization of nucleosomes, a phenomenon that we call chromatin damage. Although the cellular response to DNA damage is well-studied, the consequences of chromatin damage are not. Moreover, many drugs used to study DNA damage also cause chromatin damage, therefore there is no clarity on which effects are caused by DNA or chromatin damage. In this study, we aimed to clarify this issue. We treated normal and tumor cells with bleomycin, nuclease mimicking drug which cut predominantly nucleosome-free DNA and therefore causes DNA damage in the form of DNA breaks, and CBL0137, which causes chromatin damage without direct DNA damage. We describe similarities and differences between the consequences of DNA and chromatin damage. Both agents were more toxic for tumor than normal cells, but while DNA damage causes senescence in both normal and tumor cells, chromatin damage does not. Both agents activated p53, but chromatin damage leads to the accumulation of higher levels of unmodified p53, which transcriptional activity was similar to or lower than that of p53 activated by DNA damage. Most importantly, we found that while transcriptional changes caused by DNA damage are limited by p53-dependent activation of a small number of p53 targets, chromatin damage activated many folds more genes in p53 independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom Luzhin
- Department of Cellular Genomics, Institute of Gene Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Priyanka Rajan
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Alfiya Safina
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Katerina Leonova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Aimee Stablewski
- Gene Targeting and Transgenic Shared Resource, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Denisha Robinson
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Natalia Isaeva
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Katerina Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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3
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Zhai L, Balachandran A, Larkin R, Seneviratne JA, Chung SA, Lalwani A, Tsubota S, Beck D, Kadomatsu K, Beckers A, Durink K, De Preter K, Speleman F, Haber M, Norris MD, Swarbrick A, Cheung BB, Marshall GM, Carter DR. Mitotic Dysregulation at Tumor Initiation Creates a Therapeutic Vulnerability to Combination Anti-Mitotic and Pro-Apoptotic Agents for MYCN-Driven Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15571. [PMID: 37958555 PMCID: PMC10649872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115571] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification occurs in approximately 20-30% of neuroblastoma patients and correlates with poor prognosis. The TH-MYCN transgenic mouse model mimics the development of human high-risk neuroblastoma and provides strong evidence for the oncogenic function of MYCN. In this study, we identified mitotic dysregulation as a hallmark of tumor initiation in the pre-cancerous ganglia from TH-MYCN mice that persists through tumor progression. Single-cell quantitative-PCR of coeliac ganglia from 10-day-old TH-MYCN mice revealed overexpression of mitotic genes in a subpopulation of premalignant neuroblasts at a level similar to single cells derived from established tumors. Prophylactic treatment using antimitotic agents barasertib and vincristine significantly delayed the onset of tumor formation, reduced pre-malignant neuroblast hyperplasia, and prolonged survival in TH-MYCN mice. Analysis of human neuroblastoma tumor cohorts showed a strong correlation between dysregulated mitosis and features of MYCN amplification, such as MYC(N) transcriptional activity, poor overall survival, and other clinical predictors of aggressive disease. To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting mitotic dysregulation, we showed that genetic and chemical inhibition of mitosis led to selective cell death in neuroblastoma cell lines with MYCN over-expression. Moreover, combination therapy with antimitotic compounds and BCL2 inhibitors exploited mitotic stress induced by antimitotics and was synergistically toxic to neuroblastoma cell lines. These results collectively suggest that mitotic dysregulation is a key component of tumorigenesis in early neuroblasts, which can be inhibited by the combination of antimitotic compounds and pro-apoptotic compounds in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhai
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Anushree Balachandran
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Rebecca Larkin
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Janith A. Seneviratne
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Sylvia A. Chung
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Amit Lalwani
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Shoma Tsubota
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Dominik Beck
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kenji Kadomatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Anneleen Beckers
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaat Durink
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Murray D. Norris
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Belamy B. Cheung
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Glenn M. Marshall
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Daniel R. Carter
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
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4
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Wang Q, Xin X, Dai Q, Sun M, Chen J, Mostafavi E, Shen Y, Li X. Medulloblastoma targeted therapy: From signaling pathways heterogeneity and current treatment dilemma to the recent advances in development of therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108527. [PMID: 37703952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a major pediatric malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum. MB tumors exhibit highly heterogeneous driven by diverse genetic alterations and could be divided into four major subgroups based on their different biological drivers and molecular features (Wnt, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), group 3, and group 4 MB). Even though the therapeutic strategies for each MB subtype integrate their pathogenesis and were developed to focus on their specific target sites, the unexpected drug non-selective cytotoxicity, low drug accumulation in the brain, and complexed MB tumor microenvironment still be huge obstacles to achieving satisfied MB therapeutic efficiency. This review discussed the current advances in modern MB therapeutic strategy development. Through the recent advances in knowledge of the origin, molecular pathogenesis of MB subtypes and their current therapeutic barriers, we particularly reviewed the current development in advanced MB therapeutic strategy committed to overcome MB treatment obstacles, focusing on novel signaling pathway targeted therapeutic agents and their combination discovery, advanced drug delivery systems design, and MB immunotherapy strategy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qihao Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mengjuan Sun
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Yan Shen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xueming Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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5
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Bogdanov K, Kudryavtseva E, Fomicheva Y, Churkina I, Lomaia E, Girshova L, Osipov Y, Zaritskey A. Shift of N-MYC Oncogene Expression in AML Patients Carrying the FLT3-ITD Mutation. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2023; 30:296-313. [PMID: 37606386 PMCID: PMC10443239 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology30030024] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the FLT3 gene not only lead to abnormalities in its structure and function, but also affect the expression of other genes involved in leukemogenesis. This study evaluated the expression of genes that are more characteristic of neuroblastoma but less studied in leukemia. N-MYC oncogene expression was found to be more than 3-fold higher in primary AML patients carrying the FLT3-ITD mutation compared to carriers of other mutations as well as patients with normal karyotype (p = 0.03946). In contrast to the expression of several genes (C-MYC, SPT16, AURKA, AURKB) directly correlated to the allelic load of FLT3-ITD, the expression of the N-MYC oncogene is extremely weakly related or independent of it (p = 0.0405). Monitoring of N-MYC expression in some patients with high FLT3-ITD allelic load receiving therapy showed that a decrease in FLT3-ITD allelic load is not always accompanied by a decrease in N-MYC expression. On the contrary, N-MYC expression may remain elevated during the first three months after therapy, which is additional evidence of the emergence of resistance to therapy and progression of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Bogdanov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia; (E.K.); (Y.F.); (I.C.); (E.L.); (L.G.); (Y.O.); (A.Z.)
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6
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Huang H, Wu L, Lu L, Zhang Z, Qiu B, Mo J, Luo Y, Xi Z, Feng M, Wan P, Zhu J, Yu D, Wu W, Tan K, Liu J, Sheng Q, Xu T, Huang J, Lv Z, Tang Y, Xia Q. Single-cell transcriptomics uncovers cellular architecture and developmental trajectories in hepatoblastoma. Hepatology 2023; 77:1911-1928. [PMID: 36059151 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the predominant type of childhood liver cancer. Treatment options for the clinically advanced HB remain limited. We aimed to dissect the cellular and molecular basis underlying HB oncogenesis and heterogeneity at the single-cell level, which could facilitate a better understanding of HB at both the biological and clinical levels. APPROACH AND RESULTS Single-cell transcriptome profiling of tumor and paired distal liver tissue samples from five patients with HB was performed. Deconvolution analysis was used for integrating the single-cell transcriptomic profiles with the bulk transcriptomes of our HB cohort of post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy tumor samples. A single-cell transcriptomic landscape of early human liver parenchymal development was established for exploring the cellular root and hierarchy of HB oncogenesis. As a result, seven distinct tumor cell subpopulations were annotated, and an effective HB subtyping method was established based on their compositions. A HB tumor cell hierarchy was further revealed to not only fit with the classical cancer stem cell (CSC) model but also mirror the early human liver parenchymal development. Moreover, FACT inhibition, which could disrupt the oncogenic positive feedback loop between MYC and SSRP1 in HB, was identified as a promising epigenetic-targeted therapeutic strategy against the CSC-like HB1-Pro-like1 subpopulation and its related high-risk "Pro-like1" subtype of HB. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the cellular architecture and developmental trajectories of HB via integrative bulk and single-cell transcriptome analyses, thus establishing a resourceful framework for the development of targeted diagnostics and therapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongting Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Liang Wu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology , Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Li Lu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology , Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Zijie Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Bijun Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jialin Mo
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology , Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Zhifeng Xi
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Mingxuan Feng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Ping Wan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jianjun Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Dingye Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Kezhe Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jiangbin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Qingfeng Sheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jinyan Huang
- Biomedical Big Data Center , The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease , Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital , Hangzhou , China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou , China
| | - Zhibao Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
| | - Yujie Tang
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology , Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology , Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine , Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Transplantation and Immunology , Shanghai , China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation , Shanghai , China
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7
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Pearson S, Blance R, Yan F, Hsieh YC, Geary B, Amaral FMR, Somervaille TCP, Kirschner K, Whetton AD, Pierce A. Identification of curaxin as a potential new therapeutic for JAK2 V617F mutant patients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286412. [PMID: 37253035 PMCID: PMC10228771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286412] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) which typically results in reduced length and quality of life due to systemic symptoms and blood count changes arising from fibrotic changes in the bone marrow. While the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib provides some clinical benefit, there remains a substantial unmet need for novel targeted therapies to better modify the disease process or eradicate the cells at the heart of myelofibrosis pathology. Repurposing drugs bypasses many of the hurdles present in drug development, such as toxicity and pharmacodynamic profiling. To this end we undertook a re-analysis of our pre-existing proteomic data sets to identify perturbed biochemical pathways and their associated drugs/inhibitors to potentially target the cells driving myelofibrosis. This approach identified CBL0137 as a candidate for targeting Jak2 mutation-driven malignancies. CBL0137 is a drug derived from curaxin targeting the Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) complex. It is reported to trap the FACT complex on chromatin thereby activating p53 and inhibiting NF-kB activity. We therefore assessed the activity of CBL0137 in primary patient samples and murine models of Jak2-mutated MPN and found it preferentially targets CD34+ stem and progenitor cells from myelofibrosis patients by comparison with healthy control cells. Further we investigate its mechanism of action in primary haemopoietic progenitor cells and demonstrate its ability to reduce splenomegaly and reticulocyte number in a transgenic murine model of myeloproliferative neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Pearson
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rognvald Blance
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Fei Yan
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ya-Ching Hsieh
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany Geary
- Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio M. R. Amaral
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tim C. P. Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Kirschner
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony D. Whetton
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Pierce
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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8
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Ding H, Jiang M, Lau CW, Luo J, Chan AM, Wang L, Huang Y. Curaxin CBL0137 inhibits endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis via suppression of the Src-YAP signalling axis. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:1168-1185. [PMID: 36495259 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16007] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atherosclerotic vascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Our previous study uncovered that endothelium-specific knockdown of YAP suppresses atherogenesis, suggesting that YAP is a promising therapeutic target against atherosclerotic vascular disease. We established a drug screening platform, which aimed to identify new YAP inhibitors for anti-atherosclerotic treatment. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Drug screening was performed by a luciferase reporter gene assay. RNA sequencing was performed to acquire the transcriptomic profile of CBL0137-treated endothelial cells. We assessed and validated the inhibitory effect of CBL0137 on YAP activity and inflammatory response in HUVECs and HAECs. We evaluated the vasoprotective effect of CBL0137 in vivo against plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice, using both disturbed flow-induced and chronic western diet-induced atherosclerotic models. KEY RESULTS We identified CBL0137 as a novel YAP inhibitor from an FDA drug library. CBL0137 inhibited YAP activity by restraining its phosphorylation at Y357. CBL0137 inhibited YAP activity to repress endothelial inflammation. Mechanistically, CBL0137 suppressed YAP phosphorylation at Y357 via the tyrosine-protein kinase Src. Furthermore, administration of CBL0137 ameliorated endothelial inflammation and the atherogenesis induced by disturbed flow and consumption of an atherogenic diet in ApoE-/- mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify CBL0137 as a novel YAP inhibitor. We have demonstrated that pharmacologically targeting YAP by CBL0137 inhibits atherogenesis. The present results suggest that CBL0137 holds promise as a new drug for the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanyu Ding
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Minchun Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Wai Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianfang Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andrew M Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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9
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Wang D, Yin Z, Wang H, Wang L, Li T, Xiao R, Xie T, Han R, Dong R, Liu H, Liang K, Qing G. The super elongation complex drives transcriptional addiction in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf0005. [PMID: 36989355 PMCID: PMC10058231 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma leads to aberrant expression of MYCN oncoprotein, which binds active genes promoting transcriptional amplification. Yet, how MYCN coordinates transcription elongation to meet productive transcriptional amplification and which elongation machinery represents MYCN-driven vulnerability remain to be identified. We conducted a targeted screen of transcription elongation factors and identified the super elongation complex (SEC) as a unique vulnerability in MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas. MYCN directly binds EAF1 and recruits SEC to enhance processive transcription elongation. Depletion of EAF1 or AFF1/AFF4, another core subunit of SEC, leads to a global reduction in transcription elongation and elicits selective apoptosis of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. A combination screen reveals SEC inhibition synergistically potentiates the therapeutic efficacies of FDA-approved BCL-2 antagonist ABT-199, in part due to suppression of MCL1 expression, both in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells and in patient-derived xenografts. These findings identify disruption of the MYCN-SEC regulatory axis as a promising therapeutic strategy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghai Wang
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhinang Yin
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Honghong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ruijing Xiao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ruyi Han
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Hudan Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kaiwei Liang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Guoliang Qing
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
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10
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Massudi H, Luo JS, Holien JK, Gadde S, Krishan S, Herath M, Koach J, Stevenson BW, Gorman MA, Venkat P, Mayoh C, Luo XQ, Parker MW, Cheung BB, Marshall GM. Inhibitors of the Oncogenic PA2G4-MYCN Protein-Protein Interface. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061822. [PMID: 36980710 PMCID: PMC10046377 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
MYCN is a major oncogenic driver for neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, yet there are no direct MYCN inhibitors. We have previously identified PA2G4 as a direct protein-binding partner of MYCN and drive neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. A small molecule known to bind PA2G4, WS6, significantly decreased tumorigenicity in TH-MYCN neuroblastoma mice, along with the inhibition of PA2G4 and MYCN interactions. Here, we identified a number of novel WS6 analogues, with 80% structural similarity, and used surface plasmon resonance assays to determine their binding affinity. Analogues #5333 and #5338 showed direct binding towards human recombinant PA2G4. Importantly, #5333 and #5338 demonstrated a 70-fold lower toxicity for normal human myofibroblasts compared to WS6. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that a 2,3 dimethylphenol was the most suitable substituent at the R1 position. Replacing the trifluoromethyl group on the phenyl ring at the R2 position, with a bromine or hydrogen atom, increased the difference between efficacy against neuroblastoma cells and normal myofibroblast toxicity. The WS6 analogues inhibited neuroblastoma cell phenotype in vitro, in part through effects on apoptosis, while their anti-cancer effects required both PA2G4 and MYCN expression. Collectively, chemical inhibition of PA2G4-MYCN binding by WS6 analogues represents a first-in-class drug discovery which may have implications for other MYCN-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassina Massudi
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Jie-Si Luo
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jessica K. Holien
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Satyanarayana Gadde
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Sukriti Krishan
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Mika Herath
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Jessica Koach
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Brendan W. Stevenson
- ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Michael A. Gorman
- ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- ACRF Facility for Innovative Cancer Drug Discovery, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Xue-Qun Luo
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Michael W. Parker
- ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- ACRF Facility for Innovative Cancer Drug Discovery, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Belamy B. Cheung
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- Correspondence: (B.B.C.); (G.M.M.); Tel.: +61-(02)-9385-2450 (B.B.C.); +61-(02)-9382-1721 (G.M.M.); Fax: +61-(02)-9662-6584 (B.B.C.); +61-(02)-9382-1789 (G.M.M.)
| | - Glenn M. Marshall
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Correspondence: (B.B.C.); (G.M.M.); Tel.: +61-(02)-9385-2450 (B.B.C.); +61-(02)-9382-1721 (G.M.M.); Fax: +61-(02)-9662-6584 (B.B.C.); +61-(02)-9382-1789 (G.M.M.)
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11
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Xie Y, Sahin M, Wakamatsu T, Inoue-Yamauchi A, Zhao W, Han S, Nargund AM, Yang S, Lyu Y, Hsieh JJ, Leslie CS, Cheng EH. SETD2 regulates chromatin accessibility and transcription to suppress lung tumorigenesis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e154120. [PMID: 36810256 PMCID: PMC9977508 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
SETD2, a H3K36 trimethyltransferase, is the most frequently mutated epigenetic modifier in lung adenocarcinoma, with a mutation frequency of approximately 9%. However, how SETD2 loss of function promotes tumorigenesis remains unclear. Using conditional Setd2-KO mice, we demonstrated that Setd2 deficiency accelerated the initiation of KrasG12D-driven lung tumorigenesis, increased tumor burden, and significantly reduced mouse survival. An integrated chromatin accessibility and transcriptome analysis revealed a potentially novel tumor suppressor model of SETD2 in which SETD2 loss activates intronic enhancers to drive oncogenic transcriptional output, including the KRAS transcriptional signature and PRC2-repressed targets, through regulation of chromatin accessibility and histone chaperone recruitment. Importantly, SETD2 loss sensitized KRAS-mutant lung cancer to inhibition of histone chaperones, the FACT complex, or transcriptional elongation both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our studies not only provide insight into how SETD2 loss shapes the epigenetic and transcriptional landscape to promote tumorigenesis, but they also identify potential therapeutic strategies for SETD2 mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Xie
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
- Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, New York, USA
| | - Merve Sahin
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, MSKCC, New York, New York, USA
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Toru Wakamatsu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Akane Inoue-Yamauchi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Wanming Zhao
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Song Han
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Amrita M. Nargund
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Shaoyuan Yang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Yang Lyu
- Molecular Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - James J. Hsieh
- Molecular Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Emily H. Cheng
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MSKCC, New York, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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12
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Lv Y, Du Y, Li K, Ma X, Wang J, Du T, Ma Y, Teng Y, Tang W, Ma R, Wu J, Wu J, Feng J. The FACT-targeted drug CBL0137 enhances the effects of rituximab to inhibit B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tumor growth by promoting apoptosis and autophagy. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:16. [PMID: 36691066 PMCID: PMC9869543 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01031-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) patients often develop drug resistance and tumor recurrence after conventional immunochemotherapy, for which new treatments are needed. METHODS We investigated the antitumor effects of CBL0137. In vitro, cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle progression, apoptosis, mitochondrial depolarization, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Autophagy was detected by transmission electron microscopy and mGFP-RFP-LC3 assay, while western blotting was employed to detect proteins involved in apoptosis and autophagy. RNA-sequencing was conducted to analyze the transcription perturbation after CBL0137 treatment in B-NHL cell lines. Finally, the efficacy and safety of CBL0137, rituximab, and their combination were tested in vivo. RESULTS CBL0137, a small molecule anticancer agent that has significant antitumor effects in B-NHL. CBL0137 sequesters the FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex from chromatin to produce cytotoxic effects in B-NHL cells. In addition, we discovered novel anticancer mechanisms of CBL0137. CBL0137 inhibited human B-NHL cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in S phase via the c-MYC/p53/p21 pathway. Furthermore, CBL0137 triggers ROS generation and induces apoptosis and autophagy in B-NHL cells through the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, a combination of CBL0137 and rituximab significantly suppressed B-NHL tumor growth in subcutaneous models, consistent with results at the cellular level in vitro. CONCLUSIONS CBL0137 has potential as a novel approach for aggressive B-NHL, and its combination with rituximab can provide new therapeutic options for patients with aggressive B-NHL. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lv
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuxin Du
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Kening Li
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tongde Du
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuxin Ma
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yue Teng
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Weiyan Tang
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rong Ma
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianqiu Wu
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianzhong Wu
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jifeng Feng
- Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
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13
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Luzhin A, Rajan P, Safina A, Leonova K, Stablewski A, Wang J, Pal M, Kantidze O, Gurova K. Comparison of cell response to chromatin and DNA damage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524424. [PMID: 36711582 PMCID: PMC9882266 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA-targeting drugs may damage DNA or chromatin. Many anti-cancer drugs damage both, making it difficult to understand their mechanisms of action. Using molecules causing DNA breaks without altering nucleosome structure (bleomycin) or destabilizing nucleosomes without damaging DNA (curaxin), we investigated the consequences of DNA or chromatin damage in normal and tumor cells. As expected, DNA damage caused p53-dependent growth arrest followed by senescence. Chromatin damage caused higher p53 accumulation than DNA damage; however, growth arrest was p53-independent and did not result in senescence. Chromatin damage activated the transcription of multiple genes, including classical p53 targets, in a p53-independent manner. Although these genes were not highly expressed in basal conditions, they had chromatin organization around the transcription start sites (TSS) characteristic of most highly expressed genes and the highest level of paused RNA polymerase. We hypothesized that nucleosomes around the TSS of these genes were the most sensitive to chromatin damage. Therefore, nucleosome loss upon curaxin treatment would enable transcription without the assistance of sequence-specific transcription factors. We confirmed this hypothesis by showing greater nucleosome loss around the TSS of these genes upon curaxin treatment and activation of a p53-specific reporter in p53-null cells by chromatin-damaging agents but not DNA-damaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom Luzhin
- Department of Cellular Genomics, Institute of Gene Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
| | - Priyanka Rajan
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | - Alfiya Safina
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | - Katerina Leonova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | - Aimee Stablewski
- Gene Targeting and Transgenic Shared Resource, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | - Mahadeb Pal
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
| | | | - Katerina Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14263
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14
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Therapeutic targeting the oncogenic driver EWSR1::FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma through inhibition of the FACT complex. Oncogene 2023; 42:11-25. [PMID: 36357572 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
EWS/ETS fusion transcription factors, most commonly EWSR1::FLI1, drives initiation and progression of Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Even though direct targeting EWSR1::FLI1 is a formidable challenge, epigenetic/transcriptional modulators have been proved to be promising therapeutic targets for indirectly disrupting its expression and/or function. Here, we identified structure-specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1), a subunit of the Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) complex, to be an essential tumor-dependent gene directly induced by EWSR1::FLI1 in EwS. The FACT-targeted drug CBL0137 exhibits potent therapeutic efficacy against multiple EwS preclinical models both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SSRP1 and EWSR1::FLI1 form oncogenic positive feedback loop via mutual transcriptional regulation and activation, and cooperatively promote cell cycle/DNA replication process and IGF1R-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway to drive EwS oncogenesis. The FACT inhibitor drug CBL0137 effectively targets the EWSR1::FLI1-FACT circuit, resulting in transcriptional disruption of EWSR1::FLI1, SSRP1 and their downstream effector oncogenic signatures. Our study illustrates a crucial role of the FACT complex in facilitating the expression and function of EWSR1::FLI1 and demonstrates FACT inhibition as a novel and effective epigenetic/transcriptional-targeted therapeutic strategy against EwS, providing preclinical support for adding EwS to CBL0137's future clinical trials.
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15
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Lu X, He Y, Johnston RL, Nanayakarra D, Sankarasubramanian S, Lopez JA, Friedlander M, Kalimutho M, Hooper JD, Raninga PV, Khanna KK. CBL0137 impairs homologous recombination repair and sensitizes high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma to PARP inhibitors. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:355. [PMID: 36539830 PMCID: PMC9769062 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSCs) are a heterogeneous subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers and include serous cancers arising in the fallopian tube and peritoneum. These cancers are now subdivided into homologous recombination repair (HR)-deficient and proficient subgroups as this classification impacts on management and prognosis. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have shown significant clinical efficacy, particularly as maintenance therapy following response to platinum-based chemotherapy in BRCA-mutant or homologous recombination (HR)-deficient HGSCs in both the 1st and 2nd line settings. However, PARPi have limited clinical benefit in HR-proficient HGSCs which make up almost 50% of HGSC and improving outcomes in these patients is now a high priority due to the poor prognosis with ineffectiveness of the current standard of care. There are a number of potential lines of investigation including efforts in sensitizing HR-proficient tumors to PARPi. Herein, we aimed to develop a novel combination therapy by targeting SSRP1 using a small molecule inhibitor CBL0137 with PARPi in HR-proficient HGSCs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We tested anti-cancer activity of CBL0137 monotherapy using a panel of HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells in vitro. RNA sequencing was used to map global transcriptomic changes in CBL0137-treated patient-derived HR-proficient HGSC cells. We tested efficacy of CBL0137 in combination with PARPi using HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We show that SSRP1 inhibition using a small molecule, CBL0137, that traps SSRP1 onto chromatin, exerts a significant anti-growth activity in vitro against HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells, and also reduces tumor burden in vivo. CBL0137 induced DNA repair deficiency via inhibition of the HR repair pathway and sensitized SSRP1-high HR-proficient HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells/xenografts to the PARPi, Olaparib in vitro and in vivo. CBL0137 also enhanced the efficacy of DNA damaging platinum-based chemotherapy in HGSC patient-derived xenografts. CONCLUSION Our findings strongly suggest that combination of CBL0137 and PARP inhibition represents a novel therapeutic strategy for HR-proficient HGSCs that express high levels of SSRP1 and should be investigated in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Lu
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia ,grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111 Australia
| | - Yaowu He
- grid.489335.00000000406180938Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Rebecca L. Johnston
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Devathri Nanayakarra
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Sivanandhini Sankarasubramanian
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - J. Alejandro Lopez
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia ,grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111 Australia
| | - Michael Friedlander
- grid.415193.bUniversity of New South Wales Clinical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
| | - Murugan Kalimutho
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - John D. Hooper
- grid.489335.00000000406180938Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Prahlad V. Raninga
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Kum Kum Khanna
- grid.1049.c0000 0001 2294 1395QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
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16
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MYC multimers shield stalled replication forks from RNA polymerase. Nature 2022; 612:148-155. [PMID: 36424410 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05469-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oncoproteins of the MYC family drive the development of numerous human tumours1. In unperturbed cells, MYC proteins bind to nearly all active promoters and control transcription by RNA polymerase II2,3. MYC proteins can also coordinate transcription with DNA replication4,5 and promote the repair of transcription-associated DNA damage6, but how they exert these mechanistically diverse functions is unknown. Here we show that MYC dissociates from many of its binding sites in active promoters and forms multimeric, often sphere-like structures in response to perturbation of transcription elongation, mRNA splicing or inhibition of the proteasome. Multimerization is accompanied by a global change in the MYC interactome towards proteins involved in transcription termination and RNA processing. MYC multimers accumulate on chromatin immediately adjacent to stalled replication forks and surround FANCD2, ATR and BRCA1 proteins, which are located at stalled forks7,8. MYC multimerization is triggered in a HUWE16 and ubiquitylation-dependent manner. At active promoters, MYC multimers block antisense transcription and stabilize FANCD2 association with chromatin. This limits DNA double strand break formation during S-phase, suggesting that the multimerization of MYC enables tumour cells to proliferate under stressful conditions.
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17
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Yin X, Zhou M, Zhang L, Fu Y, Xu M, Wang X, Cui Z, Gao Z, Li M, Dong Y, Feng H, Ma S, Chen C. Histone chaperone ASF1A accelerates chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis by activating Notch signaling. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:842. [PMID: 36184659 PMCID: PMC9527247 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The blast crisis (BC) is the final deadly phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which remains a major challenge in clinical management. However, the underlying molecular mechanism driving blastic transformation remains unclear. Here, we show that ASF1A, an essential activator, enhanced the transformation to CML-BC by mediating cell differentiation arrest. ASF1A expression was aberrantly increased in bone marrow samples from CML-BC patients compared with newly diagnosed CML-chronic phase (CP) patients. ASF1A inhibited cell differentiation and promoted CML development in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified ASF1A as a coactivator of the Notch transcriptional complex that induces H3K56ac modification in the promoter regions of Notch target genes, and subsequently enhanced RBPJ binding to these promoter regions, thereby enhancing Notch signaling activation to mediate differentiation arrest in CML cells. Thus, our work suggests that targeting ASF1A might represent a promising therapeutic approach and a biomarker to detect disease progression in CML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Yin
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Minran Zhou
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Lu Zhang
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Yue Fu
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China ,grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Man Xu
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Zelong Cui
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Zhenxing Gao
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Miao Li
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Yuting Dong
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Huimin Feng
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Sai Ma
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong China
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18
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Single-cell profiling of peripheral neuroblastic tumors identifies an aggressive transitional state that bridges an adrenergic-mesenchymal trajectory. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111455. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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19
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Jeong E, Martina JA, Contreras PS, Lee J, Puertollano R. The FACT complex facilitates expression of lysosomal and antioxidant genes through binding to TFEB and TFE3. Autophagy 2022; 18:2333-2349. [PMID: 35230915 PMCID: PMC9542721 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2029671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TFEB (transcription factor EB) and TFE3 (transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3) orchestrate the cellular response to a variety of stressors, including nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress and pathogens. Here we describe a novel interaction of TFEB and TFE3 with the FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) complex, a heterodimeric histone chaperone consisting of SSRP1 and SUPT16H that mediates nucleosome disassembly and assembly, thus facilitating transcription. Extracellular stimuli, such as nutrient deprivation or oxidative stress, induce nuclear translocation and activation of TFEB and TFE3, which then associate with the FACT complex to regulate stress-induced gene transcription. Depletion of FACT does not affect TFEB activation, stability, or binding to the promoter of target genes. In contrast, reduction of FACT levels by siRNA or treatment with the FACT inhibitor curaxin, severely impairs induction of numerous antioxidant and lysosomal genes, revealing a crucial role of FACT as a regulator of cellular homeostasis. Furthermore, upregulation of antioxidant genes induced by TFEB over-expression is significantly reduced by curaxin, consistent with a role of FACT as a TFEB transcriptional activator. Together, our data show that chromatin remodeling at the promoter of stress-responsive genes by FACT is important for efficient expression of TFEB and TFE3 targets, thus providing a link between environmental changes, chromatin modifications and transcriptional regulation.Abbreviations: ADNP2, ADNP homeobox 2; ATP6V0D1, ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit d1; ATP6V1A, ATPase H+ transporting V1 subunit A; ATP6V1C1, ATPase H+ transporting V1 subunit C1; CSNK2/CK2, casein kinase 2; CLCN7, chloride voltage-gated channel 7; CTSD, cathepsin D; CTSZ, cathepsin Z; EBSS, earle's balanced salt solution; FACT complex, facilitates chromatin transcription complex; FOXO3, forkhead box O3; HEXA, hexosaminidase subunit alpha; HIF1A, hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha; HMOX1, heme oxygenase 1; LAMP1, lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; MAFF, MAF bZIP transcription factor F; MAFG, MAF bZIP transcription factor G; MCOLN1, mucolipin TRP cation channel 1; MTORC1, mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; NaAsO2, sodium arsenite; POLR2, RNA polymerase II; PPARGC1A, PPARG coactivator 1 alpha; PYROXD1, pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase domain 1; RRAGC, Ras related GTP binding C; SEC13, SEC13 homolog, nuclear pore and COPII coat complex component; SLC38A9, solute carrier family 38 member 9; SSRP1, structure specific recognition protein 1; SUPT16H, SPT16 homolog, facilitates chromatin remodeling subunit; TFEB, transcription factor EB; TFE3, transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3; TXNRD1, thioredoxin reductase 1; UVRAG, UV radiation resistance associated; WDR59, WD repeat domain 59.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eutteum Jeong
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - José A. Martina
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pablo S. Contreras
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rosa Puertollano
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA,CONTACT Rosa Puertollano Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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20
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Chen C, Lan MS. Interplay: The Essential Role between INSM1 and N-Myc in Aggressive Neuroblastoma. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101376. [PMID: 36290282 PMCID: PMC9598261 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer that starts in certain very early forms of nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, most often found in an embryo or fetus. Symptoms may include bone pain, an abdominal mass, frequent urination, limping, anemia, spinal cord weakness, or bruising of the eye area. N-Myc is a key driver of high-risk NB. An elevated expression of N-Myc often predicts a poorer prognosis, in both time to tumor progression and overall survival rate. We discovered a transcription factor, insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1), as the downstream target gene of N-Myc. INSM1 has emerged as a novel NB biomarker that plays a critical role in facilitating NB tumor cell development. Both N-Myc and INSM1 demonstrate high clinical relevance to NB. Therefore, further understanding the association of INSM1 and N-Myc functions in aggressive NB should be beneficial for future NB treatment. Abstract An aggressive form of neuroblastoma (NB), a malignant childhood cancer derived from granule neuron precursors and sympathoadrenal lineage, frequently comprises MYCN amplification/elevated N-Myc expression, which contributes to the development of neural crest-derived embryonal malignancy. N-Myc is an oncogenic driver in NB. Persistent N-Myc expression during the maturation of SA precursor cells can cause blockage of the apoptosis and induce abnormal proliferation, resulting in NB development. An insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) zinc-finger transcription factor has emerged as an NB biomarker that plays a critical role in facilitating tumor cell growth and transformation. INSM1 plays an essential role in sympathoadrenal cell differentiation. N-Myc activates endogenous INSM1 through an E2-box of the INSM1 proximal promoter, whereas INSM1 enhances N-Myc stability via RAC-α-serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) phosphorylation in NB. The ectopic expression of INSM1 stimulates NB tumor growth in contrast to the knockdown of INSM1 that inhibits NB cell proliferation. The clinical pathological result and bioinformatics analysis show that INSM1 is a strong diagnostic and a prognostic biomarker for the evaluation of NB progression. The INSM1/N-Myc expression shows high clinical relevance in NB. Therefore, targeting the INSM1/N-Myc-associated signaling axis should be a feasible approach to identifying new drugs for the suppression of NB tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S. Lan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-504-568-2437; Fax: +1-504-568-8500
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21
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Zhou D, Wu Z, Park JG, Fiches GN, Li TW, Ma Q, Huang H, Biswas A, Martinez-Sobrido L, Santoso NG, Zhu J. FACT subunit SUPT16H associates with BRD4 and contributes to silencing of interferon signaling. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8700-8718. [PMID: 35904816 PMCID: PMC9410884 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) is a heterodimeric protein complex composed of SUPT16H and SSRP1, and a histone chaperone participating in chromatin remodeling during gene transcription. FACT complex is profoundly regulated, and contributes to both gene activation and suppression. Here we reported that SUPT16H, a subunit of FACT, is acetylated in both epithelial and natural killer (NK) cells. The histone acetyltransferase TIP60 contributes to the acetylation of SUPT16H middle domain (MD) at lysine 674 (K674). Such acetylation of SUPT16H is recognized by bromodomain protein BRD4, which promotes protein stability of SUPT16H in both epithelial and NK cells. We further demonstrated that SUPT16H-BRD4 associates with histone modification enzymes (HDAC1, EZH2), and further regulates their activation status and/or promoter association as well as affects the relevant histone marks (H3ac, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3). BRD4 is known to profoundly regulate interferon (IFN) signaling, while such function of SUPT16H has never been explored. Surprisingly, our results revealed that SUPT16H genetic knockdown via RNAi or pharmacological inhibition by using its inhibitor, curaxin 137 (CBL0137), results in the induction of IFNs and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Through this mechanism, depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H is shown to efficiently inhibit infection of multiple viruses, including Zika, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H also causes the remarkable activation of IFN signaling in NK cells, which promotes the NK-mediated killing of virus-infected cells in a co-culture system using human primary NK cells. Overall, our studies unraveled the previously un-appreciated role of FACT complex in coordinating with BRD4 and regulating IFN signaling in both epithelial and NK cells, and also proposed the novel application of the FACT inhibitor CBL0137 to treat viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jun-Gyu Park
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | - Guillaume N Fiches
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tai-Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huachao Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ayan Biswas
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - Netty G Santoso
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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22
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Super-Enhancers, Phase-Separated Condensates, and 3D Genome Organization in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122866. [PMID: 35740532 PMCID: PMC9221043 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
3D chromatin organization plays an important role in transcription regulation and gene expression. The 3D genome is highly maintained by several architectural proteins, such as CTCF, Yin Yang 1, and cohesin complex. This structural organization brings regulatory DNA elements in close proximity to their target promoters. In this review, we discuss the 3D chromatin organization of super-enhancers and their relationship to phase-separated condensates. Super-enhancers are large clusters of DNA elements. They can physically contact with their target promoters by chromatin looping during transcription. Multiple transcription factors can bind to enhancer and promoter sequences and recruit a complex array of transcriptional co-activators and RNA polymerase II to effect transcriptional activation. Phase-separated condensates of transcription factors and transcriptional co-activators have been implicated in assembling the transcription machinery at particular enhancers. Cancer cells can hijack super-enhancers to drive oncogenic transcription to promote cell survival and proliferation. These dysregulated transcriptional programs can cause cancer cells to become highly dependent on transcriptional regulators, such as Mediator and BRD4. Moreover, the expression of oncogenes that are driven by super-enhancers is sensitive to transcriptional perturbation and often occurs in phase-separated condensates, supporting therapeutic rationales of targeting SE components, 3D genome organization, or dysregulated condensates in cancer.
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23
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Xiao L, Karsa M, Ronca E, Bongers A, Kosciolek A, El-Ayoubi A, Revalde JL, Seneviratne JA, Cheung BB, Cheung LC, Kotecha RS, Newbold A, Bjelosevic S, Arndt GM, Lock RB, Johnstone RW, Gudkov AV, Gurova KV, Haber M, Norris MD, Henderson MJ, Somers K. The Combination of Curaxin CBL0137 and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Panobinostat Delays KMT2A-Rearranged Leukemia Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:863329. [PMID: 35677155 PMCID: PMC9168530 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.863329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rearrangements of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL/KMT2A) gene are present in approximately 10% of acute leukemias and characteristically define disease with poor outcome. Driven by the unmet need to develop better therapies for KMT2A-rearranged leukemia, we previously discovered that the novel anti-cancer agent, curaxin CBL0137, induces decondensation of chromatin in cancer cells, delays leukemia progression and potentiates standard of care chemotherapies in preclinical KMT2A-rearranged leukemia models. Based on the promising potential of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as targeted anti-cancer agents for KMT2A-rearranged leukemia and the fact that HDAC inhibitors also decondense chromatin via an alternate mechanism, we investigated whether CBL0137 could potentiate the efficacy of the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat in KMT2A-rearranged leukemia models. The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat rapidly killed KMT2A-rearranged leukemia cells by apoptosis and significantly delayed leukemia progression and extended survival in an aggressive model of MLL-AF9 (KMT2A:MLLT3) driven murine acute myeloid leukemia. The drug combination also exerted a strong anti-leukemia response in a rapidly progressing xenograft model derived from an infant with KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia, significantly extending survival compared to either monotherapy. The therapeutic enhancement between CBL0137 and panobinostat in KMT2A-r leukemia cells does not appear to be mediated through cooperative effects of the drugs on KMT2A rearrangement-associated histone modifications. Our data has identified the CBL0137/panobinostat combination as a potential novel targeted therapeutic approach to improve outcome for KMT2A-rearranged leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Ronca
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelika Bongers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelika Kosciolek
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali El-Ayoubi
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jezrael L Revalde
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Janith A Seneviratne
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Laurence C Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rishi S Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Andrea Newbold
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan Bjelosevic
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Greg M Arndt
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Katerina V Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle J Henderson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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24
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Zhang T, Yin C, Fedorov A, Qiao L, Bao H, Beknazarov N, Wang S, Gautam A, Williams RM, Crawford JC, Peri S, Studitsky V, Beg AA, Thomas PG, Walkley C, Xu Y, Poptsova M, Herbert A, Balachandran S. ADAR1 masks the cancer immunotherapeutic promise of ZBP1-driven necroptosis. Nature 2022; 606:594-602. [PMID: 35614224 PMCID: PMC9373927 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04753-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Only a small proportion of patients with cancer show lasting responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based monotherapies. The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 is an emerging determinant of resistance to ICB therapy and prevents ICB responsiveness by repressing immunogenic double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), such as those arising from the dysregulated expression of endogenous retroviral elements (EREs)1-4. These dsRNAs trigger an interferon-dependent antitumour response by activating A-form dsRNA (A-RNA)-sensing proteins such as MDA-5 and PKR5. Here we show that ADAR1 also prevents the accrual of endogenous Z-form dsRNA elements (Z-RNAs), which were enriched in the 3' untranslated regions of interferon-stimulated mRNAs. Depletion or mutation of ADAR1 resulted in Z-RNA accumulation and activation of the Z-RNA sensor ZBP1, which culminated in RIPK3-mediated necroptosis. As no clinically viable ADAR1 inhibitors currently exist, we searched for a compound that can override the requirement for ADAR1 inhibition and directly activate ZBP1. We identified a small molecule, the curaxin CBL0137, which potently activates ZBP1 by triggering Z-DNA formation in cells. CBL0137 induced ZBP1-dependent necroptosis in cancer-associated fibroblasts and reversed ICB unresponsiveness in mouse models of melanoma. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ADAR1 represses endogenous Z-RNAs and identifies ZBP1-mediated necroptosis as a new determinant of tumour immunogenicity masked by ADAR1. Therapeutic activation of ZBP1-induced necroptosis provides a readily translatable avenue for rekindling the immune responsiveness of ICB-resistant human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chaoran Yin
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aleksandr Fedorov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liangjun Qiao
- College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongliang Bao
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Japan
| | - Nazar Beknazarov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Shiyu Wang
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Japan
| | - Avishekh Gautam
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Riley M Williams
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Suraj Peri
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vasily Studitsky
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Amer A Beg
- Department of Immunology and Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Carl Walkley
- Cancer & RNA Biology, St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yan Xu
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Japan
| | - Maria Poptsova
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alan Herbert
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
- InsideOutBio, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Siddharth Balachandran
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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25
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Jeronimo C, Robert F. The histone chaperone FACT: a guardian of chromatin structure integrity. Transcription 2022; 13:16-38. [PMID: 35485711 PMCID: PMC9467567 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2022.2069995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of FACT as a histone chaperone enabling transcription through chromatin in vitro has strongly shaped how its roles are envisioned. However, FACT has been implicated in essentially all aspects of chromatin biology, from transcription to DNA replication, DNA repair, and chromosome segregation. In this review, we focus on recent literature describing the role and mechanisms of FACT during transcription. We highlight the prime importance of FACT in preserving chromatin integrity during transcription and challenge its role as an elongation factor. We also review evidence for FACT's role as a cell-type/gene-specificregulator of gene expression and briefly summarize current efforts at using FACT inhibition as an anti-cancerstrategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Jeronimo
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - François Robert
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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26
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Pearson S, Whetton AD, Pierce A. Combination of curaxin and tyrosine kinase inhibitors display enhanced killing of primitive Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266298. [PMID: 35358275 PMCID: PMC8970494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266298] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the big increase in precision medicine targeted therapies developing curative treatments for many cancers is still a major challenge due mainly to the development of drug resistance in cancer stem cells. The cancer stem cells are constantly evolving to survive and targeted drug treatment often increases the selective pressure on these cells from which the disease develops. Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a paradigm of cancer stem cell research. Targeted therapies to the causative oncogene, BCR/ABL, have been developed but drug resistance remains a problem. The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting BCR/ABL were transformative in the management of CML. However, patients are rarely cured as the tyrosine kinase inhibitors fail to eradicate the leukaemic stem cell which often leads to loss of response to therapy as drug resistance develops and progression to more fatal forms of acute leukaemia occurs. New treatment strategies targeting other entities within the leukemic stem cell either alone or in combination with tyrosine kinase are therefore required. Drawing on our previous published work on the development of potential novel targets in CML and other myeloproliferative diseases along with analysis of the facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) complex in CML we hypothesised that curaxin, a drug that targets the FACT complex and is in clinical trial for the treatment of other cancers, could be of use in the treatment of CML. We therefore assessed the curaxin CBL0137 as a new agent to extinguish CML primitive cells and show its ability to preferentially target CML cells compared to healthy control cells, especially in combination with clinically relevant tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Pearson
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, The University of Manchester, Withington, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony D. Whetton
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, The University of Manchester, Withington, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Pierce
- Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratory, The University of Manchester, Withington, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Preparing for CAR T cell therapy: patient selection, bridging therapies and lymphodepletion. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:342-355. [PMID: 35318469 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00607-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have emerged as a potent therapeutic approach for patients with certain haematological cancers, with multiple CAR T cell products currently approved by the FDA for those with relapsed and/or refractory B cell malignancies. However, in order to derive the desired level of effectiveness, patients need to successfully receive the CAR T cell infusion in a timely fashion. This process entails apheresis of the patient's T cells, followed by CAR T cell manufacture. While awaiting infusion at an authorized treatment centre, patients may receive interim disease-directed therapy. Most patients will also receive a course of pre-CAR T cell lymphodepletion, which has emerged as an important factor in enabling durable responses. The time between apheresis and CAR T cell infusion is often not a simple journey, with each milestone being a critical step that can have important downstream consequences for the ability to receive the infusion and the strength of clinical responses. In this Review, we provide a summary of the many considerations for preparing patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for CAR T cell therapy, and outline current limitations and areas for future research.
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Herbert A, Fedorov A, Poptsova M. Mono a Mano: ZBP1’s Love–Hate Relationship with the Kissing Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063079. [PMID: 35328502 PMCID: PMC8955656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Z-DNA binding protein (ZBP1) very much represents the nuclear option. By initiating inflammatory cell death (ICD), ZBP1 activates host defenses to destroy infectious threats. ZBP1 is also able to induce noninflammatory regulated cell death via apoptosis (RCD). ZBP1 senses the presence of left-handed Z-DNA and Z-RNA (ZNA), including that formed by expression of endogenous retroelements. Viruses such as the Epstein–Barr “kissing virus” inhibit ICD, RCD and other cell death signaling pathways to produce persistent infection. EBV undergoes lytic replication in plasma cells, which maintain detectable levels of basal ZBP1 expression, leading us to suggest a new role for ZBP1 in maintaining EBV latency, one of benefit for both host and virus. We provide an overview of the pathways that are involved in establishing latent infection, including those regulated by MYC and NF-κB. We describe and provide a synthesis of the evidence supporting a role for ZNA in these pathways, highlighting the positive and negative selection of ZNA forming sequences in the EBV genome that underscores the coadaptation of host and virus. Instead of a fight to the death, a state of détente now exists where persistent infection by the virus is tolerated by the host, while disease outcomes such as death, autoimmunity and cancer are minimized. Based on these new insights, we propose actionable therapeutic approaches to unhost EBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Herbert
- InsideOutBio, 42 8th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Bulvar, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.F.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aleksandr Fedorov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Bulvar, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Poptsova
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Bulvar, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.F.); (M.P.)
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See YX, Chen K, Fullwood MJ. MYC overexpression leads to increased chromatin interactions at superenhancers and MYC binding sites. Genome Res 2022; 32:629-642. [PMID: 35115371 PMCID: PMC8997345 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276313.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The MYC oncogene encodes for the MYC protein and is frequently dysregulated across multiple cancer cell types, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. MYC overexpression leads to MYC binding at active enhancers, resulting in a global transcriptional amplification of active genes. Because super-enhancers are frequently dysregulated in cancer, we hypothesized that MYC preferentially invades into super-enhancers and alters the cancer genome organization. To that end, we performed ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, circular chromosome conformation capture (4C-seq), and Spike-in Quantitative Hi-C (SIQHiC) on the U2OS osteosarcoma cell line with tetracycline-inducible MYC. MYC overexpression in U2OS cells modulated histone acetylation and increased MYC binding at super-enhancers. SIQHiC analysis revealed increased global chromatin contact frequency, particularly at chromatin interactions connecting MYC binding sites at promoters and enhancers. Immunofluorescence staining showed that MYC molecules formed punctate foci at these transcriptionally active domains after MYC overexpression. These results demonstrate the accumulation of overexpressed MYC at promoter–enhancer hubs and suggest that MYC invades into enhancers through spatial proximity. At the same time, the increased protein–protein interactions may strengthen these chromatin interactions to increase chromatin contact frequency. CTCF siRNA knockdown in MYC-overexpressed U2OS cells demonstrated that removal of architectural proteins can disperse MYC and abrogate the increase in chromatin contacts. By elucidating the chromatin landscape of MYC-driven cancers, we can potentially target MYC-associated chromatin interactions for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xiang See
- Nanyang Technological University, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Kaijing Chen
- Nanyang Technological University, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Melissa J Fullwood
- Nanyang Technological University, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
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SETD2 loss perturbs the kidney cancer epigenetic landscape to promote metastasis and engenders actionable dependencies on histone chaperone complexes. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:188-202. [PMID: 35115713 PMCID: PMC8885846 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-021-00316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SETD2 is a H3K36 trimethyltransferase that is mutated with high prevalence (13%) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Genomic profiling of primary ccRCC tumors reveals a positive correlation between SETD2 mutations and metastasis. However, whether and how SETD2 loss promotes metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we used SETD2-mutant metastatic ccRCC patient-derived cell line and xenograft models and showed that H3K36me3 restoration greatly reduced distant metastases of ccRCC in mice in an MMP1-dependent manner. An integrated multi-omics analysis using ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq established a tumor suppressor model in which loss of SETD2-mediated H3K36me3 activates enhancers to drive oncogenic transcriptional output through regulation of chromatin accessibility. Furthermore, we uncovered mechanism-based therapeutic strategies for SETD2-deficient cancer through the targeting of specific histone chaperone complexes including ASF1A/B and SPT16. Overall, SETD2 loss creates a permissive epigenetic landscape for cooperating oncogenic drivers to amplify transcriptional output, providing unique therapeutic opportunities.
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Shen J, Yang C, Zhang MS, Chin DWC, Chan FF, Law CT, Wang G, Cheng CLH, Chen M, Wan RTC, Wu M, Kuang Z, Sharma R, Lee TKW, Ng IOL, Wong CCL, Wong CM. Histone chaperone FACT complex coordinates with HIF to mediate an expeditious transcription program to adapt to poorly oxygenated cancers. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110304. [PMID: 35108543 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110304] [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: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells adapt to hypoxia through HIFs (hypoxia-inducible factors), which initiate the transcription of numerous genes for cancer cell survival in the hypoxia microenvironment. In this study, we find that the FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex works cooperatively with HIFs to facilitate the expeditious expression of HIF targets for hypoxia adaptation. Knockout (KO) of the FACT complex abolishes HIF-mediated transcription by impeding transcription elongation in hypoxic cancer cells. Interestingly, the FACT complex is post-translationally regulated by PHD/VHL-mediated hydroxylation and proteasomal degradation, in similar fashion to HIF-1/2α. Metabolic tracing confirms that FACT KO suppresses glycolytic flux and impairs lactate extrusion, leading to intracellular acidification and apoptosis in cancer cells. Therapeutically, hepatic artery ligation and anti-angiogenic inhibitors adversely induce intratumoral hypoxia, while co-treatment with FACT inhibitor curaxin remarkably hinders the growth of hypoxic tumors. In summary, our findings suggest that the FACT complex is a critical component of hypoxia adaptation and a therapeutic target for hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Chunxue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Misty Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Don Wai-Ching Chin
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - For-Fan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Cheuk-Ting Law
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Gengchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Carol Lai-Hung Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Mengnuo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Rebecca Ting-Chi Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Mengjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhijian Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- Proteomic and Metabolic Core Facility, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| | - Chun-Ming Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research and Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
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Woods AD, Berlow NE, Ortiz MV, Cruz FD, Siddiquee A, Coutinho DF, Purohit R, Freier KET, Michalek JE, Lathara M, Matlock K, Srivivasa G, Royer-Pokora B, Veselska R, Kung AL, Keller C. Bromodomain 4 inhibition leads to MYCN downregulation in Wilms tumor. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29401. [PMID: 34693628 PMCID: PMC9450910 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wilms tumor is the most common childhood kidney cancer. Two distinct histological subtypes of Wilms tumor have been described: tumors lacking anaplasia (the favorable subtype) and tumors displaying anaplastic features (the unfavorable subtype). Children with favorable disease generally have a very good prognosis, whereas those with anaplasia are oftentimes refractory to standard treatments and suffer poor outcomes, leading to an unmet clinical need. MYCN dysregulation has been associated with a number of pediatric cancers including Wilms tumor. PROCEDURES In this context, we undertook a functional genomics approach to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for those patients with anaplastic Wilms tumor. Genomic analysis and in vitro experimentation demonstrate that cell growth can be reduced by modulating MYCN overexpression via bromodomain 4 (BRD4) inhibition in both anaplastic and nonanaplastic Wilms tumor models. RESULTS We observed a time-dependent reduction of MYCN and MYCC protein levels upon BRD4 inhibition in Wilms tumor cell lines, which led to cell death and proliferation suppression. BRD4 inhibition significantly reduced tumor volumes in Wilms tumor patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that AZD5153, a novel dual-BRD4 inhibitor, can reduce MYCN levels in both anaplastic and nonanaplastic Wilms tumor cell lines, reduces tumor volume in Wilms tumor PDXs, and should be further explored for its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Woods
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA,correspondence to: Charles Keller MD, 12655 SW Beaverdam Rd W, Beaverton OR 97005 USA, tel: 801-232-8038, fax: 270-675-3313,
| | - Noah E. Berlow
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Filemon Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Armaan Siddiquee
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Diego F. Coutinho
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Reshma Purohit
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA
| | | | - Joel E. Michalek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | | | | | | | - Brigitte Royer-Pokora
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Renata Veselska
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA,correspondence to: Charles Keller MD, 12655 SW Beaverdam Rd W, Beaverton OR 97005 USA, tel: 801-232-8038, fax: 270-675-3313,
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Gifford AJ, Murray J, Fletcher JI, Marshall GM, Norris MD, Haber M. A Primer for Assessing the Pathology in Mouse Models of Neuroblastoma. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e310. [PMID: 34826366 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in young children, arises from the sympathetic nervous system. Our understanding of neuroblastoma has been improved by the development of both genetically engineered and xenograft mouse models of the disease. Anatomical pathology is an essential component of the phenotyping of mouse models of cancer, characterizing the morphologic effects of genetic manipulation and drug treatment. The Th-MYCN model, the most widely used of several genetically engineered mouse models of neuroblastoma, was established by targeted expression of the human MYCN gene to murine neural crest cells under the control of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. Neuroblastoma development in Th-MYCN mice is preceded by neuroblast hyperplasia-the persistence and proliferation of neural crest-derived neuroblasts within the sympathetic autonomic ganglia. The neuroblastomas that subsequently develop morphologically resemble human neuroblastoma and carry chromosomal gains and losses in regions syntenic with those observed in human tumors. In this overview, we describe the essential pathologic features for investigators when assessing mouse models of neuroblastoma. We outline human neuroblastoma as the foundation for understanding the murine disease, followed by details of the murine sympathetic ganglia from which neuroblastoma arises. Sympathetic ganglia, both with and without neuroblast hyperplasia, are described. The macroscopic and microscopic features of murine neuroblastoma are explained, including assessment of xenografts and tumors following drug treatment. An approach to experimental design is also detailed. Increased understanding of the pathology of murine neuroblastoma should improve reproducibility and comparability of research findings and assist investigators working with mouse models of neuroblastoma. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Anatomical Pathology, NSW Heath Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Bhakat KK, Ray S. The FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) complex: Its roles in DNA repair and implications for cancer therapy. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 109:103246. [PMID: 34847380 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genomic DNA in the nucleus is wrapped around nucleosomes, a repeating unit of chromatin. The nucleosome, consisting of octamer of core histones, is a barrier for several cellular processes that require access to the naked DNA. The FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT), a histone chaperone complex, is involved in nucleosome remodeling via eviction or assembly of histones during transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Increasing evidence suggests that FACT plays an important role in multiple DNA repair pathways including transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) of UV-induced damage, DNA single- and double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair, and base excision repair (BER) of oxidized or alkylated damaged bases. Further, studies have shown overexpression of FACT in multiple types of cancer and its association with drug resistance and patients' poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss how FACT is accumulated at the damage site and what functions it performs. We describe the known mechanisms by which FACT facilitates repair of different types of DNA damage. Further, we highlight the recent advances in a class of FACT inhibitors, called curaxins, which show promise as a new adjuvant therapy to sensitize multiple types of cancer to chemotherapy and radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor K Bhakat
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA 68198; Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA 68198.
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatric, Division of Hematology/oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA 68198; Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA 68198
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De Wyn J, Zimmerman MW, Weichert-Leahey N, Nunes C, Cheung BB, Abraham BJ, Beckers A, Volders PJ, Decaesteker B, Carter DR, Look AT, De Preter K, Van Loocke W, Marshall GM, Durbin AD, Speleman F, Durinck K. MEIS2 Is an Adrenergic Core Regulatory Transcription Factor Involved in Early Initiation of TH-MYCN-Driven Neuroblastoma Formation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194783. [PMID: 34638267 PMCID: PMC8508013 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor originating from the sympathetic nervous system responsible for 10–15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Half of all neuroblastoma patients present with high-risk disease, of which nearly 50% relapse and die of their disease. In addition, standard therapies cause serious lifelong side effects and increased risk for secondary tumors. Further research is crucial to better understand the molecular basis of neuroblastomas and to identify novel druggable targets. Neuroblastoma tumorigenesis has to this end been modeled in both mice and zebrafish. Here, we present a detailed dissection of the gene expression patterns that underlie tumor formation in the murine TH-MYCN-driven neuroblastoma model. We identified key factors that are putatively important for neuroblastoma tumor initiation versus tumor progression, pinpointed crucial regulators of the observed expression patterns during neuroblastoma development and scrutinized which factors could be innovative and vulnerable nodes for therapeutic intervention. Abstract Roughly half of all high-risk neuroblastoma patients present with MYCN amplification. The molecular consequences of MYCN overexpression in this aggressive pediatric tumor have been studied for decades, but thus far, our understanding of the early initiating steps of MYCN-driven tumor formation is still enigmatic. We performed a detailed transcriptome landscaping during murine TH-MYCN-driven neuroblastoma tumor formation at different time points. The neuroblastoma dependency factor MEIS2, together with ASCL1, was identified as a candidate tumor-initiating factor and shown to be a novel core regulatory circuit member in adrenergic neuroblastomas. Of further interest, we found a KEOPS complex member (gm6890), implicated in homologous double-strand break repair and telomere maintenance, to be strongly upregulated during tumor formation, as well as the checkpoint adaptor Claspin (CLSPN) and three chromosome 17q loci CBX2, GJC1 and LIMD2. Finally, cross-species master regulator analysis identified FOXM1, together with additional hubs controlling transcriptome profiles of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. In conclusion, time-resolved transcriptome analysis of early hyperplastic lesions and full-blown MYCN-driven neuroblastomas yielded novel components implicated in both tumor initiation and maintenance, providing putative novel drug targets for MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien De Wyn
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Mark W. Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.W.Z.); (N.W.-L.); (A.T.L.)
| | - Nina Weichert-Leahey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.W.Z.); (N.W.-L.); (A.T.L.)
| | - Carolina Nunes
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Belamy B. Cheung
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; (B.B.C.); (D.R.C.); (G.M.M.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Brian J. Abraham
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA;
| | - Anneleen Beckers
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Pieter-Jan Volders
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Bieke Decaesteker
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Daniel R. Carter
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; (B.B.C.); (D.R.C.); (G.M.M.)
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Alfred Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.W.Z.); (N.W.-L.); (A.T.L.)
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Glenn M. Marshall
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; (B.B.C.); (D.R.C.); (G.M.M.)
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Adam D. Durbin
- Department of Oncology, Division of Molecular Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA;
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.W.); (C.N.); (A.B.); (P.-J.V.); (B.D.); (K.D.P.); (W.V.L.); (F.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-9-332-24-51
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Stress-Induced Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091380. [PMID: 34572593 PMCID: PMC8470332 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is typically found in a latent, asymptomatic state in immunocompetent individuals. Perturbations of the host immune system can stimulate viral reactivation. Furthermore, there are a myriad of EBV-associated illnesses including various cancers, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and autoimmune conditions. A thorough understanding of this virus, and the interplay between stress and the immune system, is essential to establish effective treatment. This review will provide a summary of the interaction between both psychological and cellular stressors resulting in EBV reactivation. It will examine mechanisms by which EBV establishes and maintains latency and will conclude with a brief overview of treatments targeting EBV.
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37
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Li F, Aljahdali IAM, Zhang R, Nastiuk KL, Krolewski JJ, Ling X. Kidney cancer biomarkers and targets for therapeutics: survivin (BIRC5), XIAP, MCL-1, HIF1α, HIF2α, NRF2, MDM2, MDM4, p53, KRAS and AKT in renal cell carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:254. [PMID: 34384473 PMCID: PMC8359575 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing worldwide with an approximate 20% mortality rate. The challenge in RCC is the therapy-resistance. Cancer resistance to treatment employs multiple mechanisms due to cancer heterogeneity with multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. These changes include aberrant overexpression of (1) anticancer cell death proteins (e.g., survivin/BIRC5), (2) DNA repair regulators (e.g., ERCC6) and (3) efflux pump proteins (e.g., ABCG2/BCRP); mutations and/or deregulation of key (4) oncogenes (e.g., MDM2, KRAS) and/or (5) tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP5/p53); and (6) deregulation of redox-sensitive regulators (e.g., HIF, NRF2). Foci of tumor cells that have these genetic alterations and/or deregulation possess survival advantages and are selected for survival during treatment. We will review the significance of survivin (BIRC5), XIAP, MCL-1, HIF1α, HIF2α, NRF2, MDM2, MDM4, TP5/p53, KRAS and AKT in treatment resistance as the potential therapeutic biomarkers and/or targets in RCC in parallel with our analized RCC-relevant TCGA genetic results from each of these gene/protein molecules. We then present our data to show the anticancer drug FL118 modulation of these protein targets and RCC cell/tumor growth. Finally, we include additional data to show a promising FL118 analogue (FL496) for treating the specialized type 2 papillary RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhi Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Genitourinary Disease Site Research Group, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Kidney Cancer Research Interest Group, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Developmental Therapeutics (DT) Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
| | - Ieman A. M. Aljahdali
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
| | - Renyuan Zhang
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
| | - Kent L. Nastiuk
- Genitourinary Disease Site Research Group, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
| | - John J. Krolewski
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
| | - Xiang Ling
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263 USA
- Canget BioTekpharma LLC, Buffalo, New York 14203 USA
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38
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Histone chaperone FACT complex inhibitor CBL0137 interferes with DNA damage repair and enhances sensitivity of medulloblastoma to chemotherapy and radiation. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:201-212. [PMID: 34271103 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Post-surgical radiation and cisplatin-based chemotherapy have been a mainstay of treatment, which often leads to substantial neurocognitive impairments and morbidity, highlighting the need for a novel therapeutic target to enhance the sensitivity of MB tumors to cytotoxic therapies. We performed a comprehensive study using a cohort of 71 MB patients' samples and pediatric MB cell lines and found that MB tumors have elevated levels of nucleosome remodeling FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) complex and DNA repair enzyme AP-endonuclease1 (APE1). FACT interacts with APE1 and facilitates recruitment and acetylation of APE1 to promote repair of radiation and cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Further, levels of FACT and acetylated APE1 both are correlate strongly with MB patients' survival. Targeting FACT complex with CBL0137 inhibits DNA repair and alters expression of a subset of genes, and significantly improves the potency of cisplatin and radiation in vitro and in MB xenograft. Notably, combination of CBL0137 and cisplatin significantly suppressed MB tumor growth in an intracranial orthotopic xenograft model. We conclude that FACT complex promotes chemo-radiation resistance in MB, and FACT inhibitor CBL0137 can be used as a chemo-radiation sensitizer to augment treatment efficacy and reduce therapy-related toxicity in high-risk pediatric patients.
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39
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Chen M, Brackett CM, Burdelya LG, Punnanitinont A, Patnaik SK, Matsuzaki J, Odunsi AO, Gudkov AV, Singh AK, Repasky EA, Gurova KV. Stimulation of an anti-tumor immune response with "chromatin-damaging" therapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2073-2086. [PMID: 33439292 PMCID: PMC8726059 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Curaxins are small molecules that bind genomic DNA and interfere with DNA-histone interactions leading to the loss of histones and decondensation of chromatin. We named this phenomenon 'chromatin damage'. Curaxins demonstrated anti-cancer activity in multiple pre-clinical tumor models. Here, we present data which reveals, for the first time, a role for the immune system in the anti-cancer effects of curaxins. Using the lead curaxin, CBL0137, we observed elevated expression of several group of genes in CBL0137-treated tumor cells including interferon sensitive genes, MHC molecules, some embryo-specific antigens suggesting that CBL0137 increases tumor cell immunogenicity and improves recognition of tumor cells by the immune system. In support of this, we found that the anti-tumor activity of CBL0137 was reduced in immune deficient SCID mice when compared to immune competent mice. Anti-tumor activity of CBL0137 was abrogated in CD8+ T cell depleted mice but only partially lost when natural killer or CD4+ T cells were depleted. Further support for a key role for the immune system in the anti-tumor activity of CBL0137 is evidenced by an increased antigen-specific effector CD8+ T cell and NK cell response, and an increased ratio of effector T cells to Tregs in the tumor and spleen. CBL0137 also elevated the number of CXCR3-expressing CTLs in the tumor and the level of interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in serum, suggesting IP-10/CXCR3 controls CBL0137-elicited recruitment of effector CTLs to tumors. Our collective data underscores a previously unrecognized role for both innate and adaptive immunity in the anti-tumor activity of curaxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhui Chen
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Craig M Brackett
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Lyudmila G Burdelya
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Achamaporn Punnanitinont
- Cancer for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Santosh K Patnaik
- Cancer for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Junko Matsuzaki
- Cancer for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Adekunle O Odunsi
- Cancer for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Anurag K Singh
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
| | - Katerina V Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
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40
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Xiao L, Somers K, Murray J, Pandher R, Karsa M, Ronca E, Bongers A, Terry R, Ehteda A, Gamble LD, Issaeva N, Leonova KI, O'Connor A, Mayoh C, Venkat P, Quek H, Brand J, Kusuma FK, Pettitt JA, Mosmann E, Kearns A, Eden G, Alfred S, Allan S, Zhai L, Kamili A, Gifford AJ, Carter DR, Henderson MJ, Fletcher JI, Marshall G, Johnstone RW, Cesare AJ, Ziegler DS, Gudkov AV, Gurova KV, Norris MD, Haber M. Dual Targeting of Chromatin Stability By The Curaxin CBL0137 and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Panobinostat Shows Significant Preclinical Efficacy in Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:4338-4352. [PMID: 33994371 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether targeting chromatin stability through a combination of the curaxin CBL0137 with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, panobinostat, constitutes an effective multimodal treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of the drug combination on cancer growth were examined in vitro and in animal models of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. The molecular mechanisms of action were analyzed by multiple techniques including whole transcriptome profiling, immune deconvolution analysis, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, assays to assess cell growth and apoptosis, and a range of cell-based reporter systems to examine histone eviction, heterochromatin transcription, and chromatin compaction. RESULTS The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat enhanced nucleosome destabilization, induced an IFN response, inhibited DNA damage repair, and synergistically suppressed cancer cell growth. Similar synergistic effects were observed when combining CBL0137 with other HDAC inhibitors. The CBL0137/panobinostat combination significantly delayed cancer progression in xenograft models of poor outcome high-risk neuroblastoma. Complete tumor regression was achieved in the transgenic Th-MYCN neuroblastoma model which was accompanied by induction of a type I IFN and immune response. Tumor transplantation experiments further confirmed that the presence of a competent adaptive immune system component allowed the exploitation of the full potential of the drug combination. CONCLUSIONS The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat is effective and well-tolerated in preclinical models of aggressive high-risk neuroblastoma, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigation in other pediatric cancers. On the basis of its potential to boost IFN and immune responses in cancer models, the drug combination holds promising potential for addition to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Ronca
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelika Bongers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachael Terry
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anahid Ehteda
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura D Gamble
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natalia Issaeva
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Katerina I Leonova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Aisling O'Connor
- Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hazel Quek
- Mental Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer Brand
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Frances K Kusuma
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica A Pettitt
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erin Mosmann
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Kearns
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Georgina Eden
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Alfred
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophie Allan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lei Zhai
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle J Henderson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Immune Defence Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Cesare
- Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Katerina V Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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41
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Krstic A, Konietzny A, Halasz M, Cain P, Oppermann U, Kolch W, Duffy DJ. A Chemo-Genomic Approach Identifies Diverse Epigenetic Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:612518. [PMID: 33968920 PMCID: PMC8097097 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.612518] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a rare disease, neuroblastoma accounts for the highest proportion of childhood cancer deaths. There is a lack of recurrent somatic mutations in neuroblastoma embryonal tumours, suggesting a possible role for epigenetic alterations in driving this cancer. While an increasing number of reports suggest an association of MYCN with epigenetic machinery, the mechanisms of these interactions are poorly understood in the neuroblastoma setting. Utilising chemo-genomic approaches we revealed global MYCN-epigenetic interactions and identified numerous epigenetic proteins as MYCN targets. The epigenetic regulators HDAC2, CBX8 and CBP (CREBBP) were all MYCN target genes and also putative MYCN interactors. MYCN-related epigenetic genes included SMARCs, HDACs, SMYDs, BRDs and CREBBP. Expression levels of the majority of MYCN-related epigenetic genes showed predictive ability for neuroblastoma patient outcome. Furthermore, a compound library screen targeting epigenetic proteins revealed broad susceptibility of neuroblastoma cells to all classes of epigenetic regulators, belonging to families of bromodomains, HDACs, HATs, histone methyltransferases, DNA methyltransferases and lysin demethylases. Ninety-six percent of the compounds reduced MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell viability. We show that the C646 (CBP-bromodomain targeting compound) exhibits switch-like temporal and dose response behaviour and is effective at reducing neuroblastoma viability. Responsiveness correlates with MYCN expression, with MYCN-amplified cells being more susceptible to C646 treatment. Thus, exploiting the broad vulnerability of neuroblastoma cells to epigenetic targeting compounds represents an exciting strategy in neuroblastoma treatment, particularly for high-risk MYCN-amplified tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Krstic
- Systems Biology Ireland and Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anja Konietzny
- Systems Biology Ireland and Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Centre for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), Emmy-Noether Group "Neuronal Protein Transport", University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland and Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Cain
- Botnar Research Centre, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Unit, Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Udo Oppermann
- Botnar Research Centre, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Unit, Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland and Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Duffy
- Systems Biology Ireland and Precision Oncology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, United States.,Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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42
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Zhou D, Park JG, Wu Z, Huang H, Fiches GN, Biswas A, Li TW, Ma Q, Martinez-Sobrido L, Santoso N, Zhu J. FACT subunit SUPT16H associates with BRD4 and contributes to silencing of antiviral interferon signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.04.21.440833. [PMID: 33907746 PMCID: PMC8077571 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.21.440833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
FACT ( FA cilitates C hromatin T ranscription) is a heterodimeric protein complex composed of SUPT16H and SSRP1, and a histone chaperone participating in chromatin remodeling during gene transcription. FACT complex is profoundly regulated, and contributes to both gene activation and suppression. Here we reported that SUPT16H, a subunit of FACT, is acetylated at lysine 674 (K674) of middle domain (MD), which involves TIP60 histone acetyltransferase. Such acetylation of SUPT16H is recognized by bromodomain protein BRD4, which promotes protein stability of SUPT16H. We further demonstrated that SUPT16H-BRD4 associates with histone modification enzymes (EZH2, HDAC1) and affects histone marks (H3K9me3, H3K27me3 and H3ac). BRD4 is known to profoundly regulate interferon (IFN) signaling, while such function of SUPT16H has never been explored. Surprisingly, our results revealed that SUPT16H genetic knockdown via RNAi or pharmacological inhibition by using its inhibitor, curaxin 137 (CBL0137), results in the induction of IFNs and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Through this mechanism, CBL0137 is shown to efficiently inhibit infection of multiple viruses, including Zika, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CBL0137 also causes the remarkable activation of IFN signaling in natural killer (NK) cells, which promotes the NK-mediated killing of virus-infected cells in a co-culture system using human primary NK cells. Overall, our studies unraveled the previously un-appreciated role of FACT complex in regulating IFN signaling in both epithelial and NK cells, and also proposed the novel application of CBL0137 to treat viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jun-Gyu Park
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huachao Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Guillaume N. Fiches
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ayan Biswas
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tai-Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | | | - Netty Santoso
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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43
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Mo J, Liu F, Sun X, Huang H, Tan K, Zhao X, Li R, Jiang W, Sui Y, Chen X, Shen K, Zhang L, Ma J, Zhao K, Tang Y. Inhibition of the FACT Complex Targets Aberrant Hedgehog Signaling and Overcomes Resistance to Smoothened Antagonists. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3105-3120. [PMID: 33853831 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is aberrantly activated in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, and targeting it is a promising therapeutic strategy against these cancers. Resistance to clinically available hedgehog-targeted Smoothened inhibitor (SMOi) drugs has become a critical issue in hedgehog-driven cancer treatment. Our previous studies identified inhibition of BET and CDK7 as two epigenetic/transcriptional-targeted therapeutic strategies for overcoming SMOi resistance, providing a promising direction for anti-hedgehog drug development. To uncover additional strategies for inhibiting aberrant hedgehog activity, here we performed CRISPR-Cas9 screening with an single-guide RNA library targeting epigenetic and transcriptional modulators in hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma cells, combined with tumor dataset analyses. Structure specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1), a subunit of facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) complex, was identified as a hedgehog-induced essential oncogene and therapeutic target in hedgehog-driven cancer. The FACT inhibitor CBL0137, which has entered clinical trials for cancer, effectively suppressed in vitro and in vivo growth of multiple SMOi-responsive and SMOi-resistant hedgehog-driven cancer models. Mechanistically, CBL0137 exerted anti-hedgehog activity by targeting transcription of GLI1 and GLI2, which are core transcription factors of the hedgehog pathway. SSRP1 bound the promoter regions of GLI1 and GLI2, while CBL0137 treatment substantially disrupted these interactions. Moreover, CBL0137 synergized with BET or CDK7 inhibitors to antagonize aberrant hedgehog pathway and growth of hedgehog-driven cancer models. Taken together, these results identify FACT inhibition as a promising epigenetic/transcriptional-targeted therapeutic strategy for treating hedgehog-driven cancers and overcoming SMOi resistance. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies FACT inhibition as an anti-hedgehog therapeutic strategy for overcoming resistance to Smoothened inhibitors and provides preclinical support for initiating clinical trials of FACT-targeted drug CBL0137 against hedgehog-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Mo
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xi Sun
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hongting Huang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Kezhe Tan
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojing Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Rui Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yi Sui
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaosong Chen
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Kunwei Shen
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Liye Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Kewen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Yujie Tang
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
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Ehteda A, Simon S, Franshaw L, Giorgi FM, Liu J, Joshi S, Rouaen JRC, Pang CNI, Pandher R, Mayoh C, Tang Y, Khan A, Ung C, Tolhurst O, Kankean A, Hayden E, Lehmann R, Shen S, Gopalakrishnan A, Trebilcock P, Gurova K, Gudkov AV, Norris MD, Haber M, Vittorio O, Tsoli M, Ziegler DS. Dual targeting of the epigenome via FACT complex and histone deacetylase is a potent treatment strategy for DIPG. Cell Rep 2021; 35:108994. [PMID: 33852836 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive and incurable childhood brain tumor for which new treatments are needed. CBL0137 is an anti-cancer compound developed from quinacrine that targets facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT), a chromatin remodeling complex involved in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. We show that CBL0137 displays profound cytotoxic activity against a panel of patient-derived DIPG cultures by restoring tumor suppressor TP53 and Rb activity. Moreover, in an orthotopic model of DIPG, treatment with CBL0137 significantly extends animal survival. The FACT subunit SPT16 is found to directly interact with H3.3K27M, and treatment with CBL0137 restores both histone H3 acetylation and trimethylation. Combined treatment of CBL0137 with the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat leads to inhibition of the Rb/E2F1 pathway and induction of apoptosis. The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat significantly prolongs the survival of mice bearing DIPG orthografts, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahid Ehteda
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandy Simon
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura Franshaw
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jie Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Swapna Joshi
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jourdin R C Rouaen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chi Nam Ignatius Pang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yujie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Aaminah Khan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caitlin Ung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ornella Tolhurst
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Kankean
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elisha Hayden
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Lehmann
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sylvie Shen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anjana Gopalakrishnan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Trebilcock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katerina Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kid's Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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45
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Cheung BB, Kleynhans A, Mittra R, Kim PY, Holien JK, Nagy Z, Ciampa OC, Seneviratne JA, Mayoh C, Raipuria M, Gadde S, Massudi H, Wong IPL, Tan O, Gong A, Suryano A, Diakiw SM, Liu B, Arndt GM, Liu T, Kumar N, Sangfelt O, Zhu S, Norris MD, Haber M, Carter DR, Parker MW, Marshall GM. A novel combination therapy targeting ubiquitin-specific protease 5 in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:2367-2381. [PMID: 33658627 PMCID: PMC8016666 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01712-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are effective in MYCN-driven cancers, because of a unique need for HDAC recruitment by the MYCN oncogenic signal. However, HDAC inhibitors are much more effective in combination with other anti-cancer agents. To identify novel compounds which act synergistically with HDAC inhibitor, such as suberanoyl hydroxamic acid (SAHA), we performed a cell-based, high-throughput drug screen of 10,560 small molecule compounds from a drug-like diversity library and identified a small molecule compound (SE486-11) which synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effects of SAHA. Effects of drug combinations on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and colony forming were assessed in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines. Treatment with SAHA and SE486-11 increased MYCN ubiquitination and degradation, and markedly inhibited tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma xenografts, and, MYCN transgenic zebrafish and mice. The combination reduced ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) levels and increased unanchored polyubiquitin chains. Overexpression of USP5 rescued neuroblastoma cells from the cytopathic effects of the combination and reduced unanchored polyubiquitin, suggesting USP5 is a therapeutic target of the combination. SAHA and SE486-11 directly bound to USP5 and the drug combination exhibited a 100-fold higher binding to USP5 than individual drugs alone in microscale thermophoresis assays. MYCN bound to the USP5 promoter and induced USP5 gene expression suggesting that USP5 and MYCN expression created a forward positive feedback loop in neuroblastoma cells. Thus, USP5 acts as an oncogenic cofactor with MYCN in neuroblastoma and the novel combination of HDAC inhibitor with SE486-11 represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Ane Kleynhans
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rituparna Mittra
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patrick Y Kim
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica K Holien
- ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia C Ciampa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Janith A Seneviratne
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mukesh Raipuria
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Satyanarayana Gadde
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hassina Massudi
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Iris Poh Ling Wong
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Owen Tan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Gong
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aldwin Suryano
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sonya M Diakiw
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bing Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Greg M Arndt
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olle Sangfelt
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Center and Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael W Parker
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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46
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Nagy Z, Seneviratne JA, Kanikevich M, Chang W, Mayoh C, Venkat P, Du Y, Jiang C, Salib A, Koach J, Carter DR, Mittra R, Liu T, Parker MW, Cheung BB, Marshall GM. An ALYREF-MYCN coactivator complex drives neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through effects on USP3 and MYCN stability. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1881. [PMID: 33767157 PMCID: PMC7994381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To achieve the very high oncoprotein levels required to drive the malignant state cancer cells utilise the ubiquitin proteasome system to upregulate transcription factor levels. Here our analyses identify ALYREF, expressed from the most common genetic copy number variation in neuroblastoma, chromosome 17q21-ter gain as a key regulator of MYCN protein turnover. We show strong co-operativity between ALYREF and MYCN from transgenic models of neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo. The two proteins form a nuclear coactivator complex which stimulates transcription of the ubiquitin specific peptidase 3, USP3. We show that increased USP3 levels reduce K-48- and K-63-linked ubiquitination of MYCN, thus driving up MYCN protein stability. In the MYCN-ALYREF-USP3 signal, ALYREF is required for MYCN effects on the malignant phenotype and that of USP3 on MYCN stability. This data defines a MYCN oncoprotein dependency state which provides a rationale for future pharmacological studies. Neuroblastoma (NB) is often driven by MYCN amplification. Here, the authors show that the most frequent genetic lesion, gain of 17q21-ter in NB leads to overexpression of ALYREF, which forms a complex with MYCN, regulating MYCN stability via the deubiquitinating enzyme, USP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Janith A Seneviratne
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maxwell Kanikevich
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William Chang
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yanhua Du
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alice Salib
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Koach
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rituparna Mittra
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael W Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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47
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Bogdanov KV, Merzlikina OV, Mirolyubova YV, Girshova LL, Lomaia EG, Zaritskey AY. CASC5 Gene Expression Changes Correlate with Targeted Mutations in Leukemia. Mol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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48
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Liu Z, Chen SS, Clarke S, Veschi V, Thiele CJ. Targeting MYCN in Pediatric and Adult Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 10:623679. [PMID: 33628735 PMCID: PMC7898977 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.623679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of the MYC family of oncogenes, including c-MYC, MYCN and MYCL occurs in many types of cancers, and is frequently associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of functional studies have focused on c-MYC due to its broad expression profile in human cancers. The existence of highly conserved functional domains between MYCN and c-MYC suggests that MYCN participates in similar activities. MYC encodes a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) transcription factor (TF) whose central oncogenic role in many human cancers makes it a highly desirable therapeutic target. Historically, as a TF, MYC has been regarded as “undruggable”. Thus, recent efforts focus on investigating methods to indirectly target MYC to achieve anti-tumor effects. This review will primarily summarize the recent progress in understanding the function of MYCN. It will explore efforts at targeting MYCN, including strategies aimed at suppression of MYCN transcription, destabilization of MYCN protein, inhibition of MYCN transcriptional activity, repression of MYCN targets and utilization of MYCN overexpression dependent synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Samuel S Chen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Saki Clarke
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
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49
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Amjadi-Moheb F, Paniri A, Akhavan-Niaki H. Insights into the Links between MYC and 3D Chromatin Structure and Epigenetics Regulation: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1925-1936. [PMID: 33472888 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MYC is embedded in the transcriptional oasis of the 8q24 gene desert. A plethora of genomic elements has roles in MYC aberrant expression in cancer development by interacting with transcription factors and epigenetics regulators as well as altering the structure of chromatin at the MYC locus and tissue-specific long-range enhancer-promoter contacts. Furthermore, MYC is a master regulator of several human cancers by modulating the transcription of numerous cancer-related genes through epigenetic mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the three-dimensional genomic organization around MYC and the role of epigenetic machinery in transcription and function of MYC as well as discusses various epigenetic-targeted therapeutic strategies in MYC-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Amjadi-Moheb
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Alireza Paniri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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50
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Zhang X, Sjöblom T. Targeting Loss of Heterozygosity: A Novel Paradigm for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010057. [PMID: 33450833 PMCID: PMC7828287 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010057] [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: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a common genetic event in the development of cancer. In certain tumor types, LOH can affect more than 20% of the genome, entailing loss of allelic variation in thousands of genes. This reduction of heterozygosity creates genetic differences between tumor and normal cells, providing opportunities for development of novel cancer therapies. Here, we review and summarize (1) mutations associated with LOH on chromosomes which have been shown to be promising biomarkers of cancer risk or the prediction of clinical outcomes in certain types of tumors; (2) loci undergoing LOH that can be targeted for development of novel anticancer drugs as well as (3) LOH in tumors provides up-and-coming possibilities to understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer evolution and to discover novel cancer vulnerabilities which are worth a further investigation in the near future.
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