1
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Fox GC, Poncha KF, Smith BR, van der Maas LN, Robbins NN, Graham B, Dowen JM, Strahl BD, Young NL, Jain K. H3K18 & H3K23 acetylation directs establishment of MLL-mediated H3K4 methylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.590588. [PMID: 38798640 PMCID: PMC11118386 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.590588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In an unmodified state, positively charged histone N-terminal tails engage nucleosomal DNA in a manner which restricts access to not only the underlying DNA, but also key tail residues subject to binding and/or modification. Charge-neutralizing modifications, such as histone acetylation, serve to disrupt this DNA-tail interaction, facilitating access to such residues. We previously showed that a polyacetylation-mediated chromatin "switch" governs the read-write capability of H3K4me3 by the MLL1 methyltransferase complex. Here, we discern the relative contributions of site-specific acetylation states along the H3 tail and extend our interrogation to other chromatin modifiers. We show that the contributions of H3 tail acetylation to H3K4 methylation by MLL1 are highly variable, with H3K18 and H3K23 acetylation exhibiting robust stimulatory effects, and that this extends to the related H3K4 methyltransferase complex, MLL4. We show that H3K4me1 and H3K4me3 are found preferentially co-enriched with H3 N-terminal tail proteoforms bearing dual H3K18 and H3K23 acetylation (H3{K18acK23ac}). We further show that this effect is specific to H3K4 methylation, while methyltransferases targeting other H3 tail residues (H3K9, H3K27, & H3K36), a methyltransferase targeting the nucleosome core (H3K79), and a kinase targeting a residue directly adjacent to H3K4 (H3T3) are insensitive to tail acetylation. Together, these findings indicate a unique and robust stimulation of H3K4 methylation by H3K18 and H3K23 acetylation and provide key insight into why H3K4 methylation is often associated with histone acetylation in the context of active gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey C. Fox
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Karl F. Poncha
- Verna & Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - B. Rutledge Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Lara N. van der Maas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | | | - Jill M. Dowen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Brian D. Strahl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Nicolas L. Young
- Verna & Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Kanishk Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
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2
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Jamali M, Barar E, Shi J. Unveiling the Molecular Landscape of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Insights into the Role of the COMPASS-like Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5069. [PMID: 38791111 PMCID: PMC11121229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poised to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Genetic and epigenetic alterations, including those involving the COMPASS-like complex genes, have emerged as critical drivers of PDAC progression. This review explores the genetic and epigenetic landscape of PDAC, focusing on the role of the COMPASS-like complex in regulating chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Specifically, we delve into the functions of key components such as KDM6A, KMT2D, KMT2C, KMT2A, and KMT2B, highlighting their significance as potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for developing novel treatment modalities for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Jamali
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erfaneh Barar
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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3
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Terzi Cizmecioglu N. Roles and Regulation of H3K4 Methylation During Mammalian Early Embryogenesis and Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38231346 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
From generation of germ cells, fertilization, and throughout early mammalian embryonic development, the chromatin undergoes significant alterations to enable precise regulation of gene expression and genome use. Methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) correlates with active regions of the genome, and it has emerged as a dynamic mark throughout this timeline. The pattern and the level of H3K4 methylation are regulated by methyltransferases and demethylases. These enzymes, as well as their protein partners, play important roles in early embryonic development and show phenotypes in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The various roles of H3K4 methylation are interpreted by dedicated chromatin reader proteins, linking this modification to broader molecular and cellular phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the regulation of different levels of H3K4 methylation, their distinct accumulation pattern, and downstream molecular roles with an early embryogenesis perspective.
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4
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Weissmiller AM, Fesik SW, Tansey WP. WD Repeat Domain 5 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: Not What You Think. J Clin Med 2024; 13:274. [PMID: 38202281 PMCID: PMC10779565 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010274] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
WDR5 is a conserved nuclear protein that scaffolds the assembly of epigenetic regulatory complexes and moonlights in functions ranging from recruiting MYC oncoproteins to chromatin to facilitating the integrity of mitosis. It is also a high-value target for anti-cancer therapies, with small molecule WDR5 inhibitors and degraders undergoing extensive preclinical assessment. WDR5 inhibitors were originally conceived as epigenetic modulators, proposed to inhibit cancer cells by reversing oncogenic patterns of histone H3 lysine 4 methylation-a notion that persists to this day. This premise, however, does not withstand contemporary inspection and establishes expectations for the mechanisms and utility of WDR5 inhibitors that can likely never be met. Here, we highlight salient misconceptions regarding WDR5 inhibitors as epigenetic modulators and provide a unified model for their action as a ribosome-directed anti-cancer therapy that helps focus understanding of when and how the tumor-inhibiting properties of these agents can best be understood and exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- April M. Weissmiller
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 32132, USA;
| | - Stephen W. Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - William P. Tansey
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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5
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Chinchole A, Gupta S, Tyagi S. To stay in shape and keep moving: MLL emerges as a new transcriptional regulator of Rho GTPases. Small GTPases 2023; 14:55-62. [PMID: 37671980 PMCID: PMC10484036 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2023.2254437] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RhoA, Rac1 and CDC42 are small G proteins that play a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes, such as the formation of actin cytoskeleton, cell shape and cell migration. Our recent results suggest that MLL is responsible for maintaining the balance of these small Rho GTPases. MLL depletion affects the stability of Rho GTPases, leading to a decrease in their protein levels and loss of activity. These changes manifest in the form of abnormal cell shape and disrupted actin cytoskeleton, resulting in reduced cell spreading and migration. Interestingly, their chaperone protein RhoGDI1 but not the Rho GTPases, is under the direct transcriptional regulation of MLL. Here, we comment on the possible implications of these observations on the signalling by Rho GTPases protein network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Chinchole
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shreyta Gupta
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) Uppal, Hyderabad, India
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6
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Sha L, Yang Z, An S, Yang W, Kim S, Oh H, Xu J, Yin J, Wang H, Lenz HJ, An W, Cho US, Dou Y. Non-canonical MLL1 activity regulates centromeric phase separation and genome stability. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1637-1649. [PMID: 37945831 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation is a prominent feature in cancer, as exemplified by frequent mutations in chromatin regulators, including the MLL/KMT2 family of histone methyltransferases. Although MLL1/KMT2A activity on H3K4 methylation is well documented, their non-canonical activities remain mostly unexplored. Here we show that MLL1/KMT2A methylates Borealin K143 in the intrinsically disordered region essential for liquid-liquid phase separation of the chromosome passenger complex (CPC). The co-crystal structure highlights the distinct binding mode of the MLL1 SET domain with Borealin K143. Inhibiting MLL1 activity or mutating Borealin K143 to arginine perturbs CPC phase separation, reduces Aurora kinase B activity, and impairs the resolution of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule attachments and sister-chromatid cohesion. They significantly increase chromosome instability and aneuploidy in a subset of hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in growth inhibition. These results demonstrate a non-redundant function of MLL1 in regulating inner centromere liquid condensates and genome stability via a non-canonical enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Sha
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zi Yang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sojin An
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sungmin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hoon Oh
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jun Yin
- Clinical and Translational Research, CARIS Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - He Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Woojin An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Uhn-Soo Cho
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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7
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Choi J, Lee H. NFIB-MLL1 complex is required for the stemness and Dlx5-dependent osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105193. [PMID: 37633334 PMCID: PMC10519831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105193] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation, less is known about the factors maintaining the stemness and plasticity of MSCs. Here, we show that the NFIB-MLL1 complex plays key roles in osteogenic differentiation and stemness of C3H10T1/2 MSCs. We find that depletion of either NFIB or MLL1 results in a severely hampered osteogenic potential and failed activation of key osteogenic transcription factors, such as Dlx5, Runx2, and Osx, following osteogenic stimuli. In addition, the NFIB-MLL1 complex binds directly to the promoter of Dlx5, and exogenous expression of Myc-Dlx5, but not the activation of either the BMP- or the Wnt-signaling pathway, is sufficient to restore the osteogenic potential of cells depleted of NFIB or MLL1. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and ChIP-sequencing analysis showed that the NFIB-MLL1 complex mediates the deposition of trimethylated histone H3K4 at both Dlx5 and Cebpa, key regulator genes that function at the early stages of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, respectively, in uncommitted C3H10T1/2 MSCs. Surprisingly, the depletion of either NFIB or MLL1 leads to decreased trimethylated histone H3K4 and results in elevated trimethylated histone H3K9 at those developmental genes. Furthermore, gene expression profiling and ChIP-sequencing analysis revealed lineage-specific changes in chromatin landscape and gene expression in response to osteogenic stimuli. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the hitherto unknown role of the NFIB-MLL1 complex in the maintenance and lineage-specific differentiation of C3H10T1/2 MSCs and support the epigenetic regulatory mechanism underlying the stemness and plasticity of MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janghyun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea.
| | - Hansol Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea.
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8
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Oka M, Otani M, Miyamoto Y, Oshima R, Adachi J, Tomonaga T, Asally M, Nagaoka Y, Tanaka K, Toyoda A, Ichikawa K, Morishita S, Isono K, Koseki H, Nakato R, Ohkawa Y, Yoneda Y. Phase-separated nuclear bodies of nucleoporin fusions promote condensation of MLL1/CRM1 and rearrangement of 3D genome structure. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112884. [PMID: 37516964 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112884] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
NUP98 and NUP214 form chimeric fusion proteins that assemble into phase-separated nuclear bodies containing CRM1, a nuclear export receptor. However, these nuclear bodies' function in controlling gene expression remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the nuclear bodies of NUP98::HOXA9 and SET::NUP214 promote the condensation of mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1), a histone methyltransferase essential for the maintenance of HOX gene expression. These nuclear bodies are robustly associated with MLL1/CRM1 and co-localized on chromatin. Furthermore, whole-genome chromatin-conformation capture analysis reveals that NUP98::HOXA9 induces a drastic alteration in high-order genome structure at target regions concomitant with the generation of chromatin loops and/or rearrangement of topologically associating domains in a phase-separation-dependent manner. Collectively, these results show that the phase-separated nuclear bodies of nucleoporin fusion proteins can enhance the activation of target genes by promoting the condensation of MLL1/CRM1 and rearrangement of the 3D genome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Oka
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan; Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Mayumi Otani
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yoichi Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Rieko Oshima
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Munehiro Asally
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Yuya Nagaoka
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Kaori Tanaka
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ichikawa
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8568, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morishita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8568, Japan
| | - Kyoichi Isono
- Laboratory Animal Center, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimi-idera, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
| | - Yasuyuki Ohkawa
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
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9
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Lomov NA, Viushkov VS, Rubtsov MA. Mechanisms of Secondary Leukemia Development Caused by Treatment with DNA Topoisomerase Inhibitors. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:892-911. [PMID: 37751862 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923070040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia is a blood cancer originating in the blood and bone marrow. Therapy-related leukemia is associated with prior chemotherapy. Although cancer therapy with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors is one of the most effective cancer treatments, its side effects include development of secondary leukemia characterized by the chromosomal rearrangements affecting AML1 or MLL genes. Recurrent chromosomal translocations in the therapy-related leukemia differ from chromosomal rearrangements associated with other neoplasias. Here, we reviewed the factors that drive chromosomal translocations induced by cancer treatment with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, such as mobility of ends of double-strand DNA breaks formed before the translocation and gain of function of fusion proteins generated as a result of translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai A Lomov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | - Vladimir S Viushkov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Mikhail A Rubtsov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Industrial Technologies and Entrepreneurship Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119435, Russia
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10
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Zhong Q, Xiao X, Qiu Y, Xu Z, Chen C, Chong B, Zhao X, Hai S, Li S, An Z, Dai L. Protein posttranslational modifications in health and diseases: Functions, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e261. [PMID: 37143582 PMCID: PMC10152985 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) refer to the breaking or generation of covalent bonds on the backbones or amino acid side chains of proteins and expand the diversity of proteins, which provides the basis for the emergence of organismal complexity. To date, more than 650 types of protein modifications, such as the most well-known phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, methylation, SUMOylation, short-chain and long-chain acylation modifications, redox modifications, and irreversible modifications, have been described, and the inventory is still increasing. By changing the protein conformation, localization, activity, stability, charges, and interactions with other biomolecules, PTMs ultimately alter the phenotypes and biological processes of cells. The homeostasis of protein modifications is important to human health. Abnormal PTMs may cause changes in protein properties and loss of protein functions, which are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. In this review, we systematically introduce the characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and functions of various PTMs in health and diseases. In addition, the therapeutic prospects in various diseases by targeting PTMs and associated regulatory enzymes are also summarized. This work will deepen the understanding of protein modifications in health and diseases and promote the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic markers and drug targets for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhong
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xina Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yijie Qiu
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chunyu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Baochen Chong
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xinjun Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shan Hai
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuangqing Li
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhenmei An
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lunzhi Dai
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center WardGeneral Practice Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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11
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Malik KK, Sridhara SC, Lone KA, Katariya PD, Pulimamidi D, Tyagi S. MLL methyltransferases regulate H3K4 methylation to ensure CENP-A assembly at human centromeres. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002161. [PMID: 37379335 PMCID: PMC10335677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The active state of centromeres is epigenetically defined by the presence of CENP-A interspersed with histone H3 nucleosomes. While the importance of dimethylation of H3K4 for centromeric transcription has been highlighted in various studies, the identity of the enzyme(s) depositing these marks on the centromere is still unknown. The MLL (KMT2) family plays a crucial role in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene regulation by methylating H3K4. Here, we report that MLL methyltransferases regulate transcription of human centromeres. CRISPR-mediated down-regulation of MLL causes loss of H3K4me2, resulting in an altered epigenetic chromatin state of the centromeres. Intriguingly, our results reveal that loss of MLL, but not SETD1A, increases co-transcriptional R-loop formation, and Pol II accumulation at the centromeres. Finally, we report that the presence of MLL and SETD1A is crucial for kinetochore maintenance. Altogether, our data reveal a novel molecular framework where both the H3K4 methylation mark and the methyltransferases regulate stability and identity of the centromere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kausika Kumar Malik
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sreerama Chaitanya Sridhara
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kaisar Ahmad Lone
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Payal Deepakbhai Katariya
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Deepshika Pulimamidi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
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12
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Getzler AJ, Frederick MA, Milner JJ, Venables T, Diao H, Toma C, Nagaraja SD, Albao DS, Bélanger S, Tsuda SM, Kim J, Crotty S, Goldrath AW, Pipkin ME. Mll1 pioneers histone H3K4me3 deposition and promotes formation of CD8 + T stem cell memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.18.524461. [PMID: 37090503 PMCID: PMC10120707 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.18.524461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
CD8 + T cells with stem cell-like properties (T SCM ) sustain adaptive immunity to intracellular pathogens and tumors. However, the developmental origins and chromatin regulatory factors (CRFs) that establish their differentiation are unclear. Using an RNA interference screen of all CRFs we discovered the histone methylase Mll1 was required during T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation for development of a T SCM precursor state and mature memory (T MEM ) cells, but not short-lived or transitory effector cell-like states, in response to viral infections and tumors. Mll1 was essential for widespread de novo deposition of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) upon TCR stimulation, which accounted for 70% of all activation-induced sites in mature T MEM cells. Mll1 promoted both H3K4me3 deposition and reduced TCR-induced Pol II pausing at genes whose single-cell transcriptional dynamics explained trajectories into nascent T SCM precursor states during viral infection. Our results suggest Mll1-dependent control of Pol II elongation and H3K4me3 establishes and maintains differentiation of CD8 + T SCM cell states.
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13
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Bao S, Xu C. Molecular insight into the SETD1A/B N-terminal region and its interaction with WDR82. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 658:136-140. [PMID: 37030068 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
SETD1A and SETD1B originate from Set1, the sole H3K4 methyltransferase in yeast, and they play important roles in active gene transcription. Here, we present the crystal structures of the RRM domains of human SETD1A and SETD1B. Although both RRM domains adopt a canonical RRM fold, their structural features are different from that of the yeast Set1 RRM domain, their yeast homolog. By using an ITC binding assay, we found an intrinsically disordered region in SETD1A/B binds WDR82. The structural analysis implies that the positively charged regions within human RRM domains might be involved in binding to RNA. Our work provides structural insight into the assembly of WDR82 with the catalytic subunits SETD1A/B in the context of the whole complex.
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14
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Sharma SB, Melvin WJ, Audu CO, Bame M, Rhoads N, Wu W, Kanthi Y, Knight JS, Adili R, Holinstat MA, Wakefield TW, Henke PK, Moore BB, Gallagher KA, Obi AT. The histone methyltransferase MLL1/KMT2A in monocytes drives coronavirus-associated coagulopathy and inflammation. Blood 2023; 141:725-742. [PMID: 36493338 PMCID: PMC9743412 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus-associated coagulopathy (CAC) is a morbid and lethal sequela of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. CAC results from a perturbed balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis and occurs in conjunction with exaggerated activation of monocytes/macrophages (MO/Mφs), and the mechanisms that collectively govern this phenotype seen in CAC remain unclear. Here, using experimental models that use the murine betacoronavirus MHVA59, a well-established model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we identify that the histone methyltransferase mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1/KMT2A) is an important regulator of MO/Mφ expression of procoagulant and profibrinolytic factors such as tissue factor (F3; TF), urokinase (PLAU), and urokinase receptor (PLAUR) (herein, "coagulopathy-related factors") in noninfected and infected cells. We show that MLL1 concurrently promotes the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines while suppressing the expression of interferon alfa (IFN-α), a well-known inducer of TF and PLAUR. Using in vitro models, we identify MLL1-dependent NF-κB/RelA-mediated transcription of these coagulation-related factors and identify a context-dependent, MLL1-independent role for RelA in the expression of these factors in vivo. As functional correlates for these findings, we demonstrate that the inflammatory, procoagulant, and profibrinolytic phenotypes seen in vivo after coronavirus infection were MLL1-dependent despite blunted Ifna induction in MO/Mφs. Finally, in an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 positive human samples, we identify differential upregulation of MLL1 and coagulopathy-related factor expression and activity in CD14+ MO/Mφs relative to noninfected and healthy controls. We also observed elevated plasma PLAU and TF activity in COVID-positive samples. Collectively, these findings highlight an important role for MO/Mφ MLL1 in promoting CAC and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriganesh B. Sharma
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - William J. Melvin
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Christopher O. Audu
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Monica Bame
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole Rhoads
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Weisheng Wu
- Bioinformatics Core, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yogendra Kanthi
- Laboratory of Vascular Thrombosis & Inflammation, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jason S. Knight
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Reheman Adili
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Michael A. Holinstat
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Thomas W. Wakefield
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Peter K. Henke
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bethany B. Moore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Katherine A. Gallagher
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrea T. Obi
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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15
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Ritchie FD, Lizarraga SB. The role of histone methyltransferases in neurocognitive disorders associated with brain size abnormalities. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:989109. [PMID: 36845425 PMCID: PMC9950662 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.989109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain size is controlled by several factors during neuronal development, including neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal arborization, gliogenesis, cell death, and synaptogenesis. Multiple neurodevelopmental disorders have co-morbid brain size abnormalities, such as microcephaly and macrocephaly. Mutations in histone methyltransferases that modify histone H3 on Lysine 36 and Lysine 4 (H3K36 and H3K4) have been identified in neurodevelopmental disorders involving both microcephaly and macrocephaly. H3K36 and H3K4 methylation are both associated with transcriptional activation and are proposed to sterically hinder the repressive activity of the Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 (PRC2). During neuronal development, tri-methylation of H3K27 (H3K27me3) by PRC2 leads to genome wide transcriptional repression of genes that regulate cell fate transitions and neuronal arborization. Here we provide a review of neurodevelopmental processes and disorders associated with H3K36 and H3K4 histone methyltransferases, with emphasis on processes that contribute to brain size abnormalities. Additionally, we discuss how the counteracting activities of H3K36 and H3K4 modifying enzymes vs. PRC2 could contribute to brain size abnormalities which is an underexplored mechanism in relation to brain size control.
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16
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Rastogi N, Gonzalez JBM, Srivastava VK, Alanazi B, Alanazi RN, Hughes OM, O'Neill NS, Gilkes AF, Ashley N, Deshpande S, Andrews R, Mead A, Rodrigues NP, Knapper S, Darley RL, Tonks A. Nuclear factor I-C overexpression promotes monocytic development and cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:276-287. [PMID: 36572750 PMCID: PMC9898032 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01801-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor I-C (NFIC) belongs to a family of NFI transcription factors that binds to DNA through CAATT-boxes and are involved in cellular differentiation and stem cell maintenance. Here we show NFIC protein is significantly overexpressed in 69% of acute myeloid leukemia patients. Examination of the functional consequences of NFIC overexpression in HSPCs showed that this protein promoted monocytic differentiation. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis further demonstrated that NFIC overexpressing monocytes had increased expression of growth and survival genes. In contrast, depletion of NFIC through shRNA decreased cell growth, increased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in AML cell lines and AML patient blasts. Further, in AML cell lines (THP-1), bulk RNA sequencing of NFIC knockdown led to downregulation of genes involved in cell survival and oncogenic signaling pathways including mixed lineage leukemia-1 (MLL-1). Lastly, we show that NFIC knockdown in an ex vivo mouse MLL::AF9 pre-leukemic stem cell model, decreased their growth and colony formation and increased expression of myeloid differentiation markers Gr1 and Mac1. Collectively, our results suggest that NFIC is an important transcription factor in myeloid differentiation as well as AML cell survival and is a potential therapeutic target in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Rastogi
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK.
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK.
| | - Juan Bautista Menendez Gonzalez
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar Srivastava
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Bader Alanazi
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
- Prince Mohammed Medical City, AlJouf, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab N Alanazi
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar, 91431, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Owen M Hughes
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Niamh S O'Neill
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Amanda F Gilkes
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
- Cardiff Experimental and Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Neil Ashley
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Medical Research Council Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Sumukh Deshpande
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Robert Andrews
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Adam Mead
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Medical Research Council Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Neil P Rodrigues
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK
| | - Steve Knapper
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
- Cardiff Experimental and Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Richard L Darley
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Alex Tonks
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK.
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17
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Wu X, Liu H, Lian B, Jiang X, Chen C, Tang T, Ding X, Hu J, Zhao S, Zhang S, Wu J. Genome-wide analysis of epigenetic and transcriptional changes in the pathogenesis of RGSV in rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1090794. [PMID: 36714706 PMCID: PMC9874293 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1090794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV), a typical negative single-stranded RNA virus, invades rice and generates several disease signs, including dwarfing, tillering, and sterility. Previous research has revealed that RGSV-encoded proteins can force the host's ubiquitin-proteasome system to utilize them for viral pathogenesis. However, most of the studies were limited to a single omics level and lacked multidimensional data collection and correlation analysis on the mechanisms of RGSV-rice interactions. Here, we performed a comprehensive association analysis of genome-wide methylation sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and histone H3K9me3 modification in RGSV-infested as well as non-infested rice leaves, and the levels of all three cytosine contexts (CG, CHG and CHH) were found to be slightly lower in RGSV-infected rice leaves than in normal rice. Large proportions of DMRs were distributed in the promoter and intergenic regions, and most DMRs were enriched in the CHH context, where the number of CHH hypo-DMRs was almost twice as high as that of hyper-DMRs. Among the genes with down-regulated expression and hypermethylation, we analyzed and identified 11 transcripts involved in fertility, plant height and tillering, and among the transcribed up-regulated and hypermethylated genes, we excavated 7 transcripts related to fertility, plant height and tillering. By analyzing the changes of histone H3K9me3 modification before and after virus infestation, we found that the distribution of H3K9me3 modification in the whole rice genome was prevalent, mainly concentrated in the gene promoter and gene body regions, which was distinctly different from the characteristics of animals. Combined with transcriptomic data, H3K9me3 mark was found to favor targeting highly expressed genes. After RGSV infection, H3K9me3 modifications in several regions of CTK and BR hormone signaling-related genes were altered, providing important targets for subsequent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wu
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongfei Liu
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bi Lian
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Jiang
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Tianxin Tang
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinlun Ding
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Vector-borne Virus Research Center, Key Laboratory of Plant Virology of Fujian Province, Institute of Plant Virology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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18
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Soto-Feliciano YM, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Perner F, Barrows DW, Kastenhuber ER, Ho YJ, Carroll T, Xiong Y, Anand D, Soshnev AA, Gates L, Beytagh MC, Cheon D, Gu S, Liu XS, Krivtsov AV, Meneses M, de Stanchina E, Stone RM, Armstrong SA, Lowe SW, Allis CD. A Molecular Switch between Mammalian MLL Complexes Dictates Response to Menin-MLL Inhibition. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:146-169. [PMID: 36264143 PMCID: PMC9827117 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Menin interacts with oncogenic MLL1-fusion proteins, and small molecules that disrupt these associations are in clinical trials for leukemia treatment. By integrating chromatin-focused and genome-wide CRISPR screens with genetic, pharmacologic, and biochemical approaches, we discovered a conserved molecular switch between the MLL1-Menin and MLL3/4-UTX chromatin-modifying complexes that dictates response to Menin-MLL inhibitors. MLL1-Menin safeguards leukemia survival by impeding the binding of the MLL3/4-UTX complex at a subset of target gene promoters. Disrupting the Menin-MLL1 interaction triggers UTX-dependent transcriptional activation of a tumor-suppressive program that dictates therapeutic responses in murine and human leukemia. Therapeutic reactivation of this program using CDK4/6 inhibitors mitigates treatment resistance in leukemia cells that are insensitive to Menin inhibitors. These findings shed light on novel functions of evolutionarily conserved epigenetic mediators like MLL1-Menin and MLL3/4-UTX and are relevant to understand and target molecular pathways determining therapeutic responses in ongoing clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE Menin-MLL inhibitors silence a canonical HOX- and MEIS1-dependent oncogenic gene expression program in leukemia. We discovered a parallel, noncanonical transcriptional program involving tumor suppressor genes that are repressed in Menin-MLL inhibitor-resistant leukemia cells but that can be reactivated upon combinatorial treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors to augment therapy responses. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Florian Perner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medical Center, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Douglas W. Barrows
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.,Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Edward R. Kastenhuber
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yu-Jui Ho
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Yijun Xiong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Disha Anand
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medical Center, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexey A. Soshnev
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Leah Gates
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Mary Clare Beytagh
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - David Cheon
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Shengqing Gu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - X. Shirley Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrei V. Krivtsov
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maximiliano Meneses
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Leukemia Division, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Scott A. Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
| | - Scott W. Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
| | - C. David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
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19
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Stroynowska-Czerwinska AM, Klimczak M, Pastor M, Kazrani AA, Misztal K, Bochtler M. Clustered PHD domains in KMT2/MLL proteins are attracted by H3K4me3 and H3 acetylation-rich active promoters and enhancers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:23. [PMID: 36598580 PMCID: PMC9813062 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04651-1] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Histone lysine-specific methyltransferase 2 (KMT2A-D) proteins, alternatively called mixed lineage leukemia (MLL1-4) proteins, mediate positive transcriptional memory. Acting as the catalytic subunits of human COMPASS-like complexes, KMT2A-D methylate H3K4 at promoters and enhancers. KMT2A-D contain understudied highly conserved triplets and a quartet of plant homeodomains (PHDs). Here, we show that all clustered (multiple) PHDs localize to the well-defined loci of H3K4me3 and H3 acetylation-rich active promoters and enhancers. Surprisingly, we observe little difference in binding pattern between PHDs from promoter-specific KMT2A-B and enhancer-specific KMT2C-D. Fusion of the KMT2A CXXC domain to the PHDs drastically enhances their preference for promoters over enhancers. Hence, the presence of CXXC domains in KMT2A-B, but not KMT2C-D, may explain the promoter/enhancer preferences of the full-length proteins. Importantly, targets of PHDs overlap with KMT2A targets and are enriched in genes involved in the cancer pathways. We also observe that PHDs of KMT2A-D are mutated in cancer, especially within conserved folding motifs (Cys4HisCys2Cys/His). The mutations cause a domain loss-of-function. Taken together, our data suggest that PHDs of KMT2A-D guide the full-length proteins to active promoters and enhancers, and thus play a role in positive transcriptional memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Klimczak
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Pastor
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Asgar Abbas Kazrani
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Katarzyna Misztal
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Matthias Bochtler
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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20
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Markouli M, Strepkos D, Piperi C. Impact of Histone Modifications and Their Therapeutic Targeting in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13657. [PMID: 36362442 PMCID: PMC9654260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are a large and heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by complex pathogenetic mechanisms. The abnormal regulation of epigenetic mechanisms and specifically, histone modifications, has been demonstrated to play a central role in hematological cancer pathogenesis and progression. A variety of epigenetic enzymes that affect the state of histones have been detected as deregulated, being either over- or underexpressed, which induces changes in chromatin compaction and, subsequently, affects gene expression. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics have revealed novel therapeutic targets, with many epigenetic drugs being investigated in clinical trials. The present review focuses on the biological impact of histone modifications in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies, describing a wide range of therapeutic agents that have been discovered to target these alterations and are currently under investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (D.S.)
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21
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Mitchell AV, Wu L, James Block C, Zhang M, Hackett J, Craig DB, Chen W, Zhao Y, Zhang B, Dang Y, Zhang X, Zhang S, Wang C, Gibson H, Pile LA, Kidder B, Matherly L, Yang Z, Dou Y, Wu G. FOXQ1 recruits the MLL complex to activate transcription of EMT and promote breast cancer metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6548. [PMID: 36319643 PMCID: PMC9626503 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34239-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the Forkhead box transcription factor, FOXQ1, is a prevalent mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in multiple carcinoma types. However, it remains unknown how FOXQ1 regulates gene expression. Here, we report that FOXQ1 initiates EMT by recruiting the MLL/KMT2 histone methyltransferase complex as a transcriptional coactivator. We first establish that FOXQ1 promoter recognition precedes MLL complex assembly and histone-3 lysine-4 trimethylation within the promoter regions of critical genes in the EMT program. Mechanistically, we identify that the Forkhead box in FOXQ1 functions as a transactivation domain directly binding the MLL core complex subunit RbBP5 without interrupting FOXQ1 DNA binding activity. Moreover, genetic disruption of the FOXQ1-RbBP5 interaction or pharmacologic targeting of KMT2/MLL recruitment inhibits FOXQ1-dependent gene expression, EMT, and in vivo tumor progression. Our study suggests that targeting the FOXQ1-MLL epigenetic axis could be a promising strategy to combat triple-negative breast cancer metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison V Mitchell
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Ling Wu
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - C James Block
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Mu Zhang
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Justin Hackett
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Douglas B Craig
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yongzhong Zhao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yongjun Dang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Shengping Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Chuangui Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Heather Gibson
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Lori A Pile
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Benjamin Kidder
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Larry Matherly
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Guojun Wu
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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22
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Chinchole A, Lone KA, Tyagi S. MLL regulates the actin cytoskeleton and cell migration by stabilising Rho GTPases via the expression of RhoGDI1. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs260042. [PMID: 36111497 PMCID: PMC7615853 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Attainment of proper cell shape and the regulation of cell migration are essential processes in the development of an organism. The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL or KMT2A) protein, a histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase, plays a critical role in cell-fate decisions during skeletal development and haematopoiesis in higher vertebrates. Rho GTPases - RhoA, Rac1 and CDC42 - are small G proteins that regulate various key cellular processes, such as actin cytoskeleton formation, the maintenance of cell shape and cell migration. Here, we report that MLL regulates the homeostasis of these small Rho GTPases. Loss of MLL resulted in an abnormal cell shape and a disrupted actin cytoskeleton, which lead to diminished cell spreading and migration. MLL depletion affected the stability and activity of Rho GTPases in a SET domain-dependent manner, but these Rho GTPases were not direct transcriptional targets of MLL. Instead, MLL regulated the transcript levels of their chaperone protein RhoGDI1 (also known as ARHGDIA). Using MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer cell line with high RhoGDI1 expression, we show that MLL depletion or inhibition by small molecules reduces tumour progression in nude mice. Our studies highlight the central regulatory role of MLL in Rho/Rac/CDC42 signalling pathways. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Chinchole
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 567104, India
| | - Kaisar Ahmad Lone
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India
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23
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Structural basis for product specificities of MLL family methyltransferases. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3810-3825.e8. [PMID: 36108631 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Human mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) family methyltransferases methylate histone H3 lysine 4 to different methylation states (me1/me2/me3) with distinct functional outputs, but the mechanism underlying the different product specificities of MLL proteins remains unclear. Here, we develop methodologies to quantitatively measure the methylation rate difference between mono-, di-, and tri-methylation steps and demonstrate that MLL proteins possess distinct product specificities in the context of the minimum MLL-RBBP5-ASH2L complex. Comparative structural analyses of MLL complexes by X-ray crystal structures, fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the dynamics of two conserved tyrosine residues at the "F/Y (phenylalanine/tyrosine) switch" positions fine-tune the product specificity. The variation in the intramolecular interaction between SET-N and SET-C affects the F/Y switch dynamics, thus determining the product specificities of MLL proteins. These results indicate a modified F/Y switch rule applicable for most SET domain methyltransferases and implicate the functional divergence of MLL proteins.
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24
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Edwardes LV, Caswell SJ, Giurrandino M, Zhai X, Gohlke A, Kostomiris DH, Pollard HK, Pflug A, Hamm GR, Jervis KV, Clarkson PN, Syson K. Dissecting the Kinetic Mechanism of Human Lysine Methyltransferase 2D and Its Interactions with the WRAD2 Complex. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1974-1987. [PMID: 36070615 PMCID: PMC9494746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human lysine methyltransferase 2D (hKMT2D) is an epigenetic writer catalyzing the methylation of histone 3 lysine 4. hKMT2D by itself has little catalytic activity and reaches full activation as part of the WRAD2 complex, additionally comprising binding partners WDR5, RbBP5, Ash2L, and DPY30. Here, a detailed mechanistic study of the hKMT2D SET domain and its WRAD2 interactions is described. We characterized the WRAD2 subcomplexes containing full-length components and the hKMT2D SET domain. By performing steady-state analysis as a function of WRAD2 concentration, we identified the inner stoichiometry and determined the binding affinities for complex formation. Ash2L and RbBP5 were identified as the binding partners critical for the full catalytic activity of the SET domain. Contrary to a previous report, product and dead-end inhibitor studies identified hKMT2D as a rapid equilibrium random Bi-Bi mechanism with EAP and EBQ dead-end complexes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) analysis showed that hKMT2D uses a distributive mechanism and gives further insights into how the WRAD2 components affect mono-, di-, and trimethylation. We also conclude that the Win motif of hKMT2D is not essential in complex formation, unlike other hKMT2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy V Edwardes
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Sarah J Caswell
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Mariacarmela Giurrandino
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Xiang Zhai
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, United States
| | - Andrea Gohlke
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Demetrios H Kostomiris
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, United States
| | - Hannah K Pollard
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Alexander Pflug
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Gregory R Hamm
- Imaging and Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Kate V Jervis
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Paul N Clarkson
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Karl Syson
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
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25
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Park SW, Kim J, Oh S, Lee J, Cha J, Lee HS, Kim KI, Park D, Baek SH. PHF20 is crucial for epigenetic control of starvation-induced autophagy through enhancer activation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7856-7872. [PMID: 35821310 PMCID: PMC9371932 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis under various stress conditions, including conditions of nutrient deprivation. To elevate autophagic flux to a sufficient level under stress conditions, transcriptional activation of autophagy genes occurs to replenish autophagy components. Thus, the transcriptional and epigenetic control of the genes regulating autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis. Here, we applied integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling to reveal the roles of plant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20), which is an epigenetic reader possessing methyl binding activity, in controlling the expression of autophagy genes. Phf20 deficiency led to impaired autophagic flux and autophagy gene expression under glucose starvation. Interestingly, the genome-wide characterization of chromatin states by Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin (ATAC)-sequencing revealed that the PHF20-dependent chromatin remodelling occurs in enhancers that are co-occupied by dimethylated lysine 36 on histone H3 (H3K36me2). Importantly, the recognition of H3K36me2 by PHF20 was found to be highly correlated with increased levels of H3K4me1/2 at the enhancer regions. Collectively, these results indicate that PHF20 regulates autophagy genes through enhancer activation via H3K36me2 recognition as an epigenetic reader. Our findings emphasize the importance of nuclear events in the regulation of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Won Park
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea
| | - Sungryong Oh
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jeongyoon Lee
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Joowon Cha
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyun Sik Lee
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Keun Il Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, South Korea
| | - Daechan Park
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea.,Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea
| | - Sung Hee Baek
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Epigenetic Code and Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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26
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Malhotra L, Singh A, Kaur P, Ethayathulla AS. Comprehensive omics studies of p53 mutants in human cancer. Brief Funct Genomics 2022; 22:97-108. [PMID: 35809339 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The p53 is the master regulator of the cell known for regulating a large array of cellular processes. Inactivation of p53 by missense mutations is one of the leading causes of cancer. Some of these mutations endow p53 with selective oncogenic functions to promote tumor progression. Due to the vast array of mutations found in p53, the experimental studies showing the role of different mutant p53 as an oncogene are also expanding. In this review, we discuss the oncogenic roles of different p53 mutants at the cellular level identified by multi-omics tools. We discuss some of the therapeutic studies to tackle p53 mutants and their downstream targets identified by omics. We also highlight the future prospective and scope of further studies of downstream p53 targets by omics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshay Malhotra
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Alankrita Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Punit Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Abdul S Ethayathulla
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
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27
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Poreba E, Lesniewicz K, Durzynska J. Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) complexes - a new perspective. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 790:108443. [PMID: 36154872 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4) methylation is catalyzed by the Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) protein family, and its members are required for gene expression control. In vertebrates, the KMT2s function in large multisubunit complexes known as COMPASS or COMPASS-like complexes (COMplex of Proteins ASsociated with Set1). The activity of these complexes is critical for proper development, and mutation-induced defects in their functioning have frequently been found in human cancers. Moreover, inherited or de novo mutations in KMT2 genes are among the etiological factors in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Kabuki and Kleefstra syndromes. The canonical role of KMT2s is to catalyze H3K4 methylation, which results in a permissive chromatin environment that drives gene expression. However, current findings described in this review demonstrate that these enzymes can regulate processes that are not dependent on methylation: noncatalytic functions of KMT2s include DNA damage response, cell division, and metabolic activities. Moreover, these enzymes may also methylate non-histone substrates and play a methylation-dependent function in the DNA damage response. In this review, we present an overview of the new, noncanonical activities of KMT2 complexes in a variety of cellular processes. These discoveries may have crucial implications for understanding the functions of these methyltransferases in developmental processes, disease, and epigenome-targeting therapeutic strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Poreba
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Lesniewicz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Julia Durzynska
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
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28
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Chan J, Kumar A, Kono H. RNAPII driven post-translational modifications of nucleosomal histones. Trends Genet 2022; 38:1076-1095. [PMID: 35618507 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current understanding of how specific distributions of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) are achieved throughout the chromatin remains incomplete. This review focuses on the role of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in establishing H2BK120/K123 ubiquitination and H3K4/K36 methylation distribution. The rate of RNAPII transcription is mainly a function of the RNAPII elongation and recruitment rates. Two major mechanisms link RNAPII's transcription rate to the distribution of PTMs. First, the phosphorylation patterns of Ser2P/Ser5P in the C-terminal domain of RNAPII change as a function of time, since the start of elongation, linking them to the elongation rate. Ser2P/Ser5P recruits specific histone PTM enzymes/activators to the nucleosome. Second, multiple rounds of binding and catalysis by the enzymes are required to establish higher methylations (H3K4/36me3). Thus, methylation states are determined by the transcription rate. In summary, the first mechanism determines the location of methylations in the gene, while the second mechanism determines the methylation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Chan
- Molecular Modelling and Simulation (MMS) Team, Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 8-1-7 Umemidai, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - Amarjeet Kumar
- Molecular Modelling and Simulation (MMS) Team, Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 8-1-7 Umemidai, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Kono
- Molecular Modelling and Simulation (MMS) Team, Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 8-1-7 Umemidai, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan.
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29
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Karbalivand M, Almada LL, Ansell SM, Fernandez-Zapico ME, Elsawa SF. MLL1 inhibition reduces IgM levels in Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Leuk Res 2022; 116:106841. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2022.106841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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30
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31
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Barral A, Pozo G, Ducrot L, Papadopoulos GL, Sauzet S, Oldfield AJ, Cavalli G, Déjardin J. SETDB1/NSD-dependent H3K9me3/H3K36me3 dual heterochromatin maintains gene expression profiles by bookmarking poised enhancers. Mol Cell 2022; 82:816-832.e12. [PMID: 35081363 PMCID: PMC8860380 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene silencing by heterochromatin plays a crucial role in cell identity. Here, we characterize the localization, the biogenesis, and the function of an atypical heterochromatin, which is simultaneously enriched in the typical H3K9me3 mark and in H3K36me3, a histone mark usually associated with gene expression. We identified thousands of dual regions in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells that rely on the histone methyltransferases SET domain bifurcated 1 (SETDB1) and nuclear set domain (NSD)-containing proteins to generate H3K9me3 and H3K36me3, respectively. Upon SETDB1 removal, dual domains lose both marks, gain signatures of active enhancers, and come into contact with upregulated genes, suggesting that it might be an important pathway by which genes are controlled by heterochromatin. In differentiated tissues, a subset of these dual domains is destabilized and becomes enriched in active enhancer marks, providing a mechanistic insight into the involvement of heterochromatin in the maintenance of cell identity. H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 dual domains form on thousands of regions in ES cells Dual domains depend on SETDB1 and NSD enzymes Most upregulated genes in Setdb1 KO cells are not normally heterochromatinized Dual domains become enhancers for these genes upon Setdb1 loss
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32
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Erlendson AA, Freitag M. Not all Is SET for Methylation: Evolution of Eukaryotic Protein Methyltransferases. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2529:3-40. [PMID: 35733008 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2481-4_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic posttranslational modifications to canonical histones that constitute the nucleosome (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) control all aspects of enzymatic transactions with DNA. Histone methylation has been studied heavily for the past 20 years, and our mechanistic understanding of the control and function of individual methylation events on specific histone arginine and lysine residues has been greatly improved over the past decade, driven by excellent new tools and methods. Here, we will summarize what is known about the distribution and some of the functions of protein methyltransferases from all major eukaryotic supergroups. The main conclusion is that protein, and specifically histone, methylation is an ancient process. Many taxa in all supergroups have lost some subfamilies of both protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) and the heavily studied SET domain lysine methyltransferases (KMT). Over time, novel subfamilies, especially of SET domain proteins, arose. We use the interactions between H3K27 and H3K36 methylation as one example for the complex circuitry of histone modifications that make up the "histone code," and we discuss one recent example (Paramecium Ezl1) for how extant enzymes that may resemble more ancient SET domain KMTs are able to modify two lysine residues that have divergent functions in plants, fungi, and animals. Complexity of SET domain KMT function in the well-studied plant and animal lineages arose not only by gene duplication but also acquisition of novel DNA- and histone-binding domains in certain subfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson A Erlendson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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33
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Histone modifications in neurodifferentiation of embryonic stem cells. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08664. [PMID: 35028451 PMCID: PMC8741459 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of histone proteins regulate a long cascade of downstream cellular activities, including transcription and replication. Cellular lineage differentiation involves large-scale intracellular signaling and extracellular context. In particular, histone modifications play instructive and programmatic roles in central nervous system development. Deciphering functions of histone could offer feasible molecular strategies for neural diseases caused by histone modifications. Here, we review recent advances of in vitro and in vivo studies on histone modifications in neural differentiation.
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GRWD1-WDR5-MLL2 Epigenetic Complex Mediates H3K4me3 Mark and Is Essential for Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus-Induced Cellular Transformation. mBio 2021; 12:e0343121. [PMID: 34933446 PMCID: PMC8689518 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03431-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is causally associated with numerous cancers. The mechanism of KSHV-induced oncogenesis remains unclear. By performing a CRISPR-Cas9 screening in a model of KSHV-induced cellular transformation of primary cells, we identified epigenetic regulators that were essential for KSHV-induced cellular transformation. Examination of TCGA data sets of the top 9 genes, including glutamate-rich WD repeat containing 1 (GRWD1), a WD40 family protein upregulated by KSHV, that had positive effects on cell proliferation and survival of KSHV-transformed cells (KMM) but not the matched primary cells (MM), uncovered the predictive values of their expressions for patient survival in numerous types of cancer. We revealed global epigenetic remodeling including H3K4me3 epigenetic active mark in KMM cells compared to MM cells. Knockdown of GRWD1 inhibited cell proliferation, cellular transformation, and tumor formation and caused downregulation of global H3K4me3 mark in KMM cells. GRWD1 interacted with WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5), the core protein of H3K4 methyltransferase complex, and several H3K4me3 methyltransferases, including myeloid leukemia 2 (MLL2). Knockdown of WDR5 and MLL2 phenocopied GRWD1 knockdown, caused global reduction of H3K4me3 mark, and altered the expression of similar sets of genes. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses further identified common and distinct cellular genes and pathways that were regulated by GRWD1, WDR5, and MLL2. These results indicate that KSHV hijacks the GRWD1-WDR5-MLL2 epigenetic complex to regulate H3K4me3 methylation of specific genes, which is essential for KSHV-induced cellular transformation. Our work has identified an epigenetic complex as a novel therapeutic target for KSHV-induced cancers. IMPORTANCE By performing a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we have identified cellular epigenetic regulators that are essential for KSHV-induced cellular transformation. Among them, GRWD1 regulates epigenetic active mark H3K4me3 by interacting with WDR5 and MLL2 and recruiting them to chromatin loci of specific genes in KSHV-transformed cells. Hence, KSHV hijacks the GRWD1-WDR5-MLL2 complex to remodel cellular epigenome and induce cellular transformation. Since the dysregulation of GRWD1 is associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer, GRWD1 might also be a critical driver in other viral or nonviral cancers.
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Ayoub A, Park SH, Lee YT, Cho US, Dou Y. Regulation of MLL1 Methyltransferase Activity in Two Distinct Nucleosome Binding Modes. Biochemistry 2021; 61:1-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Ayoub
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Sang Ho Park
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Young-Tae Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Uhn-Soo Cho
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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36
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MLL1 is required for maintenance of intestinal stem cells. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009250. [PMID: 34860830 PMCID: PMC8641872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are gatekeepers for the gene expression patterns that establish and maintain cellular identity in mammalian development, stem cells and adult homeostasis. Amongst many epigenetic marks, methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) is one of the most widely conserved and occupies a central position in gene expression. Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1/KMT2A) is the founding mammalian H3K4 methyltransferase. It was discovered as the causative mutation in early onset leukemia and subsequently found to be required for the establishment of definitive hematopoiesis and the maintenance of adult hematopoietic stem cells. Despite wide expression, the roles of MLL1 in non-hematopoietic tissues remain largely unexplored. To bypass hematopoietic lethality, we used bone marrow transplantation and conditional mutagenesis to discover that the most overt phenotype in adult Mll1-mutant mice is intestinal failure. MLL1 is expressed in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and transit amplifying (TA) cells but not in the villus. Loss of MLL1 is accompanied by loss of ISCs and a differentiation bias towards the secretory lineage with increased numbers and enlargement of goblet cells. Expression profiling of sorted ISCs revealed that MLL1 is required to promote expression of several definitive intestinal transcription factors including Pitx1, Pitx2, Foxa1, Gata4, Zfp503 and Onecut2, as well as the H3K27me3 binder, Bahcc1. These results were recapitulated using conditional mutagenesis in intestinal organoids. The stem cell niche in the crypt includes ISCs in close association with Paneth cells. Loss of MLL1 from ISCs promoted transcriptional changes in Paneth cells involving metabolic and stress responses. Here we add ISCs to the MLL1 repertoire and observe that all known functions of MLL1 relate to the properties of somatic stem cells, thereby highlighting the suggestion that MLL1 is a master somatic stem cell regulator.
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37
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Lee SY, Kim JJ, Miller KM. Bromodomain proteins: protectors against endogenous DNA damage and facilitators of genome integrity. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1268-1277. [PMID: 34548613 PMCID: PMC8492697 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous DNA damage is a major contributor to mutations, which are drivers of cancer development. Bromodomain (BRD) proteins are well-established participants in chromatin-based DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, which maintain genome integrity from cell-intrinsic and extrinsic DNA-damaging sources. BRD proteins are most well-studied as regulators of transcription, but emerging evidence has revealed their importance in other DNA-templated processes, including DNA repair and replication. How BRD proteins mechanistically protect cells from endogenous DNA damage through their participation in these pathways remains an active area of investigation. Here, we review several recent studies establishing BRD proteins as key influencers of endogenous DNA damage, including DNA–RNA hybrid (R-loops) formation during transcription and participation in replication stress responses. As endogenous DNA damage is known to contribute to several human diseases, including neurodegeneration, immunodeficiencies, cancer, and aging, the ability of BRD proteins to suppress DNA damage and mutations is likely to provide new insights into the involvement of BRD proteins in these diseases. Although many studies have focused on BRD proteins in transcription, evidence indicates that BRD proteins have emergent functions in DNA repair and genome stability and are participants in the etiology and treatment of diseases involving endogenous DNA damage. Bromodomain (BRD) proteins, known to regulate gene expression, switching particular genes on and off, also play key roles in repairing DNA damage, and studying them may help identify treatments for various diseases, including cancer. DNA damage can occur during normal cellular metabolism, for example, during copying DNA and gene expression. DNA damage is implicated in tumor formation as well as in neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, and aging. Seo Yun Lee and colleagues at The University of Texas at Austin, USA, have reviewed new results showing how BRD proteins function in repairing DNA damage. They report that when DNA is damaged during copying in BRD-deficient cells, tumors can result. They also report that defects in BRD proteins are often present in cancers. Studying how BRD proteins function in both healthy and diseased cells could help to identify new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Yun Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jae Jin Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. .,Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. .,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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38
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Alcohol-abuse drug disulfiram targets pediatric glioma via MLL degradation. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:785. [PMID: 34381018 PMCID: PMC8358054 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric gliomas comprise a broad range of brain tumors derived from glial cells. While high-grade gliomas are often resistant to therapy and associated with a poor outcome, children with low-grade gliomas face a better prognosis. However, the treatment of low-grade gliomas is often associated with severe long-term adverse effects. This shows that there is a strong need for improved treatment approaches. Here, we highlight the potential for repurposing disulfiram to treat pediatric gliomas. Disulfiram is a drug used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism and was found to be effective against diverse cancer types in preclinical studies. Our results show that disulfiram efficiently kills pediatric glioma cell lines as well as patient-derived glioma stem cells. We propose a novel mechanism of action to explain disulfiram’s anti-oncogenic activities by providing evidence that disulfiram induces the degradation of the oncoprotein MLL. Our results further reveal that disulfiram treatment and MLL downregulation induce similar responses at the level of histone modifications and gene expression, further strengthening that MLL is a key target of the drug and explaining its anti-oncogenic properties.
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39
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Maurya S, Yang W, Tamai M, Zhang Q, Erdmann-Gilmore P, Bystry A, Martins Rodrigues F, Valentine MC, Wong WH, Townsend R, Druley TE. Loss of KMT2C reprograms the epigenomic landscape in hPSCs resulting in NODAL overexpression and a failure of hemogenic endothelium specification. Epigenetics 2021; 17:220-238. [PMID: 34304711 PMCID: PMC8865227 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1954780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline or somatic variation in the family of KMT2 lysine methyltransferases have been associated with a variety of congenital disorders and cancers. Notably, KMT2A-fusions are prevalent in 70% of infant leukaemias but fail to phenocopy short latency leukaemogenesis in mammalian models, suggesting additional factors are necessary for transformation. Given the lack of additional somatic mutation, the role of epigenetic regulation in cell specification, and our prior results of germline KMT2C variation in infant leukaemia patients, we hypothesized that germline dysfunction of KMT2C altered haematopoietic specification. In isogenic KMT2C KO hPSCs, we found genome-wide differences in histone modifications at active and poised enhancers, leading to gene expression profiles akin to mesendoderm rather than mesoderm highlighted by a significant increase in NODAL expression and WNT inhibition, ultimately resulting in a lack of in vitro hemogenic endothelium specification. These unbiased multi-omic results provide new evidence for germline mechanisms increasing risk of early leukaemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra Maurya
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Wei Yang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Genome Technology Access Center, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Minori Tamai
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Petra Erdmann-Gilmore
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Amelia Bystry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | | | - Mark C Valentine
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Wing H Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Reid Townsend
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Todd E Druley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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40
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Tejedor JR, Bueno C, Vinyoles M, Petazzi P, Agraz-Doblas A, Cobo I, Torres-Ruiz R, Bayón GF, Pérez RF, López-Tamargo S, Gutierrez-Agüera F, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Ramírez-Orellana M, Bardini M, Cazzaniga G, Ballerini P, Schneider P, Stam RW, Varela I, Fraga MF, Fernández AF, Menéndez P. Integrative methylome-transcriptome analysis unravels cancer cell vulnerabilities in infant MLL-rearranged B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:138833. [PMID: 33983906 DOI: 10.1172/jci138833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. As predicted by its prenatal origin, infant B-ALL (iB-ALL) shows an exceptionally silent DNA mutational landscape, suggesting that alternative epigenetic mechanisms may substantially contribute to its leukemogenesis. Here, we have integrated genome-wide DNA methylome and transcriptome data from 69 patients with de novo MLL-rearranged leukemia (MLLr) and non-MLLr iB-ALL leukemia uniformly treated according to the Interfant-99/06 protocol. iB-ALL methylome signatures display a plethora of common and specific alterations associated with chromatin states related to enhancer and transcriptional control in normal hematopoietic cells. DNA methylation, gene expression, and gene coexpression network analyses segregated MLLr away from non-MLLr iB-ALL and identified a coordinated and enriched expression of the AP-1 complex members FOS and JUN and RUNX factors in MLLr iB-ALL, consistent with the significant enrichment of hypomethylated CpGs in these genes. Integrative methylome-transcriptome analysis identified consistent cancer cell vulnerabilities, revealed a robust iB-ALL-specific gene expression-correlating dmCpG signature, and confirmed an epigenetic control of AP-1 and RUNX members in reshaping the molecular network of MLLr iB-ALL. Finally, pharmacological inhibition or functional ablation of AP-1 dramatically impaired MLLr-leukemic growth in vitro and in vivo using MLLr-iB-ALL patient-derived xenografts, providing rationale for new therapeutic avenues in MLLr-iB-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vinyoles
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and
| | - Paolo Petazzi
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and
| | - Antonio Agraz-Doblas
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Isabel Cobo
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres-Ruiz
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Molecular Cytogenetics Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo F Bayón
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Raúl F Pérez
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Sara López-Tamargo
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Francisco Gutierrez-Agüera
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Orellana
- RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Hematology Diagnostic Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michela Bardini
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Ballerini
- Pediatric Hematology, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Princess Maxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Maxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Pablo Menéndez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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41
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Histone H3K4 Methyltransferases as Targets for Drug-Resistant Cancers. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070581. [PMID: 34201935 PMCID: PMC8301125 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The KMT2 (MLL) family of proteins, including the major histone H3K4 methyltransferase found in mammals, exists as large complexes with common subunit proteins and exhibits enzymatic activity. SMYD, another H3K4 methyltransferase, and SET7/9 proteins catalyze the methylation of several non-histone targets, in addition to histone H3K4 residues. Despite these structural and functional commonalities, H3K4 methyltransferase proteins have specificity for their target genes and play a role in the development of various cancers as well as in drug resistance. In this review, we examine the overall role of histone H3K4 methyltransferase in the development of various cancers and in the progression of drug resistance. Compounds that inhibit protein-protein interactions between KMT2 family proteins and their common subunits or the activity of SMYD and SET7/9 are continuously being developed for the treatment of acute leukemia, triple-negative breast cancer, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. These H3K4 methyltransferase inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are expected to play a role in overcoming drug resistance in leukemia and various solid cancers.
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42
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Puvvula PK, Yu Y, Sullivan KR, Eyob H, Rosenberg J, Welm A, Huff C, Moon AM. Inhibiting an RBM39/MLL1 epigenomic regulatory complex with dominant-negative peptides disrupts cancer cell transcription and proliferation. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109156. [PMID: 34077726 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RBM39 is a known splicing factor and coactivator. Here, we report that RBM39 functions as a master transcriptional regulator that interacts with the MLL1 complex to facilitate chromatin binding and H3K4 trimethylation in breast cancer cells. We identify RBM39 functional domains required for DNA and complex binding and show that the loss of RBM39 has widespread effects on H3K4me3 and gene expression, including key oncogenic pathways. RBM39's RNA recognition motif 3 (RRM3) functions as a dominant-negative domain; namely, it disrupts the complex and H3K4me trimethylation and expression of RBM/MLL1 target genes. RRM3-derived cell-penetrating peptides phenocopy the effects of the loss of RBM39 to decrease growth and survival of all major subtypes of breast cancer and yet are nontoxic to normal cells. These findings establish RBM39/MLL1 as a major contributor to the abnormal epigenetic landscape in breast cancer and lay the foundation for peptide-mediated cancer-specific therapy based on disruption of RBM39 epigenomic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Kumar Puvvula
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - Yao Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kaelan Renaldo Sullivan
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Henok Eyob
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Julian Rosenberg
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Alana Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chad Huff
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne M Moon
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA; Department Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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43
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Zheng Y, Huang Y, Mencius J, Li Y, Zhao L, Luo W, Chen Y, Quan S. Distinct kinetic mechanisms of H3K4 methylation catalyzed by MLL3 and MLL4 core complexes. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100635. [PMID: 33823156 PMCID: PMC8144669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The methyltransferases MLL3 and MLL4 primarily catalyze the monomethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) on enhancers to regulate cell-type-specific gene expression and cell fate transition. MLL3 and MLL4 share almost identical binding partners and biochemical activities, but perform specific and nonredundant functions. The features and functions that distinguish MLL3 and MLL4 remain elusive. Here, we characterize the kinetic mechanisms of MLL3 and MLL4 ternary complexes containing the catalytic SET domain from MLL3 or MLL4 (MLL3SET or MLL4SET), the SPRY domain of ASH2L (ASH2LSPRY), and a short fragment of RBBP5 (RBBP5AS-ABM) to search for possible explanations. Steady-state kinetic analyses and inhibition studies reveal that the MLL3 complex catalyzes methylation in a random sequential bi-bi mechanism. In contrast, the MLL4 complex adopts an ordered sequential bi-bi mechanism, in which the cofactor S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) binds to the enzyme prior to the H3 peptide, and the methylated H3 peptide dissociates from the enzyme before S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) detaches after methylation. Substrate-binding assays using fluorescence polarization (FP) confirm that AdoMet binding is a prerequisite for H3 binding for the MLL4 complex but not for the MLL3 complex. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal that the binding of AdoMet exclusively induces conformational constraints on the AdoMet-binding groove and the H3 substrate-binding pocket of MLL4, therefore stabilizing a specific active conformation to ease entry of the substrate H3. The distinct kinetic mechanisms and conformational plasticities provide important insights into the differential functions of MLL3 and MLL4 and may also guide the development of selective inhibitors targeting MLL3 or MLL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing (SCICB), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing (SCICB), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Mencius
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing (SCICB), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanting Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shu Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing (SCICB), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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Brandi ML, Agarwal SK, Perrier ND, Lines KE, Valk GD, Thakker RV. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1: Latest Insights. Endocr Rev 2021; 42:133-170. [PMID: 33249439 PMCID: PMC7958143 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare tumor syndrome that is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, is continuing to raise great interest for endocrinology, gastroenterology, surgery, radiology, genetics, and molecular biology specialists. There have been 2 major clinical practice guidance papers published in the past 2 decades, with the most recent published 8 years ago. Since then, several new insights on the basic biology and clinical features of MEN1 have appeared in the literature, and those data are discussed in this review. The genetic and molecular interactions of the MEN1-encoded protein menin with transcription factors and chromatin-modifying proteins in cell signaling pathways mediated by transforming growth factor β/bone morphogenetic protein, a few nuclear receptors, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hedgehog, and preclinical studies in mouse models have facilitated the understanding of the pathogenesis of MEN1-associated tumors and potential pharmacological interventions. The advancements in genetic diagnosis have offered a chance to recognize MEN1-related conditions in germline MEN1 mutation-negative patients. There is rapidly accumulating knowledge about clinical presentation in children, adolescents, and pregnancy that is translatable into the management of these very fragile patients. The discoveries about the genetic and molecular signatures of sporadic neuroendocrine tumors support the development of clinical trials with novel targeted therapies, along with advancements in diagnostic tools and surgical approaches. Finally, quality of life studies in patients affected by MEN1 and related conditions represent an effort necessary to develop a pharmacoeconomic interpretation of the problem. Because advances are being made both broadly and in focused areas, this timely review presents and discusses those studies collectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nancy D Perrier
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Gerlof D Valk
- University Medical Center Utrecht, CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Hu A, Hong F, Li D, Jin Y, Kon L, Xu Z, He H, Xie Q. Long non-coding RNA ROR recruits histone transmethylase MLL1 to up-regulate TIMP3 expression and promote breast cancer progression. J Transl Med 2021; 19:95. [PMID: 33653378 PMCID: PMC7927245 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As a significant cause of cancer deaths worldwide, breast cancer continues to be a troublesome malignancy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the development of breast cancer. Abnormal methylation has been associated with unfavorable breast cancer prognosis. Herein, the current study aimed to elucidate the role of lncRNA ROR in breast cancer. Methods RT-qPCR was performed to determine whether lncRNA ROR was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues, while lncRNA ROR expression was detected in both the nuclear and cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were subsequently introduced with oe-lncRNA ROR, sh-lncRNA ROR to explore the effects of lncRNA ROR on cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. Results RIP, RNA pull-down and ChIP assays provided evidence suggesting that lncRNA ROR recruited transmethylase MLL1 to promote H3K4 trimethylation that enhanced TIMP3 transcription. The rescue experiments demonstrated that lncRNA ROR knockdown could inhibit the progression of breast cancer via the downregulation of TIMP3. Finally, the in vivo experiment findings consistently highlighted the suppressive effects of lncRNA ROR silencing on tumor growth. Conclusion Taken together, our study demonstrates that silencing of lncRNA ROR inhibits breast cancer progression via repression of transmethylase MLL1 and TIMP3, emphasizing the potential of lncRNA ROR as a novel target against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixia Hu
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fan Hong
- Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Daohong Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Jin
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingfei Kon
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China.,Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziguang Xu
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui He
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Xie
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, No. 7, Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People's Republic of China
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46
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Libbrecht C, Xie HM, Kingsley MC, Haladyna JN, Riedel SS, Alikarami F, Lenard A, McGeehan GM, Ernst P, Bernt KM. Menin is necessary for long term maintenance of meningioma-1 driven leukemia. Leukemia 2021; 35:1405-1417. [PMID: 33542482 PMCID: PMC8102197 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01146-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Translocations of Meningioma-1 (MN1) occur in a subset of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and result in high expression of MN1, either as a full-length protein, or as a fusion protein that includes most of the N-terminus of MN1. High levels of MN1 correlate with poor prognosis. When overexpressed in murine hematopoietic progenitors, MN1 causes an aggressive AML characterized by an aberrant myeloid precursor-like gene expression program that shares features of KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) leukemia, including high levels of Hoxa and Meis1 gene expression. Compounds that target a critical KMT2A-Menin interaction have proven effective in KMT2A-r leukemia. Here, we demonstrate that Menin (Men1) is also critical for the self-renewal of MN1-driven AML through the maintenance of a distinct gene expression program. Genetic inactivation of Men1 led to a decrease in the number of functional leukemia-initiating cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of the KMT2A-Menin interaction decreased colony-forming activity, induced differentiation programs in MN1-driven murine leukemia and decreased leukemic burden in a human AML xenograft carrying an MN1-ETV6 translocation. Collectively, these results nominate Menin inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy in MN1-driven leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Libbrecht
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.452431.50000 0004 0442 349XInstitut d’Hématologie et d’Oncologie Pédiatrique, Lyon, France
| | - Hongbo M. Xie
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics (DBHI), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Molly C. Kingsley
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Jessica N. Haladyna
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Simone S. Riedel
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Fatemeh Alikarami
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Alexandra Lenard
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Patricia Ernst
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA ,grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Kathrin M. Bernt
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, CTRB 3064, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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47
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Targeting Chromatin Complexes in Myeloid Malignancies and Beyond: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Innovation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122721. [PMID: 33371192 PMCID: PMC7767226 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant function of chromatin regulatory networks (epigenetics) is a hallmark of cancer promoting oncogenic gene expression. A growing body of evidence suggests that the disruption of specific chromatin-associated protein complexes has therapeutic potential in malignant conditions, particularly those that are driven by aberrant chromatin modifiers. Of note, a number of enzymatic inhibitors that block the catalytic function of histone modifying enzymes have been established and entered clinical trials. Unfortunately, many of these molecules do not have potent single-agent activity. One potential explanation for this phenomenon is the fact that those drugs do not profoundly disrupt the integrity of the aberrant network of multiprotein complexes on chromatin. Recent advances in drug development have led to the establishment of novel inhibitors of protein–protein interactions as well as targeted protein degraders that may provide inroads to longstanding effort to physically disrupt oncogenic multiprotein complexes on chromatin. In this review, we summarize some of the current concepts on the role epigenetic modifiers in malignant chromatin states with a specific focus on myeloid malignancies and recent advances in early-phase clinical trials.
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Grinat J, Heuberger J, Vidal RO, Goveas N, Kosel F, Berenguer-Llergo A, Kranz A, Wulf-Goldenberg A, Behrens D, Melcher B, Sauer S, Vieth M, Batlle E, Stewart AF, Birchmeier W. The epigenetic regulator Mll1 is required for Wnt-driven intestinal tumorigenesis and cancer stemness. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6422. [PMID: 33349639 PMCID: PMC7752919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20222-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is crucial for intestinal carcinogenesis and the maintenance of intestinal cancer stem cells. Here we identify the histone methyltransferase Mll1 as a regulator of Wnt-driven intestinal cancer. Mll1 is highly expressed in Lgr5+ stem cells and human colon carcinomas with increased nuclear β-catenin. High levels of MLL1 are associated with poor survival of colon cancer patients. The genetic ablation of Mll1 in mice prevents Wnt/β-catenin-driven adenoma formation from Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells. Ablation of Mll1 decreases the self-renewal of human colon cancer spheres and halts tumor growth of xenografts. Mll1 controls the expression of stem cell genes including the Wnt/β-catenin target gene Lgr5. Upon the loss of Mll1, histone methylation at the stem cell promoters switches from activating H3K4 tri-methylation to repressive H3K27 tri-methylation, indicating that Mll1 sustains stem cell gene expression by antagonizing gene silencing through polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated H3K27 tri-methylation. Transcriptome profiling of Wnt-mutated intestinal tumor-initiating cells reveals that Mll1 regulates Gata4/6 transcription factors, known to sustain cancer stemness and to control goblet cell differentiation. Our results demonstrate that Mll1 is an essential epigenetic regulator of Wnt/β-catenin-induced intestinal tumorigenesis and cancer stemness. Intestinal cancer stem cells (CSC) are associated with colon cancer. Here, the authors show that Wnt/beta-catenin signalling in CSC requires the epigenetic regulator Mll1 to promote stemness and tumourigenesis in murine and human colon cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Grinat
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Heuberger
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125, Berlin, Germany. .,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Department, Charité University Medicine, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ramon Oliveira Vidal
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Nutrigenomics and Systems Biology, Scientific Genomics Platforms, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (BIMSB/BIH), 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Neha Goveas
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frauke Kosel
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antoni Berenguer-Llergo
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Kranz
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Diana Behrens
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology (EPO), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bálint Melcher
- Institute for Pathology, Klinikum Bayreuth, 95445, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sascha Sauer
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Nutrigenomics and Systems Biology, Scientific Genomics Platforms, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (BIMSB/BIH), 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Vieth
- Institute for Pathology, Klinikum Bayreuth, 95445, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Francis Stewart
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Walter Birchmeier
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
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Aberrant Activity of Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) Complexes in Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249340. [PMID: 33302406 PMCID: PMC7762615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2 (histone-lysine N-methyltransferase subclass 2) complexes methylate lysine 4 on the histone H3 tail at gene promoters and gene enhancers and, thus, control the process of gene transcription. These complexes not only play an essential role in normal development but have also been described as involved in the aberrant growth of tissues. KMT2 mutations resulting from the rearrangements of the KMT2A (MLL1) gene at 11q23 are associated with pediatric mixed-lineage leukemias, and recent studies demonstrate that KMT2 genes are frequently mutated in many types of human cancers. Moreover, other components of the KMT2 complexes have been reported to contribute to oncogenesis. This review summarizes the recent advances in our knowledge of the role of KMT2 complexes in cell transformation. In addition, it discusses the therapeutic targeting of different components of the KMT2 complexes.
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50
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Gonçalves CS, Le Boiteux E, Arnaud P, Costa BM. HOX gene cluster (de)regulation in brain: from neurodevelopment to malignant glial tumours. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3797-3821. [PMID: 32239260 PMCID: PMC11105007 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes encode a family of evolutionarily conserved homeodomain transcription factors that are crucial both during development and adult life. In humans, 39 HOX genes are arranged in four clusters (HOXA, B, C, and D) in chromosomes 7, 17, 12, and 2, respectively. During embryonic development, particular epigenetic states accompany their expression along the anterior-posterior body axis. This tightly regulated temporal-spatial expression pattern reflects their relative chromosomal localization, and is critical for normal embryonic brain development when HOX genes are mainly expressed in the hindbrain and mostly absent in the forebrain region. Epigenetic marks, mostly polycomb-associated, are dynamically regulated at HOX loci and regulatory regions to ensure the finely tuned HOX activation and repression, highlighting a crucial epigenetic plasticity necessary for homeostatic development. HOX genes are essentially absent in healthy adult brain, whereas they are detected in malignant brain tumours, namely gliomas, where HOX genes display critical roles by regulating several hallmarks of cancer. Here, we review the major mechanisms involved in HOX genes (de)regulation in the brain, from embryonic to adult stages, in physiological and oncologic conditions. We focus particularly on the emerging causes of HOX gene deregulation in glioma, as well as on their functional and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline S Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisa Le Boiteux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Philippe Arnaud
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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